VTX1800F3 or VFR800 Why Switch?

I own a VTX1800F '05 model that I like very much. However, I'm thinking about swapping for a '06 VFR800 Intrcepter.
I need your input on why I should make the switch.
BTW-previously owned bikes include: '82 CB650C, '83 V45 Magna, '88 650 Hawk GT, '97 1400 Intruder.
Please give me your input!

 

The reason I bought a VFR is because I wanted something sporty but not with the cramped ergo's of a sport bike. Plus, the VFR was half of what an R1 would have cost me to insure. It's fast enough for what I use it for and handles better than I can ride it (for now).

 

bigalcam,

I also had an 05 VTX 1800 F3 and switched to a ST 1300A. I have owned several cruisers since my sport bike days, my last sport bike was a ZX 11 back in the early 90's. It all depends on the type of riding you plan to do and how comfortable you want to be. The VFR is a great bike but I decided that I wanted cargo room and sport handling. I comute to work every day and the saddle bags and 2 fairing cargo boxes fit the bill for me. Plus the 7.7 gallon gas tank is awesome. My F needed gas at about 140 miles and thats a pain when you comute 350 to 400 miles a week. The price of a ST is about the same as your F model.

 

Hey - I gotta agree about having storage space and a big gas tank - I also commute to work on my bike in NYC. I recently bought a 2k VFR and I like the bike, but it is not as stable in windy conditions as any of the crusiers I have owned. I like the VFR a lot and it is a great bike, but I am seriously looking at a brand new 2003 Suzuki SV1000S at a dealer showroom in NYC. I would like the keep the VFR, but it is a mission riding in wet/rainy windy conditions. It seems like the full fairing sport bikes get pushed around more than most crusiers in windy conditions. I may be a good candidate for a naked bike with a not so aggressive riding position. Anyway, I would say if you can handle having two bikes one should be a VFR and the other could be a crusier (Honda Valkyrie - one of my favorite big crusiers) or in my case a naked bike.

 

Well today I made the switch. I traded my '05 VTX1800F3 for a '06 VFR800 (White). If I could have afforded it, I would have kept both of them.
After about 10 years of cruiser ownership, I was starting to get a little bored.
I look forward to checking out this site as I develop my relationship with the VFR. :smile:

 

Interesting...I had an '03 Suzuki SV1000 (naked version with Holeshot fly screen) before getting my '05 VFR. The SV was stable up to about 70 mph but over that would get pushed around by crosswinds or truck wakes. By comparison, the '05 VFR is rock stable in all conditions and speeds. Well, I can only testify to about 130 mph...

The '05 VFR is more stable than the '03 ST1300 I used to ride. The ST especially didn't like the wind blast from car carriers; you really had to fight to keep it on course.

The first thing I would check on any of these bikes is tire pressure. Being just a few pounds off can dramatically change the handling and resistance to crosswinds.

 

I have an '05 VTX1800N3 and an '03 VFR. Both are very fun and different to ride. I find the VTX great for 2 up riding, touring and blvd. cruising. The low end torque is great, the ergo's for me are extremely comfortable, and it's got that classic cruiser vibe to it.
I commute/tour on the VFR. It certainly reacts quicker and is more agile than a big cruiser - it should be - it's half the weight but roughly the same horsepower. It gets great mileage and looks sharp.
For me, they're two different bikes for two kinds of riding styles or moods. I find that certain aspects of my riding approach, mechanics, attitude or whatever you want to call it, are different for each bike.
Both are a blast to own and ride!

 

Hey Florida - thanks for the insightful information as I was undecided if I wanted trade my VFR for the SV1000s. You are sooo right when it comes to tire pressure and I am a big on checking my tires on an almost daily basis. I am a believer that riding a motorcycle is all about traction control. I have been advised by one of my fellow VFR buddies that I should consider getting my suspension setup by Race Tech. I do not think I will need a stabilizer on the bike (I am still a crusier at heart and not a very aggressive rider - at least not yet). I am planning on having Race Tech install a Gold Valve kit with springs, appropriate oil, etc. I was also advised that I do not need to spend money on a full fork system (Ohlins, etc.) - mucho $$ only to reap the rewards unless I go to the track which I have no intentions of doing. For the rear shock, the Penske dual adjustable shock was recommended. It’s very good, rebuildable, and you can upgrade it to be triple adjustable at any time. The bike is very comfortable for a few hours with the stock seat. Because it’s an open cell design, your weight will push air out of the seat over time, it will compress and on long rides and the seat will get hard. I plan to replace the stock seat with a Sargent Saddle. The Sargent saddle is closed air so no matter how long you ride, the seat will always feel the same. These guys make a great product and their customer service is much better that Corbin. I may install Gen-Mar risers, but I am also considering the helibars. As far as tires go I am no different than most riders - I like what I feel comfortable and confident with and I am going with Avon tires for my VFR (Pirelli would be my second choice). My VFR already has braided steel brake lines and a Yoshimura exhaust. I may also consider using a K&N Filter & Power Commander II to help dial out any rough spots in the power band. The only thing I need to make a decision on is what type of luggage to outfit the VFR with. Since I am not going to spend the money that Bettle Bags cost - an alternative from Tourmaster or Cortech is what I am considering. I still have my 83 Goldwing and can use that when I feel the need or if storage space is necessary for a long trip.

 

Sounds like you've really done your homework! Here are a couple of additional thoughts...

SUSPENSION: On of the things I love about the VFR is that the ride/handling is so good under any real world conditions. I ride the Smokie Mountains with my buddies on FJR, K1200 and 'Busas. They actually have trouble keeping up with me on those tight mountain roads. Lighter trumps more powerful. The point is I wouldn't plung into those suspension mods unless you plan to spend a lot of time at the track. Maybe yours needs work if it has a million miles on it, but maybe it is just out of adjustment. First, I would set every suspension adjustment back to stock. Experiment with small adjustments. You may find it makes a big improvement over what you're experiencing now.

SEAT: I actually thought the stock seat was pretty comfortable. But I hated the stock upholstery. Too "grippy." Made it hard to move around without standing up. Got the Sargent now. I love it. By the way, I had Corbin seats on my SV1000. The stock SV seat was painful after 45 minutes. The Corbin was all-day comfortable. And, contrary to many of the comments I've read, Corbin's customer service was excellent.

BAR RISERS: I'm a long-distance rider. 600-800 miles per day is no big deal. The stock bars gave me pain in my neck and shoulders after one day. Gen Mars helped, but I still got those pains after three days or so. Never tried Helis, but I now have Convertibars. Installed the full kit including longer brake, clutch and throttle lines. Transformation! I've ridden 5,000 miles in ten days without any pain.

TIRES: It rains all the time in Florida. Plus I have to ride 900 miles of mostly straight road to get to the great curves in the mountains. I settled on Continental Road Attacks. They turn beautifully; are great in the rain; and, the thicker dual-compound center gives great mileage.

LUGGAGE: I have factory hard bags and a Chase Harper tank bag. Can't say enough good about the factory bags (made for Honda by Givi). You can pack for two weeks; they don't leak; and, they don't effect the handling of the bike. If you're going the soft luggage route, I was very satisfied with the Chase Harper saddlebags and tail bag that I had for my SV1000.

PLEASE NOTE: Everything I've said applies to my '05 VFR800A. Never rode a 2000 model. Your results may differ...

 

VTX vs VFR??

Wow! What a comparison? Hard to even compare besides both Honda quality. VTX low, heavy, V-twin right? How can you compare that to a sweet V-4? 200 pounds less and comparable horsepower? I can't see how they compare. I could see ST1300 to VFR800 perhaps? Hmmmm?

 

Why switch? Man what a comparison!
Now that you've got the vfr, PLLEASE take a nice professional rider school, I have used California Superbike School, as they will teach you to really use that bike closer to it's true potential for entertainment and your safety.
Have Fun! Keep the tire pressure to specs.

 

I had the vulcans, a flht, that gawd awfull connie thing, endless nakeds, couldnt figure how anyone could handle that bent over riding postition on the sport bikes..rode my kids 05 gsxr a bit..hmmmm, kinda fun..hmmmm maybe I should go further than a few miles I will actually see if i like it...hmmmm..I kinda did...but maybe just a bit less radical.....I was getting sick of the wind turbulence on the tombstone cruiser shields and the like, tired of the sore lower back sitting straight up, tired of sucked out mushbag handling bikes..hmmm...tried the vfr..have 20,000km on it in 2 months..most comfy bike i have ever driven on the highway..sometimes i actually DO lay on the tank..did it for 8 hrs last fall when it was below freezing and I was comfy!!! never woulda thought!

But it sucks in town..I dont drive in town thank you....tried the higher window, bar risers, etc...waste of $$ for me ..window took away the body lift, arms hurt..risers put me back in the wind, no thanks..just buy a fjr or the like if you need such I figure.. ..in the end for the first time ever I just put it to stock, went for a good long ride..got used to it and I really enjoy the bike.. Except as I said going slow..just the arm pressure thing..no wind to lift.My head is out in the clean airflow and im not looking thru a window and i love it! back is great, rear end is happy. and the fun factor is really good! I;m out in the air and it feels like a bike again! Plus with a backrest my wife is actually comfy the odd time I have to take her for a tour !

My advice is if you get one, leave it alone and get used to it!

will you like it? I dunno..I ride in the mtns and handling is everything. so this bike is a blast...for the flat stuff, I dunno, but then again they all suck there..

I know I will never go back to a cruiser after this...



good luck!

NN

 

+1 -I've had my Valk for 5 years now it's a killer 2-up bike and it's not boring like your typical cruiser - it's amazing how fast I can take corners with it.