Is the VFR right for me?

Friends,

Currently I own a 1986 Honda Magna VF700. Its a great combination of a cruiser style with the Honda V4 to help give it a sporty drive. I'm thinking about switching up to a 5th or 6th gen VFR and wanted to know what to expect. I test drove one the other day and was really impressed with the performance and handling. Here are the things I'm considering?

1.) I plan on doing quite a bit of driving several times a week (about 140 miles round trip). With regard to rider comfort, how is the rider position for a guy my size 5'8" 160lbs.?

2.) I do not have an overly aggressive driving style, but would like a bike that can still have a sportier feel than an 1100cc cruiser. I never considered myself to be in the market for a crotch rocket, but from the way people have talked the VFR isn't really in the class? Your thoughts?

3.) My wife does like to ride with me sometimes. I've heard of top cases that also have a backrest. With a backrest, how would the comfort compare to my magna? (she doesn't mind riding on the magna)

4.) There is a bike shop near me selling an '02 VFR with 2250 miles and side bags for $4900 in great condition. Sounds like a really great deal. Could I do better?

I really appreciate your thoughts. I feel like you can never fully trust the salesman in the store and I know forums are a great place to get straight answers.

All the best,

Rob

 

Welcome to VFRW

1) assuming your of normal proportions at 5'8" you should be fine and comfortable, I'm 5'10" and quite happy with the riding position of my 06.

2) It is and it isn't . The VFR isn't a supersport, but she can be a lot of fun in the twisties !!! And eat's up the miles on the highway.

3) no comment, my wife hasn't been on the viffer yet.

4) punch your zip code in Craiglook: Craigslist Search and do a search for VFR 800. I saw a 05 with bags for $5500 recently so $4900 for an 02 sounds high, try ebay too for that matter.

 

Welcome!

1) I am 5' 8" with short, stubby arms and legs. I weigh 195 pounds and I have no problems with either the 5th Gen or the 6th Gen. Watch out for R/R and wiring harness issues. This is the weak spot with the VFR.

2) The VFR is a great street bike. I have a CBR 954 and I don't ride it much since I got my 98 VFR last year.

3) For comfort, get an aftermarket seat. I have a Sargent which cost me about $360 new. It sounds like a lot of money, especially since you already have a seat. Trust me, you won't regret it. It's the best upgrade you can do to the bike short of the necessary ones, like the wiring harness and R/R.

4) What woobie said. :biggrin:

My girlfriend wasn't interested in bikes at all when I met her. She saw the VFR and got interested. She sat on the Sargent seat and wanted to go for a ride. Now she is hooked. We rode 2up, two days in a row at a recent track day. She loved it!

 

I bought my '07 in June and am very happy with it. I'm about 5'9" and it fits me well. You'll like the generous fuel capacity, 5.8gals., and it's well suited for sport touring. I also own two sport bikes, but the VFR, although somewhat heavier, seems to be a very capable touring machine. I've previously owned two BMW's and, weight-wise, it reminds me of them.

 

Compared to the Magna, you're looking at a lot more punch.
For your size, you'll find the seating position adequate, but you may or may not like the forward riding position much. It took me awhile to get used to, but after a summer of riding, I felt that I could do some longer hauls on the VFR.
I really like the bike, and it sounds like you're a v-four fan, so this is the bike! Unlike the inline fours, this motor is really high tech, and I can appreciate that. For one, the dual rads really keep the engine cool, and that will maintain the integrity of all of your fluids better than on other bikes. Second, there's a fan pulling air across the motor to keep it cool, also helping engine life. Third, there's that roar of the pipes when the second set of valves open up at 5500 rpm (VTEC). Fourth, it's a sport bike with a metal gas tank - not that common anymore.
The bike handles like a dream. You'll like it.
J

 

In regards to riding position, the VFR is considered a "sport touring" bike and is much more comfortable than a full blown sport bike but keep in mind that there is definately more emphasis on the sport qualities of the bike rather than the touring aspects. As previously mentioned, improvements can be made to make the bike more comfy (aftermarket seat, handlebar risers, aftermarket windscreen, etc.) but still many new owners still find these bikes to be uncomfortable because they don't understand the proper technique for riding these bikes. The key here is to sit forward and grip the tank with your knees and use your back to hold you up. Arms need to be loose at all times and relaxed to help keep pressure off your wrists. Until you learn how to ride the bike correctly you are likely to experience soreness after extended rides especially when coming from a cruiser. As you get used to the bike the soreness will go away but the shit eating grin on your face will stay with you for years to come. The deal you mentioned is not a steal but is still pretty good but make sure that the wiring harness recall that was issued for 02-05 models was done on the bike and you may also want a new set of tires since the existing tires may be originals that are past their prime due to their age.


Rollin

 

1.) I plan on doing quite a bit of driving several times a week (about 140 miles round trip). With regard to rider comfort, how is the rider position for a guy my size 5'8" 160lbs.?
- You're a bit lighter than me: 6'1" 230, but my only beef is that I need to get an aftermarket windscreen. I do ~70 miles a day and So Cal freeways are quite windy. I'd like to get a Sargent seat too, but dollars are scarce right now. I also take her into the mts. on weekends which is a blast on this bike.

2.) I do not have an overly aggressive driving style, but would like a bike that can still have a sportier feel than an 1100cc cruiser. I never considered myself to be in the market for a crotch rocket, but from the way people have talked the VFR isn't really in the class? Your thoughts?
- I was in the same market as you. I hadn't ridden ~20 years and my wife is a P.T., so riding position and comfort were high on the list. The VFR is one of those rare breeds that crosses over very well. I wouldn't say she's got the punch of a GSX-R, but she's also no slouch. I pass what I want to pass with little effort.

3.) My wife does like to ride with me sometimes. I've heard of top cases that also have a backrest. With a backrest, how would the comfort compare to my magna? (she doesn't mind riding on the magna)
- Can't help you here. I have the side bags option w/mine and only my daughter is brave enough to climb on w/me! ;-)

4.) There is a bike shop near me selling an '02 VFR with 2250 miles and side bags for $4900 in great condition. Sounds like a really great deal. Could I do better?
- I'd say that's a GREAT deal if it's clean! I bought mine in June also ('07, 15k, saddle bags, PC-III, Staintune) and I gave $5400 and I think Nada said $7K. Nada says (I assume it's not the ABS model) $4K is avg retail for this one. I'll bet you could either get them to come down, or do better with a newer model.

 

The bike does everything well and some thing excellently! If you buy right you won't loose any money if you need to flip it for some reason. I paid $3700 for my 02 with a Two brothers exhaust, PCIII, givi rack and the original exhaust as well. Bike had 8k on it but looked like it had never been ridden.

This is how it looked after an 800 mile plus day from Dallas to just north of Springfield Illinois, which was just under half way home. Yes I shop long distance!!! Threads are always better with pictures!!