Talk me into or out of the 7th Gen

I'm out for replacement and as a new 800 with ABS is no were to be found. I'm kinda forced to look at other options. I have two bikes in mind and limited it down to the Ninja 1000 or the VFR1200.
Reasons to spend more on the the VFR:
Shaft Drive better for everyday commute.
ABS if I ever need it.

The bads The VFR costs more on two fronts, first the actual price of the bike.
Though ABS would be a 1k option if it was on the ninja.
Second to insure this bike it will cost me about 110 bucks more every 6 months.

I can live with the looks of the front of the bike the side looks fine to me but I guess I just really miss the dual headlamps like all the old VFR's have had.
I like the looks and ergo on the Ninja its slight more upright. Another plus factor If I want to change the bike Sprockets would be an option.

The lack of ABS disappoints on the Ninja. Not hot on either exhaust.
Did consider BMW and Triumph but the lack of dealers makes those bikes a non option.

Both can have a 5 year unlimited Mileage on it so the issue. My Real question is Are they going to Kill this bike. They haven't even tried bring out another color in the US. I don't like buying dead bikes it wasn't in issue to me with the 2008VFR I bought 5 months ago because there were plenty of parts to be had. This there is only one US production Year 2010. The Ninja has had what I would call "good" sales or even "great" sales considering the econ so I'm thinking replacement parts for the "dumb" stuff is easy find and sense the bike has a brother with 90% same parts Z1000. It makes a very good replacement for wheel change ups and customizing. Your input?? I'm going to work numbers on the VFR today. The Ninja I can Get COSTCO pricing so its a no hassle walk in and buy it member price.

 

Are you talking about the Ninja 1000 or Z1000? Also, what are you looking for - more sport than touring? I currently own a VFR800. In the next year or two, I am thinking that I want more of a sport TOURER. For me there are 3 options - 1. Convert the 800 - 2. Convert the VFR1200 - 3. Buy an ST1300. Over the years, I have ridden many brands and have come to the conclusion that Honda has awesome quality and reliability.

The 1200 sales seem to be low in the US, but what about elsewhere? Since this is not a US only bike, I wouldn't think that parts would be problem. I also doubt that they will kill this bike anytime soon. I would suspect that if anything, they would expand it into other models. Again, I doubt parts would be an issue.

Lastly, I agree that you pay a premium for anything that Honda has to offer, but if you're looking for a long term commitment, then I think their products end up paying for themselves. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

I am talking Ninja 1000. Sport happens on the weekends Commuting during the week. I put 400miles on during the week easy and another 250 enjoying the bike on the weekends. After owning the bike for a week I will have to do the first oil change.
I also commute rain or shine on a motorcycle. Which is why ABS would be really nice.

Hard cases are in mind so i guess you could say sport TOURING is in mind. Though I wouldn't really call commuting TOURING would call that getting to work.

Never had a problem with a Kawa Product. The Ninja 500 would average 60 plus MPG and just change oil plugs and did the 15k valve check. Had 35k on it before I sold it. It only wanted tires and oil changes. I did one chain replacement

Got the VFR800 thinking me and the wife would want to do more 2 up. When I bought the VFR800 she wanted a FZ6R so she bought a bike so the 2 up isn't really a concern anymore.

 

Won't talk you into or out of one or the other. The Kaw is more upright and easier on the knees. The Honda tucks better for more spirited stuff. I would also throw in resale may be higher on the VFR, but that is pure speculation. My advice try a demo on both if possible. My riding is similar to yours.
Go here ergos and the fizzer is similar to the ninja and the 800 is similar to the 1200. Which riding position do you prefer. Jump on hers for your typical jaunt and see which you like better. You may have to hunt but the 1200 can be had for less than $12,000 sometimes. Now do a little more homework and make a decision. YOUR DECISION!

Why aren't you keeping the 800?

 

The 800 Died on the 5 freeway With a Lady/Guy cutting me off. I made a choice not to hit that car but in the process the bike was laid down. better to have a get off and control it that to hit the person. I rode the VFR800 off the freeway but My ins co totaled out the bike. I didn't want to buy it back and fix all the stuff.

People that stopped to not run me over didnt even think the car knew it cut me off.

I layed it down the 21st of July

What was it, maybe a silver or gold toyota probably around late 90's early 2000's

 

Sorry for your loss. I understand better now. One thing I can say about the VFR is the brakes are great. I was commuting home in a thunderstorm when I applied the brakes I went right past my turn. I think the antilock kicked in. No fuss no muss. I knew I was pushing it because of the weather. I have locked up the brakes on a bike before and survived every time. But this was much preferable to those "OH SHITE!!!" moments. If I had to choose ABS or not, I would go with ABS every time. It just doesn't intrude 99.9% of the time. When it did I was thankful for it. May make me less of a rider but I accept my limitations. I won't be entering any race events in the near future.

 

Honda approved financing for 10k. The Honda of North Hollywood doesn't seem to want to deal and I might have to go to another Dealership. The sales guy is going to call honda on tuesday.(monday is day off) There is a pending deletion of a Collection account that shouldn't be and I have a letter proving it will be deleted, butin the mean time it pulled down score. I hate credit companies it takes them just a key stroke to tarnish your name and you months to fix it. I have a down payment but he keeps talking 16k like I'm going to buy it for that.

I wish California wasn't such a pain in the ass I would buy the bike out of state and just register it here.

 

So it sounds like you've decided on the VFR. I can't imagine that wouldn't be happy with it. So why can't you buy an out of state bike in CA? You can get them for less than 14K.

 

California has some odd laws on the books that No new bike or auto can come into the state unless it has more than 7500 miles on it. Something stupid like that. Its to prevent people from buying out of state or something

 

Lot's of misinformation and bullshit here.

1. You can buy a new bike and bring it into CA.
2. You will be required to pay CA sales tax if you do.
3. You cannot buy it out of state, title it in that state, and just transfer the title and license to CA until it has the minimum mileage, and passes a CA DMV vehicle inspection.
4. You will be required to show the DMV inspector all the certification stickers that the bike is CA state emissions legal. These are always located on the airbox lid, so be prepared to take the bike apart at the inspection to show the top of the airbox and the required cert stickers.
5. If it doesn't have a 50 state emissions cert sticker, don't even bother.

I know, I did it with my '06. Bought new in Limpwilly's state of OR and titled and registered in CA. Paid the tax, completed the inspection and never had a problem.




.

 

Yeah and then your back to the price of a bike in California. I have researched it too Its just more work that I want to do.


The money savings lies in not paying California there 8.75% pound of flesh.

The way I look at it is time that I spend filling the paperwork and getting the finance then to have to deal with the title and License crap plus tax is all Money. Then To drive to another state for me the AZ bikes are 380, miles so that is a cost in the Truck/flight at least another $160 in fuel or flight it adds right back up to price that A CA dealership. No savings there. So its a moot subject.

No miss information hear to not pay California State sales tax the so said bike has to have 7500 miles or more on it before its brought in and title transfered.

Norcal is right you can do all the steps above. But its alot of work for little yeild in savings at least with pricing the way it is right now.

The major savings is and will always be in not paying CA TAX

 

In my area of Lower AL wich includes the FL Panhandle there are maybe two other VRFs running around and the Honda Dealers in my area are not going to have another sitting on the showroom floor, does that bother me? Not in the least, I'm knocking on 9k miles since FEB 11 and still impressed with each ride. I've never owned a "bad" bike just liked some a little more than others, good luck in your quest for a new ride.

 

In NYS, it is a piece of cake - you buy the bike out of state and do not pay sales tax until you register it within the state. Inspection is no different. The problem with what you guys are saying is that the dealers can jack the price of the bikes because of the hassle you want to avoid. That's why you're looking at 16K for a bike that you can get out of state for much less.

 

Example Right now in AZ I can find the bike for 11,500 Right.. Ok don't know what the dealer is charging for Fees but lets say 300. We are now at 11800, The you take that I add my time of driving out to AZ and spending at least a full day on the road plus the 160 in gas to bring my truck to pick it up. I then have to take it to the state inspection to make sure it has the CARB sticker like Norcal has said (most bikes are made to California Standards now so its not to much of an issue). So all said if i got the bike in AZ for that I still get back in state and have to pay all this Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator Per price of bike I would have to add at least $1,193.00 back using that caclulator. So I'm now up to a price of just under 13000 dollars. The best price I got right now instate is 13,800 dollars thats OTD price. I'm pretty sure I can work it down another 300-500 dollars. So that is why I say its not worth it.

 

I'm not sure if you're still deciding or not, but I'll give you my experience, for what it's worth. I owned an '02 6th gen and put 130,000kms on it, and absolutely loved every minute of it. Bought a '10 7th gen in august of last year and have not once thrown a leg over the 6th gen (which still sits in my garage) since I bought it, 27,000kms ago. The 7th gen is, for me, vastly superior in every way.

Hope you enjoy your choice, whatever it may be!