Good or not-so-good for a frist bike?

(kinda) Newbie here!

Have decent experience riding a CB200 many years ago, and more recently, a borrowed BMW 650. Taking the Motorcycle Safety Course June 29th. Honda is the preferred manufacturer. I'd like to get some thoughts on a '04 VFR800 as a 'first' bike (one with side luggage)? Would a smaller, CBR 250'ish bike be wiser? How about a naked bike like the GT650? it would be mostly commuter type riding w/ the occasional weekend ride.

Thanks!

 

The VFR isn't a bad choice for first bike if you can keep your right wrist under control. Otherwise a 500 like the Ninja or Suzuki might be good choices. I graduated to the VFR after a few thousand miles on a 500. If you have experience on a CB200 and 650 the VFR should be just fine, just acknowledge it's a bit heavier than your other bikes and you'll need to take it easier until you figure out it's power and weight. Overall it's a great first bike and one to keep for the long haul!

 

I agree with vfrcapn. You are not a newbie. You do have prior experience and you'll be taking the training. The VFR is an easy bike to ride slow - meaning that the ergonomics are friendly and you don't have to hammer it. The VFR might be an 800, but performance wise, it is closer, or maybe even less than a CBR600. I think for you it would work. Let us know what you decide.

 

One of the best things about the VFR is its multiple personalities. It's great for daily commuting, which is what I bought mine for, and it's a good contender for sport riding too. It can take you on long hauls for some touring as well. My feeling is that as long as you fit the bike, I.e. Don't have to tip toe when at a stop, you should be able to handle its size. To me it feels very balanced even when stopped. Since you have some riding experience already I wouldn't think this would be a bad choice.

I knew one guy who's first motorcycle ever was a Suzuki GSXR750...Let's say that he learned a hard lesson. One thing I remember was he was less than average height and could not put one foot on the ground without hanging off the bike a little! My friends and I were all surprised he was able to buy it from the dealer??? But back then, the rules for selling a MC were not as tight as they are now.

Definitely do the MSF course and wear safety gear!

Cheers

 

"But back then, the rules for selling a MC were not as tight as they are now."

What rules ??? As far as i know any kid with no riding experience or training or a license can still buy any bike he has the money for or can get financed for.

With all the fragile and expensive plastic combined with the relatively weighty package, i would not recommend the VFR for anyone without lots of recent riding experience.

 

A lot can depend on how tall and/or athletic you are. The VFR is pretty tall and a lot of weight is up high, especially with a full tank of fuel. If you're tall and/or athletic it will be easier for you to keep the bike from going over if(when) it goes a little too far to one side. The only advantage to a naked bike is it doesn't cost as much if/when it falls on its side. Putting your foot down and sliding in a bit of sand or gravel can lead to a dropped bike if you can't keep it upright in an emergency. JMO anyway.

 

Bags for commuting....Perfect for your stuff. Occasional weekend ride will turn into "Every Weekend Ride"! Great choice! Just take it easy until you get used to the weight and you finish the course!

 

Maybe I'm mistaken then, my understanding is that you have to have insurance and your motorcycle license and in order to get your license now a days, you're supposed to have taken an MSF course. Versus, when this guy bought his GSXR. He was barely 19 and only had his car license and had not even got his MC learners permit yet. He was planning on using his new bike to take the test but that would not fly for obvious reasons. I bought my used VFR last year from a BMW dealer and I had to show proof of both of the fore mentioned items, maybe it was just their policy?

 

I have a 2004 VFR. I wouldn't recommend it as a first bike, as it is rather heavy and the stock EFI requires a practiced throttle hand at parking lot speed. And the plastics are spendy to replace/repair after a low-speed dump.

That said, you don't sound like a newbie, so go ahead. It certainly isn't going to startle you with its power, that's for sure!

 

To take this question further...

Athletic? Proabably more so than most. 5'9" and 200lbs. 30" inseam.

In the showroom, the CBR250 was easliy controlled and felt good (30'5" hseat height). The NT700 didn't feel so well only because the footpegs hit the ankle. Was okay tossing it between the legs - obviouly not as easy as the 250 - but okay (31.7" height). Hoping to get to a dealer having a used 800 tomorrow. (BMW650 height 31.7")

Squirrelman, by saying the plastics are spendy to replace, is that any different than a newer faired bike? Are plastics (OEM preferred) difficult to get for the 800? How about aftermarket plastics? Does this make a naked bike a wiser choice? (a 2000 GT650 is another thought.) How is the parts availability of early 2000 800's?

Regarding the EFI issue, I've driven clutched vehicles my entire life, so I don't think that's going to be an issue. Even so, if I feel it is a nagging dislike, I will do the fix I've read about in this forum.

Overall, my thinking is I want to do a long-term bike in the 600-800cc size. I would probably grow out of the CBR250, although the fun-factor is probably higher! I see the VFR800 as a bike I can grow in to, while also being a nice commuter/ touring bike over the 250 and GT650. Then again, the 800 starts driving the cost higher on something that can be used only half the year (Chicago area).

Thanks for the input thus far - it has me thinking! Keep 'em coming!!!

 

I'm going to say pretty much what reg71 said. The fact that you've put this much thought into it tells me that you are clear on what your goals are. You are not a newbie, so why start on a 250? You seem mature enough that you can grow into the 800 while riding it within your abilities. As long as can suppress the "inner squid" (that is in all of us), then I think you'll be fine.

 

The best advise I ever got was - It's not the engine size or the weight of the machine, it's how the bike fits you. Sit your butt on all types and styles of bikes. Take it off the centerstand and feel the weight of the bike under you.

Some salespeople will even hold the bike, so you can actually sit on the bike in the riding position, with your feet on the pegs and hands on the handlebars to check out ergos. An even better salesperson will make suggestions on accessories to make it fit you better (risers, seats, handlbars, levers, etc).

And finally, the bike is the downpayment. You will be spending money regularly on accessories and comfort items to customize it for you. Very few, if any, bikes come off the showroom floor that will feel like it was built just for you.

But that's just my opinion.

 

Dont go the 250. I have a similar backgound to you, 20 years ago I even had a mighty CB200 myself, also a GSX400 - had a mate with a VF750 which I would try to ride fast, I never dropped it but it was due to good luck not good piloting! Decided to get back into motorbikes a year or so ago and got a ZZR250. Lots of fun for a few days but quickly got frustrated at how light it was on open road and constantly working the gears to keep it in a decent rev range, also so much noise and fuss for so little performance. In my opinoin if I was 18 the VFR800 would be too much power for the combination of inexperience/18year old bullet proofness, but if your brain has moved to the more self preservation mode (which it sounds like it has) you will be fine, you will keep yourself safe while the experience grows......Get it!!!

 

You've had experience on a 250, you should be plenty fine on an 800. The fact that your asking, goes to prove that you are responsible enough to think before you act, which in my opinion, is more valuable then anything.
Im only 19, and when I was 16 I had an 84, honda ascot vt500. A year later, I got a 1998 Suzuki TL1000R. Now, I have an 83 750 interceptor. Sure,some people may say that's too much for a "kid" but it all really comes down to the person, I don't have a single accident/wipeout/speeding ticket.
So in actuality, it really depends on what you think/know you can handle.
I'd go for it, you'll be fine!

 

Suppress? That is what I have been doing wrong!

I think any bike you learn on is a good beginners bike. I never was one to learn on something I didn't plan on keeping.

 

You sound to be a mature adult with experience and will power . My first street bike was a new 84 Interceptor and I couldn't have picked a better bike to gain experience (coming off riding dirt bikes since 8 years old). Go with your gut(like Gibbs says), if thats the bike you want to grow into GO FER IT.JMO

 

+1 Haole Girl. It's gotta fit. And good point about it being only a "downpayment." So much truth to that!

My first bike was a 600 lb 1983 Honda CB1100F. It sat a little higher than many bikes but being 6'2" it fit me well. After a little while I got used the weight and the feel of the bike and became very confident. Though my '00 VFR is 150 lbs lighter, it feels as if the weight is positioned higher than it was on the old F. I've heard that sportier bikes have their weight placed higher than cruiser type bikes (can anyone speak into that?). All this to say, the bikes weight is not the only factor to consider.

 

Very good point Haole Girl! Although I've sat on a few bikes here and there (and rode few), I need to have a salesperson hold the bike and see how it feels with feet OFF the ground and in the riding position(s). On paper though, the VFR800 seems right. Plus, this will buy me time until the cycle safety class at the end of June, AND just maybe the new NC700X will be in the showroom too. I'm pretty sure if I was to go ahead and buy ANY bike beforehand - I would be riding it.

 

I have a 30-inch inseam. The VFR is fine; I can stand flat-footed on it.

I think you are over-thinking this. One - it's just a bike. Buy it. If you don't like it, sell it and buy another. There are lots of bikes out there. Two - it is a very easy bike to ride at speeds greater than 20 mph. It's power delivery is very predictable even with the VTEC and it won't surprise you with its BIG horsepower - mainly because it doesn't HAVE big horsepower. Or torque either. What it is, though, is the smoothest bike I have ever ridden. BUT if you don't like it, you can sell it. Did I mention that? Three - with the stock EFI it has a jerky throttle response in 1st gear in the parking lot, but it isn't THAT annoying. You can handle it. Or you will buy a Power Commander like many of us here and never look back. Four, it's kinda heavy, but that only matters in the parking lot.

I think you would love it. But if you don't, sell it and buy a different bike. There are lots of motorcycles out there.