VStrom to a 2010 VFR 1200F?

Just throwing this out there....

I have a 2011 650 Wee that I really like. I've got many of the nice farkles. (OEM hard bags, Madstad, fork brace, over-sized Suzuki shield, SW Motech skid plate and engine guards, etc) A guy wants to trade me his low mileage 2010 Honda VFR 1200F. (DCT, cruise control, x-screen on windshield, framesliders) I would kick in some cash, but the deal works.

I like sport bikes like the VFR and am comfortable with the slight crouch of this model. (used to own a Blackbird) And though I like the bike....I like my current ride. Probably more practical, but less thrill. One trade-off I don't like is the fuel range drop-off.

Any insights to share?

 

What kind of range do you get now? I'm filling up every 140 miles and have never run it completely dry.

 

Wow, that's sort of like considering a trade for my Honda Hawk NT650 to the VFR1200F I just bought... very different sort of feel. Have you taken the 1200 for a spin? I very much like the performance envelope of the VFR1200, but I can understand why the VSTROM charms- how tall are you? what re the physical parameters? (I'm 6'2" and the bigger bike feels like more my size. BTW, I also have a "goldilocks" bike, a '98 VFR800, bought new, which fits in between in many ways, but I still much prefer the 1200 after some tweaking (all the bikes have Corbin seats; the 1200 now has Helibars, and Knight Design foot pegs, plus a variety of other farkles (the extended windscreen, a Pyramid CF rear hugger, the rear carrier rack and Honda side bags). If I could only keep one of the three, it would be the VFR1200. Fortunately, these scooters acquired over time and taken well care of serve me well still.

 

According to a statistic published in January of 2014 there were 121,446 gas stations in the US. There are even some in Canada.

 

The VStrom yields anywhere from 240-290 miles per tank. Possibly more if you really coddle it.

 

if fuel mileage is what you are looking for then definately look somewhere else. I will tell you though that your best bet is to ride the vfr1200. I dont mean ride it for 5 minutes. Ask the guy if you can ride it for at least an hour. i think you will find that the vfr1200 will impress you.

vfr1200 goods and bads in comparison with the vstrom650 right off the top of my head.

vfr has a ton more power, better brakes, and handles like a sport bike. you can put just as much touring type of accessories as the vstrom.

vfr is heavier by over 100 lbs, doesnt go off road very well, and has much worse fuel mileage than the vstrom.

 

Here is your solution for more Gas
http://www.rockymountainatvmc.com/p/738/27861/RotopaX-Fuel-Pack?term=flat spare fuel tanks
I would trade up the Strom for the VFR in a heart beat........!

 

I've gone from both Stroms to the 2010 VFR a couple of years ago. I now take advantage of any chance to take the bike and my smile is just as big as the day I got it.
DO IT.

 

No regrets? Miss anything about the 'Strom?

I am really torn so any advice/observations are welcome....Thank you.

 

No, none at all.
I traded in the DL 1000 on the VFR but had the DL 650 in the garage of another year or so. The only time I would touch it was for maintenance or trading it in. My wife rides as well, she wanted a VFR 1200 too but the budget dictated a Ninja 650 which she enjoys much more then the Strom.
A few observations:
Seating position - with heli bars, for me at 5'10", it's a nicely weighed triangle between my feet, butt and hands. The Stroms are all butt, and that bothers my lower back.
Dirt roads - I still have the need to take gravel/dirt roads a bit. The Wee Strom of course was better but is still far from a dirt bike.
Handling - At times I would hit the peg feelers on both Stroms but haven't done so on the VFR. It is a joy in the corners and corner speeds are comfortably 20% higher with the VFR. If you "love to lean it" the VFR will make you smile.
Stability - No comparison, the VFR 1200 is rock solid, wether it's the corners, wind or fighting with big trucks on the slab. You will feel you can walk beside the bike at legal speeds.
Power - different worlds when comparing the Wee Strom to the VFR. I did have a PC on the Big Strom as well as have it geared quite low so it was a bit of a wheelie machine but above 4000 rpm the VFR is addictive, incompatible to both Stroms.
Wind protection - I do have the wind deflector in the highest position on the VFR and that makes it compatible to the stock Stroms.
Suspension - the VFR is a few notches up from the Stroms.
Mileage - The Wee is amazing, close to double the VFR.
Tire Wear - the VFR will go through 3 sets of tires for one set for the Wee Strom.
DCT - I think it's great, it gives riding a new sense of freedom. Sport mode to me works great.
I can suggest the change with 100% certainty. The VFR is a flight of stairs above both Stroms and will give you a rejuvenated outlook for riding.
Time will stand still, I'm still in the lust phase and it's going on 3 years.

 

Forgot to mention the brakes.
After getting used to the VFR I almost got in trouble trying to get the Wee to stop when I first got back on it after awhile.

 

Thank you Robclo, great information.
I know what you mean re the seating position. That is actually the only thing I don't care for on the Wee; I like the balance of a slight crouch and weight distributed via that triangle. (and knees to tank) Most folks like that upright posture...guess I'm different.

The other area you covered- wind protection. The bike I'm looking at has an x-creen on it. (plus the VFR has the lower fairing) My Wee has a Madstad with an oversized OEM shield. I'm curious which one will seem more protected.

Another concern is weight, but I owned a Blackbird before and that really wasn't a bother. However I also owned a 2010 Concours and the bulk of that bike- in the garage and in parking lots- was not cool. At speed it was nimble, but once stopped you felt the bulk of it. I kept my Blackbird, sold the Kawasaki. Though 11 years older, I felt it was a better ride.

Thanks again for sharing your experience.

 

I can't comment on the two screens you're comparing but I'm very happy with my set up on the VFR.
The VFR feels fine pushing it around the garage and at low speeds. The weight is very low on it and with the lower seat height there's no concern.
I haven't ridden a Bird but I get the sense that if a Black Bird screwed a VFR 800 their baby would grow into the VFR 1200.

 

The Suzuki 650 twin is a fantastic motor. The VFR1200 is like having 2 of them joined together