Will Mods put a smile back on my face,

Darren:

Nice post on the k1200... was that the k1200S, GT?

I'm shorter than you at 5'6" and am way happier for my commuting in traffic on the VFR. Without a passenger the extra ponies don't matter much for everyday. The stability is due to the K bikes limo/hearst wheel base K is 61.8", VFR is 57.4"

I'd add the following to your comparo

Advantages: pretty blue & white logo, tons of factory options, the power is amazing.

Downfalls: price, missing red in RWB paint scheme, price, price, and they are expensive. BMW unique switchology. 13:1 compression means only premium fuel and alot of work for the engine internals.

I'm thinking you have the best of both ... I'd like to hear which bike you ride more for what etc. as I looked hard at both before seeing the Anniversary bike.

 

Save your money on mods and go to the track. I guarantee it won't feel anemic to you anymore. Especially when some chic blows by you on an SV650 :biggrin:

Seriously: www.nesba.com

 

Having owned a K12RS myself, I agree with some of what you say. However the weight difference isn't slight, it is near 200lbs! That is a significant difference, a 30% increase. You feel that in slow speed moves -- no question. But, that is also part of the reason that the K feels more planted on the highway. The K handles its weight very well, but it still has that weight. And I took my K12 to the track on one occassion, so I rode it pretty hard on occassion.

The K will always be more work, in the tight stuff no matter how much you skills improve. Due to a number of factors. Now you may get good enough so that the work is the same as it was when you got rid of the VFR, but if you went back to the VFR, that work load would drop too. Even an expert rider will find the VFR easier in the tight stuff. It is just a smaller, lighter, more nimble bike. Doesn't mean the K is bad, it isn't, it is just physics. The K is going to be better over long distances, or loaded, or with a passenger and more stable at very high speed. I remember running the K12 down hwy 5 for over an hour at 100+, and it was just smooth as silk, even up to an indicated 130MPH. The VFR isn't, not that it can't do it, it can, and mine does on occassion, just not quite as well.

they both have their spot, but for me, right now, the VFR is the better bike

most of my riding right now in my life is unfortunately, mostly commuting, the K12 was just much more work for that

although I do miss the BMW accessory line and if the F800ST was availible when I bought the VFR, I really might have done that

Was really great when I had my CBR600 and the K1200RS in the garage, but that isn't really likely right now (house & kid), could do it, but would certainly hurt, and just isn't necessary right now.

 

I have an 03 GSXR 1000 virtually unmodded and bought a leftover 06 VFR ABS in April. I'm still trying to get used to the fact that the VFR wont have the hit that the GSXR does. The one thing the VFR will never do is spin the rear tire up and try to spit me off like the GSXR can but throttle restraint has prevented. I havent ridden any of the other literbikes but based on the media I would say you may want a GIXXER 1000 for the BIG hit or find an RC51 to stay in a twin with a much more sporting power delivery.

 

Perhaps a Littel unfair to punt a Gixxer against a VFR , But i hear you on the sudden surge you speak of . Most liter Bikes , the Power is simply Insane . trully Insane .

 

Been there, didn't do that! I was about an inch away from taking a new F800S. Wanting to make sure I was making the right choice, I took the local dealer demo for another ride. The second ride was really eye opening. The bike vibrated through the seat and bars MUCH more than the Viffer ever will, the motor knocked, pinged and generally sounded like crap. I'm sooo glad I took another ride. The first time I rode it I had stars in my eyes because I honestly do love the BMW looks. I guess I overlooked all the other stuff because visually I was in love. So my usual feeling about BMW was once again confirmed. I would spend a lot more money and have less overall safisfaction (no offense to anyone). I bought my VFR about 3 days later

Now in response to the original post and also in addition to my meaningless first reply, I would first have to ask BigD what is your riding history and/or preferences? It makes all the difference in the world when determing how much "fun" a bike is. Let me explain. Have you ever been to a track/training school on a sport bike? Plan to? Would you consider yourself simply a basic street rider who is just starting out? Can you honestly asses your riding skills?

The reason I ask is because your level of skill and experience makes all the difference determining what a "fun" ride is. I'm only saying this because I HAVE BEEN THERE MYSELF! I can fully understand why a VFR would not be "fun" if you are still trying to gain some skills. Basically what I'm getting at is your thrills are pretty much reduced to the full throttle blasts that put the butterflies in your stomach. When I bought my first sport bike, a 1000RR about 3 years ago, the rush of fast acceleration was what I had to rely on for the fun factor. The available torque also made it seem much more liveable on a daily basis because it was easy as pie to use. Beyond that what was there? I couldn't handle the bike worth a damn! Sure I could take a turn "fast" but I had no idea how to actually get off the bike and take a turn properly at speed. I was coming off of a cruiser and hadn't yet completed any track sessions to gain confidence and experience in the TRUE fun of a sportbike which is the twisties.

Fast forward to today. Having completed numerous track days and gaining my coveted "A" sticker, I can make my VFR do more than I could have ever imagined a few years ago. It handles great and has plenty of power if you are able to use it where it counts...corner speed!

So all that BS aside, I can see how the VFR is boring to some. Adding pipes and whatever is only going to do so much. It might hold you over for a little while, but it won't hold a candle to litre bike in many aspects. You would have to accept the VFR for what it is and if that's not enough, you have your answer.

Public service announcement: I strongly encourage all of you to go the track at least once. Take a basic course, do whatever, it'll open your eyes to a whole new world and give you a completely different perspective on your riding. You will learn that the rider makes the bike, not the other way around.

 

You guys kill me. the VFR in any form is 100 at the rear wheel, maybe a bit more, but around 100. THe weight is clearly over 500lbs gassed up, SOOOO logic would dictate it won't pull the eyeballs out of your head with ragard to pull, period. If you want a liter bike....BUY ONE! Neither is the VFR a beginner sportbike as some have said.

It is a refined, sport tourer that can hang with most anything in the right circumstances, provided you know how to ride. Will an R1 or GSXR smoke you if that is their intention and they are willing to encur more risk, absolutely and no ammount of modding will change that. However, don't forget that as you are tooling around comfortably, the liter biker is standing on his pegs, riding one handed and shaking out his numb hands just to keep riding. And compared to the more comfortable ST1300 or FJ1300 the VFR is far lighter and better handing in any circumstance.

As in any bike purchase you have to know what you want and what you are looking at. Good luck Viffers!

 

Was this to me? You quoted part of my post, and definately responded to part of it, about the F800. But then some of what you went on to say, doesn't really make sense to me. Were you answering someone else's post, or did you misread mine?

 

Spike, just the f800 part.

I started the rest with "Now in response to the original post...". Sorry for the confusion.