Sell VStrom, get 2000 VFR or 2012 Ninja?

I previously owned a Blackbird. Great bike, I tended to ride it too fast. Decided to sell it.

Went in a completely different direction, a 2011 VStrom 650. Love it. Really does everything I need, is a little short on the thrill factor. Thrill is gone. (So is BB King)

Anyway, a guy wants to buy it. I'm thinking. A replacement could be a 2000 VFR. Always wanted one, never had one. (In fact, I've only ridden a Gen4 and '12 1200 VFR- never a Gen5) Found one that's nice. Low miles.

Also I have located a 2012 Ninja 1000. Low miles.

Though I really like the VStrom, I dig sport/sport touring bikes more.

I could keep the VStrom and buy the VFR. But I'm not really a two-bike guy. I also owned a 2010 Concours at the time I had the Blackbird, found myself riding the BB all the time. Sold the Concours.

What kind of riding do I do? Local blasts. Some commuting. 1 or 2 long trips per year.

Knowing full well I'm on the VFR forum....what insights do y'all have?

 

I'm picking up my new to me Gen 5 Friday. Doesn't hurt to try something new plus the value is good right now.. At least to me.

 

The VFR is going to outhandle everything you've mentioned. I hear good things about the Ninja 1000, but it's a soulless inline 4, which I've never cared for, and I think the finish on their bikes is crap. The gen 5 is great. A lot of VFR enthusiasts claim, with good reasons to support them, that it's the best VFR Honda has made to date.

 

I hear you.

As far as the handling....the WeeStrom at slow speeds, parking lot maneuvers, etc. is very nimble. More than the Gen4 I rode.

 

This is an excellent question! One that I totally understand as I used to have a 5th gen and had considered the Ninja 1000. There is a lot about the Ninja that is very compelling. In the end though, the VFR wins out in my opinion. On paper the Ninja 1000 is everything the next VFR should have been. But like most Honda bikes, the total bike is greater than the sum of their parts.

The inline four is just that, another inline four. Yeah, it has more power than the VFR and it will do everything you want most likely. But the fun factor just isn't there - IMO.

 

Test ride both. The only real way to tell.

 

I vote for the 5 Gen because I'm biased! Never been one for liter bikes, I'm not a power guy, I like bikes with soul and handling. I bought my 5 Gen a few years after owning my 6 Gen because I wanted a bike that I can have fun on and not have to worry about being on it for several hours and hurting the next two days and it was known to fit the bill. Additionally, it has the V4 growl that I came to love with my 6 Gen and gear driven cams to boot, can you say engine whine?!

For how I ride and where I usually go riding, the 5 Gen has never let me down. In fact I ride with a guy who's on a Blackbird and he and I are usually up in front, yeah he can leave me on the straight sections but when in the twisty parts we like to run in tandem and we both keep a decent pace. He's an ex-road racer and can really ride the piss out of that Blackbird, so I feel pretty good just being seen in his mirrors!

 

You can't go wrong with a 5th Gen. But, I have to admit if I were to switch bikes tomorrow, the new Yamaha FJ-09 would be very tempting.

 

The FJ-09 looks to be a wonderful bike. I'm not enamored with Adventure bike looks. Some are great machines, but aesthetically I find them lacking. And as someone mentioned earlier, the "gestalt" or sum total of the motorcycle is important to me.

The lines of a bike, how it looks, how it works, functionality, cool factor, etc are part of a composite whole that appeal to an individual's particular taste or like. Some of that is hard to put into words, but it also includes (to me) how engaging the bike is to ride. It gets into a subjective arena that doesn't have adequate language.

I would argue that some in-line fours do have a great feel about them. The Blackbird was one, for me. Very engaging. The motor/transmission praxis is bliss. The only knock I have after owning one is that it isn't a bike that goes slow very well.

 

I hear what you're saying and I truly love my 99. Out of the 4 bikes in our stable that is the one that I ride the most and get the biggest kick out of.. The suspension has been reworked by the previous owner and we are similar weight, so the bike is nicely dialed in for me. Any new to me bike would likely need work to feel as good.

The FJ-09 is a in line 3 cylinder, and that engine is a knock out. It even sounds good with stock exhaust. But with an aftermarket, it has a raspy sweety growl that is nearly as intoxicating as our V4's. The stock suspension is better than a 5th or 6th gen, but not as good as mine currently is.

Of course there is huge difference in price between a new FJ-09 and a 5th gen. You could find a nice 5th gen for less than $4k and spend $2k on suspension, exhaust, seat and other farkles and have far less invested than what a new bike would cost.

 

I have a 5th gen VFR800 and a VFR1200 (model 2000), the 800 is a very good bike, sure.
The 1200 without Guhl tinkering with the ECU is a shit bike, however after Guhl done his magic, I do find the VFR1200 far superior to any bike I have ever ridden before.
There is just no comparison, the power and handling of the 1200 is elevated to a whole new level, nothing like Honda sells by default.
That said, the 5th gen VFR800 is a very good bike, I love both but enjoy the 1200 better.

 

Interesting. How do the two compare in terms of comfort?

 

I was going to suggest that as well. My project hit the rocks so I'm looking at something newer. Was considering a newer VFR, wee strom, and Versys and then ran across the FJ-09 and am smitten. It'll probably be the bike I get in the near future.

OP - this is a great video 'light' review of several of the bikes that you mentioned. Model years are going to be a bit off but it may give you some insight into your decision.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvfwgnwpA34

 

The 1200 is far more comfortable, but cornering is a bit harder as it has is bit more weight.
Doing long distance on the highway they are on par.
But the extra power and handling on the 1200 after Guhl Motors has adjusted it, the 1200 wins.
There is just no match to compare with this 1200 for a touring bike that can beat a CBR1000RR, and yes it does on power and torque, however the cornering of the CBR1000RR and VFR800Fi is better but not so much that it's a deal breaker.
The VFR800Fi is a real good bike, but the 1200 with Guhl tinkering is better and more comfortable.
Both are very good bikes.....real good bikes.....but I prefer the 1200 with a Guhl Motors ECU fix, without the 800 is a million times better .eaceful:

 

Was in the same position a couple months back, but long story short, I ended up with the gen 6 VFR800. Awesome bike and can hold just about anything on the road. Don't know cause its of the age difference between bikes, but my 05 is quicker than my mates 00 gen 5.Kawasaki is a very competent bike, but the adjustable windscreen is prone to vibrations and also has a more awkward riding position. Bars are too high. Saying this, in hind sight i would've most probably gone for a Yamaha FZ1 fazer.

 

I personally like the 6th Gen better than the 5th Gen I owned, but that is mainly because of the OEM saddlebags and the more angular design. As far as any VFR vs a Ninja 1000, the most important question in my mind is whether or not you ever have a passenger. If so, the ninja passenger pillion sucks. If $ wasn't an object, I'd be swapping my '03 for an FJR1300 or Concours 14 for better comfort for myself and passenger. Would definitely miss the V4, though.

 

I own a '98 VFR and I love it. I thought about getting a '14 Ninja 1000. Rode it. Liked it. Just couldn't get along with the looks.

The FJ-09 is pretty ugly too, but I have a friend that has the FZ-09 and it's an amazing engine.

 

I owned a Concours 14. A 2010, the model that was Sport Tourer of the Year (can't remember publication).

Although it handled well at speed, I never connected with it. Just a whale in parking lots, the garage, and at slow speeds. I preferred my Blackbird, though 12 years older, much more. Far more fun.

 

I'm biased, this is VFR forum, therefore VFR is the only way to go.

Sure have enjoyed my 6th generation.