Considering purchase of a VFR...

Hi everybody,
This is my first post so thanks in advance for your indulgence. I live in the Detroit area and am considering a VFR. A bit of background on me...long time motorcyle guy....do my own mechanicals and mods and presently own an '04 Victory Vegas cruiser which frankly is killing my back in spite of trying to tweak the cockpit. The problem is the forward controls. So I want a bike I can ride a lot of miles on with my feet where God intended, i.e. under me. I believe the Ergos of the VFR fit that bill. So the question is what and how. What model year should I buy. Have to say I love the red bike. Is there a sweet spot for model year? I have read a bit about these bikes and there doesn't seem to be that much difference technically from one to the next but presume those that really know will say...yeah...the best year is...200X. The other thing is ABS versus linked brakes. What do you guys think? Is this worth the reason to buy a late model bike? Have to say I like the retro colors of the 25th anniversary '07 VFR. Perhaps that is the sweet spot...with ABS. Anyway, I would sure like some advice as an old motorycle guy looking to join the VFR family and do some touring if not general riding. If someone knows of a sweet, low miles VFR in the Detroit area for sale, please let me know.
Thanks and hello,
George

 

I think there were a couple small recalls on the 2002's, after that the biggest change is the VTEC on/off points were changed for the 2007. I don't think I would bother with ABS, but I've never ridden any motorcycle with ABS so I couldn't say. The other issue is fueling control; these bikes run lean from the factory where most people spend time cruising. If you pick one up and it really bothers you, pick up a Power Commander (aren't these things advised on just about every motorcycle sold with fuel injection?) and do a couple other basic mods that cost basically nothing (PAIR block off is first I can think of).

For touring, if you're very tall especially, windshield choice gets pretty "interesting" to fight buffeting and noise on the highway. I've tried a taller shield from MRA with a pronounced lip at the top and found it made the ride noisier, and have since taken it down extremely far with a band saw and belt sander. There's also a guy on another VFR forum that sells lowering blocks for the pegs, or you can adapt some Buell parts to drop the pegs.

Really what you're looking at, if you want a 6th gen at least, is more comfort mods to improve what Honda gave us in the VFR. The engine isn't really something to think about save for the valve adjustments, which make me nervous to perform on my own, and I'm not usually one to shy away from a wrench.

 

Thank you Pres for your thorough response...appreciate it. I am tallish...6'1" with relatively long legs so the tips on windscreen and lowering the controls are helpful. Do you believe the changes to VTEC cut on/off are substantial enough to eliminate pre-'07 bikes from my search? If ABS is not that big a deal as is often reported by those that have ridden motorcycles without it for years...perhaps finding an '07 bike without ABS is the ticket and save $1K or so? It always comes down to cost/benefit and therefore I am trying to find the sweet spot between model year, mileage, condition and cost. Buying new and having dealer service support is not that big a deal to me. What year did the 6th generation VFR come out? Is that the line in the sand I should look for?
Thanks for any further advice.
George

 

Purchase VFR

Biker7,
I can only say that I'm more than happy with my VFR and glad I bought it. I didn't get ABS but have heard good things about them. Concerning buying a used one, what I found is that the prices for used ones are close to the prices of new ones if you shop around and are willing to travel to get the bike. The used bike I considered buying was only $500 less than my new one. That's a small price to pay to know that it hasn't been abused and that the oil's been changed on interval. Also, if you can, I'd get the luggage. It's well worth it. Good Luck!
PS. I know it's a plug, but check out Sindts Motors of Iowa. These people were really good to me.

 

All good points...thanks dcemery. I generally buy used and from discerning private parties locally after a bit of looking. You mention Sindts Motors of Iowa. Are you in Iowa or did you have the bike shipped? Do you have an opinion if I purchase out of state, what the best transport company is?
I am in Michigan.
Thanks again,
George

 

I'm 6' 1" 34" inseam you should have NO issues with the factory peg placement.

my only issue was on my first long ride on my 07 (it had 13 miles when we left my house) after 177 miles of a 220 ride the back if my inner thighs started to get sore. I blame this on a brand new seat that hadn't "broken in" yet


last week we rode 234 miles & i felt fine.. Oh yea I have hade multiple back surgeries over the past 15-20 years.... pain seems to go away after 20 miles on the Bike


as for the ABS I cant say good or bad about it ... mine is non ABS

 

I just went through the same thing.. I'm so glad I bought a vfr!
I looked around for a while then just decided to get a new one.
I'm 6'1" and have been very comfortable riding it so far. I did already put Heli bars on the bike which raised the bars about an inch or so.
The only other thing I may do to make it a little more comfortable is buy an aftermarket seat, probably a Sargent.
After a few thousand miles I'll start looking at the power commander and new exhuast, although I really like the look of the stock exhaust.

BTW, this is a great site.. If you do a search you can find an answer to almost any question.

 

I have knee problems I am 6'1 and have long legs 34" inseam . I had a 2005 zzr 600 .After two hours my legs would fall asleep. I race Bicycles long distances up tp 13 hours in the saddle so this suprised me.I tryed replacing the rear set but it did not help. I got the 2006 vfr with ABS I have riden it up to 10 hours streight .All the way down skyline drive and back to Baltimore with no problem. I would highly recomend the ABS system. It costs 1000 dollars but it may save your life .Or at least keep you from haveing a big box full of scraped up plastic stuff in the geroge and a broken collar bone. I am also a mechanic , The valve adjustment is very complex with the V-teck but only needs to be done every 15000 miles other than that it is just like every thing else mechanicly.

 

The thing about ergos is hip angle as many know. With forward controls, stretched out hamstrings pull on the base on the back and with a vertical torso as with most cruisers, that is a recipe for a sore back...what happens to me. If I rotate my feet rearward, I am fine.
Thanks for your comments,
George

 

Lots of 6'1" riders here...lol...and quite right the culture on this board is great. I presume it has to do with dem's...guys that buy these bikes aren't as boy racer as some of the more aggressive bike owners... and many older riders that would prefer the riding position of a VFR have owned a lot of motorycycles. Thanks for your advice,
George

 

Unreal. A guy who races bicycles as well. I am a dedicated roadie...will ride my Look 555 about 80 miles this weekend. I am the equivalent of a Cat 5+ cyclist, i.e. old and slow...so if you can ride competitively for 13 hours you have my deepest respect. :yield: No wonder you have knee problems. :wink:
Here ya on the ABS front. A great thing to have. The flipside is I have been riding motorcycles all my life and am still here without it by the grace of God.
Is the valve adjustment really that complex? Just shims and a feeler guage isn't it? I do all my own maintenance and modding...build my racing bicycles from scratch etc. I do have a question for you relative to the reliability of the VFR. Reports are these bikes are pretty bulletproof. Is there an achilles heel on the older VFR's....for example do the collector box's rust out? Anything to look for on an older bike?
Thanks for any further thoughts.
George

 

I know nothing about the older vfrs, but I have not had a problem with my VFR yet. My knee has authrites and a work accedent. Kind put me off the bike a little. My wife just completed the Paris-Brest -Paris ride.That one goes 750 miles non stop or 1200 km. She did it in 87 hours

 

Biketoc...are you in Europe? Cycling has gained a bit of popularity in America here in recent years. It is a passion of mine. I ride my bicycle about 120 miles a week or so and my motorcycle just a bit more during the nice weather.
Its great to have a wife dedicated to fitness.
Best Regards,
George
If you live in France, you may recognize this frameset...built with Campagnolo of course :smile:...my latest road bike:

 

Nop I live on the east coast of the USA. We have some great mountains here. I have bin riding since bicycles everyday as a commuter since 1997. I Only got into motorcycles to help with my decending skills. And then I tour my knee up .I hope to get that fixed I dont have a car so I will need time to heal. I used to beat everyone up the hills and they would pass me on the way down. It realy pissed me off. Now I pass I cant climb as well but I can go down a hill with the best of them. I have a Campy Record chainring tatooed on my leg
That is one awsome bike . 15 pounds ?

 

I also went from a 'cruiser' to the VFR.

Here's my take. If you TRULY want comfort on a motorcycle for touring purposes, get an ST1300, Kawi Concours or Gold Wing. Everything else will be a compromise in some way. Don't get me wrong, the VFR has a definite niche market for SPORT touring, emphasis on sport. But don't expect a ton of comfort compared to your Victory. Bars are still pretty low, and you can't stretch your legs at all like on the cruisers. If you put a large windshield on the VFR you'll discover there's no wind resistance and more pressure will be put on your wrists. So there's always the wind pressing you back upright.

If you get a VFR just know it's more of a sporty bike than touring such as a BMW or ST.

 

Man you are a serious bicyclist! We could easily morph this into a bicycle thread and explore the myriad nuances of climbing and descending which leads to gearing. If you rehab your knee, seriously consider a Campy Chorus compact...or an alloy compact that Campag makes. They open up so many gearing options short enough for climbing and long enough for 50 mph descents. I ride presently with a 50/34 in front with 25-11 rear cassette and have few and enough gear inches to do what I like. I live in Michigan and the hills are ant hills compared to what you ride. You need nice short gearing for what you climb but you don't want to spin out going down either. I have ridden triples that I like very well but the thing about a compact with 110 BCD is you can paste on any front rings you like to fit the mountain and they are relatively inexpensive. With a racing size double with 135mm BCD, you are limited by how small an inner ring you can install which may exceed your climbing threshold not to mention further tax precious knee ligaments. Campy does something that is a proprietary hedge against using competitor's chainrings which is to use a 112 BCD for the chainring hole under the crankarm. This is easily averted with a simple dremel as chainring orientaton is maintained with the other four chainring attaching holes. I have a 38t inner Sugino chainring being shipped to me as I write this in fact. I wanted to build almost a full carbon fiber bike this last winter and therefore that is what you see. The Look frameset is outstanding. The nicest frame on a number of levels I have ever ridden. The Campy Chorus gruppo with CF crankset has outboard bearings which are wonderfully stiff for great power transfer...light and of course aesthetically a visual feast. As to the bike weight...nope well above the tour de France weight bogie...my bike weights about 18 pounds with pedals. I am no weight weenie at 190# myself :wink:
Bicycles like motorcycles are part function and a lot of art for the mechanically inclined. I hope you get your knee rehab'ed and get back out on the hills. I have ridden about 2,000 miles on my bicycle this summer and about as many on my my motorycycle. I wouldn't want to have to choose between the two because I like them almost as much...endorphin buzz of riding the bicycle and adreneline of the motorbike. As to speed of descending...never a problem with me....born to run...hehehe...wide out and then cut that apex...lol. A lot about descending is also the frame geometry and stiffness. This thing tracks like a slot car at 50 mph.
Cheers,
George
Some more bike pics. As to Record...if you go with a Campy compact crankset for climbing, consider a CF Chorus. Better cost/benefit...only a few grams more...noise.

 

Points taken. Ergos seem to always farret out the weak link which can vary depending on the rider because we are all built a bit different. A cruiser with its upright riding position, isn't particularly friendly to my back....especially with forward controls which puts the hamstrings in tension. By contrast rear or mid mounted controls releases the hamstrings and yes does cramp one's legs a bit but at least the torso is now a bit freer to rotate about the pelvis which has a cost as you say as well. The wrists taking the rider's weight since the legs are now less restraining of the torso. And so it goes...no free lunch. The larger bikes you mention by virtue of mass soak up road irregularities better but the ergonomics of each bike are very specific and may or may not work for everybody. The book on the VFR is it is an balance of sorts...part sport and part touring bike. Many report that the riding position is about as good of a balance as it gets and others do report sore wrists as you say. So it comes down to either the wrists or the back...lol.
Thanks for your comments,
George

 

http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcy/425483251.html
Same bike with picture
http://detroit.craigslist.org/mcy/420165965.html

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/mcy/428441399.html

 

Thank you R.W.
Best Regards,
George

 

bicycle

My current ride is a Giant tcr with an fsa compact and a 11/27 nine speed and when I go touring I ride a Giant ocr with a 30/39/53 10 speed 11 /23 all Shimano I hate to say, but the bikes are incredibly cheep increadibly stiff and still comfortable and weigh less than 18 pounds
my old ride is a Bianchi Mega pro scandium with full Campy record 9 speed
I guess we should stop the thread jacking and get back to Motocomfort.
I found stoping for gas and straching and walking aroung a little helps with realy long rides.