Potential Upgrades?

Discussion in 'Anything Goes' started by Sam_, Nov 26, 2021.

  1. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    One of the things that keeps me motivated is new stuff. I'm always working for the next adventure, usually in the form of a bike. I'm liking the VFR but I can't say with absolute certainty if it's the long-term bike for me. I guess there's no one better to ask than you guys; if you were to upgrade from the VFR to anything else, what would it be? I'm currently thinking of the following but am looking for more options:

    -Fuel-injected Blackbird
    -K1200s/K1300s
    -R1200rs
    -2008+ Concours
    -Other option: put some money into the VFR instead (I may end up buying a different 800 if I take this route)

    Each of these bikes has something I love and something I don't. Blackbird is awesome but doesn't have electronic cruise, the K bikes are probably the best bike on this list but have crap panniers, the R has a strange gauge setup (some really strange analog tach that you can barely see), and the Concours has the power I want but is a boat (not taking the ZX14 because insurance doesn't like a 21-year old on one of them).

    I guess just some info on my VFR for a more informed decision:
    '02 800ABS, Sargent seat, stock exhaust, double bubble windscreen, ~43000 miles, dropped on right side at some point, have stock panniers and Givi top case. I love it, but it wasn't well maintained before I bought it (I am a bit concerned for its long-term reliability) and I am dreading doing the valve adjustment.

    VFR1200 seems like the logical step but I honestly hate how they look. Anyway, I don't think I'm missing anything. Thoughts?
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2021
  2. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    I can only speak for myself (an old fart)..... sell off the '02 and get a '14-up VR800. Electronic cruise can be added to the VFR or the Blackbird, strike all the others off the list. I could see myself on a VFR1200 too. Stick to the sport touring category.... insurance for sporty stuff is outrageous. Blackbird and VFR1200 qualify. FJR over the C14 any day if you want a heavier sport tourer. ZX-14, FZ1, etc. are supersports. How about a Z1000/Ninja 1000? In-betweener.
     
  3. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    Never been a fan of naked bikes for touring. I had an R1100R before the VFR and my biggest complaint was the wind (I had a relatively large windscreen but they can only do so much). I remember looking at the 1000 Ninja but the panniers were pretty cramped from what I recall.

    Are the 8th gen VFR's that much better? I didn't think they were much of an upgrade. Don't get me wrong, I think they're the best looking VFR probably ever, but I didn't think they upgraded all that much.
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2021
  4. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    From what I read, 8th Gen fixed a lot of the VTEC issues and is a bit lighter..... possibly feeling more powerful as it doesn't have as much weight.
     
  5. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    Probably not worth the extra 4-5 grand. Not to me, at least.

    If I am to buy aftermarket electronic cruise, it will almost definitely be for a blackbird. The only issue then is panniers. I haven't been able to find somewhere that makes a good set. Not to mention I can't find a low-mileage example, or a high-mileage one for reasonable money. The cheapest one in Canada is in Quebec for like $5500 and it has 125,000km.
     
    Last edited: Nov 26, 2021
  6. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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  7. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    I did see that one afterwards. I'd just rather not buy something so high mileage if I can avoid it, regardless of how reliable they are.

    I'll be keeping an eye out. I'd rather buy in Alberta for obvious reasons but I may have to fly somewhere and ride something back.
     
  8. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Generally yes, but depends if you want to sell it later..... I bought my VFR at a good price, put money into it that I'll never recover, but I like it so much, and would find it difficult to part with.... it has 110k kms on it when I bought it. If I lost a coupla grand, I'd just call that my entertainment and play money and move on.... I'd think at $3500 you'd have not much to lose.....
     
  9. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    I'm always interested in other bikes, this time around it's the Suzuki GSX1000GT....lots of good stuff on that bike. That doesn't mean the VFR gets sold, it's a piece of my soul.....The Valkyrie and VFR are in the keep forever column.
     
  10. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    Has more to do with the actual cost of getting it here, then having to go through the difficulty of an out of province, which isn’t something I care to go through again. Resale isn’t what I meant (that’s never a concern for me as I’m prepared to get 0 back from all my purchases), it’s more the literal mileage. If I did all the miles, I’d know it was fine because I did the maintenance and all that. I just can’t place the same level of trust in people.

    I’ve never been into Suzuki. Everyone has that one thing they don’t like and have no rational explanation for it, but Suzuki is that for me. I love some of their bikes (that GT looks awesome), but I could just never do it.

    I just wish the McCruise kit wasn’t so expensive.
     
  11. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Kinda happenstance, but I've had a few Yamaha's and many Honda's. Plus Honda cars. I'm really the Honda guy. Not had other bike brands.

    Like you, on the don't like scale for me is Kawasaki. Never will go there.

    And then, apprehensive about going Suzuki GSX1000GT, but the bike seems to hit the mark for me, Honda isn't making anything I would want, including the new NT1100.

    Would love to look at Triumph or Ducati, but funds wise would never happen.
     
  12. weevee

    weevee New Member

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    The tach was updated on the R1250RS, and it's now one of the best. I sold my VFR (Gen 5) a couple of months ago, and one of these will be its replacement in early 2022. I see it as a natural successor to the VFR ~ it's just got er.. more in most respects:

     
  13. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    I’ve been almost solely Honda too, oddly enough. Even down to the cars. The more I think about it, I think I’ll probably just stick it out with this VFR until it breaks and then the perfect bike will hopefully be attainable, whether that be in the form of a revamped VFR or something else.

    I do love the R bikes but the 1250 is just too much money at this stage. That tach does look much better than the one on the 1200 though.
     
  14. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    I always liked Hondas, but had exposure (test rides) to Suzi's and Kawi's in my younger days. Went on hiatus and got back into it with a V-Strom, then an ST1300 and GL.... Yamaha was calling, had 2 FJR's. Never had that VFR I always wanted, sought out my current Gen5. Never was a Kawi fan, but needed lighter than an FJR..... Have a Versys 1000 now, and I really like it.... proven and reliable engine. Basically, I'm saying one can put aside old biases and they might surprise you how good they are. That Suzi GT apparently is a great bike.

    These days I just seek out what's a good used bike by all reports and see if it fits me as a second bike.... keep asking myself if I can give up the VFR, but nothing yet has pried me off it as a second bike......

    There are bikes that I will shy away from despite them having a couple of good ones.... BMW, KTM, Ducati, Guzzi...... they are all too much money and I'm more into "play money" bikes at my ripe old age..... that Blackbird is in my wheelhouse, it's an 8 hour trailer ride from me..... toying with the VFR1200 idea, but I'd need to get one real cheap.

    Rostra cruise way cheaper than McCruise....... I think on a private sale you may not need to go through the Quebec tax thing/rebate later?
     
  15. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    I’ll look into Rostra. If it’s as advertised, it could be interesting. Looks like a pain in the ass to install though.

    Provincial tax isn’t the problem for me with Quebec. It’s more that I live on the other side of the country. If there was a good bike in Saskatchewan or BC, I’d be all for it.
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2021
  16. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    Figured I'd put this thread to rest.

    Picked up an '06 K1200s a few hours ago. Short of electronic cruise, it has everything I want. More power, better suspension (not that it was ever an issue), plus some assorted factory options that are awesome. Took it around the block when I got home and it feels awesome. Just over 34,000km or 20,000 miles.

    As for the VFR, if all goes to plan it'll be sold this upcoming Wednesday.
     
  17. RllwJoe

    RllwJoe Insider

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    Well, you have moved quickly on to your new adventure!
    You had better post up some photos, we all want to see this updated ride that you have chosen.

    Don't be a stranger.
     
  18. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    I will be quick to! Weather is less than ideal here so I haven’t had the chance to get some real good pictures. Here’s a crap one for now…
     

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  19. Sam_

    Sam_ New Member

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    As expected, the VFR has gone to its new home, ie my best friend who lives about 500 metres down the road from me. I'll see how the BMW goes and hopefully the VFR does him well. I rode the VFR today for the first time in probably two months, and I'll admit I forgot how much I enjoyed riding it.
     
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