2015 VFR800 Demo ride results.

Well, I thought I wanted to get a VFR800. I had a 2000 edition and have been sorry that I got rid of it (I've also had a couple of gold wings BMW K1200GT and other bikes, currently just a KLR650). So, a great deal came up on a demo Viffer, only 3500 or so Km, red, looked great, had pre-negotiated a great price so went out for an hour and a bit today. Note that I am now 65 so that "may" have something to do with things. Anyway, by the end of the ride I noticed:
1) Yup, I remember that cramped feeling with my legs up higher. OK for short rides but I doubt if I could easily go all day like that. Just not a lot of position options.
2) Not as much torque down low compared to my 2000 (pre-VTEC). With the 4 valves operating down low, if you were on the highway in 6th and rolled on the throttle, you had more get up and go.
3) My right wrist was getting sore from the throttle / hand position. I wasn't putting a lot of pressure on it but again, with no cruise control there is very little that you can do to alleviate that.
4) My helmet was COVERED in bugs (don't get that on the wings ).
5) It was nice going through the first 3 or 4 gears and clutchless shifting around 10K rpm. Not sure why Honda brought out a fancy "shift lever", the Viffer does it so well, if you know what to do.

One of the things that I thought I'd like to do is to tour on it but this ride convinced me I wouldn't really be comfortable doing so. Sure, I "could" do it but other bikes would do that better for me.

So, I'm now at home "thinking" about it but at this point I doubt if I'll buy it.

 

Gold Wing.

 

Likely what I want BUT, the cost is prohibitive, 3 times as much. My '99 GW was under $20K and even my first GL1800, an '01 as I recall, was under $25K and that was pretty loaded up. Now, they start at over $30K.

 

I'm around your age and also took a test ride recently. I really didn't want to do so as I thought it would make me feel that my 1995 vfr750 was a dinosaur. I was wrong, very wrong. I'm sure it was just the particular bike I was riding, but the fork action was crap. No doubt someone had messed with the rebound settings because the fork was uncompliant and continually bouncing over bumps. Strike one. I don't like skinny width bikes as I'm over 6 feet. Too thin for my particular taste. Engine felt fine but as stated less torque in the lower range. Gear changes were nice and smooth. I was expecting to get on the bike and wish I had one. I prefer my 1995. If my 1995 was a totally new bike, I would take it any day over the 2015.

 

I know how you feel, BCDon. I'm a bit too tall and stiff-jointed for my 1990 VFR for long days. But, I still love it! It's my unadulterated fun bike. Otherwise, I have my Trophy set up for me with the right windshield, bar risers and seat. If I were looking to replace it, I'd be looking at the ST1300, Connie 1400, FJR 1300 or current model Trophy. I would prefer to keep the weight under 600 lbs, but that's really hard to find these days. I would also place big importance on being able to flat foot it for easier maneuvering in parking spaces and driveways.

Cheers,
Glenn

 

Sounds like maybe an FJ could be in your future. or a certain BMW?