Blackbird to a VFR – a daily, performance riding and touring perspective

Well it's time for me to put my foot in my mouth. I swore up and down I would never put pipes on a bike again. Why? Many reasons. One being I used to commute every day 44 miles round trip. I honestly took it upon myself to not piss anyone off given how many miles I rode to and from work with a high possibility of annoying yet another driver with a loud bike. Silly? Maybe, but it was "my" thing. I also don't believe a louder bike will save my life...total BS...won't happen. The only that will save me is my eyes and my awareness. [/soapbox off]

Soo fast forward to January of this year when I met PARedViffer who had a set of Two Brothers pipes installed on his '05. This was the first time I had heard a 6th gen with a set of pipes on it and boy did I like it! I've always loved the sound of RC-51's and other sport twins and the VFR was right on par with it. I liked the sound so much that I was close to buying an RC on several occasions but sanity eventually took hold. I can't allow myself to have two bikes sitting around now with a new house, single income and many trips and track days to attend.

Anyway, after riding with PARed a couple times I really started to WANT a set of pipes which I hadn't in a long time. To make an already long story short, I purchased a set of Leo Vince Stainless pipes about a month ago. I even went the cheap route! I started the bike up with the pipes roughly installed to hear them with the spuds in. Pretty disappointing. So I removed the spuds then fired it up again...now that's what I'm looking for!

It sounds corny but adding pipes to this bike have completely transformed it. What was once a tame, lawn mower sounding bike now has a serious growl and attitude. The sound this bike has is awesome! I also can't believe the amount of looks and comments wondering what the heck it is coming down the road. Even car guys! I got looks with the stock pipes but now I get them all the time. Now is this because it's simply loud? I don't think so. The bike has a unique sound to it. One that makes you wonder what it is.

I don't commute anymore since my drive is now a whopping 4 miles long, I treat my rides more like a total experience, not necessity. Listening to the sweet tunes from the pipes doesn't hurt the whole process. So if you're looking to fall in love again with your bike, save yourself several grand a buy some pipes. You'll be grinning again for sure.

 

Go toss a leg over a K1200S and tell me what you think

 

Actually I already have. A good friend of mine has one. Pretty much feel the same way about that bike as I did my Blackbird. They're all just a bit too big for frequent track visits.

 

Dude,
Was in the same position as you. Rode a '98 carb-fed Blackbird for about 4 years. Eventually had to give her up as the Singapore government has this policy of 10-year vehicle ownership. To renew ownership for another 10 years would mean coughing up another $1.5K. Plus, my Blackbird was not in the fittest of conditions after reaching 200000 km on the odometer.

With some coaxing & a nice downpayment from my wife, I went scouting for a suitable replacement. It was a tie-up between the Moto Guzzi Breva 1100, the Sprint ST & the VFR. The Guzzi was kicked out due to lack of wind protection. The Sprint was later eliminated as it was ridiculously overpriced compared to the VFR in this country. So, I finally settled for the VFR as it has more or less the same characteristics as my old Blackbird.

Well, 2 weeks into the Viffer ownership at 1.5 km on the clock, I must say that I'm quite happy with the bike. It's almost as quick as the Blackbird though I need to be a bit throttle-happy. But its definitely more nimble & agile especially when busting through traffic. Only gripe is the heat enamating from the rear engine block of the V4. IT'S FRIGGIN HOT! And it's quite often that I have to endure this due to the frequent congestions in this country. Hard boiled eggs, anyone?