Getting personal info about the VFR

I am in the market to get an 07 VFR and would like the DL on it. I know the tech stuff because i am a technician at Honda in Jacksonville, FL. But they are few and far between here and would liek to know what these things are really like. I ride everyday, these good commuters? I have ridden ione once but it had 50,000 miles (2002 model year) and had been rear ended. The biek seemed to shake alot under acceleration.... is thata V4 thing? the ST1300 doesn't do it though. I have 2 bikes currently both of the CB-F series fromt he late 70's early 80's and i ride them to work everyday, and they are taking too much of a beating. I am also planning a trip around the states and was wondering if it would be good. i knwo you guys are bias, but really.... I about to drop about 2000-3000 for a DP on the red white and blue model :biggrin:

 

Here's my personal assessement of my 03 VFR:

1. There is not a more comfortable Sport Bike.
2. There are more comfortable Sport Touring Bikes.
3. There are tons of faster better handling Sport Bikes.
4. It's probably the best handling Sport Touring Bikes out there.
5. There are better commuter bikes.
6. It will be difficult to find another bike that does all duties as well as the VFR.

I commute on mine almost every day. I don't ride in the rain, but I do ride at just about all other times. I also do track days and spend a fair amount of time riding agressivly out in the Texas Hill Country so I feel like I've got some perspective. This is what I like and don't like:

Likes:
- Extremely dependable
- Comfortable Seating Positioin (Not to agressive)
- Good Looks
- On the street I can keep up with everyone except for the idiots ride way beyond what is reasonable on the street. I refuse to try and keep up with them.
- It's very stable and smooth on the highway

Dislikes:
- It's not the best track bike, although it's capeable and not it's primary purpose for me.
- The suspension isn't adjustable (I think you will find this is a common complaint)
- My friends on their V-Stroms seem more comfortable after 400 miles. Of course I've had a chance to stop and rest by the time they catch up (grin).


In a more perfect world I could have 3 bikes. Track Bike, Touring Bike, Everyday Bike. The VFR is can handle all 3 jobs well, but doesn't stand out in any category, besides the fact that I think it looks really good.

Good Luck

 

^ with Rossco only thing is I can't really throw you any feed back as I ride a 94-976 which is even more sport. which is what I wish Honda to do make a sport and a tour version then we'll have it made. But your not going to find a better do eveything bike out there. Period.

 

RosscoB - thanks for the info. I have a V-Strom and am considing selling that for a VFR. Interesting how the two are described in similar ways - they do a little of everything but not the best at one thing. The 'Strom riding position is certainly more upright, but for me it feels top heavy in stop and go traffic. I also like the idea of a forward lean riding position...I think being upright is killing my back because I slouch. I also miss something more sporty. Also the wind buffeting has been annoying, and I think something sportier will have smoother air, even if it means getting more air on me. I think the general nature of these bikes makes it hard to decide to pull the trigger or not.

 

The new VFR has the best aerodynamics of any bike ive ridden period. Your well sheltered from the wind and almost no buffeting at high speed. wind stream hits me mid helmet, you being so tall, you would benefit from the slightly longer shield. Try one with the short shield first tho. Get them to chuck a new one in when you buy your new bike.
It would have to be a way better bike on the road than your vstrom in all departments. Mabee not so good in gravel.

 

well i wanted a sport bike but all the racers now a days are againzing to ride due to riding postion. The VFR is alot more comfortable, yet maintains sportyness. I work for Honda i have ridden the ST1300 which is Honda's other SportTpurer but it is less sport and more tpur... not what i want. i do decent rides (200-300 miles) but nothing mad crazy, so i think long term the VFR will still be comfy. I hear these bieks are lacking in power.... is that true? I ride a 1979 CB750F all the time, and i know is quicker than that, but i liek the ability to do power wheelies in first. I knwo the CBR600RR won't, yet the CBR1000RR i can't keep two wheels on the ground in first second or third! I would just like a Sporty-sport tourer.....

 

Oooo you just made this hard. as it's a personal thing as far as how one likes the power delivery of the VFR, Yes the VFR can wheellie but don't use that as a meassure of how fast it's going, or can go, the VFR carries it weight different. One of the reasons I have this model VFR is it's just that, more sport feeling. All thou it doesn't have that 1000cc bottom end, the V4 engine makes up for it on how it brings it to the ground, hard to explain, you just need to ride one to know what I'm talikng about. If your set on that kind of power then you might want to look at, sorry to say, an Aprilia Futura they kick real well and still tour just fine IMO. Thing is thats killing Aprilia is dealer support is weak but?? still a great bike.. thou I still like my VFR, wouldn't trade it for nothing especially after I have just installed a new rear WP shock and now I'm working the front Woo Hoo. here I go again..

 

I've got a '94 and I love it: it's the bike I always wanted. Personally, the 6th gens are a little too civilised for my taste. I wouldn't mind a '00 though, in yellow, of course. Yes, it will wheelie (not into that myself), and you can ride it all day for hundreds of miles, and it looks and sounds awesome. I don't really care about wind buffeting (don't notice it too much, anyways) and I'm a tall guy. Anyways, you won't go wrong with the VFR, no matter which Gen you choose.

 

supersport

If you do want a modern sportbike style over a new naked, go for it! I also have 3 cbf's..and after many new bikes in the last fews years, this is the only one I actually like more than my f's......lotsa fun..super comfy for me, cept when i screwed up my body lift and ruined my arms by puttin on that high windshield.. but otherwsie I think you might like one!
totally diff critter than the naked f, but if you do hanker for a sportbike kinda ride, then this is a great compromise...

motorrob

I went from a dl camel windmaker this summer to the vfr..I would have to say that as much as I will admit the dl was a great bike, and it did work way better than it looked, that the vfr is totally a different animal..Happens to be a much better one for me..for you ? i not say

But I did find other than the perpetual hurricane that my lower back and rear part of rear end did bug me on it. But only on the long days..ouch!.On the vfr nothing like that has hit me , and i have done lotsa 14 hr days on it. Other than the arm pressure thing when going slow,,,typical sportbike thing..Meant to zoom zoom.....

I would not reccomend this bike over the dl if you ride in slower places a lot.in town mostly ,or 2 up....the dl much more fun there! BUt anywhere over 60mph the vfr wins easily in fun factor..and it is just more enjoyable for me to look at!


For me anyway..

Good luck if you try one

NN

 

I have an '06 and after a couple of mods it makes a great low speed commuter - Helibars and Power Commander (PC) III USB. The Helibars get rid of some (but not all) of the forward lean and the PC III gets rid of some bad low speed partial throttle bad habbits the bike has. I commute every day, rain or shine, in city and on freeway and find it very comfortable. Oh, a Sergeant or Corbin (I have) seat help on the long rides.

 

What? no after market Cans on that beast yet? whats ya waiting for Christmas

 

I wish! Wanted to get the PC III first. Now that I have it I can change the cans but after all the mods this fall I have to wait till spring. I made the mistake of telling the wife that "The VFR has everything I need and I won't have to buy new stuff for it." Silly me...what was I thinking! :der:

 

Yea i am set on my 07 model r/w/b i do plan on adding exhaust and a power commander before anything. Since i work at the dealership as a tech the prices are good. I was hear that the power is kinda sucky for the 6th gens and that they aren't that great. I pretty much want 600RR power and i'll be happy. I won't changed the bars cause i want the sporty feel, i want the Sport side of the sport tourers