Wanted to take a minute to introduce myself. I live in the a suburb of Chicago, and am currently riding a 93 Honda Nighthawk 750 that I bought new in 95. I started on a 74 Honda CB550 Four that I brought back from the dead. I decided that my next bike will be a VFR, but I'm trying to decide between the 5th and 6th gen models. The 6th gen looks more modern and I like the look of the exhaust. The non-VTEC gear driven cams of the 5th gen is also appealing (as are the lower prices I'm seeing). As of now part of me feels like I should keep saving and wait until I can pick up a 6th gen, but the other part says to pick up a 5th gen and enjoy the sound of those gears. Does anyone have any other advice that will help me decide between the two? I've been browsing the forum for a week or so and realize that everyone has their own pro's and con's for each generation... Thanks! Britt
Well-- In this forum there is a lot of 5th gen vs 6th debate. The 5th genner here will argue why the 5th is the best and the 6th guys will ague why the 6th is best. I have ridden both for a long haul and I chose a 5th gen. The 5th is a bit lighter and a bit sportier, rowdier. More like a sport bike for the long haul. The 6th is a bit more refined, has the VTEC motor (I didnt like the VTEC,some people love it), better stock suspension, and seems to be a bit more sportTouring bias. If you are a corner carver go for the 5th gen and if you like longer rides but dont mind corners here and there go for a 6th. But coming up from a Nighthawk any way will be an eye opener, they are both excellent! -Im sure this will touch off another 5th vs 6th debate... MD
Mello said it very well. I would also recommend getting all the specs. possible on both gens and lay them out side by side. Look for weight, which one has the cat, VTEC, riding ergonomics, which has the largest header pipes, which one has the gear-driven-cams, etc. You can't go wrong on either generation, and after riding the Nighthawk and then getting on a VFR you'll think you've gone to motorcycle heaven. :tongue:
Thanks a lot for the replies so far. I'm doing all the reading I can to help my decision. I'm sort of leaning towards a 5th gen but want to make sure that I won't buy it and later wish I held out for a 6th gen. I know it's a highly personal decision, but I'm trying to weigh the practical things like cost, and the impractical things like the sound of the cam gears or the looks of the 6th gen. I have time to decide and am hoping an opportunity comes up to test ride each generation. Meanwhile I'll keep reading! Britt
Well, I ride a 5g also. I have been riding it for around 15000 miles. So far, I like it. I am gonna try my buddies 6g soon and see if I can really tell the difference. I can say I like the 5g better from the front and the 6g better from the rear. Don't have much opinion on the gear driven cams other than they sound neat (once you know what the whining is), both have the damned linked brakes (sorry but they work fine but are a PIA to bleed), both are fuel injected. Also, don't forget the hard bags for the 6g if you are planning on touring...
I love the idea of the hard bags - always wanted them on my Nighthawk but just never pursued it. There are Givi bags for a 5th gen though if I were so inclined, aren't there? The Honda bags for the 6th gen look really sleek...
nah. I am inclined to get another bike but I can't decide if I want a big more touring oriented bike like the new concourse, or a simple track bike that stays track ready, or even one of those round the world style multi-purpose bikes similar to what they rode in 'Long way round'. Until I figure that out, I probably will just stick with the current stable. The old VF may be sold this afternoon (making a little more room)... I believe so, but I have never seen them. However, I think that the previous owner of my bike probably had some type of hard bags at one time cause there are two semi-circles cut our of my rear seat cowl like there was something attached. Could have been a rear rack also, I guess. I believe those corbin beetle bags may have been made to fit also. Anyway, I don't think you'd be disappointed either way. I generally recommend the 5g to those who think they are going to customise because there is more money left in your pocket to do that. And, a 5g with great gear is better than a 6g with mediocre gear...
you gotta ride 'em Nighthawk... go ride examples of each. You can read our posts all day long, and it will not tell your butt, feet, and wrist what feels better for the way you ride. The rest of the stuff... sounds, looks, and accessories will likey pale compared to the bfw opinion if you are getting the bike to ride. If you just want something to pose next to by the curb, then there's no question... the 25th anniversary RWB 6th gen... oh, but it does the other stuff too - for my bfw. :wink:
You might also consider soft bags like the Tourmaster Cortech bags, and their tank bags... http://www.sporttour.com/luggage/cortech/saddle-bags.htm I've been using soft bags for many years with great success. Just make sure you leave about 3" clearance around your exhaust pipe. Sometimes you can get lucky and find them on eBay.
For packing I like the Ventura pack systems setup. Lotsa space, ez on and off. Mounts on the 5th gen in 5minutes. MD
example of multi-quote there are a couple ways but the easiest since michael upgraded the software is to click the little box that looks like the quote symbol (it will turn orange) to the right of the first message you want to quote, then continue to the next message you want to quote, when you have selected all the msgs you'd like to quote hit the button that says quote and a message edit window opens up that should show all the ones you selected.
