I've got an itch that needs to be scratched...

Hi all. eace:

I found this site the other night (Wednesday night) while I was at work, and registered then and there. Even though this looks like a great site with lots of knowledgeable and friendly people, I waited until I had read most of the last month's posts before making my first post. Seemed like the right thing to do for some reason.

I haven't done any serious riding in the past 15 years or so, but I've been drooling over VFRs for the longest time. The last bike I had was a Kawasaki KZ750 LTD twin. I bought it as a semi-runner from a buddy a couple of years ago, but it turned out to be a money pit, so I sold it again. I didn't get to rid it much while I did have it, but the few rides I did take on it gave me a serious itch that needs to be scratched. Just after I sold it, I had some major abdominal surgery (burst apendix which turned gangrenous before the doctors could figure it out), and some kidney surgeries (three, and all were unnecessary), so I wasn't able to ride for a while, and didn't bother getting another bike.

Like I mentioned, I have been lusting after a VFR for quite some time (driving the wife up the wall with it :biggrin: ). But... like I also mentioned, I haven't ridden seriously for a decade-and-a-half at least, so I'm thinking that a VFR just might be too much bike for right now. I think something smaller would be in order for me to hone my riding skills to the point where I can ride with out posing a risk to the rest of the people on the road.

Back in the '80s, a buddy of mine in South Africa bought a brand new VF400F. That was a sweet little bike. Whenever we'd go riding together, he'd wind up riding my CB750F, and I'd be on his bike. I loved that little thing. It was quick, nimble, and it stuck to the road like baby crap sticks to a blanket, but I always felt it could do with just a little more grunt.

So, with the above in mind, I've been thinking along the lines of a VF500 to get started again, with an upgrade to a VFR800 about six months to a year after that. Any thoughts or advice on this would be appreciated.

 

Honestly if a VFR750/800 is what you want that is what I would get right away as long as it is not physically to large for you. Just find yourself a vacant parking lot or similar large vacant paved area to get used the bike @ low speeds first so you are aquainted w/ the way the bike will handle on the road. A guy that runs the shop where I work bought a bike after a similar length dry spell, he had a kawasaki touring bike as his last bike & bought a custom Harley Screaming Eagle Road Glide & did'nt do this. As a result he nearly totaled his $38,000 bike & spent several weeks in the hospital getting pinned & screwed back together, as well as having a few non-essential organs removed. This about an hour into his first ride w/ the bike. Getting the bigger bike isn't an issue getting used to it BEFORE you go on any actual rides is & just a safe guard don't ride alone your first few times out, the other rider will be able to point out things you may not realize you are doing or not doing. They will also be there if god forbid something bad would happen.

 

take the motorcycle safety course for starters then take some time getting used to the bike safety means not making dumb decisions on the road where you can get injuresd or killed,(sorry)just keeping it real! do this and you will stack the deck in your favor.

 

Keithsta,The vfr 800 is not that big for what it offers.There are the faster and quicker,hope your 'appy' went well.Sport bike/tour.whatchu want?vfrs are very sport!...with options.1 Bike that does it all(blow harleys like there going backwards)love all the brothers,I'll buy a goldwing when I get old...