Silly Jitter or Justified Fear?

Hey all,

I'm new to the forums, but been reading a hell of a lot. This weekend I have the opportunity to pick up a fairly well conditioned (though has been dropped stationary) 2002 VFR, with only 14.5k on the clock.

While it's certainly not my first bike, it will be my first "big bike" so to speak. I would still call myself a new rider though.

I started riding this year in the UK. If you're not familiar with the UK licensing, it's pretty rigorous.

I racked up about 1,200 miles on a Yamaha YBR125. I lived somewhat in the country, so I purposely used to go out on the bendy, blind corner roads to scare myself a little, but also to understand how to approach and attack corners, and to understand bike handling and forward planning and get comfortable with speed (or as fast as I could go on a 125!).

I would also make at least 1 hour long trip each week to my girlfriends which was a combination of highway and country roads.

I decided to take my test after about 1,000 miles since I was pretty confident on my bike and on the road.

In the UK, we can do something called a "Direct Access Scheme" which means we can take the test on a 600cc bike, and be allowed to then ride any sized bike on successful completion of the test.

The test is split into two parts, the first being a course of various maneuvers and safety stops which I passed with no problems. The second is a 40 minute ride with an examiner following you giving instruction on where to turn - again passed with no problems (well, he dinged me for trying to pull out onto a roundabout in neutral, but shh!).

Prior to this though, I took a full 3 day course. My instructor was an ex-prison guard, and riding instructor for 12 years. He didn't take any shit! He put me straight on a 600cc 200 pound bike, and immediately took me on the highway screaming at me to go 60mph, harder and faster. Scared me at the time, but funny looking back on it. In the 3 days, I'd say we must have covered about 350 miles, including various maneuvers such as the dreaded u-turn.

So I know how to handle small bikes, I did well on the 600cc bike with handling, control and generally not being afraid of it.

I've wanted a VFR since I started riding. I've even already been to see the bike I may purchase this weekend. It was pretty heavy, but didn't feel like it was a giant and while I'm fairly short (5'7") I could still ball my feet, and that was only in trainers. I didn't ride it due to the very heavy rain at the time.

I've been reading a lot of "VFR isn't a first bike" type threads, and i'm starting to think the same about myself, perhaps I'm not ready yet. It feels like fear to me, is this the right bike for me?

I'd love to hear from some first time riders that bought VFRs, as well as anyone else that might have an opinion! To VFR, or not to VFR (just yet..)

Thanks all!

 

Welcome aboard.
I got my VFR with about as much experience as you have now.
I just took it way easy at the start to get to know her. I treated her with respect and she treated me very well.

Good luck.

Oh, she's kind of a heavy girl, but she can MOVE!

 

if you can handle a 600 you will be fine on a VFR they only concern will be just dropping it like the PO
Welcome to the madness

 

Go for it. Get the bike, ride and enjoy. Wise words by drewl.

As long as you understand this bike is not a lightweight, you'll be fine.

 

You just have a case of the silly jitters....you'll be fine. The training you already have prior to getting a VFR is probably ten times the amount most people over here take prior to their getting a "large" bike. You can go tomorrow to any nearly any dealership in the US and they'll sell you the biggest thing they have and hold you upright long enough to get it off the lot.

 

I got my VFR less than three years ago, after having not ridden a motorcycle for literally decades, so it was like my first bike. Took my first long trip with only about 12 hours of seat time under me (~2,000 mile ride to the Dragon and environs) before taking the MSF courses, and really shouldn't have (I wasn't ready yet). After returning, I took the basic and advanced MSF courses and practiced a lot. I've done 5,000 mile trips since then. You should be fine with the training and practice you've had. And you will love your VFR.

 

Is it really about feeling safe that attracts folks to motorcycles in the first place? I think not. Enjoy the machine and enjoy the ups and downs. Everybody does this for a different reason, and no matter what that reason is, I'm sure you will figure out yours. Enjoy the ride, you will be better because of it.


....

 

I think you will be fine. my first bike was/is a 2007 VFR interceptor 800 the only experience i had was taking a 3 day course then passing my license in a 250CC honda nighthawk. Thats all you need in the states. I just took it easy for a while until i got used to how she rode. Respect that its not a 125 and youll be fine.

 

I would take a pass on the VFR for now. I had a 500 ninja and then a 650 V-strom before I moved to the VFR. Even after a few years with those bikes, the VFR felt heavy and very powerful. You have a lifetime to get a VFR. I suggest working your way toward it until you are absolutely comfortable. Just as you've graduated and developed a greater sense of comfort going from the 125 to the 600, you will experience the same feeling after you've been on the 600 for a while. Ride something else until your doubts are fully behind you. My 2 cents.

 

go for it. as wise folks have stated above, it's not a lightweight by any means, but if you treat her with respect, she will be very good to you. welcome to the madness friend.

 

Hey all. Thanks so much for the great feedback, it really helped equal out the negative gremlin in my head.

Happy to say I travelled the 50+ miles to Santa Rosa, test rode the bike (almost dropped it the first time I put my foot down, too used to not needing the brake on a small incline, rookie) and handed over my cash.

Then rode the 50+ miles back, in the dark, to San Francisco. The bike felt solid, speed was manageable and once I found the position the comfort was good.

Really happy I got it. Now I just need to register the bike at the DMV... could be tricky with my lack of a California license...

 

If you survived riding 101 from Santa Rosa to SF, especially with all of the CalTrans modifications, I think you'll be fine. Riding around SF could be interesting with the hills and slow traffic. The VFR's do run hot at low speeds, even in cool weather, so keep an eye on the engine temp to make sure the fan is coming when it should (about 219, I think). Have fun!

I think as long as you can get insurance, the registration should be OK. There might be "XX" days to get a California license, but I can't remember now. I lived out of state for a while, and had to get re-licensed when I moved back. DMV will be happy to take your money and give you all the right forms.

 

Basically I'm a non-immigrant on a visa called a B1. I'm legally able to ride motorcycles (on my UK license) and get insurance (on my UK license) but registering is a different matter, as I have no SSN, so I can't easily get a Cali driver's license. Once I'm back in January it's fine, but I'll have to pay the 60% registration fee fine. Sucks, but it's spilt milk.

 

the VFR can be as mild or as wild as you want it to be. If you are looking for the Vtec that is. Pretty mild up until it kicks in, then it really starts to move. Just don't twist too hard until you get used to it and let your riding improve along with your confidence.

My first street bike was a 95 CBR 600 F3. I just got on it and rode home - about 1.25 hr ride home. Never been on one before, just had to do it.