Which is better? Gen 3 VFR or Newer Kawasaki 650R

I mean the Kawi has like 15 years on a gen 3 VFR, clearly it's better right? I'm not a mechanic but I would imagine that newer technology came out that would make say an '09 650R much better than a 93 VFR?

I have an '05 Ninja 250 but am looking for an upgrade maybe this fall. I want something that will get me out of the wind though. I feel like I'm in a tornado going 60 down the highway on my 250.

 

WOW...you come here and ask that question..... :crazy:

you should spend your money on the Ninja..... let someone that can appreciate the VFR buy it...

 

Sorry pal, some guys around here are pure VFR. What kind of riding do you do? Are you commuting? Riding canyons on the weekends? How many miles on each bike? What condition is the chain, sprockets, tires, brakes, and fluids in, on each bike? Many factors to consider before making your decision. Although, without a doubt, the VFR is waayyy cooler.

 

Either you are getting a real deal on the Ninja 650, or something else is wrong with the bike. KBB values for the two bikes aren't even close. Normal value for an 09 650 puts in the price range for a 5th or early 6th gen VFR. For that kind of money, its not even a contest. I came from an 06 Ninja 250 to my current 02 VFR. I commute, tour, and generally have a good time with my bike and would have found the 650 not up to the task. The weight difference between a VFR and your current Ninja will surprise you at parking lot speeds, but otherwise won't be noticeable unless you currently take your 250 to the track. The VFR is tougher to flick as hard as you can with your Ninja.

 

the ninja 650 is a parallel twin, and not even in REMOTELY the same category as the VFR. newer doesnt make better. kawi just doesnt appeal to me, they make bikes that consistently show up in my shop with this or that wrong. the most I see a VFR in for is valve clearances.

Honda builds some absolutely outstanding bikes, that IMHO, are top of the line. think Rolls royce vs caddillac of the bike world, with Honda being a Rolls.

 

A 3rd Gen vfr probably has more technology in it than the entry level 650 ninja. 650 ninjas wer built to compete with sv 650 . Both are good bikes but a well maintained 3rd Gen is hands down a better bike

 

I'm just trying to get my feeler's out there to see which bike would better suit me due to my built. If I were 6' and 200lb, the VFR wouldn't look so intimidating. However, I'm 5'6" and 150lb with 29" inseam. The 3rd gen doesn't look too bad but the 6th gen looks huge when I stood next to one at the dealer.

I'm looking for something for highway type rides on the weekend and commuting to work (45mi hwy - one way) in the summer. I'm not really comparing the two bikes as having the same price points, the 650R would be more expensive than a 3rd gen obviously.

It doesn't really matter how good a bike is if I'm physically too small for it. I'm sure there are folks my size here that rides the VFR. I'm just wondering how well they enjoy the bike versus something they were physically better matched up for.

 

dont even START with the "too small for the bike" crap. I'm 5'4" with a 30" inseam and I weigh 115 on a good day. I was rockin out on bikes that are HUGE. CB900 Custom with a full vetter kit, freakin 36" seat on an XT600 and I was rockin that mother. physical size is totally unimportant. knowing HOW to shift your body around on the bike to get one foot down, which is all you need at a stop, is what matters. flatfooting is SO MUCH BS to me.

 

ufta some hate in this thread anyhow i had a 1999 Kawasaki ZX-9R Ninja b4 i got my 1987 Honda VFR 700.... and tho i dont have the problem of being small im going to say that the V4 ripps up that ninja i had... i live in duluth MN and if you dont know much about duluth it IS a hill.. a steep big mother heffer... the stop and go on that ninja sucked... i think that if you can get over the fear of the size on the vfr... its

1. more comfortable
2. better torque
3. better ride in wind...( not as light)
4. dosent whine like a lill girl...

im sure there is more... idk atm