Thunderace or the VFR

doombug11 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 27 Jun 2013 Karma :

So I've been mulling around the thought of upgrading a bit from my '91 VFR 750. I've had the bike since October and I've had a great time on it. The V4 with a renegade can sounds awesome, and it rides nicely too, though I've found myself wanting something with a bit more. I'm going down to Spain in the summer so It needs to be able to do that reliably, but I'm not looking for a Blackbird or the like, I'm really after a super-sport that can handle a bit of long distance.

If I wasn't going down through Europe I would be looking at the Cbr900 or Rsv1000, but I'm unsure about wanting to go that distance on these machines. Looking round it looks like the YZF1000r Thunderace might not be a bad shout. Meant to be comfy but quick.

So basically am I being insane and should just keep the VFR, would the Thunderace serve as a notable upgrade whilst still being comfy or should I man up and just buy the bike I really want?
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1999 CBR900RR, 1984 CM200 (previously 125)

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

More what? Power?

Consider this. Are you riding with the throttle wide open all the time? Are you using the power you have?
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

I'd say it depends on budget and how you feel about bigger heavier bikes?

I'd think a later VFR750 would be no faster/better than your's so If you could afford the mk1 or funky mk2 VFR800, Id chose that over a Thunderace.

Think I don't fancy with the Ace is the 5speed box, as I imagine it'd like to pull a 6th gear if it had one. I think most of the time and handling wise a nicely suspended and set up VFR would leave the Ace, but It's still a really capable bike, if not so good for pillions, and a touch too much sports over touring to be as useful as it could?

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

The thunderace has a reputation for guzzling oil by the gallon, honestly I've read on here at least one person saying that by the time he scrapped it it was burning as much oil as petrol.

VFR's on the other hand are known for being one of the best all round bikes there has ever been.

I know which I'd choose to tour on...
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

doombug11 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 27 Jun 2013 Karma :

I would say I was looking for something a little more exciting. I ride a fair bit so having something I'm going to enjoy throwing around the countryside is more important than the touring aspect, but I still need to be practical on comfort and reliability.

As brilliant as the VFR is, it is a little heavy at I believe a dry weight of 216kg. The power delivery of the V4 is smooth and consistent but doesn't quite give that insane pull till quite high up the revs bout 7-8000rpm. It's done me well through a shit year, but I have my reasons for wanting a change and having something new, so the time is right.

Maybe a VTR1000 might not be a bad shout? Similar amount of power but a lighter frame and more torquey V-twin should be a good laugh? For the trip to Spain could fit it out with bar risers and air cushion seat, though mileage looks a little iffy so might have to plan the route round petrol stations!
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1999 CBR900RR, 1984 CM200 (previously 125)

UnspeedySam · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Nov 2009 Karma :

Test ride a J model ZX6R, or the E model ZX9R of the same age (2001-2002). I've toured on my 6R and it's not slow in the handling or engine departments. Never seen the need for a faster bike, although a 9R or early Fireblade is something I want to ride at some point in my life out of curiosity more than anything.
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Comfy is subjective. Go to some dealers, sit on some bikes, get some test rides and find out what you think is comfy.

Any of those bikes can handle the distance assuming they're in a good state of repair.

Crumbso · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Karma :

I found that the 9R (I had a 2004 F2P model) was far more of a sportsbike than the motorcycle press would have you believe.

Yes it's a big bugger but it still puts enormous weight on your wrists and I wouldn't say it's ideal for touring. Fantastic fun though. It had the powerband of a 600 but with what felt like twice the power.

I can second the VFR800, especially the 1st gen. I loved it, though it was perhaps a little soft when you wanted to push on a bit because it's very heavy.

VTRs have an astonishingly shit tank range, sometimes 80 miles till the reserve light came on with mine. Handling is bollocks too, soft front and solid rear.

SV1000S is a nice speedy sports tourer, loads of stomp in the low RPMs and sounds damn awesome with some cans. The press doesn't seem to think so but I thought that the handling was leagues better than the VFR.

An RF900 is a great bang for buck sports tourer. I got mine for £1200 and it was fast, reliable and fun. Loads of torque and super smooth. Like a 90s style Sprint ST 1050.

The most fun I've ever had, however, is on my mate's 1st gen Bandit 1200S. It's got a ridiculously loud can, wheelies like hell and is really comfy. They are very heavy and a bit vibey but that makes it more alive in my opinion. No-one has ever got away from me on it. I toured through Germany, Switzerland and Italy on it and even took it on the Nurburgring. Was great fun racing Evos and Corrados. There's alot of good choices.

FergieinFranc... · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 10 Oct 2013 Karma :

Keep the VFR ....wish l had......I've had a Z750 and a Sprint 995 since l sold mine, but will be going back to another....best all rounder......ever... Cool

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J biker · Nova Slayer Joined: 31 Oct 2013 Karma :

Not often I vote Honda as I think they are bland, but VFR probably a superior bike to the Yamaha. The Ace had a reputation for using oil and the bores go oval with miles.
Earlier post mentioned ZX9. Better bet. Late model if possible.
RSV1000 nice bikes but need a few modifications to make reliable..visit Aprillia forum.
VTR very thirsty. Later ones I think had a bigger tank.

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

doombug11 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 27 Jun 2013 Karma :

Looks like I'm popping round some dealerships later on today then and sitting on some bikes. I'll check out a cbr900rr, the R1, ZX9-r and Rsv-mille all round 98-03. I've got a limit of £2500 but more looking to spend round two so it can't be too fancy!

I'll look at the ZX9-r E1 model. With the Cbr's how big a difference is there between the later 900's and the 929? The later ones seem to be the better model but a good condition one is a little out of my price range. If the horror stories about the VTR's tank range are true then I can't really be dealing with that, but I will still have a look at one. Though i have now gone off the thought of a Thunderace, the R1 looks much more fun.

J biker · Nova Slayer Joined: 31 Oct 2013 Karma :

At your price range I would be looking for a nice standard k1/k2 GSXR750.

Crumbso · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Karma :

A 929 For £2500 should be easy to get. I got one 2 years ago for £2400 with 15,000 miles. Was an astonishingly fast bike but did tankslapper a bit.

doombug11 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 27 Jun 2013 Karma :

Popped into world of motorcycles in Corby earlier, sat on everything bar the zx9r. At 6 foot 4 there is no way I could ride the R1, RSV or VTR long distance, the RSV is possibly the most uncomfortable bike I've ever sat on. The cbr900 on the other hand felt really nice, I also sat on a Triumph 955i, Also very nice, a little bit of a stretch even for me to the handlebars but I did like it.

So I think it's between these two bikes now, most likely the Honda but I shall just wait and see what comes up Cool

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1999 CBR900RR, 1984 CM200 (previously 125)

doombug11 · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 27 Jun 2013 Karma :

So I went with the cbr900rr, got this lovely machine of ebay for £1220

https://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/doombug11/DSCF5279_zpsf8dbc65c.jpg

https://i802.photobucket.com/albums/yy309/doombug11/DSCF5278_zps60b666f4.jpg

It had been listed in parts so was lost amongst thousands of spares, was curious to see afterwards if the seller was going to part with it! Turned out it was a really nice old chap who obviously had no clue about computers and was perfectly happy with the price. The bike was brought new by a friend of his who had stripped it down to customise it, the frames been powder coated and the fairings have had a really good paint job, but he lost interest and wanted a old land rover so sold it to matey as a roughly put together bike.

He then paid a garage £600 to finish putting it back together and getting it's mot. So he got his money back and promptly went to his neighbours house and handed over the cash for a xj1300 he wanted!

Great bike, engine sounds really smooth, and my word doe's it go! Very happy with it, going to go on a trip to Cornwall in a few weeks time see how I can handle a decent bit of distance on it.
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1999 CBR900RR, 1984 CM200 (previously 125)