VFR800 as a commuter tool?

[bigdom86]

hi all

thought I would start a new thread as my other one is going off onto a VFR tangent.

bit of background - rode a cbr125 for 3 years, did DAS, bought a CBR600f4i which I have been riding for past year or so. I'm 6ft2 and 20 stone so looking for something more comfy, unfortunately due to size it means I have to look at the bigger displacement bikes which may not be too suitable for my commute?

My commute is from Beckenham, Kent into central london - Fulham and Paddington, mostly 20-30mph roads, tiny bit of 40mph and that is about it. Ride to gym in Orpington too. So I am doing around 30 miles a day of filtering, stop/start, open up a bit when I can and that is about it.

Have test rode so far:

CB1000R
NC750X
MT09
Tiger 800
VFR800

Out of all of them the VFR ticked the boxes for comfort, looks and power coming from the CBR6, however with my short commute which doesn't include any motorway or much A-road should I be worried if I went for the VFR? I know the Vtech won't kick in as I think thats around 7k so would be riding on 2 cylinders all the time? (if I have that correct)

I liked the VFR as feels a good compromise between sport and an upright plus can fit OEM risers too, the CBR is killing me slowly!

I have also thought of the new Hornet to try but I felt cramped on the CB1000 so don't think this would be much different.

The tiger 800 is my second option, although riding position was a bit alien and was quite down on power

[MarJay]

VFR isn't cylinder shut off, it's valve shut off, and the latest versions have smooth transition between off and on. Personally I think the VFR is a great commuter. Good tank range, long term comfy etc...
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[kgm]

VTEC is nothing to be concerned about, I use it all the time and the transition is pretty smooth tbh. Only really notice a step in 6th gear on the motorway, it's more an overdrive gear tbh.

[Stinka]

I’m 5’9” 23stone and I need grunt and comfort, hate sports bikes

Mt09 tracer (my first bike) lovely. Very quick but very fussy suspension that I never got 100% but learned to ride around it. The newer gt model has this sorted, if you can afford I’d definitely test one as it’s unreal in every area

Gen 1 fazer 1000 (my second bike lol) I prefer this to my tracer. It Handel’s Better and goes like stink but is a lot smoother power than the mental bottom end the tracer had

Also I’d have a look at z1000sx and a 1050 speed triple

[ADSrox0r]

If this is to be the bike's only purpose, slow speed filtering and never really getting above 3rd gear then I personally think 800 and above is just massive overkill.

That said, I get the impression you already know that and just want 'big bike' so...

I do a similar commute on the VFR. She's big, comfy, plenty of grunt, sounds incredible and is utterly....utterly reliable.

VTEC is a bit of a gimmick to be honest, all it really does is change the 'bark' once it opens up but it does have a nice kick which once you get to timing it right acts like an old fashioned 80's turbo.

MPG on a VFR doing slow stop/start is horrible. Mine will clock in at around 29-30 mpg in winter when I'm not going round the 'faster' route of the bypass. In summer, I can get up to 39-40 on the commute. If you use it for what it's truly MEANT for....hell, you can get 240+ miles out of a tank.

The VFR is not a very happy beast under 5k rpm but certainly not the worst. The '6th gen' VTEC models were/are notorious for piss poor low end fuelling that needs to be addressed with a Power Commander (Or RapidBike module, which is FAR better) Killing the PAIR valve is an instant 'hack' to smoothing a lot of the low end herky jerky out of them. Once they're tuned they're actually very easy to use round town, but you need to be aware of not 'lugging' the motor at low revs, they don't like it.

The newer VFRs (8th gen, technically the 7th gen is the fuck ugly disappointment that was the VFR 1200) have a lot of the niggles sorted out so they are far more useable out of the box.

You'll enjoy it, no doubt about it. But....I have an absolute shitload more fun hooning through traffic on my old 650 thumper. There are better choices for the job, but I think you've made your own mind up anyway.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[B0ndy]

VFR800 =
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CBF 125 -> CB400SF -> GSX600F -> ZX6R (G1) -> GSXR1000 K4 -> ZX6R (B1H Stunt bike) -> VFR800 -> R1 5PW -> Sprint 1050 -> Fireblade 929 -> ZX10R C2H

[MarJay]

[ThunderGuts]

As a commuting tool I'd go for the NC750X. Yes it's hardly exciting, but it's mega economical and has a big storage bin that might mean you don't need to fit a topbox. Should be reliable and comfy enough too. It's not particularly powerful but plenty enough for the journeys you're talking about.
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TG.

[bigdom86]

been thinking this over on my commute and have come to realization I am buying with my eyes again instead of my brain if I go for the VFR - it doesn't really make much sense for the type of riding I do.

I did try the NC750 which was very nice but my god that is one boring bike, I still want a bit of noise and grunt and to enjoy my commute slightly.

I am thinking of trying the new hornet this weekend and also the street triple, although not too sure on the looks of the street triple front end.

I am edging a bit towards the tiger800 again simply because it is very comfortable, doesn't look too bad and would be good on the commute with a bit of stop/start and filtering.

bit worried the hornet (CB650) and the street triple may be too cramped for me as I found the CB1000R a bit cramped and uncomfy to ride

[MarJay]

[ThunderGuts]

Fair point on the NC - I did concede it was boring

Only other thing to be mindful of - something like a Street Triple being left in central London every day . . . how long will it be before it goes missing? Even if you've got secure parking, I personally would probably be a little wary even just riding such a desirable machine through central London given the bandits on mopeds flying around (unless the hype is exaggerated!).
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TG.

[bigdom86]