Your thoughts on the VFR

[beasty1711]

I'm thinking of px or selling my ducati 748 to get a vfr 800...
it breaks my heart to even consider it... but it needs to be done and the wife is moaning....

so basically any vfr owners out there?? what are your thoughts on them?

anything i should keep an eye out for?
how are they for pillions?
any particular year i should avoid?
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currently riding:
a nice bright yellow vfr 800 ......Yes i have a thing for yellow bikes

[mr.z]

Why is that??

Ready any bike mag and they are the best sports tourers out, and have been for some time.. so loads of lugage out for them, compared to a ducati i'd imagine its going to be verrrry comfy

The vtec models are know for their kick up the arse at 8000 rpm (i think its 8k) but the rest of the rev range is qite predicatable..

I guess it depends what you want really, for what roads, how often e.t.c.

Other "sports tourers" worth looking at are the busa and zzr1100/1200
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>RidingSkills<->Tech Tips<->MyBikes<

[jay_666]

[vfr800]

Which ever model you choose you won't regret it!
I have the 1999 800FIX model, notably the 99 or 2000 are reputed to be the best. I certainly can vouch for that!
As for the power and handling, awsome! I often take coghead out on the back and he never complains, oh sorry he did last time cos i was braking to heavy going into an island!
Two up it is just as capable if your out for a 'thrash n scratch'
The power delivery is just superb, upto 5000 revs the engine sings it's own classic tune, but at 6000 revs it grunts with expectant delight and takes off like a steam train all the way upto the 12000 red line, change gear and do it again!
This week i have done 700 miles commuting to work, most of it sat on motorways at 90 mph, ( at 90 your doing 6000 revs in 6th, just on the grunt factor )
If you bide your time and shop around you'll find a mint bike with low mileage, mine was 5years old with just 7000 miles on the clock, just run in! although if you can find one that's had the major 15000 mile service you'll save some cash. Mine came with a rear seat cowling fitted that makes it look more like a head down arse up racer. ( well it does go like one )
I've yet to embarrass myself racing cars, made light work of a lotus today.
If you need any more info ask away
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don't take it easy 'ride it like you stole it'

[colin1]

vfr750 is good for distance but its not agile
your 748 is agile, so the lack of agility will be a bit of a shock
im sure there are bikes more agile than the vfr750 that are ok for pillion

i have heard that thundercat is good for pillion but i dont know this
try a few bikes anyway, fazer maybe

the vfr750 is not a bike i would choose for weekend blasts but would be great to tour europe on. Its easy to go fast on but didnt thrill me as much as more agile bikes that i rode slowly

its a great bike but your a bit insulated from the riding experience
this is good for distance, but not for blasts

having said that, your pillion may appreciate this if it encourages you to ride smoothly at speed

some same blackbird or triumph st are a good alternative to the vfr750

i will leave someone else to discuss the great vfr800 vtec vs vfr750 debate
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Kaben]

In the magazines the sprint ST was touted as a clear winner in the sports tourer stakes taking better scores for handling and pillion comfort. I would check that out, though may be more expensive.

ST does look a damn sight nicer than the VFR. I just dont like those stubby fairings on the Honda.
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Its Not a Melon, Its Clearly a Lime!!
Yamaha Fazer 600Now dead, MZ 125 SM
My Deviant Art homepage https://robabloke.deviantart.com/

[Rookie]

[colin1]

i dont think the 748 has more power than the thundercat, as the 748 is a twin

both have about 100bhp

the vfr750 also has about 100 bhp

however the thundercat wont had as good mid range torque as the vfr750 and probably not as good as the 748
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[Suzuki]

Bizarrely, I've been considering a VFR800 for a while now. Considering it as a replacement for the car for commuting to work and back. Commuting on the GSXR isn't impossible, but it eats tyres on the motorway.

So... plan is a VFR800 with touring tyres for commuting, and the GSXR for the weekends.

Still a pipedream at the moment though. Need to fill up my piggybank!
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<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon
<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

[G]

Don't see why a GSXR should eat tyres faster than a VFR800?

Considered getting a spare rear wheel (or set?) and getting some touring rubber for your GSXR.

Front tyres tend to last longer and it only takes a few minutes to change.

[Suzuki]

Well, it wouldn't eat them any faster/slower if they were on the same rubber.

But no, I'd not really thought about having spare wheels with weekend rubber on them.
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<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon
<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

[G]

There are lots of advantages to having a spare bike for commuting though (like a spare for if the other breaks, etc), however if it was me, I'd tend to go for something a bit different, or cheaper at least .

[Wooly R6]

i love vfr's - they look excellent with the single sided swingarm and the exhausts
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R6 has been sold - 2004 Honda VFR VTEC now sold too - no bike at the moment

[vfr800]

Clearing my desk i've just found Bike magazines 'used bike of the year 2006 supplement'

Guess which bikes 1st in the sports tourer class????

Yes it's the VFR800 FIY, thats the 2000 model. It benefits the 99 model with standard addition of the HISS immobiliser.

If coghead gets his arse out of bed i'll scan the report and email it to you.

I keep saying i'll get a double bubble screen for mine as the air from the screen at 90 and above hits you right on the chin, not umberable just uncomfortable.

A close second is the Triumph Sprint ST

3rd BMW R1100S
4th FZS 1000 Fazer
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don't take it easy 'ride it like you stole it'

[Suzuki]

Can you send me a copy aswell please?
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<Simple> no I'm shaven Jon
<Simple> it is a big enough hole.. I'll leave it now
Ride: 1999 Suzuki GSXR600 (yellow/black) IRC: Stats - Relationship Map

[dainesefreak]

[XS1954]

I have an 03 plate VFR VTEC and I think it is great. In my opinion I think they are the best looking sports tourer and especially like the look of the exhausts although a friend did say they look like two big bars of Toblerones.

The ride is great and the VTEC kicks in at 7000 RPM and it sounds pretty good when it does. Plenty quick enough for me and is very comfortable. The linked breaking takes a bit of getting use to, especially around corners but overall a brilliant bike but make sure you buy a silver one. Blue and red don't look as good.

Go and get one
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You're a cock.

[vfr800]

Here's the ride magazine VFR 800 verdict as to why it was voted number 1
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don't take it easy 'ride it like you stole it'

[fuzz]

I want a VFR, most definatley. I only have the bike for transport, so comfort is one of the biggest factors for me. I really liked the 2001 model I test rode a couple of months back, but it's going to take me a while to save for one.

So don't everyone get ideas of getting one, I want one now but can't have it, and I don't want to end up with the same bike bike as everyone else.

Get the Triumph
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https://www.bikepics.com/members/fuzzbcf/
Bikes: '99 NSR125R, '00 SV650S, K1 GSX-R600, '97 CB500, K3 SV1000S, '16 VFR800

[colin1]

the original question was about a more comfy alternative to the 748 for pillions

imagine my surprise when i found out on another thread(waves 749 test ride) that the 749 is very comfy for pillions compared to some other bikes

[Black Knight]

Had a 97 750. Excellent bike, would certainly consider another.
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Where does a turn end? 'Where you can do anything with the gas you want to, where you are brave again, where your attention is free from the turn, where you are sure you can do it better next time; that's the end' - Keith Code.

[beasty1711]

thanks for all the replys...
i'm gonna head to a dealers today.. and check out prices...

it breaks my heart to ditch the duc.... but having to re-buid the engine after 9months of owning it i've just lost all confidence in it.. and dont ride it just it case something else goes pop
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currently riding:
a nice bright yellow vfr 800 ......Yes i have a thing for yellow bikes

[Suzuki]

[beasty1711]

[vfr800]

Still going to keep an hooligan's machine for the weekends! [/quote]

You wouldn't need one, the veefer will do that aswell

I did see a new model with a superb trick tail piece in Cromer a couple of weeks ago, mmmm... got the wow factor from me
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don't take it easy 'ride it like you stole it'