Lighter sports tourer than VFR 800???

[notxn85]

Hello all
I've just joined, I need advice!
The story so far: my wife has been riding for 30 years - bikes like the Suzuki XN85 turbo (which she gave to me), CBR1000(the old one with the full racing fairing), VTR 1000 and for the past 13 years a VFR800 - - - so not exactly twist and go bikes.
She has been unwell over the last few years and has been concerned she is not strong enough to hold the VFR upright if it slipped when stationery, so today has been a very sad one with the bike on it's way to a new owner.
We thought a convertible car might at least be some compensation - but of course it's not, so after a week that will be going!
So now I'm trying to work out what bike to get.
She had the VFR new in 2000, and it had gone 37k miles. We would really like a bike that is a bit newer and / or fewer miles so at least it seems she is not going backwards with the bike's age / condition (ha ha a better sports-tourer than the VFRfi - is that possible???).
The snag is she had to give up her work when her health failed so we don't have more than £1700.
So - what I am hoping for is advice about what bike would be lighter but still able to be used for a whole day's riding.
I'm looking forward to some interesting debate.

[Knightsy]

CBR600F could work pretty well methinks.
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09' Versys 650 | 07' FJR1300A

[barrkel]

I used to tour on an ER6f before I got my VFR. The VFR is a nicer bike, much higher build quality, much smoother engine, but not noticeably faster at legal speeds (I wasn't afraid to rev high and slip the clutch heavily on the ER6 at lower speeds). VFR is much better cruising on the motorway, but I think its weight blunts its acceleration.

The ER6 is way lighter than the VFR in handling, especially at lower speeds. It's a real effort to flick the VFR, while I could make the ER6 snake around below me almost like a scooter. A narrow bike with fairly low seat, which means extra leverage for holding it up, especially people with shorter legs.

Sometimes I miss my ER6. Biggest thing I don't miss is the vibrations, and attendant rattles in various places in the fairing. Worth a test ride if those things can be looked past.
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

[_mjs_]

ZZR600? Low seat height, sports tourer and pretty fast.
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Previous Bikes: 2006 Honda XR125L > 2003 Yamaha DT125R > 1996 Honda CB500
Current bikes: 1997 Kawasaki ZZR 600 E5 > 2006 Honda Varadero XL125V

[Polarbear]

+1 for an ER6. My wife wanted something light with a reasonable amount of power and handling, without having a sports bike.

She really likes her ER6.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[colin1]

thundercat
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[radicalrabit]

baby pan?
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VF1000 F2F, BLACKBIRD with carbs, 2nd VF1000F2F just need somewhere to go now..

[Deucalion]

I've recently bought an ER6f and I love it.

That said, I was 20 years out of the game, so very out of date in regards to modern bikes.

There are many good things about the ER6, but one thing I would point out is the seat gets pretty hard and I get a numb bum after 1 and a half hours.

This could be because my bum has taken very little abuse for 20 years though, and I need to toughen it up again.

The ER6 is low, light, easy going but fairly quick though, so definitely worth a look.
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CB125 (seized it), GS125 (passed test on it) , KLR 250 (Stolen) , RD 350 YPVS (Insurance forced sale) , GPX250 (Girlfriend forced sale) , 20 year gap, ER6f.

[notxn85]

Hi all,
Well the ideas are coming in thick and fast - I thought joining this forum would be a good idea.
Just a reminder - lighter than a VFR800 and I have £1700 (perhaps a hundred or two more if I starve for a month).

[barrkel]

[radicalrabit]

oh Ill shut up. forgot the price range, was just going to say bmw f800st brilliant little bikes,,,,,, ah well keep lookin
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VF1000 F2F, BLACKBIRD with carbs, 2nd VF1000F2F just need somewhere to go now..

[angryjonny]

With a sub-2k budget I'd add my votes to either the CBR600f or the Thundercat. I wouldn't be fussed which, personally, I'd look at examples of both and choose based on the individual bike rather than the model.

When I had my VFR I'd "upgraded" from a Fazer 600. Might be worth investigating one of those too. But there's no substitute for that VFR engine.

[Musketeer]

ZX6R J1/J2/A1P are pretty good, powerful and comfy.. they weigh only 172kg dry. And you can get one for £1500-2000.

I can ride on my J2 all day long without problem.

[Rogerborg]

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that your wife is having trouble, but it's great that she's still riding.

Blue touchpaper time: what about the Virago 535?

Bear with me, I know you said "sports tourer": I'm throwing this in to test that assumption.

It can do legal UK speeds, has a shaft drive, you can put panniers and tank bags on it, there are low mileage well looked after examples around, the fuel economy is OK, it's 182kg, and it's low.

You don't have far to drop it. Add crash bars and panniers and it's not going to hurt it much if it does go over, and it'll roll straight back up again.

Is that too far away from what she's used to, or too low rent?
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Copycat73]

[G]

ZX9R C/E model. Could easily make it as comfortable as the VFR, plenty of mid-range oomph and a good bit lighter than the VFR I believe.

[c_dug]

Maybe I'm wrong but something tells me the 50-something year old lady who currently owns a reasonably soft sports tourer really wont be after a balls out sports bike like the ninjas mentioned. Come on G, the 9r was quicker over the quarter mile than the first R1 was it not? Voice of reason my arse
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[c_dug]

To add my advice, the er-6's don't seem a bad bet really, MCN puts the weight at good 40kg less than the VFR800.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[radicalrabit]

weight? where does that really come into the equation? Danielle has sat on and held up the vf1000's the Blackbird and the R1200RT
SHE IS ONLY 12

When the bike is moving the weight only really becomes and issuse starting on hills with a bend doesnt it?

Just playing devils advocate here
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VF1000 F2F, BLACKBIRD with carbs, 2nd VF1000F2F just need somewhere to go now..

[c_dug]

I think the point seems to be if it goes when not moving. My divvy weighs over 260kg, light as a daisy at 5mph but I struggle to keep it up if it gets some lean when not moving.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[c-m]

[G]

[Rogerborg]

[stonesie]

Another vote for the Thundercat

187kg dry
19L fuel tank for decent range and supposed to be very comfortable.

[Davenaylor]