VFR as a first bike?
Discussion
Hi all,
I am a bit late to biking (40) and am currently doing my DAS, waiting for a Mod1 test date
I am really taken with the 800VFR but know that the usual advice for a first bike is a Hornet, Bandit etc but I have a rather large redundancy payout burning a hole in my pocket
Am I mad?
The next conundrum is new or used?
A local'ish dealer (Plymouth) has a pre-reg white one (looks
) up at £9k (list is c£10.5k) which I can probably get a few quid off for cash or there are a few other ones around eg 08 plate, 10k miles for £6k. Given my novice status I would prefer to go dealer rather than private.
Cheers
Mark
I am a bit late to biking (40) and am currently doing my DAS, waiting for a Mod1 test date
I am really taken with the 800VFR but know that the usual advice for a first bike is a Hornet, Bandit etc but I have a rather large redundancy payout burning a hole in my pocket
Am I mad?
The next conundrum is new or used?
A local'ish dealer (Plymouth) has a pre-reg white one (looks
) up at £9k (list is c£10.5k) which I can probably get a few quid off for cash or there are a few other ones around eg 08 plate, 10k miles for £6k. Given my novice status I would prefer to go dealer rather than private.Cheers
Mark
I was looking into them for my first bike and still love the look of them!
Though found a well-equiped CBF600 with low mileage for a decent price and went for that.
If you can find one that suits your needs at a decent price, I'd say go for it
. And post pics, imho very good looking bikes!
Though found a well-equiped CBF600 with low mileage for a decent price and went for that.
If you can find one that suits your needs at a decent price, I'd say go for it
. And post pics, imho very good looking bikes!Not a bad 1st bike - new is safe if you are not sure about bikes.
Only thing I'd say is get the full R&G crash protection kit fitted as being a novice with a fairly heavy bike, your most likely cock up will be a low speed drop. The R&G kit will save you a lot of money on fairing replacements.
White ones look great, but my OCD would kick into overdrive keeping the rear wheel clean
Only thing I'd say is get the full R&G crash protection kit fitted as being a novice with a fairly heavy bike, your most likely cock up will be a low speed drop. The R&G kit will save you a lot of money on fairing replacements.
White ones look great, but my OCD would kick into overdrive keeping the rear wheel clean
The Angry Gopher said:
3doorPete said:
The R&G kit will save you a lot of money on fairing replacements.
+1IIRC the radiators are situated on either side of the bike and prone to damage if dropped
When I passed my test I had mo money than sense so got an FZR1000 Genesis (eons ago as it was also new!).
If you've got the skills and are confident then go for what you want. If you pass but still wobble around and need two feet down at every junction then think about the costs in fairings etc that will build up from the (hopefully only) low speed spills etc.
PS VFR nice sensible ride but beware VTEC service costs (though this could just be me repeating internet rumours).
If you've got the skills and are confident then go for what you want. If you pass but still wobble around and need two feet down at every junction then think about the costs in fairings etc that will build up from the (hopefully only) low speed spills etc.
PS VFR nice sensible ride but beware VTEC service costs (though this could just be me repeating internet rumours).
The VFR800 was my first bike, no problems.
Replaced it with another one recently, pre registered, 0 miles from a dealer for £7850 (no luggage). For commuting I tend to stick below the Vtech, it kicks in at 6800. Once on the motorway 6000rpm = 90mph so it will be off-cam unless your looking for a ticket.
Replaced it with another one recently, pre registered, 0 miles from a dealer for £7850 (no luggage). For commuting I tend to stick below the Vtech, it kicks in at 6800. Once on the motorway 6000rpm = 90mph so it will be off-cam unless your looking for a ticket.
Bloody hell did everyone fall off alot after doing their test then? Suppose I did spend about two years on L plates and did most of my falling off then (my dt was practically designed to cope with this kind of cack handed behaviour).
I was after a vfr 800 for my first bike too and I probably would have bought one if a friend hadn't offered me a nearly mint cbr 600 for £900. They're cheap to insure apparently, mature or conservative owners don't tend to crash them.
I was after a vfr 800 for my first bike too and I probably would have bought one if a friend hadn't offered me a nearly mint cbr 600 for £900. They're cheap to insure apparently, mature or conservative owners don't tend to crash them.
While a 250-400 would be better as a first bike lets face it there is f
k all decent stuff available in the UK (unless you want to buy my mint '97 RVF400R) so any new rider doesn't have much of a choice apart from getting a 'big' bike.
I'd say the VFR is rather less manic than the CBR6 and so despite 200cc more is better as a 'first' bike. The VFR has plenty of low down stomp so its easier at slow speed, pulling off etc.
That said I didn't like the VTEC on the newer 800's and my '88 VFR750F is better than all the newer VFR's.
k all decent stuff available in the UK (unless you want to buy my mint '97 RVF400R) so any new rider doesn't have much of a choice apart from getting a 'big' bike.I'd say the VFR is rather less manic than the CBR6 and so despite 200cc more is better as a 'first' bike. The VFR has plenty of low down stomp so its easier at slow speed, pulling off etc.
That said I didn't like the VTEC on the newer 800's and my '88 VFR750F is better than all the newer VFR's.
A good 1st (or any other number) bike. They are easy to ride with no nasty surprises, enough torque and power to be fun, comfortable enough for all day riding and quick enough to match most things on the road.
As has been said, get some bungs to protectt the fairing should you drop it (and lots of bikers drop their first bike) and away you go. All you'll need to do then is book your hotels in the Alps for next summer!
As has been said, get some bungs to protectt the fairing should you drop it (and lots of bikers drop their first bike) and away you go. All you'll need to do then is book your hotels in the Alps for next summer!
catso said:
My Brother-in-law has a VFR800, I'd say it would make a good first bike as it's easy and comfortable to ride, maintenance is straightforward & not too expensive
Forgot this bit, VTEC's need an *EXPENSIVE* service every 16k. As in last time I looked a subsidised £500 type expensive service. Totally put me off them that did (quite apart from not liking the way the VTEC kicked in and out).Fastdruid said:
catso said:
My Brother-in-law has a VFR800, I'd say it would make a good first bike as it's easy and comfortable to ride, maintenance is straightforward & not too expensive
Forgot this bit, VTEC's need an *EXPENSIVE* service every 16k. As in last time I looked a subsidised £500 type expensive service. Totally put me off them that did (quite apart from not liking the way the VTEC kicked in and out).Are the VTEC models much different to ride?
Fastdruid said:
Forgot this bit, VTEC's need an *EXPENSIVE* service every 16k. As in last time I looked a subsidised £500 type expensive service. Totally put me off them that did (quite apart from not liking the way the VTEC kicked in and out).
I've ridden a few VFR's with V tech and not noticed a "kick". I thought the motors are quite subdued compared to a lot of stuff.VFR is a great first bike.
The only downside is
- weight: it's a heavy old thing that a newbie needs to be ready for
- turning circle is woeful.
- every other bike thereafter will feel cheap or compromised in build quality
Otherwise, a very very nice bike. A CBR600F is lower rent than the VFR, but being lighter means it is also easier to handle in the garage/etc.
The only downside is
- weight: it's a heavy old thing that a newbie needs to be ready for
- turning circle is woeful.
- every other bike thereafter will feel cheap or compromised in build quality
Otherwise, a very very nice bike. A CBR600F is lower rent than the VFR, but being lighter means it is also easier to handle in the garage/etc.
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