Discussion
Further to my last thread here http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t... I have been thinking more on the subject and what my needs will be from the bike.
I can't justify the insurance on bikes such as the R6 or GSXR and don't really want an all out sports bike. I like the idea of the usual suspects, such as the Fazer (expensive insurance?!), Z750 or the SV650S but don't want to change bikes too often as most people do.
I can see myself doing some mileage on the bike, maybe through Europe (I do this every year in a car, so might try it on the bike as I'm no stranger to long distance bike journies).
The VFR800 has caught my eye - (indeed quite literally, stunning looking bike) - as it has a decent enough engine, great reviews and would probably do everything I want/need from a bike.
My only question is costs. What would servicing, parts & maintenance (general running) costs be like? I can pick up a low mileage 2003/2004 model for about £4k, or approx £7.5k new from a dealer..? Are they reliable? Insurance for some reason is dirt cheap, I've had a quote for £315 from MotorcycleDirect (An SV650S is only £10 cheaper!)
Any other experiences of the VFR? Anyone own one?
I can't justify the insurance on bikes such as the R6 or GSXR and don't really want an all out sports bike. I like the idea of the usual suspects, such as the Fazer (expensive insurance?!), Z750 or the SV650S but don't want to change bikes too often as most people do.
I can see myself doing some mileage on the bike, maybe through Europe (I do this every year in a car, so might try it on the bike as I'm no stranger to long distance bike journies).
The VFR800 has caught my eye - (indeed quite literally, stunning looking bike) - as it has a decent enough engine, great reviews and would probably do everything I want/need from a bike.
My only question is costs. What would servicing, parts & maintenance (general running) costs be like? I can pick up a low mileage 2003/2004 model for about £4k, or approx £7.5k new from a dealer..? Are they reliable? Insurance for some reason is dirt cheap, I've had a quote for £315 from MotorcycleDirect (An SV650S is only £10 cheaper!)
Any other experiences of the VFR? Anyone own one?
VFR's must rate as one of the most reliable bikes of all time, so no worry on that score..having said that, there isnt an un reliable bike in your original list.
Exhausts can rot a bit and watch out that the chain adjuster nut hasnt seized in that fancy single sided swinging arm,if it has , its a royal pain to free off.
They make a gorgeous sound with a aftermarket can, a road legal one is a good compromise , free's up some sound but keeps plods eyes away from you.
VFR's tend to be bought by more mature upright touring chaps which generally means bikes well looked after with lots of miles in all weathers so watch for signs of corrosion everywhere and that the chassis bearings are in good working order.
Because of the V4 motor I unerstand they are a bit more awkward to work on which means more £££ come the deeper service items(ie valves), oil changes, filters etc will be much the same as the others I would imagine
Some people like the linked brakes, others dont, have to say from the brief blat I had on one under briskish use braking performance was fine.
The biggest mark against them IMHO is they weigh a fair bit, dont shoot me if im wrong but im sure its around the 220Kilo mark..to put that into perspective thats around 5 kilos heavier than a Hayabusa and something like 50 odd kilos more than a GSXR750.
If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
Exhausts can rot a bit and watch out that the chain adjuster nut hasnt seized in that fancy single sided swinging arm,if it has , its a royal pain to free off.
They make a gorgeous sound with a aftermarket can, a road legal one is a good compromise , free's up some sound but keeps plods eyes away from you.
VFR's tend to be bought by more mature upright touring chaps which generally means bikes well looked after with lots of miles in all weathers so watch for signs of corrosion everywhere and that the chassis bearings are in good working order.
Because of the V4 motor I unerstand they are a bit more awkward to work on which means more £££ come the deeper service items(ie valves), oil changes, filters etc will be much the same as the others I would imagine
Some people like the linked brakes, others dont, have to say from the brief blat I had on one under briskish use braking performance was fine.
The biggest mark against them IMHO is they weigh a fair bit, dont shoot me if im wrong but im sure its around the 220Kilo mark..to put that into perspective thats around 5 kilos heavier than a Hayabusa and something like 50 odd kilos more than a GSXR750.
If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
podman said:
VFR's must rate as one of the most reliable bikes of all time, so no worry on that score..having said that, there isnt an un reliable bike in your original list.
Exhausts can rot a bit and watch out that the chain adjuster nut hasnt seized in that fancy single sided swinging arm,if it has , its a royal pain to free off.
They make a gorgeous sound with a aftermarket can, a road legal one is a good compromise , free's up some sound but keeps plods eyes away from you.
VFR's tend to be bought by more mature upright touring chaps which generally means bikes well looked after with lots of miles in all weathers so watch for signs of corrosion everywhere and that the chassis bearings are in good working order.
Because of the V4 motor I unerstand they are a bit more awkward to work on which means more £££ come the deeper service items(ie valves), oil changes, filters etc will be much the same as the others I would imagine
Some people like the linked brakes, others dont, have to say from the brief blat I had on one under briskish use braking performance was fine.
The biggest mark against them IMHO is they weigh a fair bit, dont shoot me if im wrong but im sure its around the 220Kilo mark..to put that into perspective thats around 5 kilos heavier than a Hayabusa and something like 50 odd kilos more than a GSXR750.
If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
pod, so nearly everything u said was right, the all up fully fueled ready to ride weight is 213kgs compare that to a 2008 blade at 197kg fully fuelled and it isnt really that much!!!Exhausts can rot a bit and watch out that the chain adjuster nut hasnt seized in that fancy single sided swinging arm,if it has , its a royal pain to free off.
They make a gorgeous sound with a aftermarket can, a road legal one is a good compromise , free's up some sound but keeps plods eyes away from you.
VFR's tend to be bought by more mature upright touring chaps which generally means bikes well looked after with lots of miles in all weathers so watch for signs of corrosion everywhere and that the chassis bearings are in good working order.
Because of the V4 motor I unerstand they are a bit more awkward to work on which means more £££ come the deeper service items(ie valves), oil changes, filters etc will be much the same as the others I would imagine
Some people like the linked brakes, others dont, have to say from the brief blat I had on one under briskish use braking performance was fine.
The biggest mark against them IMHO is they weigh a fair bit, dont shoot me if im wrong but im sure its around the 220Kilo mark..to put that into perspective thats around 5 kilos heavier than a Hayabusa and something like 50 odd kilos more than a GSXR750.
If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
podman said:
....
If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
I’d also consider the BMW R1100S, the bike that Bike magazine said out VFR’d the VFR! If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
black-k1 said:
podman said:
....
If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
I’d also consider the BMW R1100S, the bike that Bike magazine said out VFR’d the VFR! If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
castrolcraig said:
black-k1 said:
podman said:
....
If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
I’d also consider the BMW R1100S, the bike that Bike magazine said out VFR’d the VFR! If I was looking at something like this within your 6K budget id also consider a Truimph Sprint ST..better engine with more character but no doubt a VFR will serve you well over the few years you want the bike to last for.
I've test driven a BMW R1200S when I was looking for a replacement for my SV1000S, hated it. All the mags say it's the best all-rounder available, I found it to be very vibey, slow, with a powerband about 1500rpm wide. On a 1200 twin I expected power everywhere, but it was all in the last 1500 rpm, spent most of the test drive in the rev limiter.
It made the SV feel fantastic though.
The VFR is a good bike, watch out for reg/rec faults and if it's a V-tec the valve clearance service at (i think) 17000 miles is apparently a killer.
It made the SV feel fantastic though.
The VFR is a good bike, watch out for reg/rec faults and if it's a V-tec the valve clearance service at (i think) 17000 miles is apparently a killer.
I had a VFR for several weeks after I was knocked off the Z750. It was pretty quick, handled well, was great on the motorway and fantastic 2 up.......however it was dull, very, very dull! I can't put my finger on the exact reason but it was mudane. IMHO it is to bikes what a Toyota Carolla is to cars. In then end I replaced my Z with an Aprilia which is by no means as competent as the VFR but it has soul!
Its a Jap bike - none of them have soul!
I've always wanted a pre-VTEC VFR, but apparantly each year the VTEC system gets a little smoother. This years one barely clicks when the VTEC comes in to play, but its not perfect YET.
I'd be more than happy to get a new one, but not a 2-3 year old one.
However, a Sprint ST is sexier. So thats where my moneys going. Bad service, poor reliabilty and sexiness beats good value for money any day!
I've always wanted a pre-VTEC VFR, but apparantly each year the VTEC system gets a little smoother. This years one barely clicks when the VTEC comes in to play, but its not perfect YET.
I'd be more than happy to get a new one, but not a 2-3 year old one.
However, a Sprint ST is sexier. So thats where my moneys going. Bad service, poor reliabilty and sexiness beats good value for money any day!
Hmm vfr's,
Well I have a fi version which predates the vtec.
Mine was the version that had a potentially dodgy rectifier and a steel downpipes.
The vtec is very different - better rectifier, stainless downpipes and is potentially more expensive at the 16k service but not significantly.
As a bike they are bulletproof and the latter vtec versions have better fuelling, the earlier vtecs had a bit of a pronunced kick.
Also the vtec have a slightly more agresive riding position than the earlier versions but again not a lot in it. The v4's do sound awesome - well mine does and the vtec with a set of staintunes sounds equally amazing.
I realise the insurance is cheaper on the vtec but to be honest the 929/954 blade is practically just as comfortable - although insurance maybe an issue. To be honest if I had the money and a set of vario bars I would go back to a 954 blade.
happy shopping
Well I have a fi version which predates the vtec.
Mine was the version that had a potentially dodgy rectifier and a steel downpipes.
The vtec is very different - better rectifier, stainless downpipes and is potentially more expensive at the 16k service but not significantly.
As a bike they are bulletproof and the latter vtec versions have better fuelling, the earlier vtecs had a bit of a pronunced kick.
Also the vtec have a slightly more agresive riding position than the earlier versions but again not a lot in it. The v4's do sound awesome - well mine does and the vtec with a set of staintunes sounds equally amazing.
I realise the insurance is cheaper on the vtec but to be honest the 929/954 blade is practically just as comfortable - although insurance maybe an issue. To be honest if I had the money and a set of vario bars I would go back to a 954 blade.
happy shopping
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