So I bought my '02 on Saturday and rode it home in the rain, and Sunday was a monsoon, so yesterday after work was my first chance to get a real ride in on the new bike. I rode a few twisties and a few freeway miles yesterday and to work this morning. Here are my impressions (in no particular order):
- I don't know what kind of magic sauce Honda put into the suspension on that bike, but I'm sure Geneva convention rules must have been broken in it's development. I could feel every bump, undulation, and seam in the road, but not in bad way at all, it was more like the bike was just letting me know what was going on, for informational purposes only.
- The throttle is very sensitive to the slightest wrist movement. It might have something to do with the bike being about twice as powerful as my old Nighthawk 750, but I could definitely feel the engine responding to even the slightest wrist jostling.
- I think I understand now why some people love the VTEC and why some people hate it. When that second set of valves open up while you are getting on the gas, WoW! What a great kick in the pants. But then after a few times you start to wonder, if there is so much power available at 7K RPM, why isn't there nearly as much at 6,800? I also did experience a couple of times where I was riding right at 7K and I could feel the VTEC 'flutter' off an on a few times. Kind of annoying but easily solved by shifting. At this point I think I am a VTEC fan, although I wish there was some more hysteresis in the setup. We'll see how I feel when the 'newness' wears off.
- The bike just wants to go fast. My old bike took effort to ride at 95+, this thing just wants to get there, and settles in comfortably. I'm not too sure yet where the cruising RPM range is on this motor, but it feels like the engine wants to be in the 5K to 6K range. It'll take some time to get used to the new bike but it is a fun process so far.
- The Nighthawk had a raised ridge around the end of the grip, presumable to help keep your hands from slipping off, but I have big hands and the ridge was always in my way. The VFR grips don't have this ridge and are much more comfortable for me. The sharper backsweep angle on the grips is more comfortable as well, it feels much more natural. The erogs are much more sport bike like than I am used to so I am going to have to learn not to put weight on my hands, I could feel even after a short ride that I was putting too much weight on the grips.
- I am convinced that at some time in the past Honda engineers broke into my house, drugged me, and took my measurements because that bike was clearly designed specifically for me and my frame. The foot controls are in exactly the right spot, the leg cutouts fit just right, everything is just where it should be.
- The bike just freakin' sounds awesome, especially when everything is opened up and cranking. It's like all the best characteristics of an I4 and the best of a V-twin combined together.
All in all I have to say that I am in love with this bike (don't tell my fianc�e), and I am looking forward to many, many miles together.
- I don't know what kind of magic sauce Honda put into the suspension on that bike, but I'm sure Geneva convention rules must have been broken in it's development. I could feel every bump, undulation, and seam in the road, but not in bad way at all, it was more like the bike was just letting me know what was going on, for informational purposes only.
- The throttle is very sensitive to the slightest wrist movement. It might have something to do with the bike being about twice as powerful as my old Nighthawk 750, but I could definitely feel the engine responding to even the slightest wrist jostling.
- I think I understand now why some people love the VTEC and why some people hate it. When that second set of valves open up while you are getting on the gas, WoW! What a great kick in the pants. But then after a few times you start to wonder, if there is so much power available at 7K RPM, why isn't there nearly as much at 6,800? I also did experience a couple of times where I was riding right at 7K and I could feel the VTEC 'flutter' off an on a few times. Kind of annoying but easily solved by shifting. At this point I think I am a VTEC fan, although I wish there was some more hysteresis in the setup. We'll see how I feel when the 'newness' wears off.
- The bike just wants to go fast. My old bike took effort to ride at 95+, this thing just wants to get there, and settles in comfortably. I'm not too sure yet where the cruising RPM range is on this motor, but it feels like the engine wants to be in the 5K to 6K range. It'll take some time to get used to the new bike but it is a fun process so far.
- The Nighthawk had a raised ridge around the end of the grip, presumable to help keep your hands from slipping off, but I have big hands and the ridge was always in my way. The VFR grips don't have this ridge and are much more comfortable for me. The sharper backsweep angle on the grips is more comfortable as well, it feels much more natural. The erogs are much more sport bike like than I am used to so I am going to have to learn not to put weight on my hands, I could feel even after a short ride that I was putting too much weight on the grips.
- I am convinced that at some time in the past Honda engineers broke into my house, drugged me, and took my measurements because that bike was clearly designed specifically for me and my frame. The foot controls are in exactly the right spot, the leg cutouts fit just right, everything is just where it should be.
- The bike just freakin' sounds awesome, especially when everything is opened up and cranking. It's like all the best characteristics of an I4 and the best of a V-twin combined together.
All in all I have to say that I am in love with this bike (don't tell my fianc�e), and I am looking forward to many, many miles together.