Didn't know if anyone has or does own a VFR and and F4i/RR and toured on both. I usually take two decent trips a year on my bikes and they share the load each year, each offering something the other can't (for obvious reasons). I realize the VFR is giving up approx. a 100 lbs. to either of the other two bikes, but I'd like to hear some comparisons between the bikes in handling in the twisties and overall comfort on the long haul.
I haven't done any two up trips with the significant other but I'm hoping the VFR would be capable as a two up sport tourer. I've read of thoughts on it lacking power for this, but when I ride two up, my passenger is my main concern and I ride accordingly so power isn't going to be an issue as I can't imagine it not still retaining plenty of passing power.
I have a total of 8 blocks worth of riding on a 02 VFR and no time on an ST1300, but when I sit on an ST1300, it just seems so big size wise that I no longer have an inkling of getting one for two up touring and love the size of the VFR.
I own both an F4i and a VFR. Both have modified suspensions; bot have Ohlins shocks out back and .90 springs up front.
The handling between the two is similar, but due to the lower weight and slightly different geometry/wheelbase, the F4i turns in quicker with less effort than the VFR. It's more nimble, and has more squirt out of corners and just about everywhere else.
The VFR has more power lower in the revs and is more stable. It takes a little more effort to tip it in, but it's no slouch, and stays stable once leaned over. I've raised my forks in the trees by about 9mm to gain a bit of turn-in and to make line corrections easier.
I've taken both bikes to Deal's Gap and both are a blast to ride there. The VFR is definitely more comfortable. I want to say that taking a passenger on the VFR is easier than on the F4i also, not just because of the extra size and comfort, but for the weight distribution. The VFR pass. seat is lower in height, and because the bike is heavier in different places, having a passenger in the twisties is less of a chore on the VFR. And I can still drag hard parts with my wife on board!
Thanks for the feedback, yeah I'm on CBRWorld as well as 1000rr.net under this same ID and sportbike.net as Rod M., but I don't frequent them much unless I'm just searching for info on my F4i or RR. I'm not a 'stunta' and I don't go to the track, I just love to ride sport bikes and commute on them and this forum just seems more my speed ;)
[image: View Post]CBR_Rod, on Jan 4 2009, 01:14 PM, said:
Thanks for the feedback, yeah I'm on CBRWorld as well as 1000rr.net under this same ID and sportbike.net as Rod M., but I don't frequent them much unless I'm just searching for info on my F4i or RR. I'm not a 'stunta' and I don't go to the track, I just love to ride sport bikes and commute on them and this forum just seems more my speed ;)
The VFR is definitely capable of two up touring. Maybe I don't have my stock suspesion adjusted correctly, but I actually find the bike handles better with my GF on the back. Might also be that she is a rider herself and is properly shifting her weight. But if I'm going for a blast with all my ninja riding buddies, I'll normally bring her out.
Last summer I did a 5,000KM trip to Mississauga, picked up a buddy, rode to Ottawa, then Montreal. Saw Iron Maiden at the Heavy MTL festival, and took him home. Then came home by myself. We rode almost every kind of road there is between Mississauga and Montreal, even 80+ KM of dirt. All without issue. And with the large seat on the VFR the passenger can sit up on the back, so there is no cuddling required.
I own a 2003 VFR and a 2007 CBR 600RR. If I had to choose between one or the other, and was not going to do track days, the VFR would be the easy winner.
Although the CBR is surprisingly comfortable for 200-250 mile days, the VFR is luxurious by comparison, and offers about 70% of the same fun factor in the twisties as the CBR. The VFR is so solid and stable, and feels like it will run forever. There are VFR owners with 100,000 miles on their bikes and they are still running strong.
Plus, there are all sorts of nice aftermarket luggage options for the VFR as well as hard bags.
That being said, the CBR will out accelerate the VFR with ease, and is quicker through the twisties.
Just picked up my new RWB viffer! Work is interferring with a much needed ride as it is 50 and sunny out, but supposed to hit the teens and rain tonight.....
I put about 2 miles on it coming back to the shop and can tell I need a nice long day with it to acclimate myself to it, quite a bit different than my F4i or RR. It's so smooth and quiet I found myself constantly over the speed limit.
[image: View Post]CBR_Rod, on Jan 12 2009, 04:25 PM, said:
Just picked up my new RWB viffer! Work is interferring with a much needed ride as it is 50 and sunny out, but supposed to hit the teens and rain tonight.....
I put about 2 miles on it coming back to the shop and can tell I need a nice long day with it to acclimate myself to it, quite a bit different than my F4i or RR. It's so smooth and quiet I found myself constantly over the speed limit.
I traded my 04 R6 for a vfr, and Im going to let you know at first you will wonder if you made the right choice..it is slower on the turn -in and has less getup and go than the typical "newer" inline 600...but after about a week of switching between twisty and slab you'll see why the VFR has such a loyal fan base..get your suspension set up for yourself, throw some good tire on there if you dont already have them (pilot powers are a fav!) and I bet most of the time when you go out the VFR will be the choice bike....When I first got mine I thought the first 2 days wtf did I do...but now I'd tell anyone they are some of the most capable bikes made..I'm not exactley a talented rider, just spirited, but I have friends with VFRs that most average riders on liter bikes cant hang with them in the twisty bits....welcome to the forum, goodluck, and wheres the pics!!!!!! :biggrin:
I just sold a 954RR and still have a VFR. I have done day trips with the wife on both... you definately want the VFR for anything two up. The CBR about killed my back with a passenger, but we can go for hours on the VFR. I have no trouble on a CBR by myself, but the pressure from my wife leaning on me made me want to throw the passenger seat away :) There are folks (like SEB) who are alot more qualified to answer your questions, but if you can only have one bike, I would go with the VFR. If you can have two, get the VFR first as you can do more with it. That's the recipe I followed and it worked very well for me. I don't drag much on my VFR, but I still have a really good time on it
[image: View Post]house, on Jan 12 2009, 07:22 PM, said:
I just sold a 954RR and still have a VFR. I have done day trips with the wife on both... you definately want the VFR for anything two up. The CBR about killed my back with a passenger, but we can go for hours on the VFR. I have no trouble on a CBR by myself, but the pressure from my wife leaning on me made me want to throw the passenger seat away :) There are folks (like SEB) who are alot more qualified to answer your questions, but if you can only have one bike, I would go with the VFR. If you can have two, get the VFR first as you can do more with it. That's the recipe I followed and it worked very well for me. I don't drag much on my VFR, but I still have a really good time on it
I wouldn't consider riding two up on my 1000RR, the F4i isn't too bad, no plans to get rid of either. The wife doesn't ride with me much at all, but that (more comfy riding two up) was one of the tidbits I threw out there when I hinted I was looking to pick one up, sort of softens the 'Where'd that bike come from?" moment.
She didn't see the need for 3 bikes, but then again, she didn't see the need for two awhile back either :biggrin:
[image: View Post]house, on Jan 12 2009, 08:22 PM, said:
I just sold a 954RR and still have a VFR. I have done day trips with the wife on both... you definately want the VFR for anything two up. The CBR about killed my back with a passenger, but we can go for hours on the VFR. I have no trouble on a CBR by myself, but the pressure from my wife leaning on me made me want to throw the passenger seat away :) There are folks (like SEB) who are alot more qualified to answer your questions, but if you can only have one bike, I would go with the VFR. If you can have two, get the VFR first as you can do more with it. That's the recipe I followed and it worked very well for me. I don't drag much on my VFR, but I still have a really good time on it
Tell Roxanne to put one (or two) hands on the tank. It will keep the weight off of you, and be more comfortable for her. :fing02:
[image: View Post]jeremy556, on Jan 12 2009, 09:56 PM, said:
Tell Roxanne to put one (or two) hands on the tank. It will keep the weight off of you, and be more comfortable for her. :fing02:
It was easier to get rid of the 954 and pickup my new Gixxer 750 :) She says it's too small for her to ride with me... Perfect!! (But thanks for the advice, never thought of that.)
[image: View Post]WERA910, on Jan 13 2009, 05:25 AM, said:
[image: View Post]CBR_Rod, on Jan 13 2009, 02:32 AM, said:
She didn't see the need for 3 bikes, but then again, she didn't see the need for two awhile back either :biggrin:
My wife knows I live by the slogan: "The proper number of motorcycles one should have is................... one more."
Going to pick up a YZ450 tonight to replace the ailing YZ426. :laugh:
They have a hard time distinguishing between the dirt bikes and street bikes as well (they lump them together), I mean come on already....... :biggrin:
Rode it home tonight, mileage total now is 8.6 miles, nearing that 10 mile oil change! (j/k)
[image: View Post]CBR_Rod, on Jan 24 2009, 04:11 PM, said:
Adding some picture os the new VFR with 06 Pearl White luggage.
http://images.fotopic.net/ywd1xf.jpg
http://images.fotopic.net/ywd1x5.jpg
http://images.fotopic.net/ywd1x7.jpg
http://images.fotopic.net/ywd1xc.jpg
Too late! I already did the 06 white bags on an 07 RWB! Love the look.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/motorhead1977/2007%20VFR800/P1000282.jpg
Awesome choice! You and the SO will like it for 2 up. Mine has plenty of power with 2 up and handles well in that configuration too. Soon you will be a mega miler like I am - I have just under 900 miles on mine. :laugh:
Oh yeah, BTW, I do happen to have a few 1st gens in the garage too. (note background of picture)
[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on Jan 26 2009, 09:58 PM, said:
Too late! I already did the 06 white bags on an 07 RWB! Love the look.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b232/motorhead1977/2007%20VFR800/P1000282.jpg
Awesome choice! You and the SO will like it for 2 up. Mine has plenty of power with 2 up and handles well in that configuration too. Soon you will be a mega miler like I am - I have just under 900 miles on mine. :laugh:
Oh yeah, BTW, I do happen to have a few 1st gens in the garage too. (note background of picture)
Yep, saw this picture already, yours was the one that made me decide on the white bags.
How do you like the Motorcycle stand? Habor Freight?
We have to start a group! Yes, the lift is HF. Got it on a big sale (special order sale where you pay them then they jerk you around about delivery) and went through hell to actually get the thing. It works well. I paid $399 for it which was lots lower than the regular price. No foot pump - only works with a compressor but I like it well enough.
[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on Jan 27 2009, 06:17 PM, said:
We have to start a group! Yes, the lift is HF. Got it on a big sale (special order sale where you pay them then they jerk you around about delivery) and went through hell to actually get the thing. It works well. I paid $399 for it which was lots lower than the regular price. No foot pump - only works with a compressor but I like it well enough.
a group? maybe we could cal it VFRD? lol I figured you lived far enough away we'd never cross paths and look like twinkies! :biggrin:
I have a good riding buddy with a 06 Raven R6, Akro slip on only... all stock otherwise and he is one of the fastest riders I have ever ridden with.
I am 2 up on the rear sprocket, PCIII, TBR, 98 catless headers ect... ect... basically everything short of a torocharger.
When we drag... it is dead even!!! I lose the 40 extra lbs around my mid section (I hide it well) and I will get him.
On Sage rd. (very technical very dangerous) he cannot leave me and visa versa, both dragging knees when it gets really tight.
We often talk about my bike and he is stunned at what it is capable of.
BTW I am 6'4" tall 260 lbs... my buddy is like a replica of Dani Pedrosa but from India.
It has been said before... but I will repeat it. Set your sag immediately (if you haven't already done so, and slap some PP's or better yet Power Races head to your favorite twisties and give other sport bike riders a bad case of buyers remorse.
PS I also passed my buddy (both of us WFO) at the track down the straight at the Streets of Willow on his 04 GSXR750 last Nov. He was pissed! I have the lap times from Fast Track riders to prove it.
[image: View Post]CBR_Rod, on Jan 27 2009, 07:27 PM, said:
[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on Jan 27 2009, 06:17 PM, said:
We have to start a group! Yes, the lift is HF. Got it on a big sale (special order sale where you pay them then they jerk you around about delivery) and went through hell to actually get the thing. It works well. I paid $399 for it which was lots lower than the regular price. No foot pump - only works with a compressor but I like it well enough.
a group? maybe we could cal it VFRD? lol I figured you lived far enough away we'd never cross paths and look like twinkies! :biggrin:
You should come to TexasMac this year and our bikes can be book ends :laugh: I am a definate for that ride. hope the weather is good! :fing02:
[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on Jan 27 2009, 07:03 PM, said:
[image: View Post]CBR_Rod, on Jan 27 2009, 07:27 PM, said:
[image: View Post]motorhead1977, on Jan 27 2009, 06:17 PM, said:
We have to start a group! Yes, the lift is HF. Got it on a big sale (special order sale where you pay them then they jerk you around about delivery) and went through hell to actually get the thing. It works well. I paid $399 for it which was lots lower than the regular price. No foot pump - only works with a compressor but I like it well enough.
a group? maybe we could cal it VFRD? lol I figured you lived far enough away we'd never cross paths and look like twinkies! :biggrin:
You should come to TexasMac this year and our bikes can be book ends :laugh: I am a definate for that ride. hope the weather is good! :fing02:
Thanks for the info on that ride, but it's a little out there for me this year. I have a weeks ride coming at the end of June first of July.
End of thread · 25 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 12 Apr 2010