just paid the deposit on a new metallic dark grey VFR800 ABS.
previous bike a BMW f800s.
had a test ride over the Hope Valley and the Snake (Derbyshire UK) on a VFR-
was really impressed with the engine, the way the bike was put together, the lack of rattles, the brakes, the handling. Just felt "right"
Also tried a Triumph Sprint ST, nice bike, but the build quality of the honda was a whole class ahead. The Triumph build felt like it wouldn't last as many winters as the Honda. Nice bike though. was a fairly close decision.
Tried a newer BMW f800s to see if the refinement had improved since my 06 bike, it had, and the ABS was better than my old bike, and didn't take the brakes off so alarmingly after braking over bumps, but didn't make me smile. The BMW salesman could see from my face when I came back in that I wasn't going to buy.
Congrats. I bought mine when they first came out. I know that I paid higher than most but out of curiosity, since the 09 is out now what are you paying? I paid 12k w/ABS.
[image: View Post]alwaysaware, on Feb 25 2009, 08:05 AM, said:
Congrats. I bought mine when they first came out. I know that I paid higher than most but out of curiosity, since the 09 is out now what are you paying? I paid 12k w/ABS.
I'm going to guess quite a bit higher then that, as he's in the UK.
[image: View Post]sckego, on Feb 25 2009, 02:41 PM, said:
[image: View Post]alwaysaware, on Feb 25 2009, 08:05 AM, said:
Congrats. I bought mine when they first came out. I know that I paid higher than most but out of curiosity, since the 09 is out now what are you paying? I paid 12k w/ABS.
I'm going to guess quite a bit higher then that, as he's in the UK.
Congrats on the new ride, RotherJohn.
approx 8500 quid, includes matching top box and heated grips, and as it is last years colour, they gave me a fair wad more than the average for my bike, so all in a good deal I think. All the manufacturers are discounting, or adding in free accessories - obvious reasons I guess.
Triumph salesman was a bit surprised I didn't go for the triumph in the end. I just liked the "swiss watch" build of the VFR, and the feel of it. I didn't dislike the triumph, just made a decision that was right for me.
''Triumph salesman was a bit surprised I didn't go for the triumph in the end. I just liked the "swiss watch" build of the VFR, and the feel of it. I didn't dislike the triumph, just made a decision that was right for me''
Exactly... although I actually bought one duh :laugh:
The sprint sounds like it's going to fall apart when you hit a bumpy road.
[image: View Post]RotherJohn, on Feb 25 2009, 05:47 AM, said:
Also tried a Triumph Sprint ST, nice bike, but the build quality of the honda was a whole class ahead. The Triumph build felt like it wouldn't last as many winters as the Honda. Nice bike though. was a fairly close decision.
Cheers
John
Aren't they supposed to last SUMMERS??? :biggrin:
[image: View Post]PolarBear, on Feb 26 2009, 08:30 AM, said:
[image: View Post]RotherJohn, on Feb 25 2009, 05:47 AM, said:
Also tried a Triumph Sprint ST, nice bike, but the build quality of the honda was a whole class ahead. The Triumph build felt like it wouldn't last as many winters as the Honda.
Aren't they supposed to last SUMMERS??? :biggrin:
It's the winters in the UK that wreck the bike - if it's ridden. Salt and slush on the roads give alloy a hard time. I've read several reports by UK owners that the Sprints end up looking very tatty if ridden in the winter, whereas the metal bits on the VFRs stay looking pretty smart.
My VFR is (supposedly) ex-UK, and it shows: the exhaust headers are much more corroded than a NZ-new bike's would be, but overall it's still reasonably tidy (despite having been crashed by a previous owner).
Would love to read a comparo between your old BMW and the VFR once you're properly acquainted with the Honda. ;) These two bikes get compared often but I'm always interested in comparisons written by people who have owned and/or ridden both.
[image: View Post]enzed_viffer, on Feb 25 2009, 07:52 PM, said:
[image: View Post]PolarBear, on Feb 26 2009, 08:30 AM, said:
[image: View Post]RotherJohn, on Feb 25 2009, 05:47 AM, said:
Also tried a Triumph Sprint ST, nice bike, but the build quality of the honda was a whole class ahead. The Triumph build felt like it wouldn't last as many winters as the Honda.
Aren't they supposed to last SUMMERS??? :biggrin:
It's the winters in the UK that wreck the bike - if it's ridden. Salt and slush on the roads give alloy a hard time. I've read several reports by UK owners that the Sprints end up looking very tatty if ridden in the winter, whereas the metal bits on the VFRs stay looking pretty smart.
My VFR is (supposedly) ex-UK, and it shows: the exhaust headers are much more corroded than a NZ-new bike's would be, but overall it's still reasonably tidy (despite having been crashed by a previous owner).
yep I can vouch for that having just ridden right through a winter here... not to hijack the thread, but do any of you know where I can get the split pipe that leads to the two silencers from? Looking for a nice stainless upgrade for little cost if possible.
[image: View Post]RotherJohn, on Mar 6 2009, 10:50 AM, said:
[image: View Post]RotherJohn, on Mar 6 2009, 03:32 PM, said:
[image: View Post]leanit, on Feb 26 2009, 01:22 AM, said:
Good job! Hope you enjoy it for years to come. Later, JD
Got it - put my first 30 miles on - I just love the engine note :-D
should I use 95 or 98 RON fuel? sorry if this is a FAQ, but couldn't find a straight answer on searching..
will post pics soon..
have RTFM'd and see it says anything above 91 - so I guess I'll use 95 since that's the lowest you can get in the UK...
Tell you what, after using BMW indicators I'm beeping at everyone at junctions...
Over here in the states we use 87 octane, but we use a different calculation for figuring octane rating. Just pay attention to the formula it lists in the owners manual - should be something like R+O/N or something to that effect, and see what it lists on your petrol pumps. My understanding though is that the VFR is meant to run on the low octane go-go juice (my bike didn't come with it's owners manual).
Enjoy the new bike.
End of thread · 17 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 10 Apr 2010