Sold my CBRXX yesterday, so now there is room in the garage and I have enough $$ to buy a new '07 VFR; there are some great deals on non-current models. However, I am having trouble deciding if the purchase would be a good idea.
I still own a '98 VFR--rides fine, 11K on ODO, but still has significant bodywork issues and lacks the mods I want in a sport-touring bike. I could spend big bucks to get this bike in great shape and also modify it to become my main bike. Or, I could keep it as my around-town-beater-bike and use the money toward the purchase of a new VFR or some other bike.
Among the reasons I sold the XX: I wanted something more comfortable to ride, I no longer needed a rocketship, I wanted something a bit more nimble and lighter. Well....my 5th gen VFR is significantly lighter and more nimble than the Blackbird was, but I have read that the 6th gen viffers weigh about the same as the XX; don't know about the handling issue.
My basic choices:
1. Improve and modify my '98 VFR into my main bike, and don't buy a new bike. But, will the '98 VFR be reliable enough for cross-country travel? Will age-related issues (in the bike, not in me) pop up?
2. Don't put more $ into the '98 and keep it as a commuter & back-up bike, and buy a new VFR
3. Don't put more $ into the '98 and keep it as a commuter & back-up bike, and buy something else for long-distance duty.
I wouldn't own both, a 98 and a 6th gen. They are too similar to each other IMHO.
Sounds like you're itching for a new bike though, so sell the 98, get a 6th gen and use the cash from the 98 to mod the new bike to your liking.
You may even have some cash left over for a beer or two :laugh:
[image: View Post]Rice, on Mar 1 2009, 06:12 PM, said:
I wouldn't own both, a 98 and a 6th gen. They are too similar to each other IMHO.
Sounds like you're itching for a new bike though, so sell the 98, get a 6th gen and use the cash from the 98 to mod the new bike to your liking.
You may even have some cash left over for a beer or two :laugh:
Keep the 5th gen and throw Toro1's supercharger kit on it! Spend what's left over for suspension and body work. All the power of the XX with the nimbleness and comfort of the VFR.
Ride the '98 while keeping your eye on used 6th Gens. I picked up my '04 with 600 miles on it for $5k. At least you can turn it back around for close to what you paid if yoou decide not to keep it.
[image: View Post]XLR8, on Mar 1 2009, 06:08 PM, said:
Sounds like you might want to fix up your 98. You don't say how much mileage.
But it also sounds like you want a new bike. :) The reason I say that is because the XX seems like a great sport-tourer to me.
Fix up......... and maybe...........Torocharge??
Really, is there even a decision to make here ??
VTEC VS. Torocharger??
You'l end up ahead on the road, most likely less poor......and blown too!! :rolleyes:
I would just set up the 98 like you want it!
We used to be able to buy complete body kits including the tank for $1500 from Dynomohumm in Canada and the have silver, black, green, blue, yellow, red and maybe one more stock Honda color for the 5th gen. If you wanted a different color from out Red or Yellow I would search for another northren source. Or call Dave Lusk for US colors.
Then spend a grand on suspension (Ohlins/Penske shock and decent for mods) and your good to go.
You might also find a tricked out 5th or 6th gen already out there for a good price. :cool:
I know the VFRs in general are easily good for 100k+ miles. If you own the bike with no payments I say slap a Torocharger on it, and then do as BR suggests and get some suspension work done. Now you have your trusty 5th Genner that can run with the big boys easily only you can do it longer without the need of a chiropractor at the end of the day. ;)
Of course I love my 6th gen and if you really want a newer bike (or at least a newer look) you all ready know what to expect from the 5th gen. :fing02:
Thanks for the input, but discussion with my wife lead me to make choice #1, so I won't buy a new bike this spring, but will put $ into improving my '98 VFR. My job is very secure, but she is concerned about hers, and things would be tight if we had to make it on just my income for a while. Our youngest daughter graduates from college this year, so next year we will have extra $, and should be able to afford whatever new bike I want.
I already ordered new body work for the bike--lowest prices were at Service Honda. Next purchase will probably be a new Corbin. The stock can has a few scratches, so maybe an aftermarket muffler would be a nice addition.
[image: View Post]tyrroneous, on Mar 3 2009, 03:30 PM, said:
Keep the 5th gen and throw Toro1's supercharger kit on it! Spend what's left over for suspension and body work. All the power of the XX with the nimbleness and comfort of the VFR.
I agree with Tyrroneous. That sounds like a good idea to me. Seeing how VFRs are just breaking in around 100k miles. That would make your 5th gen just right for the Toro charger. When everything is done, you will have a vry unique bike and will be envied by many. :beer: