So I know some goon will flame me for this....................
If you had the opportunity to trade even up(my '07 RWB) for an '06 GSX-R 1000,would you do it?
I love my Honda.I love everything about the bike........almost.
I 've recently found a yearning for a bit more hp's,a 'lil better brake and a 'lil better suspension.I can upgrade in all these areas for an even swap.
Color me crazy and a traitor but it just seems logical.
Miles are near the same,bike looks like it's been taken care of...................I'm searching for a reason this is a bad deal.
So I guess that's a NO?
You of all people can do better than that.
Are we talking on a performance level or a comfort level or is it one in the same?
Man,this is a toughy.
I'm with Seb - go for a 150 - 200 mile ride on the gixxer, then decide. Last time I borrowed a buddys CBR1000RR and blasted the local twists for about 130 miles - I came back whipped. No way could I take that bike for a 3 - 4 day hack into the mountains. Thats why I have the viffer. Its sporty enuff (with mods) but I can head out for a week (or 2) and feel like I'm in one piece when I get back. -- Of course money no object, a full sport bike would be sitting in my garage too.
(Aprillia V4?)
Maybe the guy swapping the GSXR has qualms too. Perhaps you could arrange to trade, and each ride the other bike for some short, defined period, and then if neither has damaged the bike, and you're not both happy with the swap, you can trade back?
How do ya think the other guy feels about trading down to the 07 VFR, bet he's got a smile the length of BR's mileage :biggrin:
Maybe he knows something you don't :huh: :blink: :unsure:
[image: View Post]elizilla, on May 5 2009, 04:23 PM, said:
Maybe the guy swapping the GSXR has qualms too. Perhaps you could arrange to trade, and each ride the other bike for some short, defined period, and then if neither has damaged the bike, and you're not both happy with the swap, you can trade back?
What HE said! Doesn't that sound like the best thing? I understand the desire. I want a second, more sporty machine myself (Triumph Daytona 675) but I am not sure I could be 100% happy with only the 675 for many of the issues that might bug you. So, switch for a day or two and do a long ride. Is it comfy enough? Is it TOO fast? Can you afford the insurance? etc... (And you want HIM to be happy too...and be honest with each other when you talk. get it right the first time and then you won't need to second guess...)
Good luck!
Most awesome motorcycle in the twisties and fast sweepers I ever rode.
HUGE grunt midrange and pee your pants top end!!!
100mph in 1st. 1000 miles on the rear tire, PP CT2...
I could ride it 300 miles max a day. Then I had to get off....
I wouldn't trade straight up. The 06 should sell for $6500 or so, completely stock, under 9000 miles. (yes, I know you see them for much higher, but here in GA your not gonna get any more for it) The 07 will still get around $7000.
I traded cause each ride ended up going faster and faster and I knew that the "bill" was coming.. ha ha
Do what you want. It is only money and you only pass by here once....
i rode a zx 12 last year for an hour or so. crazy amounts of power - i was doing 75-80 mph in second gear. it was relatively comfy to ride, although it does push you over the handlebars a bit more than the VFR.
i wouldn't trade my VFR for any supersport bike - for everyday use and longer journeys. if it's just quick rips in the mountains or track use i'd consider it though.
There is a recall on the 1000 gixxers for bad frames. The frames are breaking just behind the steering head at the weld. The recall I believe is for '05 thru '07's. RoadRacing World had a big todo about it.
It really depends on your style of riding. Fast and furious? Commuter/day long trips? Both can handle the twisties but only one will let you walk away from it all at the end of the day without a back/neck ache. ;)
One question on my mind: do you really think the GSXR is going to be fast enough to outrun or at least keep up with the lotus?
I sort of went through this not long ago. It came down to the fact that nothing other than the VFR fit my bill. It was comfy for super long trips, sporty and powerful enough for me, and has character and class. But if you're just going to be tearing it up around the mountains by you, I can't say its going to be a mistake.
The gixxer I test rode had my neck tied in knots in 20 minutes.
I had to lean over so far to reach the bars that I had to tilt my head all the way back to see wtf I was going.
I said, eff this. Other people swear by them, not at them. They call themselves the gixxer scum. :laugh:
Test ride and see if you fit the scum riding position. I don't think there's any doubts about the power or handling. :warranty:
Just own the bike that is best suited for the kind of riding you do 90% of the time. Get that GSXR if that is what will do the trick. You can always switch back. It would be cool for you to take a real ride on it first.
FWIW I have an '04 CBR1000RR, and I can ride it all day with no more comfort issues than I have on my VFR, but that's just me. It's amazing to me just how good of a streetbike it really is. I'm told the ergos on the Gixxer 1K are just as good. JMO. :)
When I talked to you this sounded just like the deal for you........ I know you're not towing mowing equipment with a bike to work. A SS actualy makes sense for you.
stress cracks in the frame? recall? Time to do some homework.
I do know this.
Yamahas have engine problems.
Kawasakis have transmission problems.
Hondas have electrical problems.
Suzukis have frame problems.
Maybe you should just slap some bags on the VFR and get it ready to ride down here. Then, get that RC out and stretch her wings.
[image: View Post]elizilla, on May 5 2009, 05:23 PM, said:
Maybe the guy swapping the GSXR has qualms too. Perhaps you could arrange to trade, and each ride the other bike for some short, defined period, and then if neither has damaged the bike, and you're not both happy with the swap, you can trade back?
+1 - If you are both serious about the deal why not get together and swap bikes. Spend a couple of hours following each other or split up if you're both cool with it. My gut says "if you have to think about it this much, pass". There are bikes I would trade for, but a cookie cutter liter bike is not one of them. Now a Super Duke or maybe a 999 (I like the way they look)..........
Brother Ive drooled over so many bikes, and thought about going BACL to a SS bike so so so many times...but I just cant bring myself to do it because of the torture rack ride after about an hour...but if you dont ride that far in between breaks and your at the point n your riding ability that the VFR is holding you back (not on the street, but the track) then I cant blame you at all..regardless of others think you need to be honest with yourself about your riding ability, style, and desires...but please dont do what Ive seen some people do..gey an SS bike thinking it will make them faster..IT WONT (other than strait line!) If it will cause you to push harder then you DONT NEED IT...Just a tip..And I know I dont know your ridng ability or style, but I hope you think about that!!! But sounds lke a OK deal, you will be losing $$ but you can sell the GSX easier than the VFR if you want to go back...
Obviously, you need 2 bikes (at least, me too), pocono...viffer + hard core ***+ dual sport, full tour, MX...ah!***, finances being the limitation. I know the problem. You'd better ride that Gixxer for more than an hour to realize there's a reason your buddy is interested in trading. We'd all love a stable of single purpose bikes to round out our imaginary fleets. But, then reality sets in. The viffer, being the jack of all trades and master of none, appeals to us for just that reason. It assimilates a lot of different type bikes without actually being that type of bike. Can you imagine heading to the Tmac on the Gixxer? You'd be getting off at every rest stop...if you could find one. Though, once you're there you'd be smokin'. Yet, you could take the viffer to the track and have a blast, albeit without being "cutting edge." Just saying, you may want to reconsider...unless you can afford an additional ride in your fleet, then go for it!
LSL bar kit....now you got all day comfort AND a bike that hauls the mail and acts like it's on rails. Bullet proof bike as well. Even swap? Sure why not. You only get to live once...might as well try different things.
All this crap about only ONE bike (or manufacturer) is the only bike to have is complete crap. Ride what ya like and enjoy the heck out of it. There is no one best bike.
+1 for the test ride. im only 5'9 but my build doesn't fit the typical sport bike position, im sore and numb within the first hour. twisties or not. of course the gixxer is going to be faster and handle better but does it fit your needs. same reason a Ferrari enzo doesn't fit the bill for a nice easy grocery getter or easy Sunday drive. I know i shouldn't but whenever i see guys on gixxers, CBRs, R1s or R6s the first thought in my head is hot shot punk that thinks hes the next moto GP star. (yes ive been buzzed on my bike many times by those guys) so dont forget about the "persona" the bike will give you to all the drivers and people around you. (cages tend to drive more aggressive around the full bore sport bikes)
Ah,so many great opinions and options. We do plan on getting together in two weekends to swap bikes. I am familiar with the "rack"position as having spent some quality time on the RC.The seat cowl is yet to come off my bike so I do favor a bit faster pace and no passengers.Thanks for the frame tip.
I don't know. It is cookie cutter and it does not sound cool and it does not have a SSA.
I think I'll know after I spend some time on it.
His reason is strictly for two up riding.
Oh yeah Timmy no one else but you could put it so eloquent.
It's your life and riding habits, so do what's best for you in the long run. I'd love to have a supersport but it couldn't be my only bike.
Also, someone mentioned it above, but check insurance rates for the Gixxer before you trade. Premiums are different for everyone, but don't be surprised if the rate on the Suz. is 2x-3x higher than what you pay for your VFR.
Another factor IMO would be the GSX-R's attractiveness to thieves. IIRC it's the most stolen bike in America. :(
I have been trying for quite some time to put into words my thoughts on two main issues...not just for the Forum here but also to explaing MY desire for a second, sportier bike to my family and friends.
The first one is easier and more directed at the Forum members and riders in general.
1) Why is it that so many of us directly connect a style of bike with a type of person, i.e. if it is a GSX 600, 750, or 1000 then the rider MUST be a squid? Why do we generally assume he rides dangerously all the time, has no training, and basically, is a jerk? Of course, a certain amount of people that do ride them ARE those things. If you see a guy on a gixxer who has shorts and no helmet, I have no respect for him and see him as a problem for us all, public relations-wise. If I see a Gixxer driving recklessly or doing wheelies in public I have no respect. But just because a guy rides one (or any other popular SS) doesn't automatically make him a squid. And switching to one won't automatically make YOU one either. Why do we assume all cruiser riders fit the neat stereotype that we have in mind? Why do we often assume that a BMW rider is rich, stuck-up and elite? And as an aside, why is it so important that they are so common? Why does that matter? (Oh sure, I like the fact that I don't see VFR's everywhere. There is nothing wrong with feeling that you are one of the few that sees the quality in something non-mainstream. But why is it so bad when something is popular? I have a Toyota Tacoma. There are zillions of them but I like it as much as my VFR. I like my plain-jane, very popluar stratocaster but I also love my rare Paul Reed Smith guitar. They both bring me joy.)
2) This one is more subtle and hard to put into words. It has to do with power and torque. I want to explain why a faster and sportier bike can be fun when ridden at something less than full-out. First of all, one can have a ton of fun wringing everything out of a 250. Some people think that is the only way to really have fun...to push hard and extract the maximum performance out of a machine. (Several people above hint at this idea). And that IS fun! It does force you to become better. That is good. Some folks see that as a factor with the VFR...it is not underpowered but it is not over-powered so it is fun to push it, rev it high, better one's technique, etc.) But, my point is that there is something magical about riding a lighter, narrower, more powerful and TORQUEY machine (I have in mind the Triumph Daytona 675). And NOT because you can roar off into wheelie-heaven...not because it can accelerate to 120 faster than a VFR. No, what KILLS me about that machine is how a SMALL squirt of the throttle is waaaaay more fun than a short quirt OR EVEN A LONG SQUIRT on the throttle of the VFR. On the numerous test rides on that bike I realized that I would ride it about the same speed and in the same style that I ride the VFR BUT I WOULD HAVE MORE FUN DOING THE SAME THINGS on the 675. I wouldn't ride more agressively, I would just have more fun and more giggles by drawing upon that torque and the higher horsepower-to-weight ratio. The thing is like a razor. The 675 is like a light road bicycle and the VFR is like a heavy mountain bike. I want BOTH bikes...because I LOVE the VFR. I love having that combo of comfort, fit-and-finish, design, and "teflon-like" smoothness of the VFR. It is a wonderful, all-purpose machine. But there are alternatives. And to tie the two points together, one doesn't have to ride a certain way on any machine. Use your brain to make your heart happy. Ride like you want and don't hoist your prejudices, expectations, and preconceived ideas on others.
Sorry for the long post. I am sure I could say point #2 much better if I thought about it for longer but there it is.
So, if this dude has to think long and hard about trading to a Gixxer, what is so wrong? Why should the answer be clear in 2 minutes of consideration. Some of the decisions in life are sudden, some are slow in coming. Let's hope this chap ends up with the bike that is best for him. I hope you all are so happy with your bike that you never second-guess. We all ride wonderful machines and many of us are blessed in this life. I say "thank you" to the universe that I am able to be healthy, have some great toys, ride and even consider a second machine.
Ok, back to work, kids.
Are you sure the brakes are better? All the guys over at Wera BBS bitch about how bad the brakes are and end up replacing everything except the caliper. They push the bike closer to its limits on the track than anyone should ever on the street but the brakes seem to be the weak link, other than the frames cracking.
obviously I'm biased. That said, how much of the time are you really gonna be able to put that to use?? Unless you got some track days lined up over at the Raceway? I'd thing the RC would be more than enough weapon for the street.
Great post, Nungboy. :fing02: I agree with just about everything you said.
Only one thing I'd add, poconovfr, and that's if you do make the trade, the GSX-R will probably be easier/faster to sell if that bike doesn't work out for you. ;)
[image: View Post]TimC, on May 6 2009, 10:41 AM, said:
Great post, Nungboy. :fing02: I agree with just about everything you said.
Only one thing I'd add, poconovfr, and that's if you do make the trade, the GSX-R will probably be easier/faster to sell if you that bike doesn't work out for you. ;)
Thanks! (That soapbox looked so lonely...I HAD to climb up!)
I think most 1k in-lines are too much for the street IMO, if you have great control there not bad. The 05 GSXR 1000 I road steered like crap IMO and other than the engine I couldn't wait to get back on the VFR! :huh:
I would gravatate more towards the 750 myself(in fact just got one for the track) as it handles like a 600, but with 30 extra HP and have always been consider the best balance of (usuable) power, handling & weight. :cool:
I had a 06 GSX-R1000. It was red, gorgeous and fast as hell. Fast! I told my wife that would be the last bike I would be getting for a while. I bought it new.
Now here's the thing. It's not a fun bike unless you are going 90+ everywhere. If you can go fast everywhere, break the law and risk your life it's a blast. I am 47 and very disciplined but I always thought I'd come home in a body bag or hand cuffs.
The wheelbase is super short and the suspension is very very stiff. A bike like the gixxer is made for the track. Period. It sucks for commuting because you can't see any traffic to the side of you due to the riding position.
Someone tried to tell me all this before I bought mine and I didn't believe them. And finally, the tank on the 06 is slightly convex which makes it harder than hell to grip with your knees. You'll see what I mean on any kind of aggressive descending down mountain roads. It really really sucks.
So having said all that, if you have the funds, it's worth trying out at least once in a lifetime. I had a fun summer on mine but never became one with it. I came to the conclusion I would be selling it when I tried a 500 mile day ride on it. One of the members here, Maddog was on that ride. It killed me.
In my opinion, for Sport-Touring, the VFR is 5 times the bike the GSX-R is.
The GSX-R is the hot naughty blonde you want to get with at least once. The VFR is the girl next door with a nice smile that looks pretty in jeans and a t-shirt
[image: View Post]XLR8, on May 7 2009, 01:50 AM, said:
The GSX-R is the hot naughty blonde you want to get with at least once. The VFR is the girl next door with a nice smile that looks pretty in jeans and a t-shirt
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on May 7 2009, 06:34 AM, said:
[image: View Post]XLR8, on May 7 2009, 01:50 AM, said:
The GSX-R is the hot naughty blonde you want to get with at least once. The VFR is the girl next door with a nice smile that looks pretty in jeans and a t-shirt
Best description ever. :biggrin:
Yep, great description, which also makes me think that moving on to a hot, sexy supersport would make me feel like I was cheating on my sweet VFR! :laugh:
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on May 7 2009, 11:34 AM, said:
[image: View Post]XLR8, on May 7 2009, 01:50 AM, said:
The GSX-R is the hot naughty blonde you want to get with at least once. The VFR is the girl next door with a nice smile that looks pretty in jeans and a t-shirt
Best description ever. :biggrin:
Love it, you should have that in your sig :biggrin:
I've made my decision based on a few things the prominent being financial.
It just doesn't make economic sense seeing how I'm really upside down on my bike. I can't see spending what I still owe on the Honda on the Gixxer.
I would really miss the single sided swing arm seeing how I change tires once a month. :blink:
I would miss the sweet sound of the v-four and also when you can get three or four of them together..........................that's serious music.
I would miss you clowns.
Most of all it took me a day or two to realize just why I did purchase this bike at full price anyway. It's a VFR. quite possibly the best street bike ever made. I think so.
So I'll keep it ride the wheels off of it and wait for the deal of a lifetime on an '06 R1 LE. That's really what I would like anyhow..................in addition to the VFR.
[image: View Post]XLR8, on May 7 2009, 01:50 AM, said:
The GSX-R is the hot naughty blonde you want to get with at least once. The VFR is the girl next door with a nice smile that looks pretty in jeans and a t-shirt