I've lusted after a RWB VFR ever since i saw one in the dealership almost two years ago... since then however i've grown fond of sporty bikes like the Kawasaki ZRX1200 and the Triumph Thruxton 900. Both of which can be had for significantly less $$$ than a RWB VFR.
Certain reliability items make me hesitant to jump into the VFR club. Not too sure how "unreliable" the bikes actually are, but such topics arent discussed in the other two forums... I'm just concerned that in the event (maybe once or twice a year) that i want to take a longer trip (2+ hours) the other two bikes may not suit me that great.
Does anyone in here have any experience on either of these two alternatives? Steer me in the right (VFR) direction please!!!
How much are they asking for the RWB VFR? I am always hearing stories of dealerships with VFR's still crated in storage. The prices I have seen some members post here on the price are pretty low considering a new bike. Perhaps you need to expand your search radius for a dealership more interested in a sale than ripping you off?
Reliability? :laugh: While the VFR has some electrical issues that need the rider to monitor there have also been a lot of fixes by member here to help prevent them from even becoming more than something to check from time to time (IE VFRness from Tightwad and the famous Blue Wire mod). With bullet proof engines that easily go to 100k miles, solid frames, and well, pretty much everything else I don't understand your concern for reliability with the VFR. I bought mine with 24k miles on it and have added another 20k trouble free miles. The only problems I have had were due to my error. I have 43k miles on it now and have grand adventures planned for this summer that include several multi-day trips that I look forward to with my trusty VFR.
Just remember that the number of issues you read about here are high because everyone else is too busy out riding their VFR's. I don't know much about the other 2 bikes but if you think a Triumph isn't going to have issues then you are going to be in for an eye opener if you walk down that path. I have a good friend who readily admits they are not for those who are not mechanically inclined and right now is tearing his apart to track down an oil leak. I had a great experience with an old Kawasaki ZX600R that I still have hidden in the wings and plan on rebuilding once I get it up here from Texas but your insurance will be higher for the extra 400cc sport bike class and you all ready suspect that 2+ hours on a super sport like that will take it's toll. But just to be fair you should test drive all 3 and find the one you feel most suits you. After all, if you have the money available there is no issue you can't over come with what ever bike you choose. :cool:
Thruxton doesn't look to be very comfortable on long trips, I've never sat on one but from pictures there's that relationship between seat height and bar height that points to wrist pain after not too much time on the thing. The ZRX, however, seems like a great bike. It's more motor than I'd need, I'm not a big fan of carbs, and that square headlight isn't to my liking at all but that last bit isn't impossible to correct and make the bike your own.
The only real issues with the 6th gen VFR is the wiring harness was built to a minimum, and there is a lot of support to fix that issue. The rest is either small niggles that don't amount to much or else people just looking for improvements to stock where stock was still working (like suspension upgrades, etc). I don't think I'm getting on an unreliable bike when I throw a leg over my 2004 every morning.
[image: View Post]DGI, on May 29 2009, 08:29 AM, said:
I've lusted after a RWB VFR ever since i saw one in the dealership almost two years ago... since then however i've grown fond of sporty bikes like the Kawasaki ZRX1200 and the Triumph Thruxton 900. Both of which can be had for significantly less $$ than a RWB VFR.
Certain reliability items make me hesitant to jump into the VFR club. Not too sure how "unreliable" the bikes actually are, but such topics arent discussed in the other two forums... I'm just concerned that in the event (maybe once or twice a year) that i want to take a longer trip (2+ hours) the other two bikes may not suit me that great.
Does anyone in here have any experience on either of these two alternatives? Steer me in the right (VFR) direction please!!!
A VFR is going to be a heckuva lot more reliable than your Kawasaki or Triumph. If you judge from VFRD, we're always fixing our bikes and never riding them, but the fact is we don't post up to say, "my bike is perfectly reliable." In fact, I'd be willing to be most members originally joined here only to ask a maintenance question, and never would have even found VFRD otherwise. Meaning this is a forum you go to if you are one of the minority with a problem. So there are millions of VFR owner's out there not reporting their problems on here, because they aren't having any!
I agree, if your dealership is asking more for the RWB than they are asking for a ZX12 or Triumph, you need to find another dealership. That is a 3 year old model still on the showroom floor! Don't pay anything more than $8000 for it. IIRC, some people have negotiated under $8000 out the door.
I can't say that I have even seen a Thruxton, but the ZRX on the other hand I have spent much time with. I talked my brother-in-law, and one of my really close friends into buying theirs. That's much of the seat time I've spent on them. The reason I had for both of them is that neither had plans or aspirations to ride any great, far away places. They just wanted a reliable, comfortable, powerful bike to run around town. Neither of them planned to put many miles on them and aren't aggressive riders anyway. The two things that swayed me towards the VFR is the luggage, and fuel injection. I knew I would ride to far away places, and likely have to pass over mountain ranges. Those two things alone made my choice. The SSSA is just an added bonus. Neither of their bikes has had any problems but both bikes combined ('99 & '01) don't have the mileage my '05 VFR does (24K). To suggest a bike between a VFR and a ZRX, my question to you would be, what are your future plans for use of said motorbike? If the answer involves only city, urban commuting get the ZRX. If you want to get out and enjoy what ever country you live in, the VFR is for you.
A quick pic from two weeks ago.
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x107/msinkhorn/photo.jpg
3 very different bikes under consideration.
ZRX - Big bruiser motor, carb'd, upright riding position, little to no wind protection.
Thruxton - Traditional cafe racer, no wind protection, looks terrific but ergos look painful for long rides.
VFR - Sporty sport-tourer, FI, good ergos, one of the best all-around streetbikes ever.
Like hondalover said above, what kind of riding are planning to do? Every bike has its pros and cons. Local stuff only and doing some friendly (or competitive) drag racing, the ZRX is great. If you want a vintage looking bike for locan and fun rides, go with the Thruxton. But if you're looking at local rides, commuting, long day rides, trips, touring, etc. the VFR is your best bet among these 3 bikes.
As for reliability, VFRs are terrific. The 6th gen does suffer from a couple electical issues, but you can even sort those out before there is a problem. Otherwise most owners have few problems.
And God forbid you have to take your bike to a dealer for a major issue, there are many more Honda dealers than Triumph dealers out there, plus the VFR is a more common bike than the ZRX, so parts will likely be easier to come by for the VFR.
i mainly will do alot of urban saturday morning fun runs... i work 28 (highway) miles away and mostly stuck in traffic so if i do decide to ride to work, it will only be on a sunday where the highways are clear.
I really like the VFR... i fit on it great (6'6", 245lbs, 35" inseam) but the extra $$$ compared to a zrx (can be had for $4-5K) may not be worth it for me when it comes down to "what i need". I havent really looked at the numbers, but the ZRX does look a bit more suited to the majority of the riding i plan to do. On that note... so does the thruxton... and i fit better on the thruxton than i do on the zrx and it doesnt seem as intimidating as a 1200cc bike (just got off a 250 ninja two years ago)
I hate to be obtuse but it appears, based on a picture of the ZRX, that it's frame may be useful for mounting highway pegs for trips.
Carbs vs. Highway Pegs. Which wins? I'm thinking pegs...
I picked up a 2002 VFR with 4900 miles for $4900 over a year ago. Unfortunately there are a lot of people having financial problems due to the unemployement rate going up. Maybe you could score a nice used RWB rather than buying leftover dealer stock. I've only put just over 5000 miles on mine since i've had it, but other than oil changes and tires, it has been zero maintainence.
My best friend has a z-rex. I like it but I wouldn't ride it to MN, like a have and do on my VFR.
Also they are both kinda heavy, but the VFR handles WAY better due to its superior frame and engine layout (v4 keeps mass centered).
They are 2 different bikes really. I have no experience of the Triumph.
if you get the zrx... add in the cost of a motor rebuild and labor....
in the past 3 years i have seen at least 20 of them with snapped rods sticking though holes in the cases.. mainly because i had to fix 2 with that problem and to salkvage yards looking for a motor..only to find all the "good" motors gone. :dry:
as for the tri...WHY??? ;p
in anycase good luck shoping!
Well, as a former owner of a 2005 Kawasaki ZRX, I am here to tell you that the bike is basically bulletproof. The engine is based off the old original ZX10-ZX11 and has been around forever. I put 70,000 trouble-free miles on my 2005 in just 4 years, going cross country to either coast multiple times. Fast and old school styled, wind protection is at the minimum, but simplicity and reliability is at a premium with this bike. And parts availability? Any Kaw dealer will have parts out the ass for this bike, and even though 2005 was the last year for it in the USA, it STILL is sold in Japan up to last season, and a new injected model takes it's place in Japan this fall. I have been a member of the ZRXOA.org for about 5 years and it's the premier forum for the ZRX in the states and I have not even heard of 20 cases of rods thru the block there, and the one's we hear of are from abuse, turboing, and being run on their sides after a wreck, resulting in the #3 rod letting go at a later date. They don't just blow up. All in all, the ZRX is the ultimate muscle-UJM. Many of them on the board with over 100,000 there, too. And there are more mods for that bike than the VFR, hands down.
Just sold a Thruxton 04' Sunset Red had it since new was/is a nice bike. However @ 245 lbs you WILL need to upgrade the rear suspension, and forget about 2 up riding not only is it too softly sprung my wife says it is very uncomfortable on the rear. Also the rear sets are higher than on my VFR (4th gen), and the clip ons are low, I replaced mine with LSL bars ($400-$500 as triple clamp needs to be replaced as well). Basically you are comparing apples to oranges as the Thruxton is a retro bike where as the 07' is a modern water cooled, fuel injected comfortable motorcycle. The Thruxton has it's endearing qualities, but it's no VFR. Long trips are not recommended on the Thruxton either but for a run around weekend bike it's fine but it is low tech. Never had any problems with mine, but the new ones are assembled in Malaysia(vs England) have "fake" carbs and have had some QC issues. I also cosidered a ZRX when shopping, but after riding a few and then the VFR the VFR won out and I have not regretted my purchase while the Thruxton was a good bike the VFR is a great one ! Good luck.
The ZRX definitely a muscle bike. I don't know about handling, but in a straight line it'll smoke a VFR, hands down. The styling is a little dated for my taste, but if you like it, that's what matters. If the ZRX is known for throwing rods, that's news to me. Personally, I'd bet they've got solid engines.
You can get a new '07 RWB for about $8k. If you don't wanna dish out that kind of cash, you may want to look at an earlier version of the same generation. You ought to be able to get an '02 (in excellent condition) for about $4.5k. Trust me, they're out there.
VFR - hands down. The Trumpet is an underpowered medieval torture device and while the designers came close to capturing that singular cafe experience they missed the mark - it has quite a few issues which while not readily apparent come to the fore after a while - not a great all-rounder. The Kwak is brutish and may be fun to ride short term but it's an unrefined beast that looks 15 years old and has the tech to prove it.
So you have 3 very different bikes - but one very sensible choice. Hint - it has a V4, goes like stink, has the huevos grandes AND refined manners to take you across the country and back without killing you and it will never leave you wondering "What the flock was I thinking?" :wheel:
Seek and ye will find...
As a former owner of a ZRX and a very active member of the ZRXOA, it is the definitive UJM. I sold mine to get my VFR. It does nothing outstanding but lots of things well. It is big, fast, and very heavy. Two up it definitely beats the VFR. One thing unique about the ZRX is that it has a huge storage area under the seat that I really miss. You can easily put a six pack of whatever in there with room left over. In the twisties, a VFR will eat it's lunch every day. I got tired of trying to wrestle the ZRX around in the mountains.
You don't see a lot of folks doing long distance touring on a ZRX though. It is a good everyday motorcycle. Rods through cases - never heard that one. The motors are the same old inline 4 design that Kawasaki is about to wear out. They're about as reliable as a rock.
I had a '04 ZRX with 26,000 miles, other then maintenance items, never spent a dime on repairs. Rock solid. Great bike for around town. Tons of low end power, have to be careful to keep the front down. Enough power to not notice a pillion on the back. I made a couple 350 mile trips, both about 150 miles too long. I've gone 3200 miles in 6 days on the VFR, and loved every minute of it. I'm glad I had the ZRX, but I'm enjoying the change.
It sounds like you should wait and get the new VFR1200, it should be the perfect mix of ZRX low end and VFR sport/comfort!
I know what you mean about lusting after a RWB since seeing it in the showroom. Same experience here. I went into my local multi brand dealer and there it was in the center of the floor for all to see and I stopped in my tracks - WOW! Fast forward to just under 2 years later and there was a new left over one in my truck headed home from the dealer 100 miles away. (Hard to drive your self to the dealer and ride home) Since then 3600 miles and loving it. Just finished a 3 day weekend on it and it is by far the best all round bike I have had. My history of bikes ranges from 350-4, Triumph Bonneville, Honda Interstate, Kaw 500 triple and a slew of early 80's interceptors. Reliability issues are none from 06 on. The RR harness issues were corrected for 06 and on. Shop it hard and you can find a new one for low bucks. As I always say though, ride what you like and like what you ride. The only person whose opinion of your bike that matters is yours.
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