I want to get some input from you guys. Here is the situation, my son is 17 years old and has been riding for two years after taking the Motorcycle Safety Course at a local college. He usually rides his mothers VT 750 Honda Shadow Spirit, when we go out for long and short rides. I have observed him to ride kind of slow, cautious, and at his own pace. For the most part, he doesn't let me or no one else push him to a faster speed. My question is, do you guys think that the VFR 800 is to much bike for a 17 year old? I bought me a VTX 1800N and kept the Viffer for sport days. But I also had planned to give him the Viffer in due time. So, please give me some feed back!
Solo
[image: View Post]solo, on Aug 27 2009, 09:08 AM, said:
I want to get some input from you guys. Here is the situation, my son is 17 years old and has been riding for two years after taking the Motorcycle Safety Course at a local college. He usually rides his mothers VT 750 Honda Shadow Spirit, when we go out for long and short rides. I have observed him to ride kind of slow, cautious, and at his own pace. For the most part, he doesn't let me or no one else push him to a faster speed. My question is, do you guys think that the VFR 800 is to much bike for a 17 year old? I bought me a VTX 1800N and kept the Viffer for sport days. But I also had planned to give him the Viffer in due time. So, please give me some feed back!
Solo
Am thinking the viffer is a well balanced, responsive, predictable bike that will over shadow the vt750 by some margin.
I would hope, to only encourage and inspire better riding. The vfr is a much better tool.
If anything un-toward was to happen, its better to have the bike that might help you get out of trouble better, faster and more comfortably.
If you feel your not ready to part with the vfr, then dont, your instinct is handy sometimes.
[image: View Post]B4D80Y, on Aug 27 2009, 10:27 AM, said:
[image: View Post]solo, on Aug 27 2009, 09:08 AM, said:
I want to get some input from you guys. Here is the situation, my son is 17 years old and has been riding for two years after taking the Motorcycle Safety Course at a local college. He usually rides his mothers VT 750 Honda Shadow Spirit, when we go out for long and short rides. I have observed him to ride kind of slow, cautious, and at his own pace. For the most part, he doesn't let me or no one else push him to a faster speed. My question is, do you guys think that the VFR 800 is to much bike for a 17 year old? I bought me a VTX 1800N and kept the Viffer for sport days. But I also had planned to give him the Viffer in due time. So, please give me some feed back!
Solo
Am thinking the viffer is a well balanced, responsive, predictable bike that will over shadow the vt750 by some margin.
I would hope, to only encourage and inspire better riding. The vfr is a much better tool.
If anything un-toward was to happen, its better to have the bike that might help you get out of trouble better, faster and more comfortably.
If you feel your not ready to part with the vfr, then dont, your instinct is handy sometimes.
+1
I don't think the VFR is too much bike.
Better than a Gixxer 1000! Of course I came up the slow way on bikes I bought, mostly due to the fact that my parents didn't ride until I did. And borrowed my bikes...
can he handle it with his height and weight ?
If the guy is riding a cruiser on the street already, he can ride the VFR on the street.
The problem with anyone young is the "red mist" and wanting to ride fast. I say get 'em riding younger so they at least have some skill when the red mist kicks in, because it's gonna happen whether they're skilled or not. Ergo, skills = good.
[image: View Post]da9b20, on Aug 27 2009, 05:41 AM, said:
can he handle it with his height and weight ?
That was my biggest concern when I moved up to the VFR as well. Cruisers have a low center of gravity and seat height and going to the VFR will be a challenge when both get higher off the ground. Otherwise the VFR is a good next step as it isn't a super sport and a pretty comfortable ride.
Depends on the 17 yr old. I know guys twice that age that I will not let on my motorbikes. They don't have the maturity.
I don't think the vfr is 'too much bike' either, but anyone can screw up, on any bike.
[image: View Post]solo, on Aug 27 2009, 04:08 AM, said:
I want to get some input from you guys. Here is the situation, my son is 17 years old and has been riding for two years after taking the Motorcycle Safety Course at a local college. He usually rides his mothers VT 750 Honda Shadow Spirit, when we go out for long and short rides. I have observed him to ride kind of slow, cautious, and at his own pace. For the most part, he doesn't let me or no one else push him to a faster speed. My question is, do you guys think that the VFR 800 is to much bike for a 17 year old? I bought me a VTX 1800N and kept the Viffer for sport days. But I also had planned to give him the Viffer in due time. So, please give me some feed back!
Solo
Tough question since everyone is different. First, can he physically handle it. Can he sit confidently on the seat and both feet on the ground? Can he easily push it around? Can he pull it backwards up a slight incline like from an inclined parking spot? These are things that we must do that have nothing to do with "riding" but are important to keep the pricey parts off the street. A 750 Shadow has a low seat and is narrower with higher bars that make it easier to maneuver. The 800 is a little bit different in that it makes more power. Power+17=WOW. WOW+17=fast. Fast+17=+/-OOPS. I'm from the unpopular school of tiered licensing. First time riders start on small displacement machines and then earn the right to move up by showing competence over time. I would guess most here started out riding on something small( z50, XR100, CB360, etc) and have the rash to show for it. Since no one here knows your son, no one can say if he can handle it mentally but if it were me( and by the looks of things it will be some day) I would get him a good starter bike. It doesn't have to be a Rebel 450. A 500 Interceptor or a Ninja 250 or EX500 would be awesome. Let him log some miles and some tip overs before bestowing the 800 on him. My son will get my R some day but not till they pry my cold dead fingers off the clutch lever. Enjoy riding with him, I'm sure it's extremely gratifying.
Solo,
vfrrider17 is now 21 I think. His father gave him his 5th gen when he was 17. Age is not the issue. It is a matter of control, the young man's comfort, and riding goals. Sounds as if he is quite mature about his riding. I have never had anything else beside my 5th gen which I bought 4 years ago. It is the perfect bike. He can go long or short, track or tour and be very happy. The question is do you want to part with it. If I were you, I would be buying a second vfr like vfrrider17's dad did'
wrestler
Everyone takes to riding differently, my brother and I started out at the exact same time, took the MSF course together (both passed with only 1 mark against in the riding session), but he still wasn't ready mentally for the street and had a bad wreck a month after getting his license. I had my '86 VFR700 and he a GT650, mine was the more powerful, and worse handling bike, so it wasn't the power. For the street, I think 90% (or more) is mentality, it sounds like your son's well adjusted since he doesn't let anyone drive him to go faster, but if it were me I think I'd make him wait to buy his own bike and insurance. And if you can get him turned mechanic it'd be even better cause then he'll be spending more time in the garage than riding, and then riding carefully since it took him 3 months of elbow grease to get that bike going :)
I agree with the tract that it's more the person, than the bike. People can out ride over their limits, or ride safe. If he can put both feet on the ground and you think he can handle it, then the rest is what you think is in his head.
Like others said, it's mostly a matter of maturity - and he sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders. But he also needs to be physically strong enough to handle a 500+ lbs wet sportbike.
I bet riding your VFR would put a huge grin on his face! :)
I'm pretty sure I had the 4th gen when I was 17. For sure by 18. Started on a GS500E, wanted something with more balls and more comfort. At first, it was that 'shiny new toy' syndrome, always accelerating but never really speeding, but once I got used to the bike it all calmed down a bit.
Let him have it and have him do all the maintenance :fing02: . At least this way you get him hooked early on the V4.
[image: View Post]YoshiHNS, on Aug 27 2009, 11:17 AM, said:
I'm pretty sure I had the 4th gen when I was 17. For sure by 18. Started on a GS500E, wanted something with more balls and more comfort. At first, it was that 'shiny new toy' syndrome, always accelerating but never really speeding, but once I got used to the bike it all calmed down a bit.
Let him have it and have him do all the maintenance :fing02: . At least this way you get him hooked early on the V4.
I agree , Yosh. BTW. Long time no chat. How are you doing. School in yet?
Stay safe
I got my motorcycle permit at age 16 and followed my dad all over CA, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada on a 1983 Suzuki GS1100E. He made sure I was able to back it up, stop on incline and get off, put on center stand. I had been riding dirt bikes since the age of 4 so it was pretty easy for me, But I will say when dad wasnt around I loved to open the throttle. My dad told me when I was 18 I could have the bike. Well that never happened! He told me if I were to die on this bike he wouldnt be able to live with himself. Just something to think about!
Tough question - but it really depends on the maturity of your son.
My son and I both had SV650's at one time. There was nothing more fun than doing track schools, riding in the mountains, etc with him. Great times. Then he let his ego overload his skills. He quit riding and I'm thankful for it.
The fact that you have already had your son do the MSF course speaks volumes. MSF graduates have the lowest accident rate of any group. The highest accident rates are people taught by friends followed by people taught by relatives.
'03-'05 Suzuki SV650.
[image: View Post]solo, on Aug 27 2009, 04:08 AM, said:
I have observed him to ride kind of slow, cautious, and at his own pace. For the most part, he doesn't let me or no one else push him to a faster speed.
I would like to just bring up a thought...
I used to ride with a guy who always road kind of slow and couldn't be pushed. It turned out that he just wasn't super comfortable going at any more than the posted speed on a warning sign. He gave up street riding after a year and didn't pick it back up. Is there a chance that he just doesn't have the fever to ride that some get?
Put it this way the current bike and the VFR will out pace most cars to 60mph and both are capable of speeds 100mph+, the VFR prob. has about 30-40mph more on the top end. The ergo's and weight distribution will take some getting used to, I've got about 1500mi's on my VFR and I'm still learning the bike, mostly at low speeds. I'd let him ride it occasionally and make it a gradual transition, build skill, trust, and respect for the bike and gain a value of the bike if it's earned by good riding.
im sure the insurance company will love to take your money to insure that age for a vfr.
[image: View Post]solo, on Aug 27 2009, 04:08 AM, said:
I want to get some input from you guys. Here is the situation, my son is 17 years old and has been riding for two years after taking the Motorcycle Safety Course at a local college. He usually rides his mothers VT 750 Honda Shadow Spirit, when we go out for long and short rides. I have observed him to ride kind of slow, cautious, and at his own pace. For the most part, he doesn't let me or no one else push him to a faster speed. My question is, do you guys think that the VFR 800 is to much bike for a 17 year old? I bought me a VTX 1800N and kept the Viffer for sport days. But I also had planned to give him the Viffer in due time. So, please give me some feed back!
Solo
I think if he is on the vfr and riding with you, he will be ok. When he's riding with you, he knows your there and wont do anything dumb to piss you off. The other side of the fence is if he gets out with other 17 year olds on sport bikes. The gruop mentality and testosterone is s volitile combination. We he handle that ok?
I know when I was 17, I was wild. Fortunately for me, my interest then was dirt bikes.
I think if you really want to put him on a more capable bike than a cruiser, put him on an SV650 first. That bike will introduce him to handling and more all around riding. I think he has to prove he has the head for a faster bike.
Tough decision - good luck,
MD
[image: View Post]da9b20, on Aug 27 2009, 06:41 AM, said:
can he handle it with his height and weight ?
He is about 5 feet 11 inches and 160 pds. My little high school football player.
[image: View Post]mrmatt, on Aug 27 2009, 09:17 AM, said:
Everyone takes to riding differently, my brother and I started out at the exact same time, took the MSF course together (both passed with only 1 mark against in the riding session), but he still wasn't ready mentally for the street and had a bad wreck a month after getting his license. I had my '86 VFR700 and he a GT650, mine was the more powerful, and worse handling bike, so it wasn't the power. For the street, I think 90% (or more) is mentality, it sounds like your son's well adjusted since he doesn't let anyone drive him to go faster, but if it were me I think I'd make him wait to buy his own bike and insurance. And if you can get him turned mechanic it'd be even better cause then he'll be spending more time in the garage than riding, and then riding carefully since it took him 3 months of elbow grease to get that bike going :)
mrmatt,
He will be required to pay his own insurance that will be part of the plan. He works a little part time job. I'm not going to just give him the bike, I'll be letting him ride it until the right time for me to separate with my viffer. He will just have excess to ride it w/insurance.
Solo
[image: View Post]TimC, on Aug 27 2009, 09:36 AM, said:
Like others said, it's mostly a matter of maturity - and he sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders. But he also needs to be physically strong enough to handle a 500+ lbs wet sportbike.
I bet riding your VFR would put a huge grin on his face! :)
TimC,
Yeah, he loves riding it and I enjoy the time that we spend together on rides. Eventually, the bike will be his but for right now, I'll be letting him just ride it under his own insurance. Until, I'm ready to seperate with the viffer it's still mine.
Solo
[image: View Post]RE-Agent, on Aug 27 2009, 12:09 PM, said:
[image: View Post]solo, on Aug 27 2009, 04:08 AM, said:
I have observed him to ride kind of slow, cautious, and at his own pace. For the most part, he doesn't let me or no one else push him to a faster speed.
I would like to just bring up a thought...
I used to ride with a guy who always road kind of slow and couldn't be pushed. It turned out that he just wasn't super comfortable going at any more than the posted speed on a warning sign. He gave up street riding after a year and didn't pick it back up. Is there a chance that he just doesn't have the fever to ride that some get?
RE Agent,
He tells me that he loves riding. Every chance that he gets he asks if we could go out for a ride. I think that he's just a little cautious, probably realizing that there's nothing between him and the ground. It will be a while before I would completely turn over the viffer to him, because I'm not totally through with it yet! I just want him to get some experience riding it, so when I ready to give it to him; he will be ready for it.
Solo
[image: View Post]ericlee, on Aug 27 2009, 01:20 PM, said:
im sure the insurance company will love to take your money to insure that age for a vfr.
ericlee,
yeah, check this out! I pay over 800.00 a year for insurance from myself through gieco. I just found out that esurance will insure my bike with the same coverage for 399.00 a year. I've been getting ripped off by gieco because the claiming the bike to be a high proformance race bike. I explained to them that it is a sport touring model to no avail. They will insure him for 1600.00 a year if he wants to ride he will have to pay 160.00 a month. I will see how much he really wants to ride!
Fine, given his options. A GSX-R 600 seems to be considered a "safe" and ypical starter bike -- and those are a bit more high strung that a VFR. If he's big enough to stand next to it and maneuver it around, I'd give him the green light.
[image: View Post]mello dude, on Aug 27 2009, 01:32 PM, said:
[image: View Post]solo, on Aug 27 2009, 04:08 AM, said:
I want to get some input from you guys. Here is the situation, my son is 17 years old and has been riding for two years after taking the Motorcycle Safety Course at a local college. He usually rides his mothers VT 750 Honda Shadow Spirit, when we go out for long and short rides. I have observed him to ride kind of slow, cautious, and at his own pace. For the most part, he doesn't let me or no one else push him to a faster speed. My question is, do you guys think that the VFR 800 is to much bike for a 17 year old? I bought me a VTX 1800N and kept the Viffer for sport days. But I also had planned to give him the Viffer in due time. So, please give me some feed back!
Solo
I think if he is on the vfr and riding with you, he will be ok. When he's riding with you, he knows your there and wont do anything dumb to piss you off. The other side of the fence is if he gets out with other 17 year olds on sport bikes. The gruop mentality and testosterone is s volitile combination. We he handle that ok?
I know when I was 17, I was wild. Fortunately for me, my interest then was dirt bikes.
I think if you really want to put him on a more capable bike than a cruiser, put him on an SV650 first. That bike will introduce him to handling and more all around riding. I think he has to prove he has the head for a faster bike.
Tough decision - good luck,
MD
Mello Dude,
I'm not going to allow him to ride the bike without me, his mom, or some of our riding chapter members (CMA). I think that this will give him more saddle time and prepare him for riding the viffer alone in the future. I just want him to respect the power of the bike. Right now, he usually just rides with me and my friends.
Solo
[image: View Post]solo, on Aug 28 2009, 12:52 AM, said:
[image: View Post]da9b20, on Aug 27 2009, 06:41 AM, said:
can he handle it with his height and weight ?
He is about 5 feet 11 inches and 160 pds. My little high school football player.
Then I say you have the right bike for him.
Funny i had this same thought when trying to decide to give my DAD a bike. It was a 1979 cx500 custom, with a nice wind shield and bags.. I still wonder if he can handle it.. No wheelies and speeding.. So i echo what people have been saying.. Some people can handle it some can't! Good luck!
WAY TOO much bike IMHO. I know I would of crashed and had many tickets, if they could catch me.
The vfr is considered weak, or not as fast as a supersport, but come on it still has 100hp and does 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.
Would you buy him a ferrari and turn the traction control off?
There are several people on here who can smoke liter bikes on the VFR. It is capable. I say nothing over a 500, until he can buy it himself. He will become a lot better rider on a less capable bike.
I was racing at that age and have lots of titanium to prove it.
If you are worried about insurance check with progressive. When I was 23 it was 350 for full coverage and 75 for liability. These are year term rates not monthly. State Farm wanted 90 per month for liability.
I'd start a kid on a light weight dual sport, he'll live longer
Your son's height/weight isn't the issue (we're the same height, I weigh less, and I have no trouble handling the bike.) The real issue is maturity. If you think he's mature enough to handle it, he'll be okay.
While the VFR isn't a "real" sportbike, I assure you it'll still smoke a Corvette Z06 or Viper SRT-10 in the quarter. Had I been given a VFR at the age of 17, I would have been six feet underground in six months (if even that long.)
I guess it all comes down to the rider...but I know that when I was that age it would have been a very bad idea for me to have a bike that was that fast.
Damn, what am I talking about, I'm three times that age and it's still a bad idea for me to have a bike that fast!
[image: View Post]wrestler, on Aug 27 2009, 08:28 AM, said:
Solo,
vfrrider17 is now 21 I think. His father gave him his 5th gen when he was 17. Age is not the issue. It is a matter of control, the young man's comfort, and riding goals. Sounds as if he is quite mature about his riding. I have never had anything else beside my 5th gen which I bought 4 years ago. It is the perfect bike. He can go long or short, track or tour and be very happy. The question is do you want to part with it. If I were you, I would be buying a second vfr like vfrrider17's dad did'
wrestler
Yup. Hence the name.
I got my 5th gen at age 17 coming off a couple years on dirt biking and an SV650s. The biggest issue I had at first was the extra weight, but after figuring how to handle the heavier bike, It has become one of my favorite motorcycles.
End of thread · 37 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 12 Apr 2010