Keep in mind that my previous bike was a Yamaha R6, supersport. I reference it a couple of times for comparison purposes.
I finally had the chance to ride the new VFR today. I rode it to/from work, then took the gf for a short ride after work. Here are my initial impressions.
The VFR is so smooth and refined. It's unbelievable. I'd say it's everything a m/c should be, at least for me. It's much more comfy, and I can't stress enough the smoothness of it. Everything about the VFR, braking, acceleration, steering feels so refined. It breeds confidence and comfort while riding it. And it makes me ride smoother, less harsh maneuvers like lane changes, etc. It does have some get up go, too. It seems so much quieter than the R6. And the noise is unique, it's more of a growl than a scream. (I used to to call my R6 a screaming banshee.)
The wind noise seemed to be less, also. The fairing isn't much bigger than the R6, but just the way the air flows it seemed quieter. I wasn't cold, either. Surprising, considering it was only 47 by the time I got to work.
The mirrors are much better than the R6. I don't have to keep tucking my elbows in to see behind me. I've heard some people complain about the mirrors, and end up getting extenders, but I think they're fine.
The suspension is much better, if a little soft. I don't have to stand up on the pegs going over bumps anymore, not even on the highway. I did firm it up after I got home, though. But that was riding 2 up. I'll see what it feels like tomorrow, to see if I need to soften it back up a little or what.
It took a little getting used to for my gf. She had to find the proper position for her hands on the grab rails. When she realized they're slimmer toward the back, she moved her hands back there and was much better. But she really wants to use the Corbin with the backrest now, that I was lucky enough to buy off a member here, slightly used. Because she's sitting so upright, she feels like she's going to get thrown off the back on launch. So next time we go for a ride, I'll swap out the seat. But for now, I want to get used to the stock seat so I can appreciate the difference when I do put the Corbin on.
Nice comparo from a sportbike rider. The comment on "smoothness" is perfect! The bike is great as-is, but if you are the kind of owner who explores the potential in a bike, you won't be disappointed. There are mods that exploit the sporting potential of the bike and there are mods that exploit the touring potential. Some of them overlap. For example, I think the stock seat stinks, but the Sargent and the Corbin are better for touring AND for sport. And I think the bike is even smoother with a PowerCommander and custom map. Everyone here has an opinion on mods,. Total Smorgasbord! But, I emphasize, it's good to go as it is. Congrats!
[image: View Post]bryan217, on Oct 21 2009, 08:04 PM, said:
I finally had the chance to ride the new VFR today. I rode it to/from work, then took the gf for a short ride after work. Here are my initial impressions.
The VFR is so smooth and refined. It's unbelievable. I'd say it's everything a m/c should be, at least for me. It's much more comfy, and I can't stress enough the smoothness of it. Everything about the VFR, braking, acceleration, steering feels so refined.
I wasn't cold, either. Surprising, considering it was only 47 by the time I got to work.
Congrats on your 1st ride! :)
Refined is a good word to describe the VFR. Maybe not as light/quick as an R6, but its other attributes you listed above make up for the VFR not being as flickable.
And your lack of being cold is that 'new bike/happiness/warm feelings' thing! ;)
Amen to the smoothness of the vfr, I've hit the rev limiter twice while making a quick low gear passes. I get so carried away listening to that exhaust note I run it to redline. :blush:
Yep, a very nice all round performer. As far as your gf, until you switch seats maybe be a little less on the "launch" mode? :wheel: Unless of course you are looking for a way to have her not want to ride pillion with you. Scary launch will work just fine then. :laugh:
I don't launch at all unless my wife is holding on to me. Unfortunately I think my wife has me figured out, as she doesn't hold onto me as much anymore :angry: . I saw a pic where someone turned the grab rails around. Seems more functional that way, though it looks a bit odd. I just went past 10k on my 07, still love it. Just sucks that I'm sure I owe much more on mine than you probably paid for yours, lol!
[image: View Post]LEGEND, on Oct 21 2009, 10:44 PM, said:
Amen to the smoothness of the vfr, I've hit the rev limiter twice while making a quick low gear passes. I get so carried away listening to that exhaust note I run it to redline. :blush:
hear hear!! i have been wearing longer ear plus lately and because they block out more noise, i now run into vtec much more frequently. i noticed that my right wrist seems to be twisting further then normal all on its own, almost in a pavloff's response sort of way...
lets seee:
get on bike TC grins :biggrin:
hit vtec TC GRINS :laugh:
[image: View Post]TimC, on Oct 21 2009, 11:01 PM, said:
And your lack of being cold is that 'new bike/happiness/warm feelings' thing! ;)
Could very well be. It felt a little cooler this morning. Same temps, but a little more damp.
[image: View Post]jderou, on Oct 22 2009, 06:56 AM, said:
I saw a pic where someone turned the grab rails around. Seems more functional that way, though it looks a bit odd. I just went past 10k on my 07, still love it. Just sucks that I'm sure I owe much more on mine than you probably paid for yours, lol!
I was wondering about that, swapping the rails. I might give it a shot, see what she thinks, if it's easier for her. If you owe more than $7k on it, then yeah, you owe more than I paid.
Good to hear the satisfaction ooze n from your words as you talk about the VFR! :biggrin:
How much do you weigh btw, the VFR are sprung for around an 150-160 lb rider and feels soft the more above that you go, but still amazingly compliant with even 250 lb riders on it(if not pushed hard).
I would think coming from an R6 you will be looking for a little sharper handling as you gain miles on the bike, a simple change to some decent rubber transforms the VFR with ease. A set of quick handling tires like the Pilot Powers will amaze you at how well the bike flicks on them.
You really don't need to do a thing to the VFR other than personal comfort changes to be able to enjoy 100's of thousands of miles on the bike. Unless you tend to push the bikes limits they are a very capable machine stock.
I hope you have a Corbin azz, if you do it will extend long term comfort by hours, if you don't have a Corbin azz it won't help much at all. I have a Sargent azz and prefer them over the Corbin, but the Corbin does offer the only backrest option.
Keep the reports coming as you add mileage. :fing02:
I've put almost 55,000km on my 07 and still loving every second on it. Other than the day I road to work this spring and found an area that was -4c outside for about 15km before coming back up to +6
As for where this bike has been all your life, well its been right here waiting.
I just rejoined the VFR brotherhood after a 22yr pause... I absolutely love this bike/motor. It's got a sound and feel all it's own. I thought maybe I was finally at the age to convert over to a Harley but in my opinion this bike gives you the best of both a sport bike and the sound & feel of a V configured motor.
You hit the mark on the "refined" comment. My 87 VFR was a great bike but my newly acquired 2006 is even better. I found a deal on a barely used bike already equipped with the Sargent seat (I had a Corbin on my 87). I've got to admit that I'm much more impressed with the Sargent. Can't wait to swap out those factory handlebars though!
[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Oct 22 2009, 10:47 AM, said:
Nicely done Bryan,
Good to hear the satisfaction ooze n from your words as you talk about the VFR! :biggrin:
How much do you weigh btw, the VFR are sprung for around an 150-160 lb rider and feels soft the more above that you go, but still amazingly compliant with even 250 lb riders on it(if not pushed hard).
I would think coming from an R6 you will be looking for a little sharper handling as you gain miles on the bike, a simple change to some decent rubber transforms the VFR with ease. A set of quick handling tires like the Pilot Powers will amaze you at how well the bike flicks on them.
You really don't need to do a thing to the VFR other than personal comfort changes to be able to enjoy 100's of thousands of miles on the bike. Unless you tend to push the bikes limits they are a very capable machine stock.
I hope you have a Corbin azz, if you do it will extend long term comfort by hours, if you don't have a Corbin azz it won't help much at all. I have a Sargent azz and prefer them over the Corbin, but the Corbin does offer the only backrest option.
Keep the reports coming as you add mileage. :fing02:
BR
You think I love the bike? Kinda hard to tell by my posts. :biggrin: As for weight, I'm about 185. I softened the suspension up a little bit from the 2-up riding last night, but not all the way back to the way it was set from the dealer. I'll see what it's like on the ride home. I might want some sharper handling down the road, yeah. Right now I'm getting used to the bike. I know how much of a difference a set of tires can make, too. But let's wait till I get a few more miles on it. I hit 100 at lunch today.
I've seen the comparisons between Corbin and Sargent, but I wanted the backrest. I haven't put the Corbin on yet, so I don't know how good/bad it is. I had one back in the day on my 85 Yamaha FJ600 and loved it. But I've grown a little since then.
I have a Corbin on mine and love it. I have 16000+ and you will want to do something with springs in the front for that weight. I weigh 175 and end up putting a .95kg spring in. The bike set up better for me know and I think that I can take corners a lot faster now. Don't have the dive in corners anymore.
Just a quick update. I rode it after dark for the first time tonight. I absolutely love the headlights. I'd heard they're good, but to experience it is something else. My R6 had 1 light for low and 2 for high. It's nice to have 2 for low. Not only are the headlights brighter than the R6, they're brighter than my Saab. But in fairness, I've never been satisfied with the Saab's lights. Complained about them from day one. But I love the light output from the VFR.
One more thing to add to the ever growing list of reasons why I love it!
[image: View Post]bryan217, on Oct 21 2009, 08:04 PM, said:
The suspension is much better, if a little soft. I don't have to stand up on the pegs going over bumps anymore, not even on the highway. I did firm it up after I got home, though. But that was riding 2 up. I'll see what it feels like tomorrow, to see if I need to soften it back up a little or what.
I would recommend adjusting the preload for riding with a pillion and then backing it down a bit.
BTW, It's not really firming or softening the suspension, all it does is adjust the initial spring position, that is, where the bike sits in the suspension travel and how much travel it has for compression and rebound. You may bottom out the suspension with a passenger on the back with too soft of preload, or have no travel for dips in the road with too much preload and no passenger.
Glad to hear you love it, aren't those headlights great?! :fing02:
[image: View Post]bryan217, on Oct 22 2009, 09:26 PM, said:
I absolutely love the headlights. I'd heard they're good, but to experience it is something else.
+1. I don't think I would be as comfortable riding a bike at night on rural 2-lane highways without the outstanding headlights of my VFR. It's one of the best features of the bike we sometimes forget or take for granted.
Aaaaaahhhh...... :cool: What a great thread to take my mind off of CBR's. It's this kind of love that makes you want a Torocharger� over a new CBR... I would hate to think what pain would accompany my rear when trying to commute on a CBR! :ohmy: :unsure:
Congrats on the new ride!! Picked up a new 07 last weekend myself, what a wonderful machine... Just a great all-around motorcycle, I can't believe they didn't sell better. :blink:
[image: View Post]creggur, on Oct 23 2009, 01:03 PM, said:
Congrats on the new ride!! Picked up a new 07 last weekend myself, what a wonderful machine... Just a great all-around motorcycle, I can't believe they didn't sell better. :blink:
I just turned 150 miles on my new to me 2003 vfr I,m loveing it sort of a modern Katana 1100 that I rode for years.
Question at 2500 rpm the vfr seems like it could be missing??? at 3500 & higher it purrs Is it just that I am not used to this V4 motor??
[image: View Post]hankster, on Oct 23 2009, 07:31 PM, said:
[image: View Post]creggur, on Oct 23 2009, 01:03 PM, said:
Congrats on the new ride!! Picked up a new 07 last weekend myself, what a wonderful machine... Just a great all-around motorcycle, I can't believe they didn't sell better. :blink:
I just turned 150 miles on my new to me 2003 vfr I,m loveing it sort of a modern Katana 1100 that I rode for years.
Question at 2500 rpm the vfr seems like it could be missing??? at 3500 & higher it purrs Is it just that I am not used to this V4 motor??
The bike doesn't make much power at 2500 rpm(not like a HD or 1100) and might be lugging in most gears except 1st IMO. :blush:
[image: View Post]hankster, on Oct 23 2009, 08:31 PM, said:
[image: View Post]creggur, on Oct 23 2009, 01:03 PM, said:
Congrats on the new ride!! Picked up a new 07 last weekend myself, what a wonderful machine... Just a great all-around motorcycle, I can't believe they didn't sell better. :blink:
I just turned 150 miles on my new to me 2003 vfr I,m loveing it sort of a modern Katana 1100 that I rode for years.
Question at 2500 rpm the vfr seems like it could be missing??? at 3500 & higher it purrs Is it just that I am not used to this V4 motor??
I'd have to say you're shifting way too early. Seems to me, and I don't know crap about this bike yet as I've only got about 300 miles in its saddle, that it's smoothest when I shift just shy of 6000, she seems to purr right along in the 4-6k range. Just above 6 there's a slight flat spot as the VTEC kicks in, then around 8k hang on cuz the ride gets a lot more fun. 'Course I'm breaking in so I can't spend too much time up there yet, but the miles are passing quickly.
[image: View Post]creggur, on Oct 23 2009, 09:39 PM, said:
I'd have to say you're shifting way too early. Seems to me, and I don't know crap about this bike yet as I've only got about 300 miles in its saddle, that it's smoothest when I shift just shy of 6000, she seems to purr right along in the 4-6k range. Just above 6 there's a slight flat spot as the VTEC kicks in, then around 8k hang on cuz the ride gets a lot more fun. 'Course I'm breaking in so I can't spend too much time up there yet, but the miles are passing quickly.
:+1: I agree with ya. It took me a couple of minutes to adjust where to shift, but 2500 is way low. And yeah, once it gets over 8k, it just keeps goooooing! :ohmy: But again, I've got about 150 miles on mine, so like you, I don't spend much time up there yet.
[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Oct 23 2009, 09:09 PM, said:
[image: View Post]hankster, on Oct 23 2009, 07:31 PM, said:
[image: View Post]creggur, on Oct 23 2009, 01:03 PM, said:
Congrats on the new ride!! Picked up a new 07 last weekend myself, what a wonderful machine... Just a great all-around motorcycle, I can't believe they didn't sell better. :blink:
I just turned 150 miles on my new to me 2003 vfr I,m loveing it sort of a modern Katana 1100 that I rode for years.
Question at 2500 rpm the vfr seems like it could be missing??? at 3500 & higher it purrs Is it just that I am not used to this V4 motor??
The bike doesn't make much power at 2500 rpm(not like a HD or 1100) and might be lugging in most gears except 1st IMO. :blush:
Agreed. Keep it above 4,000 RPM at all times. At first that seemed high, but now I rarely dip below 5,000 RPM.
[image: View Post]VeryFineRide, on 28 October 2009 - 11:06 AM, said:
I just got the same bike myself and I was wondering if anyone has any break-in recommendations. Thanks in advance and I can't wait to ride mine!
Welcome. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have already, even with the lousy NE weather. But anyway, there's a couple of different schools of thought. The traditional is to take it easy on the bike prior to the 600 mile break in service. More recently, I've heard people say that's unnecessary with today's bikes. They say just ride it like you always will. So far, I've been doing the latter. Though I'm not a really aggressive rider. I haven't readlined it yet, but not babying it either.
[image: View Post]bryan217, on 28 October 2009 - 12:45 PM, said:
[image: View Post]VeryFineRide, on 28 October 2009 - 11:06 AM, said:
I just got the same bike myself and I was wondering if anyone has any break-in recommendations. Thanks in advance and I can't wait to ride mine!
Welcome. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have already, even with the lousy NE weather. But anyway, there's a couple of different schools of thought. The traditional is to take it easy on the bike prior to the 600 mile break in service. More recently, I've heard people say that's unnecessary with today's bikes. They say just ride it like you always will. So far, I've been doing the latter. Though I'm not a really aggressive rider. I haven't readlined it yet, but not babying it either.
Thanks for the insight. I'm from RI so I feel for you on the weather thing!
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