I have noticed a polarized opinion of VFR's in general.
There is lots of praise for the 6th gen and older in the motoring press and plenty here who think the bike is the greatest thing on two wheels. Yet, I see much (for what its worth) forum smack talk against our beloved ride, especially over at Sport-Touring.net.
My story:
I had a 85 VF500F Interceptor back in 85. I fell in love with the 6th gen first time I saw a red one at the gas pumps. I was so smitten by the 07 RWB, I traded in my ole CBR1000F for one. After a while, the loved soured....vibration issues, twitchy throttle, missed the torgue of a liter bike, no storage, etc. A PowerCommander and a set of hard bags made me fall for her again....kinda like the romantic love was over followed by the deeper longer lasting....OK, enough of that.
I have had my own love/hate issues with the bike.
So why do you guys think the VFR and the new VFR1200 have such a hotly divided opinion of it? Just wondering (too much snow already).
most of the guys at stn actually seem to appreciate the VFR... It's kind of a "tweener" bike, which is exactly what I wanted and why I bought it. Smaller, lighter, more agile than the big ST1300/FJR/Concours, etc..., yet better ergonomics, combined with the available luggage and ABS make it much more "tourable" than any SS bike could ever hope to be.
I don't think I'll be buying one of the new ones though, especially not at the proposed price point I'm hearing. I was hoping Honda would remain in a battle with the Triumph Sprint ST over SPORT-touring king status - you know, 1000CC, standard luggage, retain the chain, etc... Instead it's more like a slower, yet less tourable K1300GT or something.
[image: View Post]racer-wanna-be, on 22 December 2009 - 01:38 PM, said:
I have noticed a polarized opinion of VFR's in general.
There is lots of praise for the 6th gen and older in the motoring press and plenty here who think the bike is the greatest thing on two wheels. Yet, I see much (for what its worth) forum smack talk against our beloved ride, especially over at Sport-Touring.net.
My story:
I had a 85 VF500F Interceptor back in 85. I fell in love with the 6th gen first time I saw a red one at the gas pumps. I was so smitten by the 07 RWB, I traded in my ole CBR1000F for one. After a while, the loved soured....vibration issues, twitchy throttle, missed the torgue of a liter bike, no storage, etc. A PowerCommander and a set of hard bags made me fall for her again....kinda like the romantic love was over followed by the deeper longer lasting....OK, enough of that.
I have had my own love/hate issues with the bike.
So why do you guys think the VFR and the new VFR1200 have such a hotly divided opinion of it? Just wondering (too much snow already).
Probably because the VFR appeals to a broad range of riders, hence the broad range of differences in opinion. And I suppose it's human nature to think that one's own views are correct and everyone else is an ignorant moron...or something like that. ;p
I really have no real issues with any of the Gens, havin' owned a specimen from every Gen except #5 at various times over the years, but have ridden several of those. Being more "Tour-Minded", I enjoyed the 6th a lot, and for the type ridin' I do, I really feel the New VFR1200F would suit me even more.....the so-called "Squabbling" among Gen-Owners on here (IMO) is more out of sheer Fun in "pokin' the others" than any real animosity...and besides, if You really get bored, You can always find a Gen Thread and "poke" Someone....."Merely Fun"...not too many really bad Motorcycles left on the market, regardless of Brand..... :fing02: :beer:
Having owned 3 VTECS... Absolutely fantastic machines but for me, some of the most frustrating bikes out there. I can't stand the vtec cutting in and out and many others feel the same, I can go so long before it starts to irritate me - now surely I can express that opinion (with over 60,000 miles on this bike) without getting anybody's back up I hope.
So now I've gone for a 5th gen (again) - I can't imagine not owning a VFR right now, best bike in the world? most likely (Ride magazine Quote)
[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on 22 December 2009 - 05:54 PM, said:
Having owned 3 VTECS... Absolutely fantastic machines but for me, some of the most frustrating bikes out there. I can't stand the vtec cutting in and out and many others feel the same, I can go so long before it starts to irritate me - now surely I can express that opinion (with over 60,000 miles on this bike) without getting anybody's back up I hope.
Absolutely no issue at all with any long term rider of any bike(6th gen owner here) saying what they liked or disliked about a bike they owned and ridden vs the usual trash talk from someone who never owned or rode that particular model! :rolleyes:
After 70k plus miles of rippen on my Vtec I've never had an issue w/vtec or have had the problems you've experienced with yours.
Hope your new ride provides endless trouble free miles! :fing02:
BTW I've had more than 100,000 trouble free miles on VFR's and loved them all, a 93, 2000 & 2002. Even had a 83 Interceptor in there too! :wub:
There's not a bike made that doesn't polarize opinions. Everybody has a slightly different desire in a bike which, thankfully, means a lot of manufacturers make a lot of models trying to figure out us consumers. I'll take many options over few any day. After all, I may have married a brunette, but I have no less appreciation for blondes or redheads. :biggrin:
[image: View Post]racer-wanna-be, on 22 December 2009 - 03:19 PM, said:
[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on 22 December 2009 - 05:15 PM, said:
..not too many really bad Motorcycles left on the market, regardless of Brand..... :fing02: :beer: Great point!
You cant listen to a guy who is suffering from MBS like Skutter, he cant hang onto a bike for more than 2 months before he starts itching for somthing different! He dont know what he wants, hes gonna keep looking though. Cant truly evaluate the bike if it never gets broke in!
Honestly this thread seems to be making mountains out of molehills. I dont really care what st.ners are saying about vfr's. I will log in when I want to find out if I did. I just go there to see if they are having a meet in my area, or some place interesting, I do like riding with them! Dont care what they think about my bike.
I wouldn't say I hate anything about my bike, or any VFR. I just happen to think the 1200 is overweight and ugly. :goofy: But I salute anyone who a) can gather the scratch for such a purchase, and b) is going to continue the VFR tradition as it moves forward. Good for them.
There are things I wish were different about my VTEC, but that doesn't mean I want another machine. I came from a bike that was 100 lbs lighter, and one where that weight was a smidge closer to the earth. But I will learn to live with my sixth-gen's mass because all the other features I love are far and away more important to me. I love the way it looks, and I think the ergos are perfect for me and the way I ride. Don't even get me started on the sound of the thing. I even think the VTEC transition is kinda fun. :wheel:
If it ain't for you, it ain't for you. But the only dude that has to ride my bike is me, and that dude is pretty damn happy. EEMMV (everybody else's mileage may vary) :fing02:
You probably don't see that on a Gixxer forum because they all are the same, 600, 750, 1000, you need a program to tell them apart. :goofy:
I'm riding the bike I like best. If I wasn't, I'd sell it and buy something else. Everyone else should do the same and forget bashing someone else's ride.
[image: View Post]racer-wanna-be, on 22 December 2009 - 03:38 PM, said:
I have noticed a polarized opinion of VFR's in general.
There is lots of praise for the 6th gen and older in the motoring press and plenty here who think the bike is the greatest thing on two wheels. Yet, I see much (for what its worth) forum smack talk against our beloved ride, especially over at Sport-Touring.net.
My story:
I had a 85 VF500F Interceptor back in 85. I fell in love with the 6th gen first time I saw a red one at the gas pumps. I was so smitten by the 07 RWB, I traded in my ole CBR1000F for one. After a while, the loved soured....vibration issues, twitchy throttle, missed the torgue of a liter bike, no storage, etc. A PowerCommander and a set of hard bags made me fall for her again....kinda like the romantic love was over followed by the deeper longer lasting....OK, enough of that.
I have had my own love/hate issues with the bike.
So why do you guys think the VFR and the new VFR1200 have such a hotly divided opinion of it? Just wondering (too much snow already).
The same reason people have argued over Ford and Chevy for decades. This is not difficult to understand. :rolleyes:
Truly, the different opinions about bikes is one of the best things about this site (and the folks on it). No matter what you ride, somebody here has a considered opinion that's worth consideration, and a boatload of experience to back it up.
That said, 5th gen is best. Ha!
Merry Christmas, everyone.
The sport-touring crowd doesn't like it because the VFR doesn't tour as well as their FJR1300, Connie, etc. (which, technically, is true.) "Real" sport tourers are more comfortable, have more touring amenities, and are more powerful. The supersport/superbike crowd doesn't like the VFR because it can't handle or accelerate as well as their CBR, Gixxer, etc. and because it's overweight.
The VFR doesn't do any one thing great; instead it simply does a lot of things good. Personally, I think the VFR's direct competition are bikes like the Sprint ST or maybe even a fully-faired FZ1.
[image: View Post]HispanicSlammer, on 22 December 2009 - 08:58 PM, said:
[image: View Post]racer-wanna-be, on 22 December 2009 - 03:19 PM, said:
[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on 22 December 2009 - 05:15 PM, said:
..not too many really bad Motorcycles left on the market, regardless of Brand..... :fing02: :beer: Great point!
You cant listen to a guy who is suffering from MBS like Skutter, he cant hang onto a bike for more than 2 months before he starts itching for somthing different! He dont know what he wants, hes gonna keep looking though. Cant truly evaluate the bike if it never gets broke in!
Sure I know HS....I want em' ALL..... :goofy: .....yeah, short term ownership, but "HIGH MILEAGE" on em' when I toss em'...... :biggrin: :fing02:
[image: View Post]EmeraldVFR, on 22 December 2009 - 11:36 PM, said:
The sport-touring crowd doesn't like it because the VFR doesn't tour as well as their FJR1300, Connie, etc. (which, technically, is true.) "Real" sport tourers are more comfortable, have more touring amenities, and are more powerful. The supersport/superbike crowd doesn't like the VFR because it can't handle or accelerate as well as their CBR, Gixxer, etc. and because it's overweight.
The VFR doesn't do any one thing great; instead it simply does a lot of things good. Personally, I think the VFR's direct competition are bikes like the Sprint ST or maybe even a fully-faired FZ1.
I think this best answers what I was wondering. Thanks. As of today its about 12 weeks till riding season! Miss mine!
Of course, we all know, the RWB ones as better..... :goofy:
[image: View Post]Bent, on 23 December 2009 - 05:59 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Chev, on 23 December 2009 - 05:47 AM, said:
[image: View Post]Bent, on 22 December 2009 - 09:56 PM, said:
The same reason people have argued over Ford and Chevy for decades. This is not difficult to understand. :rolleyes:
Because the Ford guys won't listen to reason?
I have a Ford down in the garage getting ready to run the pants off any Chevy on a Christmas trip.... :beer: ;p
No disrespect for your screen name though.....
Heck with all this....Merry Christmas :fing02:
Wanna run that [image: Attachment] Wheels - Bikes 022.jpgFord against one of my VFR's! Bring it to Dothan and we'll race to the beach! Merry X-mas to all!
I happen to like all the banter between owners and supporters of different makes/models. Every bike has some redeaming quality, even a Harley. And, every bike has something that could be better, even a Desmosedici. The fact that there are so many great options, and so many informed opinions, is what keeps things interesting.
I for one love my 6th gen but could do without the electrical shenanigans. Pro's and con's.
End of thread · 27 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 12 Apr 2010