I've been looking around for a new bike for a bit and always loved the way the vfr looks. Local dealer has an 07 for 8k, I'm really thinking about getting it. I've read up and did some lurking on the forums and I'm looking for pretty much confirmations on what I've read from the guys and gals that ride 'em everyday.
I currently own a 98 bandit 1200s. I'm 42 and commute about 100 miles a day, my biggest complain about the bandit is the wobbly handling in corners and the damn buzzy handle bars, I've owned the bike for 9 years..and need a change.
So here goes some questions
Is the vfr comfy on long rides?
Is it smooth or will it put my hands to sleep like my Bandit does?
How much is maintenance going to run? Does it eat lots of oil?
I'm really thinking about grabbing it but waffling cause I got a good price on an a Aprilia Tuono R just not sure how practical that thing would be:)
[image: View Post]bandit98, on 18 February 2010 - 12:41 PM, said:
So here goes some questions
Is the vfr comfy on long rides?
Is it smooth or will it put my hands to sleep like my Bandit does?
How much is maintenance going to run? Does it eat lots of oil?
I have an '07 (got it in Dec of 2006) and I'm 44. My legs can't take my Gixxer for more than 45 minutes at a time but I can ride the VFR all day. I did a one-day ~500 mile ride with a good mix of twisties and straight-line roads (dirt and pavement) last summer and I thought I'd be beat at the end of the day. When I got home, I felt like I could have turned around and done it all over again. Smooth? Yes. Very little vibration, a hallmark of a 90 degree V4. Mine doesn't burn a drop of oil and I've put about 20K miles on it.
And I have ridden a buddy's Bandit 1200 of similar vintage as yours. Awesome torque but buzzy and not the most confidence inspiring handling when I was pushing it. I'm betting you'd like the VFR. It'd probably really help you if you could find someone nearby that would let you try it out. Can't speak to the Tuono.
I'm 45 and just got my 07 last fall. I haven't put many miles on it yet, but I have to say I love it. It's so much more comfortable than my previous bike, 04 Yamaha R6. And there's plenty of room for my fiance to ride on the back, and whole lot more comfy for her.
We're all biased here, but I think it would be a good choice. Does the one you're looking at have ABS? I paid $7k for mine w/ABS, but I haven't seen any still go for that lately. Most have been closer to $8k. Even at $8k, it's still a good deal.
I've owned my '04 for 3.5 years now, and have put nearly 37k mi. on it since I bought it from its original owner. No major problems yet, just a couple minor electrical things, plus the recalls ordered on that year's bike (and there were only a couple at that).
I'm 40, not in great physical shape, and my VFR is still comfortable all day. An aftermarket seat (Sargent for me) helps, but I'm still running the stock bars on my bike. I do 300-400 mile days several times per year and I can say I'm never sore, though of course I'm usually kind of tired after that long on the bike.
It can be a little buzzy way up on the tach, but I don't spend much time near redline, so it's definitely not an issue. If it were, you could still invest in a set of heavier bar ends.
Other than performing routine maintenance and an occasional electrical gremlin (usually minor), VFRs are low-maintenance machines. Basically, most are bullet-proof. I have almost 41k mi. on mine now and am extremely happy with it. I'll do out-of-state solo trips on mine with few if any worries.
Having said all that, it would be cheaper to modify your Bandit to your liking. Heavier bar end weights, maybe modding the bars by using rubber in the mounts, redo the forks and swap out the stock shock for a better aftermarket version - Bandits can be made to ride sportier than they were designed to. And you might miss the power/torque of your 1200. Not trying to talk you out of a VFR, just saying you'd be losing some power. Still, the VFR will get up and RUN. It's no Gixxer 1k, but it has more power than I'll ever need.
$8k for a leftover '07, depending on the paint (candy red metallic or RWB Anniversary edition), ABS or non-ABS and where you live...well, it might be kind of high. IIRC some buyers are getting non-ABS RWB bikes for $7k plus tax, maybe even less. Make a lower offer and see where it goes.
As for the Tuono, it's one of my dream bikes, but would be less versatile IMO. Great power and a very cool bike, but given the choice I'd probably stick with my VFR - esp. for touring (since I have the matching OEM hard bags). You might want to check insurance rates, too.
BTW, where in Ohio are you? I live near Akron so if you're anywhere near me, in a month or two (when decent weather finally comes again) you still haven't decided whether to get a VFR, let me know and we'll go for a ride and swap bikes for awhile. ;)
$8K for an '07 seems kind of high. Where do you live? I have a friend who has an '07 with 12k miles on it with ABS and he's selling it for, I think around $6K. PM me if you want his info.
Good Luck, anyway you can't go wrong with the VFR any year.
George.
Thanks for the input guys, it's the 25th anniversary edition non abs. I've only just started shopping around and was just checking out cycletrader and there is like 10 on that site around 100 miles of me.
Tim I think we could be neighbors, I'm Ravenna too:)
I'm just looking for a change had my bike for 9 years time for something new:)
[image: View Post]bandit98, on 18 February 2010 - 12:41 PM, said:
I currently own a 98 bandit 1200s. I'm 42 and commute about 100 miles a day, my biggest complain about the bandit is the wobbly handling in corners and the damn buzzy handle bars, I've owned the bike for 9 years..and need a change.
I'm really thinking about grabbing it but waffling cause I got a good price on an a Aprilia Tuono R just not sure how practical that thing would be:)
I, too, had a 98 1200s to which I ractech'ed the front forks (dale walker) and added a gsxr shock. I'm also about the same age. And I, too, loved how turbine smooth the engine was except right where I wanted to cruise on the hwy and the feedback in the twisties. For me, it was good up to about 7.5 tenths riding.
The 6gen vtec beats it hands down in both of those departments. It makes a tad more hp but not as much torque. It weighs about the same but feels lighter and handles lighter too. The bandit wins hands down in the comfy department (sustained speeds less than 90-100mph) but the VFR can be modded to close to the same. To mimic the bandit riding position, I even went so far as to adapt a set of handlebars to my second 6gen.
If you haven't sat on a Tuono, please do. The upper riding position is great; however, the pegs are, IMO, way too high and rearset to be a complete mismatch. Aprillia stayed a little too true to the original streetfighter formula. It also have very little wind protection for long rides. Even much less than the bandito.
I’ve had my ’07 for nearly four months – the odometer turned 4k last weekend. No problems to report thus far as would be expected for a bike that many see six-figures on the odometer without major issue.
Longest day I’ve done is 320 miles (before Genmar risers and Sargent seat) and it was no problem at all. I’m sure with those two minor mods I could blast past the 320 mark without breaking a sweat – biggest difference being the seat. The Sargent just fits me so much better than the stock offering; quality and customer service are unparalleled to boot.
I look forward to many more long days in the saddle and many years of service from my 6th Gen.
To me the VFR represents the pinnacle of light sport-touring: All-day ergonomics, sporting edge, plenty of power (for me), all wrapped in an attractive package with rock-solid reliability. Mods are, for the most part, reasonably easy and affordable – and can edge the bike toward a more sporting OR a more touring bias depending on personal preference.
Good luck on your research, I just don’t think you can go wrong with an '07 VFR. Especially since Honda used the World's Best Motorcycle Color in the World :goofy: that year!
I've got an '07, live in Parma (cleveland), The ride is great! it really smooths out around 130mph (J/K...or am i?), I'm a light weight when it comes to really long rides, but it's about 50% more comfortable than my old Yamaha V-Star cruiser, it doesn't burn or lose a drop of oil, and my only gripe is the lack of storage, but a backpack usually suits my needs. There's a reason the VFR as won bike of the year so many times.
I have an 07 that I rode year round for 2 years commuting back and forth to work about 60 miles a day. I had zero maintenance issues, and aside from the squared off commuting tire :rolleyes: it is a lot of fun in the twisties. I'll make no comment about the price because everyone seems to have seen some amazing deal where they were giving one away with the purchase of a Big Mac :blink: That being said, buy the thing and you'll love it :fing02:
[image: View Post]bandit98, on 19 February 2010 - 01:53 PM, said:
Damn, where is the Big Mac offer?
I emailed the dealer haven't heard anything yet.
VFRs seem so rare in Ohio, plenty of 09s for 11k out the door but that's way out of my range.
Maybe in a month or so when the snow starts melting and some bitter divorced wives will want to get even with their husbands...:D
Check Cycle Trader - that's how I found mine new out-the-door for less than 7... You may have to travel a ways to get it, which you have to figure in travel expense to the overall deal, but there are still deals out there.
I was in a dealer in St Augustine, Fl. last weekend and they had two on the floor and 3 more still in crates. Didn't inquire about specific prices other than the salesman telling me they were giving them away...
Let tell you something... I had a 2003 Silver a few years ago that I bought as a hold over. I traded it in for something different. (HD) I loved the Harley for what it was. But I Really Missed It after it was all said and done. I told my self that there would be another one someday. When they came out with the 25th Anniversary. It was a I have to have it momment. It is so refined and so amazing to drive you will not go wrong with it. It is a truely amazing piece of machinery! I will not ever get rid of mine. I may have another bike but I will not be with ot my 25th ANNI. VIFFER!
[image: View Post]bandit98, on 19 February 2010 - 01:53 PM, said:
Damn, where is the Big Mac offer?
I emailed the dealer haven't heard anything yet.
VFRs seem so rare in Ohio, plenty of 09s for 11k out the door but that's way out of my range.
Maybe in a month or so when the snow starts melting and some bitter divorced wives will want to get even with their husbands...:D
Check Sills Motors in Cleveland, I was up there last weekend getting my tires put on and my mechanic said they had on in the show room (not sure of the year), but it was right before they closed so I didn't go in and look at it =( on the bright side you still have about 2mo's before the snow and salt are off the roads. BTW my '07 bought in June 09' $8600 OTD at Western Reserve. since then about $1500 in accessories and counting...
[image: View Post]bandit98, on 19 February 2010 - 12:53 PM, said:
Damn, where is the Big Mac offer?
I emailed the dealer haven't heard anything yet.
VFRs seem so rare in Ohio, plenty of 09s for 11k out the door but that's way out of my range.
Maybe in a month or so when the snow starts melting and some bitter divorced wives will want to get even with their husbands...:D
[image: View Post]creggur, on 19 February 2010 - 01:04 PM, said:
Check Cycle Trader - that's how I found mine new out-the-door for less than 7... You may have to travel a ways to get it, which you have to figure in travel expense to the overall deal, but there are still deals out there.
I was in a dealer in St Augustine, Fl. last weekend and they had two on the floor and 3 more still in crates. Didn't inquire about specific prices other than the salesman telling me they were giving them away...
+1 on CycleTrader. There are over 100 2007-2008s shown new there right now, and 6 or 7 RWBs at Toledo East in Maumee. That dealer in Maumee has been hoarding RWBs for a long time. From here they seem like a good deal (sub-$8K)
It stands to reason that VFRs are anything but rare around Ohio because that's where the Goldwing plant/distribution warehouse was that got closed down and liquidated, yeah? :warranty:
If you want less buzzy, you sure as heck don't want a twin! I rode a prototype Buell 1125R at a trackday, and after my 20min session it felt like I had been brush hogging or running a weedeater for an hour. :comp13:
[image: View Post]bandit98, on 22 February 2010 - 01:18 PM, said:
Just went to the local dealer, they can pull a red/white/blue brand new one for me and with my trade in 6k out the door...
I think I'm going to jump on that....
I'd def jump on it. Oh wait, I already did. :goofy: I paid 6K out the door (minus taxes b/c out of state) for mine. But that's not a bad deal. ABS or no?
I just picked up a brand ne 07 for around $8k here in california. i have seen them around for a bit less but even at $8k it is still a steal. I have already added saddle bags and a Bill Mayer saddle because I plan on doing some touring. You might want to look for a used one with ALL the stuff you need already added. About a week after I purchased mine I saw one on Craigslist for $5k with 2k miles, Helibars. Hondaline luggage, Staintune exhaust and a Sargent seat. That's over $2500 in extras for $3000 less. But i still dont regret getting a BRAND NEW one of my own.
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1266617467/gallery_19334_5171_420464.jpg Bill Mayer Saddle (with cowling) I had him limit the amount of padding on the passenger seat. i still had to cut about 1/2" around the cowling but it still fits.
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1266617467/gallery_19334_5171_359839.jpg Chase Harper saddlebags I hard mounted my bags to the custom brackets and was able to eliminate all the straps and tie downs.
I'm about to do the same thing. I found an 07 that looked like a great deal. Go to http://bestlinepower...288&pov=1545604
and ask for David Walker. See like nice people.
Not sure how far it is from you but looks like a good buy and they are pretty motivated.
Good luck,
---David
Hey Blackbrained, not a bad idea to look for a slightly used one with all the accessories. I've put a bit of money into mine already and just hit 1k miles. I got a used Corbin seat (need the backrest for the fiance), Honda OEM bags (big chunk of change there), grip heaters, new grips and I just dropped another decent chunk of change for a Garmin Zumo 550. But it's all good. I'm not complaining one bit. There's something to be said after all for getting a brand new zero mile bike. :biggrin:
I am 45 and bought my 07 VFR last April. Have put 7000 plus miles on it. Over 3000 on one trip. Had more than one 12 hour day in the saddle. It is a wonderful bike. I haven't put an aftermarket seat on it yet but did raise the bars with gen mars and drop he pegs 3/4 of an inch also.
[image: View Post]LoVel, on 24 February 2010 - 12:50 PM, said:
I am 45 and bought my 07 VFR last April. Have put 7000 plus miles on it. Over 3000 on one trip. Had more than one 12 hour day in the saddle. It is a wonderful bike. I haven't put an aftermarket seat on it yet but did raise the bars with gen mars and drop he pegs 3/4 of an inch also.
what pegs did you get? I have Gen Mars ready to go on and have thought about lowering the pegs too. I have an airhawk seat pad which raises the seat height a fair amount without changing the pegs and is a great seat mod without paying big bucks for a sargent.
[image: View Post]FotoMoto, on 18 February 2010 - 03:09 PM, said:
[image: View Post]bandit98, on 18 February 2010 - 12:41 PM, said:
I currently own a 98 bandit 1200s. I'm 42 and commute about 100 miles a day, my biggest complain about the bandit is the wobbly handling in corners and the damn buzzy handle bars, I've owned the bike for 9 years..and need a change.
I'm really thinking about grabbing it but waffling cause I got a good price on an a Aprilia Tuono R just not sure how practical that thing would be:)
I, too, had a 98 1200s to which I ractech'ed the front forks (dale walker) and added a gsxr shock. I'm also about the same age. And I, too, loved how turbine smooth the engine was except right where I wanted to cruise on the hwy and the feedback in the twisties. For me, it was good up to about 7.5 tenths riding.
What kind of bars/ risers did you use here? Looks great! Also did you have to change your hoses/ cables? looks like you just drilled through the triple clamp. You dont have any problem with clearance on the fairing or tank?
The 6gen vtec beats it hands down in both of those departments. It makes a tad more hp but not as much torque. It weighs about the same but feels lighter and handles lighter too. The bandit wins hands down in the comfy department (sustained speeds less than 90-100mph) but the VFR can be modded to close to the same. To mimic the bandit riding position, I even went so far as to adapt a set of handlebars to my second 6gen.
If you haven't sat on a Tuono, please do. The upper riding position is great; however, the pegs are, IMO, way too high and rearset to be a complete mismatch. Aprillia stayed a little too true to the original streetfighter formula. It also have very little wind protection for long rides. Even much less than the bandito.
I don't have time to read through all the responses right now, so maybe this has already been suggested, but if I were you and had $8 large to spend, I'd look around for a used VFR. The resale value seems pretty low, so very clean used versions go cheap. And if you can find one that's got low miles or has been babied, so much the better. Lot's of used ones come with the most popular mods already done (exhaust/bags/etc).
I bought my bike new, so I know there's a special feeling about buying a brand new bike, but with the money you can save, you can mod the hell out of your bike and maybe have enough to take a nice long trip aboard your new (to you) VFR.
Here's mine after 3 yrs and 35000 miles. I love it. It truly is the best all around bike. I've done a couple long trips and scrape headers on local curves.... ....and everything in between. I've had no mechanical breakdowns (though it seems to be cursed w/ flat tires), and it starts and goes every time I press the button. You might miss the power of the Bandit, but the VTEC and better handling will make you forget all about the missing hp's. I've owned 15 bikes, and while others had some characteristics I wish the VFR had, this is still the most confidence inspiring do-it-all bikes I've had the pleasure of owning, and making my own.
Buy new or used; either way you'll be buying one of the best and most practical bikes on the market.
[image: View Post]Alien VFR, on 24 February 2010 - 11:35 PM, said:
I don't have time to read through all the responses right now, so maybe this has already been suggested, but if I were you and had $8 large to spend, I'd look around for a used VFR. The resale value seems pretty low, so very clean used versions go cheap.
Man, it may be different where you are, but I haven't found that to be the case here at all. For example, when I was shopping my RWB in October, one dealer had a red '07 still in the crate for $6999. He also had a used red '07 with about 8K miles in the "used" section... The sticker? $6999. Now, I know that the used one was barely broken in, and that it probably had some room for negotiation, but it definitely wouldn't have been enough to "mod the hell out of it."
The used-bike market has the added problem of people who might be upside-down on a loan for a bike they paid $10K+ for new.
Zero miles? No scratches? To me, a new one was the easy choice, but I guess it all depends on what the premium for "new" is and how much one values it. YMMV. You are right, though - it's tough to go wrong either way. :fing02:
I got a quote from Western Reserve Honda in Mentor OH for a brand new 07 rwb for $6k out the door including my trade in, they were going to snag one out of state or something they didn't have it on the show room floor. I came back the next day to sign the papers etc. When it got down to it the salesman had made a mistake he included the Honda discount into the already discounted price so out the door was going to be $8k. He says he made a mistake but I swear every time I have to work with a dealer car/cycle etc there is always some sort of issue and I would end up paying more...I walked out and still looking. Sills has an 06 that's new for $7700 but the front wheel cover is scratched and one of the pipes had brown stain on it, dunno didn't look that good to me. I'm emailing back and forth with a couple of other dealers and will see if I can get it down to where I want it. I just wish this damn snow would go away so I can go for a ride!!!! :)
That sucks about the salesman/dealer in Mentor. And there's no way it should have been $8k OTD with your trade. That would have meant you were getting next to nothing in trade-in value for your Bandit. Granted, you're not going to get top dollar for any trade at a dealer, and '98 Bandits aren't in high demand, but nothing?! What a joke, on top of the fact they screwed up, too. Unless they were to honor the deal you had made I'd never go back.
My $0.02: Sell your bike on your own and buy a like-new low miles VFR. I found mine via Cycle Trader - like-new, low miles and a couple grand less than a new one back in '06 - and still a grand less than a leftover back then, too.
Put a deposit down for 07 rwb out of the crate last Thursday, the salesman told me 3 to 4 day to ship so was hoping to have pics in this post...Found out yesterday it'll be here next week..hopefully will have pics next week sometime:)
[image: View Post]bandit98, on 11 March 2010 - 09:04 AM, said:
Put a deposit down for 07 rwb out of the crate last Thursday, the salesman told me 3 to 4 day to ship so was hoping to have pics in this post...Found out yesterday it'll be here next week..hopefully will have pics next week sometime:)
Congrats! Can't wait to see PROOF of purchase. ;)
Just out of curiosity, where did you end up buying it?
[image: View Post]TimC, on 11 March 2010 - 10:06 AM, said:
[image: View Post]bandit98, on 11 March 2010 - 09:04 AM, said:
Put a deposit down for 07 rwb out of the crate last Thursday, the salesman told me 3 to 4 day to ship so was hoping to have pics in this post...Found out yesterday it'll be here next week..hopefully will have pics next week sometime:)
Congrats! Can't wait to see PROOF of purchase. ;)
Just out of curiosity, where did you end up buying it?
Just for Fun Honda in Middlefield?
I'm always pessimistic about dealers, keep thinking I'll go there to make the deal and they'll try to screw me over and add some more cost to it...
[image: View Post]bassjones, on 24 February 2010 - 03:58 PM, said:
[image: View Post]LoVel, on 24 February 2010 - 12:50 PM, said:
I am 45 and bought my 07 VFR last April. Have put 7000 plus miles on it. Over 3000 on one trip. Had more than one 12 hour day in the saddle. It is a wonderful bike. I haven't put an aftermarket seat on it yet but did raise the bars with gen mars and drop he pegs 3/4 of an inch also.
what pegs did you get? I have Gen Mars ready to go on and have thought about lowering the pegs too. I have an airhawk seat pad which raises the seat height a fair amount without changing the pegs and is a great seat mod without paying big bucks for a sargent.
I guess I missed this post. Probably a little late for a response but,
I got the Vario peg system off of Twisted Throttle with the 30mm extension. They also have a web site for the product at the following link: http://mfw-wolf.de/en/products
Talked to the dealer yesterday inquiring about the whereabouts of the bike, was told not in yet will call you in the morning. Morning comes and goes with no call so I call them...again...
Told 'em I was tired of waiting could probably find a better deal and want to cancel this one, was asked to hold new guy comes on says he'll call me right back he's going to call the shipper and find out where it is...
Get the call back, something happened to the truck that the bike was on, shipper wouldn't say what, but now the bike has a scratch on it, no details on how/why/where the scratch is or how it got it...Bike is supposed to arrive tonight or tomorrow morning they're going to take a look and depending on the damage replace it with new OEM...
I'm not sure what happened or why I had to be the one to call them and ask about the bike instead of them calling me but I'm smelling something fishy here and pretty sure I'm going to get out of this deal and have them give me my deposit back, which they did say is up to me and would be no problems if that's what I want to do...
What do you guys think? Supposed to be brand new out of the crate. Do they ship in crates? Wonder what would happen to cause a bike to get scratched in a crate during shipping, hell I'm so annoyed.
If there un-assembled then it might still be in the crate, but many get set-up and sit on someone's showroom for awhile before being w/s to another Dealer. :unsure:
They could be gerking you around, but you never know!
The damage during shipping was a scratched left fairing and chipped at the bottom. The pin that holds part of the left fairing on the oil pan cracked/broken. They are replacing the plastic and the oil pan everything else they say looks good. I will be going to take a look at the bike whenever they get done with it next week....
It's a shame they weren't more proactive in finding out where your bike was and telling you what's up with it, but at least you know the story now.
If it's perfect when done I'd say go with it, but ask for some consideration for the delay and BS - price on the bike, discounted or free 1st service or maybe a discount on your next purchase of gear/accessories.
End of thread · 45 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 10 Apr 2010