After a little over two years on my 2001 VFR, I have decided the time is right to try something a little different. In exactly one week, I take a train from Chicago to St. Louis to pick up my next bike. A 2001 CBR1100XX.
We will see how this relationship goes. I like everything that I read about the XX, and I absolutely love the Candy Glory Red of the 2001 model. My find includes Heli bars, a nice Zero Gravity windscreen, and Corbin Beetle Bags - which I think blend in with the Bird very well. The previous owner is a mature MSF instructor so I believe the bike has been extremely well cared for. I'll be upgrading the seat, installing a Throttlemeister, adding a fuse panel, and wiring up grip heaters, my GPS, and my Battery Tender. The Beetle Bags will need some paint work to take care of some scratches, but my dad has the equipment and the skill...... I'll provide the paint.
I'm talking to a couple of folks that are seriously interested in my VFR. Both are a distance away, so we're working on logistics. I'll really miss the sounds my VFR made, but I'm looking forward to the smooth effortless way the XX moves down the highway. If I could afford to, I would keep the VFR for sure.
I don't have many good pictures yet, but here's what I have so far...
Please post a review after you've ridden it a bit. I've always been interested in them and would like to hear what you think of it compared to the VFR.
[image: View Post]BrittC, on 03 April 2010 - 09:02 AM, said:
After a little over two years on my 2001 VFR, I have decided the time is right to try something a little different. In exactly one week, I take a train from Chicago to St. Louis to pick up my next bike. A 2001 CBR1100XX.
We will see how this relationship goes. I like everything that I read about the XX, and I absolutely love the Candy Glory Red of the 2001 model. My find includes Heli bars, a nice Zero Gravity windscreen, and Corbin Beetle Bags - which I think blend in with the Bird very well. The previous owner is a mature MSF instructor so I believe the bike has been extremely well cared for. I'll be upgrading the seat, installing a Throttlemeister, adding a fuse panel, and wiring up grip heaters, my GPS, and my Battery Tender. The Beetle Bags will need some paint work to take care of some scratches, but my dad has the equipment and the skill...... I'll provide the paint.
I'm talking to a couple of folks that are seriously interested in my VFR. Both are a distance away, so we're working on logistics. I'll really miss the sounds my VFR made, but I'm looking forward to the smooth effortless way the XX moves down the highway. If I could afford to, I would keep the VFR for sure.
I don't have many good pictures yet, but here's what I have so far...
I'm pretty excited to ride it back from St. Louis next weekend! :woohoo:
Congrats. The bike looks pristine in the pictures. Let us know what you think of the Bird once you get some miles in.
[image: View Post]russell62, on 03 April 2010 - 09:14 AM, said:
Please post a review after you've ridden it a bit. I've always been interested in them and would like to hear what you think of it compared to the VFR.
Exactly the same with me. I was torn between the VFR and XX 3 years ago, did a lot of reading and exchanging email with people, and went with the VFR because I didn't feel good about going from a 70 HP Nighthawk 750 to a bike with almost 100 more HP. I've been pleased with the VFR over the past 2 years. But, because I live so far from any interesting riding, I often jump on the slab to get out of the Chicago suburbs, and out to Iowa, or up to Wisconsin or Michigan. The VFR is not bad on the slab, but (and I hope I'm correct!) the XX should be more at home doing that sort of work.
We will see. I can't justify owning two bikes, so this will be a bit of a test to see how we get along. There are things I'm sure I'll miss about my VFR and I wish I didn't have to let it go. I've kept it immaculately clean... hopefully the next owner takes good care of it.
[image: View Post]BrittC, on 04 April 2010 - 02:33 AM, said:
... hopefully the next owner takes good care of it.
http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk148/britt_vfr/VFR4Sale/DSC08434.jpg
certainly will be sad to see your 5th gen go - looks great!!
btw - don't suppose you'd be happy to swap-out your mirrors with me b4 you sell it? :ph34r: ... I didn't think so :rolleyes:
I am from Joliet and when I got out of the Army I couldn't stand riding in the Chicagoland area! The only good route I found was taking Route 6 to the boat launch in Marsailles then going through Seneca toward Starve Rock. I would ride that every weeekend with my father and brother in law. When I was at Ft Campbell I would ride all over KY/TN and was spoiled in lots of nice roads. I moved to Az upon getting recalled out of the IRR so I have yet to see what Arizona offers. Good find and be safe man, enjoy the new bike!
As of Saturday evening, I have a new bike in my garage. I had a 300 mile ride home on it, and with the weather being perfect, it was a nice way to get to know a little about my new bike. I do have to say that the seductive sounds made by the VFR will be missed. But I have to tell you that the incredible thrust along with the turbine sound and feel of the XX is tough to ignore. That was the easiest 300 miles of freeway that I've ever ridden.
I documented my day in my blog, so I'll just link to that for anyone that is interested... Britt's Blog
i got a 91 rearswing arm you buy to install some vfr looks on the back :biggrin:
it has been done before.and look great..
as timmy and i will tell you..paint that thing FLAT BLACK!!
theres a reason is called the "blackbird" ;p
have fun!
Glad your liking the new bike, on various test rides on bird I've found that after an hour I'm ready for a break. How do you find the comfort compared to the VFR? Also my girfriend and I being 6ft feels a little cramped.
[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on 13 April 2010 - 05:09 AM, said:
Glad your liking the new bike, on various test rides on bird I've found that after an hour I'm ready for a break. How do you find the comfort compared to the VFR? Also my girfriend and I being 6ft feels a little cramped.
The reach to the Heli Bars on the Bird is a little farther than the reach to the Heli's on my 2001 VFR. The pegs feel a little higher on the Bird than on the VFR, but I did have the BLS lowering blocks on the VFR so stock versus stock is probably very close. The previous owner put Goldwing pegs on the XX. I think they are at the same height, but they are really wide and flat, and he liked them. I'm still unsure if I will keep them.
I'm 6'3" and after the 5 hour, 300 mile ride home, I expected my wrists, my hips, my knees, or my back to hurt. I felt great though - aside from some butt discomfort from the OEM seat. I'll need to replace that with a Corbin when I have $450.00 laying around.
Other than a very short spin around the house with my kids, I never rode with a passenger on the VFR. It seems that there would be more room on the Bird, but my wife doesn't ride so it's not something I'm concerned with.
End of thread · 20 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 15 Apr 2010