To VFR or NOT to VFR (6th gen) - that is the question

Dear fellow VFR enthusiasts with experience riding other bikes;

is the 2008 (6th Generation?) VFR 800 a "Lead Sled"? Or is it the truely great bike that many say it is?
I imagine that even die-hard VFRers are split on this subject, as the VFR has gone through many evolutions.

I see that the VFR is a good handling and comfortable bike - but is it FUN to ride? The ZZR 600 is lots of fun to ride, a great handler, but perhaps not so great a tourer, (although soft side luggage is an option).

I find myself tempted to buy a 2008 VFR, (at a good price), rather than keep my 2003 Kawi ZZR 600, (the original Ninja track bike - but superceded by 20 years of evolution). I love my ZZR, and because the VFR line is coming to an end, I'm tempted to buy a 2008. But having not driven one, (and not being permitted to test pilot the show room bike), I'm worried that I might find that I traded down to VFR rather than up. Both the VFR 800 & the ZZR 600 are about the same (100 or so) horsepower

The one & only time I ever rode a VFR was when I had had a choice of buying a slightly used VFR - a pearl white truely gorgeous bike; think it was a 1993 model, vs my first new Kawi ZX-6. Both were classed as Sport-Touring but both were almost equally very much sport bikes. In the end I had to give up my life-long desire to have the "White Knight" bike in favour of the Ninja, but only because the riding position was somewhere between a handstand and lying across the gas tank, (on the VFR), and my fingers went numb after only 10 minutes riding. The ZX-6, (the original Ninja racing bike), was (and still is) a great scooter and a nice heavy front end that doesn't come up every time I open it up.

VFR = Very Fine Ride :fing02:

[image: View Post]ROCKETROSS, on 22 July 2010 - 12:29 AM, said:

Dear fellow VFR enthusiasts with experience riding other bikes;

is the 2008 (6th Generation?) VFR 800 a "Lead Sled"? Or is it the truely great bike that many say it is?
I imagine that even die-hard VFRers are split on this subject, as the VFR has gone through many evolutions.

I see that the VFR is a good handling and comfortable bike - but is it FUN to ride? The ZZR 600 is lots of fun to ride, a great handler, but perhaps not so great a tourer, (although soft side luggage is an option).

I find myself tempted to buy a 2008 VFR, (at a good price), rather than keep my 2003 Kawi ZZR 600, (the original Ninja track bike - but superceded by 20 years of evolution). I love my ZZR, and because the VFR line is coming to an end, I'm tempted to buy a 2008. But having not driven one, (and not being permitted to test pilot the show room bike), I'm worried that I might find that I traded down to VFR rather than up. Both the VFR 800 & the ZZR 600 are about the same (100 or so) horsepower

The one & only time I ever rode a VFR was when I had had a choice of buying a slightly used VFR - a pearl white truely gorgeous bike; think it was a 1993 model, vs my first new Kawi ZX-6. Both were classed as Sport-Touring but both were almost equally very much sport bikes. In the end I had to give up my life-long desire to have the "White Knight" bike in favour of the Ninja, but only because the riding position was somewhere between a handstand and lying across the gas tank, (on the VFR), and my fingers went numb after only 10 minutes riding. The ZX-6, (the original Ninja racing bike), was (and still is) a great scooter and a nice heavy front end that doesn't come up every time I open it up.


I think they're agile enough for you to have a good time... :fing02:
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and you can do a little "sport" touring on them as well!
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you know what they say "a picture is worth a 1000 words" good stuff

[image: View Post]toddulu, on 22 July 2010 - 12:36 AM, said:

I think they're agile enough for you to have a good time... :fing02:
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and you can do a little "sport" touring on them as well!
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You can even be agile WHILE sport touring! :biggrin:
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Railin 421 in Shady Valley Hey look, sparkles!

I rebuilt a 2007 ZZR600 for a friend, and got to spend some seat time on it. The '07+ ZZR is basically a 98-2000 ZX6R sportbike. It is lighter than the 6th gen VFR for sure, but the VFR gives nothing up to it IMO except for a bit of extra heft. The Kawi motor doesn't wind out as nicely as some other 600's, and has about the same HP as the VFR. The VFR though, has more torque through the V4 and as such, is more fun to ride IMO. The V4 is also fuel injected vs the carbs on your ZZR. The VFR is more comfy too, so unless you're a little guy that has a hard time moving a bike in a parking lot/driveway, you're in for a treat! :fing02:

NEVER ASK A BARBER IF YOU NEED A HAIRCUT.... :biggrin:


Of course the VFR is superior to the ZZR or the ZZR would have been named best bike 10 years running....

Can you keep the ZZR for a track bike?

Since when is the VFR line coming to an end? :blink:

I seriously considered a few other bikes, including a leftover '05 ZZR600, before I bought my '04 VFR from its original owner 4 years ago. I've never regretted it but always wished I could have test ridden a ZZR. Maybe someday.

In the end, I chose the VFR based on several factors (in no particular order):
-Fuel Injected vs. carb'd
-Much better instrumentation
-Overall looks (single-sided swingarm, underseat exhaust, etc)
-Centerstand for ease of maintenance and cleaning
-Reputation for reliability and lifespan (48k mi. on mine now)
-Comfort, tho the ZZR is pretty comfortable for a sportbike IMO
-This forum (seriously, it's a huge plus when doing maintenance or mods)
-Lower insurance rate - not drastically better, but lower
-V4 engine, which has usable power at most rpm's
-Available matching hard bags, which I bought over a year later

If you're only riding locally or doing overnight trips you may not need the matching hard bags, but they come in handy all the time, not just for trips.

Yes, the VFR is definitely heavier, but even at parking lot speeds the bike hides its weight pretty well IMHO. Also, VTEC isn't for everyone. I've never minded it, and in fact I even like it. Some people also aren't crazy about linked brakes, but again I like the system.

If you're in the market for a VFR you can probably snag a good deal for a leftover at a local dealer now. Or nice used bikes are listed for sale here and on ebay, etc. frequently. You might have to travel a bit to get one, but trust me, it's worth the trip. :smile:

I came to my VFR from a 600RR and I'm not missing any power of the RR and agility is still pretty damn nice.

But I also currently have a 05 636 in the garage when I want my true sportbike fix :)

[image: View Post]KPerham, on 22 July 2010 - 07:07 AM, said:

Since when is the VFR line coming to an end? :blink:


I was thinking the same thing...

The 90° V4 800cc version yes has come to an end, and we now have a 76° V4 1200cc to replace it, but the VFR line is no where coming to an end.

I just traded my '97 TL1000S for an '09 VFR 2 weeks ago, and honestly, prefer the VFR in every respect except midrange torque (1000cc twin vs. 800cc V-4). The VFR is miles more comfortable, easier to ride, the hard luggage is a God send - I love not having to wear a backpack everywhere I go anymore. Fuel range is further, and much to my surprise, I corner much faster on the VFR... and the TL had an expensive aftermarket shock on it! It's so user-friendly that an average rider just feels more at home on it, I find. The ABS has already proven itself useful when I grabbed a bunch of brake after a truck changed lanes in front of me at a good speed. Another thing I noticed is that the VFR tracks nicely on the highway. Rather than having to correct its path all the time, you just leave the bars alone and the thing goes nicely down the road. Put some pressure on the bars, though, and the bike will still play.

Unless you're really pushing a bike to its limits (which you'd best be doing on a track anyway), you'll enjoy the practical features on the VFR that aren't on the hard-edged supersports - comfy seat, fuel gauge, center stand, air temp. gauge, being able to go over 200 miles between fill-ups, etc.

No, you're not likely to pull any accidental power wheelies and the acceleration doesn't have the drama that a high-strung 600 does, but don't make any mistake about it: the thing'll still scoot, and I find the transition into VTEC to be kind of fun, too.

The ZZR600 is a little smaller and lighter. More zing on the top-end but a little less gumption in the mid-range. Motorcyle Online had a review I can't find that compared a fifth gen VFR800 to the Ninja.

If you can find a late model '06+ VFR800 with ABS, I don't think you will be disappointed.

Sometimes I wish the VFR800 had carbs instead of FI, usually when I'm commuting and the thing is lean missing down the street once the motor is good and hot.

And yes, this is something I hope to address in the fall once riding season starts drawing to a close, but it's one of the few complaints I have about the bike. I don't regret getting a VFR800 and can't imagine I'd miss owning a ZZR600 instead.

[image: View Post]KPerham, on 22 July 2010 - 07:07 AM, said:

Since when is the VFR line coming to an end? :blink:


Looking at the new 1200 I've got to wonder, "What were they thinking"? Judging from the looks of this new machine, (which is not even a remotely good looking bike in my sights), I'd say that the era of the VFR has come to an end. The VFR seems to have moved from an agile touring-able sportbike, to a not so sporty looking tourer. But that's just he opinion of a Non-VFRer on the sidelines.

I had to decide between keeping my 02 R6 or the 02 VFR. It wasn't an easy choice because the VFR felt a lot heavier. But with the ABS and the smoother ride, better 2-up comfort great cornering ability I ended up selling the R6. I look back today and have not one regret. I can ride all day long with my hard bags, heated grips and still lean into the corners as much as I want. In fact, I find I can corner better with the VFR than I did with the R6 at faster speeds.

Truth be told a modern day 600cc sport bike will walk away from a VFR once it gets up into the higher rpms so if you are looking for a straight line super sport this isn't it. But if you want a bike you can corner with all day long and be able to stand up straight at the end of the day then this is it. And once Toro1 is done with his 6th gen super charger you can add at least 60hp and make those silly little inline 600's suck your wake. :491:

[image: View Post]ROCKETROSS, on 22 July 2010 - 03:15 PM, said:

[image: View Post]KPerham, on 22 July 2010 - 07:07 AM, said:

Since when is the VFR line coming to an end? :blink:


Looking at the new 1200 I've got to wonder, "What were they thinking"? Judging from the looks of this new machine, (which is not even a remotely good looking bike in my sights), I'd say that the era of the VFR has come to an end. The VFR seems to have moved from an agile touring-able sportbike, to a not so sporty looking tourer. But that's just he opinion of a Non-VFRer on the sidelines.


humm you better talk to the guys around here that have the new 1200, I�m beating they are going to disagree with you, about how agile and sporty it really is.

The VFR is far from dead, I see it as a rebirth for the model line up. I have seen more VFRs on the street this year than ever before. I give the new 1200 credit for that, its put the VFR brand back on centre stage for the first time in a long time. Those who are looking for a bike, but don't have the cash to get brand new see a used VFR now and say, "Hey I've seen the new ones and those bikes are something different, I want one" Wait and see, in a few years all those rag mags that have been putting the 1200 down will be saying, best all around sport-touring bike of the decade just like they did with the 6th gen

The gas gauge alone is worth it

NOw the zzr last I checked has fully adjustable suspension, but its lay out is pretty confined like an RR. I'm sure you would notice some differences weight wise, start with a decent front tire like a Ppwer on the vfr.

As a previous owner of a zzr600 and a current owner of a 6th gen VFR... believe me

VFR > ZZR600

The exhaust note alone is worth it!

[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 22 July 2010 - 05:24 AM, said:

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I knew this damn picture will rear its ugly head again. :angry:
Every time I see it, it reminds me of my motoinadequacy. :blush:

And yeah... You can rail the VFR just fine and be comfy while doing it :fing02:

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Do you need to say anything more? :fing02: