One final motorcycle post: VFRs?

[BlueSkyJaunte]

OK, so far I've "test" ridden the following bikes:

'87 (?) BMW K100RS (w/ ABS)
- Great but way too "inline-4" buzzy
'03 Buell XB9R
- Too tiny, shakes like a paint mixer, and cooked my thighs
'98 Ducati 900SS (CR)
- Friends don't let friends buy post-'96 CRs
'01 Aprilia Falco
- Mmmmm.....Falco.....but ridiculous $$$ unless I buy out of state
'03 BMW R1150S
- Bleh. Crappy torque down low, buzzing up high, bad ergos (my feet didn't fit)
'91 Suzuki GSXR 750
- Fun but buzzy and had title issues and fairing damage
'86 Honda VFR700F2
- Fun but low on HP and had fairing damage
'97 Honda VFR750
- Great but had some minor buzzing

My requirements:

Fwd riding position to avoid tailbone contact.
Not too forward to avoid wrist problems.
No inline-fours. Secondary vibrations put everything to sleep!
Decent pillion so my wife doesn't fall off.

Looks like I'm probably going to go w/ the '97 VFR750. Any caveats you folks know of?

[Doug Zielke]

No "caveats", blue, other than you might be bored stiff with the thing after a few days. That was the case for me when I was appointed "caretaker" of a 90's VFR for a year.
The Honda did everything Hondas do (well). Except excite me.
I'd rather have a well-sorted Triumph or Norton from the 60's-70's than any VFR750.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Good point, Doug. Though the '86 VFR700 had a very open Kerker pipe on it and sounded very nice. I think I may do the same if I get the '97. Have to compete with my neighbor and his open shotguns on his Road King.

Since it'll be used primarily for commuting, boring may be a good thing.

[motion]

Yeah, that's a good used sewing machine for $2k. Can't go wrong with a Honda I guess.

A bike is an extension of the soul... Honda will never understand that.

[motion]

BTW, I was the first person in the Western US to own a '83 VFR750 (Interceptor). I put 35,000 miles on it the first 3 months I owned it (before I wadded it). And believe me, NO V4 Honda sounds good with a pipe! Don't mean to dig on ya', but man, you drive a Porsche!

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Haha, see, I have no soul, problem solved.

For reference, here are the bikes I have owned:
'78 Honda CB750K
'93 Kawasaki Concours
'81 Honda CB650
'01 Victory V92C
'78 Honda CB750K

All I hear in my P-car is fan and camchain noise unless I'm doing 5000 RPM. My muffler's too good. But compared to an I4, a V4 is a symphony!

I really wanted a Duc 748 but it's just not practical (ergos, $$$, maintenance/parts, oh, and $$$).

The dog days of summer must be a really *****ty time to buy in AZ. There just aren't as many bikes for sale here as there were 6 months ago.

[Eric Coffey]

I would stick with the Falco, even if you had to go out of state to pick one up.

Here are some current cycle trader ads:

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/9/6/53519496.htm

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/4/4/49311944.htm

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/1/4/49814814.htm

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/4/8/53395648.htm

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/0/4/54507804.htm

http://adcache.cycletrader.com/5/9/0/47411790.htm


plus a couple on eBay currently too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2429670632

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2429840121

[island911]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
. . .. Since it'll be used primarily for commuting, boring may be a good thing.

I owned a '84 VFR700 (way back). . .it was kinda a dog compared to the VFR750. (damn Hardley tariff)

Anyway, I do remember being able to easily out last a buddy with the then very "race" GSXR . . . even though he had a bit more time at the in-between stops.
A bike that doesn't brutalize ya has got to be a plus for commuting. (though I'm not advocating you buy some big pig either. . . .unless you really like tassles on the handle-bars

The '97 Honda VFR750 sounds like a sane choice, that meets your needs. Solid engineering; i don't know about the others. Okay, the '03 Buell has some solid gimic-eering, at the expense of real engineering.

[Rot 911]

Blue, I have an '85 Interceptor and love it. Has the full fairing and dual Super Trapps. Makes a great sound. I've ridden probably every year of VFR up to 2002. The '97 is a great choice a much better ride than the new VFR. The '97 I believe is the same as the '98 which in this months Motorcyclist they mentioned the '98 VFR as superior in every way over the 2003 VFR. I've read the same thing in several motorcycle magazines. Forget the remarks of "doesn't have a soul." If you are like me I enjoy back road carving, but want a bike that isn't killing my wrists and back after 30 miles. The VFR like you pointed out is a more upright riding position, but is still able to do what I want it to on the back roads.

[arcsine]

I had a '93 VFR750 for a long while and as much as Doug has my respect in this case he blows. The VFR is competent but does not push the "excitement" button as stock. So what you do is tweak it.

Get a slip-on exhaust can, a Fox adjustable shock, a decent aftermarket seat and go have fun. I also recommend getting the RaceTech forks springs.

There have been big advances in bikes in the last 10 years so unless the buy cannot be passed up or you are looking for something vintage, avoid anything pre-90.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Hee-hee, so I went contrary to everyone's advice (well, except Gary's, thanks Gary!) and bought the '86 VFR700 for a song. The price was low enough to treat it as a stopgap solution until the right Falco comes along, even if I can't unload it later. It's just not in me to go chasing bikes across state lines. When the right Falco shows up in AZ (or wherever I'm living), I'll be waiting in line with cash in hand.

Until then I'll be putting around on my Harley-strangled VFR.

When the fog cleared post riding the '97 I realized it buzzed way more than a VFR should, the transmission was in dire straits, and the fairing damage that I noticed the second time around would bite me hard in the pocketbook. It's funny how hard it is to make a "logical" decision and good, unbiased observations about a motorcycle when all you want to do is ride!

[Doug Zielke]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
bought the '86 VFR700 for a song.......

And that is one thing you can usually count on....bikes like the VFR are always priced accordingly.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

I'd rather just have my old Honda CB750 back. Miss that thing.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I still have my CB750...in many pieces strewn about the garage. #2 carb isn't cooperating with me.

And Doug, don't want to start a flame war but 90's aircooled Ducatis aren't exactly going for sky-high prices, either...actually, for not much more than same-year VFRs!

[island911]

I'm guessing he's referring to the $50k type of Harleys and such . . . being "always priced accordingly."

Seriously, though blue, I didn't mean to say the 700 is a dog . . .just in comparison to the 750 . . .it was amazing what the loss of 50cc's did to the engine performance.

Well so now you have a bike that reflects your SC, in a way. . . under-stressed displacement, within a performance machine. It ought to go forever. VFR700WDP

[Doug Zielke]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte

And Doug, don't want to start a flame war....

No need for that, blue!
You found a ride that fills your need. That's all that matters.
That's why they make chocolate as well as vanilla.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Island, no need to clarify...it probably is a dog. But look at what I've ridden in the past: the most HP I've ever had on tap was in a 600+ lb. Kawi porker. I'm probably better off with lower HP until I figure out how this sport-bike thing works. Besides, I've lost 30 lbs since November. That's a great HP boost right there!

Doug, you said it. Two wheels == OK in my book. Except for that R1150S .

I'll post pics after I pick up the bike on Saturday, if anyone's interested.