My dad had one after a Pan European ST1100 and then Triumph Trophy, he thought it was a much better bike than either of the first two in terms of fun. Perhaps not as well built as the Honda but it was just a better experience to ride. He had two the original version and thean the 955i. He and mum toured all around europe on the Sprint. It’s a brilliantly comfortable bike, with panniers and topbox etc it’s a practical tourer but with top box/panniers off it looks like a sports bike.
He did try the new 1050i version but though he liked the way it rode and looked he wasn’t keen on the pannier arrangement for the new bike as he thought it looked like a BMW with it’s “stuck on blobs” of panniers, not as well integrated as the old bikes ones.
So because of that he went out and bought a BMW K1200GT… LOL LOL
Have to say though I’m not a big Beemer fan the GT is a nice bike.
I ride my bike all year round and I’m not the most diligent in the cleaning department and it is fine. As for reliability part from having change the battery after two years its been fine, quite bomb proof really, in fact my V-Tech has stopped working (something the guys at Tippets have never heard of before) and it still works just fine just not so sporty.
I love my bike and am only going to replace it with a 1200 GS Adventure because I want to do some very long distance touring two up. If I can get away with it I’m hoping to keep my VFR because I enjoy it so much.
As for filtering come ride with me and you’ll see how filter friendly it is, if you can keep up that is:w00t: and I’ve had a fiesta and it doesn’t corner anywhere near as good as the VFR, although I think you can get a bit more in the Fiesta but only a bit:P
You can always talk to me about the Viffer down at BMM.
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I ride my bike all year round and I’m not the most diligent in the cleaning department and it is fine. As for reliability part from having change the battery after two years its been fine, quite bomb proof really, in fact my V-Tech has stopped working (something the guys at Tippets have never heard of before) and it still works just fine just not so sporty.**
Is the VFR really that much different from a CBR though?
My CBR is reliable enough, but its tank range is small and luggage isn’t easy. I think a touring bike makes sense, but then I don’t want to get into scrapes and fights whilst filtering.
I’m sure you’re faster at filtering than I am. I always imagine a car will suddenly pull out from a stationary queue and try and do a U turn in front of me. For that reason, I won’t filter above 20mph. I’ve seen other guys filter at 40mph+. Good on them if they want to end up in hospital. There’s no way their reaction times will ever stop safely whilst filtering in London traffic at that speed. They’re relying on numpty car drivers not to do anything silly. These days, I think that really is too much to take for granted…
BMW F650GS (Single)
BMWF800ST
Honda VFR800VTEC
Honda CBF600 (new FI)
Honda Transalp
Kawasaki Versys
Kawasaki ER6f
Suzuki Bandit 650
Suzuki DL650 V-Strom
Yamaha FZ6 Fazer
Yamaha FZ6 Fazer S2
Yahama TDM900
before I chose the TDM. Unless you ride them you will never know what they are like. The surprises for me were the Bandit (dam heavy for what it is, almost if not heavier than a R1200GS) and the Fazer (the most uncomfortable bike I have ever rode).
I’d kind of echo these comments. We tend to argue the corner of whatever bike we’ve bought ourselves (otherwise we’d question our own judgement) but my thoughts (as aVFR owner) are it does everything I want it to.
And I want:
Decently sporty ride that I can lock wherever in London I want and it won’t get nicked.
Comfort over distance (I do 10000+ miles a year).
Comfort at speed (for the autobahn…).
Good looking bike with a nice sound (which it has over 7000 revs).
Year-round usability and durability (not had a single issue over 4 yrs of ownership).
The ability to do trackdays.
Now, it isn’t the best at all (possibly any) of the above things but it can do all of them. And there’s not that many that do. And that’s why I’ve considered changing, and have looked at others but still stay with the VFR (VTEC).
It may not have the sexy image of some other bikes, but get on one and ride it, you’ll be very shocked. I’ve owned ZZR’s, full on sportsbikes etc and these are great bikes. Can keep up with the litre sports bikes no problem (unless you want to go into illegal speeds) and can manage 200 mpg routinely no problem. Just think along the lines of KTM’s or Triumph Tiger without the price tag.
They’ll bounce round town roads waaaaay better than any VRF due to long suspension travel and tighter turning circle, and will tour no problem with its nice upright seating position and good torque.
Just a thought to throw something else into the mix ;).
Ive got a GSX650F, its not as big as the others or as flash but will do the ton easy and with its 19litre tank I can do over 200 touring, and 170ish in town. Two up with full luggage its stable and easy to use. Voted MCN bike of the year but then MCN is MCN so take that how you want. I love my bike and Ive just come back from Cornwall. Rode from Cornwall to Bath in rain, Bath to Tring in hertford in hail and then Tring to hampshire…really roundabout trip but absolutely no a## ache or back ache or wrist ache.
and riding to ones own standard is the only way to ride your right not to try to ride out of you comfort zone.
As for the question of your CBR not being much different from the VFR your right I would say that the VFR is probably a bit more comfortable over a long distance and the language issue would be easier to sort out on the VFR.
take a look at the zrx1100 gr8 bike comfy,powerfull and looks good throw on a tank bag an panniers an get lost in europe,bags of fun!very under estimated machine cheap used fun machine.
