My missus Miss Moly has just passed her DAS, so we are looking for a bike for her.
She test rode a CB600F, I took the opertunity to ride a VFR800 as I’m looking to upgrade my Fizzer to a bigger bike and use it as a deposit for both of us.
We BOTH hated the bikes. The CB was just the wrong shape for the missus, she didnt like it at all and wanted to get off asap. She didnt like the seating position, or the bars, in fact she didnt like anything about the bike. She prefers my Fizzer 600.
As for the VFR - well - I couldnt have been more disaponted as I’ve been oggling this bike for years. Hated the riding position, the VTEC kick in wasnt as bad as some make out but the vibes through the pegs were not good when it does engage. But that aside, the breaker for me was the hunting/surging at 30-40mph steady speed, and the awefull flat spot at 7k. The fizzer pulls better.
So next week shes taking a TransAlp out after sitting on it for a bit and liking the position, and I’m going for a CB1000R for a laff! Who knows what we’l eventually get, but we want a bike for her asap. She may end up with my Fizzer but does not like the red, wants it in black so I may just buy her a new one. meh
Wow, really surprised with your opinions – but I guess we are all different and want different things from our bikes.
I couldn’t wait to get shot of my Fazer as I loathed the riding position, particularly on long journeys, and really didn’t like the engine or gearing atall – had to cane the hell out of it to get it to perform and keep the revs high. I test rode the VFR800 last year and loved it (apart from that awful noise as everything kicks in at 7,500 revs). I now ride a Fireblade and a 600 Hornet and love them both for different reasons.
I know what you mean, CBF600 dull as ditchwater and you feel like you are sitting ‘in’ it.
VFR, new model coming out next year and about bleedin’ time.
CB1000R, feckin’ marvelous, goes like billy-o and very light.
New Transalp, feckin’ marvelous, a real thumper with a big heart
Try the Hornet too, that is as much fun as a bag of frogs on the rear bench of a church choir. The ‘detuned’ RR engine in it is a smooth as Sean Connery’s grey two-peice in Dr No.
They are great bikes, the last three, and have benefitted beautifully from their relaunches in the last year.
I get my bike serviced at Moto Select in Farnham, a Honda franchise, and I get a courtesy bike off them every time so get to play on some of the new machinery.
Also the '08 CBR600RR, CB600F and CBF600 all share the same engine now, just with differing levels of tuning.
I tested rode both the new CBF600 and the Transalp. Both are deceptively good bikes, neither will try and do something unexpected and are very easy to ride. The FI on both is spot on, of the two I found the Transalp to be the more comfortable, and more fun. However the test bike that I rode had a rather annoying vibration band from about 4200 to 5000rpm that made the bike unrideable for any prolonged distance.
The CBF engine is just sweetness and honey.
Judging by both bikes that I rode, I would also say that the CBF600 is a far better finished bike than the Transalp. The TA was missing a couple of bolts, had some rust already showing and the exhaust system is a combination of mild and stainless steel. The CBF system is fully stainless.
Also consider the DL650 V-Strom, not that pretty, and a better bike that either of the CBF600 and the Transalp. A fairing that moves the weather to another county and a engine that puts both to shame. The downside, the finish is worse that the both CBF and TA.
Hi Redster,Just in case you’re interested - I bought a new litre bike recently and I’m selling my commuter - it’s a fazer 600, black, one year old (07 plate) and 4k miles on the clock bought from the dealer (brand new). I’m selling for £3500 so if you want 1700 off the ‘new’ price give me a shout 07980 727707.
