Bike upgrade time - from CBR to VFR or VTR

Heya all,

I've decided that it is time to sell my 93 CBR600 and move on up into
the future Well as far as 99-01 anyway!!

The two bikes I am considering are VFR800 (98-99) and VTR1000 (01). I
know that these are quite different bikes but they both appeal to me.
What I'm looking for is feedback from people who have ridden or owned
either or both.

Before anyone asks...no I haven't test ridden either yet....I know, I
know! but it just feels wrong going to a store and asking for a test
ride knowing full well I am not going to buy the bike. Once I have
more of a feel for which I am most interested in then I'll go and jump
on one.

I have read reviews on both and one of the things I'm interested in is
how they will compare to the CBR. The CBR is inline 4, VFR is V4 and
VTR is V-Twin so I realise they have quite different engine setups. (I
have always associated a V-Twin with a Harley style of bike not a
sports/tourer.)

In regard to the use of the bike, I have no other transport except my
pushie I use the bike to commute to work 2-3 days/week, burn the
twisties on the weekend and occasionally ride to Sydney or Batemans
from Canberra. (One of the reasons I picked the VTR 01 is that it had
a bigger tank than the earlier versions.)

The VTR has only just come into my thought process. Until a few weeks
ago it was easy as there was no choice I was going to get a 98-99
VFR800 and was happy. Then I saw a yellow VTR and liked how it
looked....mmmm..bikini So now I have this dilemma.

Any suggestions and advice would be appreciated.

BagMan
93 CBR600 F2 - with roo blood on the under side

 

On 2 Dec 2004 14:43:03 -0800, (BagMan) wrote:

Hi Bagman,

Snip most...

I own the 2001 model vfr800 (FI) - one magic bike - very smooth
motor and a very good all-round bike, plus a 21 litre tank = good
range at touring speeds [1]

The main thing I have found with the VFR is the service (major),
whilst not as exxy as a duke, expext around the $600 mark [2]

The linked brakes aren't a problem [3]

Have ridden the vtr1000 - very nice bike, torquey and have that V-twin
lumpyness about them, although my mate reckons they chew through the
petrol very easily [4]

Bottom line is - try both on a long run if you can manage - then sit
back and go mad trying to decide



Johno

[1] Shaddup GS, you mention the letterbox and.....
[2] Shaddup J5, I *know you do your own servicing...
[3] Not sure if the 98-99 have linked brakes.
[4] Right Dale? ;p

 

Haven't ridden a VTR so can't comment. I ride Jen's VFR all the time while
the hunt continues for a replacement ZX6R.

You know the story, go ride them! All we can give you here is tell you about
our experiences with them. The final decision will be how well the two bikes
fit you.

The VFR does everything very well and has only one flaw, its boring. Its not
a sports bike and you'll find it won't "burn the twisties" like you could on
the 600. Well not the tight stuff anyway. Its a great tourer, we took it to
Tassie and it was perfect for that. I refer to it as a good bike for when I
grow up. I still prefer more nimble machines, but if you've had your fill of
the 600s the VFR would be a perfect step up. Again, you have to ride them to
decide.

--
Cheers
Dave (Mojo67)
FZR600 >> ZX6R >> ??? Brisbane
http://users.bigpond.net.au/mojo67/mojo67.htm
I used to never be able to finish anything but now I

 

Get a yellow VFR




http://snipurl.com/6wpy

 

What's with the sensible post Johno!? You OK!?

 

X-No-archive: yes
I love riding my brother's VTR whenever he's silly enough to let me off the
chain.
I've never ridden a VFR800 but I believe they are a lot better than the
fairly underwhelming VFR750 I rode a while ago. (Nice enough bike but the
engine was a yawn)
Clem

 

The 48mm carbies don't help in that regard, but then the bike puts a grin on my face every time I
ride it, so who cares about fuel consumption? ;-)

The 2001 model came out with a larger fuel tank (19 litres from memory).

 

Hi Bagman!

Sounds like you've got quite a dilemma there! I was in much the same
situation as you just over a year ago, except my choice was between
the current model 02+ VFR800i and a VTR1000.

I went with the VTR for a couple of reasons, and have never regretted
it since.

* Price - In my case, the 02 VFR was about $3k more expensive, and I
was already pushing the finances.

* Size of the bike - Being a v-twin, the VTR is nice and skinny, which
is good when fighting through traffic. The VFR wasn't much bigger, but
the extra fairings all added extra bulk that would make it better at
speed, but, worse for the main job of commuting. Maybe this isn't the
case, a good mate of mine rides his 86 VFR to work every single day,
and doesn't have a problem.

* Sound - the VFR's sound cool, but they've got nothing on the 'Storm!

In the end, as you can probably see, there wasn't much in it. On the
day, the VFR's were more expensive, and the yellow Storm was just too
cool to go past. Mine's a 02 model, so it's got the digital dash, HISS
immobiliser, bigger tank, etc, which is all good. I don't think I'd
consider a pre-01 model for those same reasons.

In regard to how they perform, well, how does any litre bike
perform??? Not all V-Twins are as woeful as harley engines seem to be.
Ducati's run v-twins, as do some of the more "interesting" bikes out
there. I regurlarly ride with an 03 Fireblade, and an 04 Daytona 955,
and even an 89 VFR400. We're not the fastests guys out there, but I
never find the lack of top end power on the VTR a problem. Over and
above the legal limits, the big 4cyls pull away quite well, but again,
this comes down to how you ride. Where it really shines is with the
low-down punch that nothing else can match - great for blasting out of
corners!

Fuel range has never been a real problem for us, but I understand
others have had trouble. 2-up, commuting through peak hour Brissy
traffic each day, we could get about 180kms until the fuel light
popped on. However, the fuel light comes on with about 7 litres still
in the tank, so you've still got a considerable few k's left there, if
you want to stretch it. I've done 280kms on about 17L once, but it was
mostly highway riding.

I really don't think you'd be disappointed with either. I'm certainly
very happy with mine [1]. If you're doing mainly city work, I'd
recommend the VTR. It's a Bucket Load(tm) of fun, it really is.
However, you'll get better fuel economy and better touring ability
with the VFR. The 'Storm's still a capable tourer, and quite good
ergonomically for a nakedbike, but that's really what the VFR was made
to do.

Like I aid, I chose the 'Storm mainly cause it looked pretty tough,
and sounded amazing. Have a ride of both of them (ideally, find a
dealer with both of them in the yard, and ride them back to back), and
see how you feel after that.

Good luck!!!
Matto
'02 Yellow Firestorm
(Hopefully getting it back tomorrow!!! YAY!!!)


[1] - Well, I will be when I get it back from the crash repairers.
It's been over two months now!!! Bloody ute drivers...

 

Here here!!!!

depends how hard you ride it!!
but I know what you mean

yup

have a real problem with my VFR ('00 model)
I have to be doing 140+ before it puts a grin on face, yes, that is on the
twisty stuff, except the real twisty stuff
I going to lose my license or my life if I don't settle down

it does everything well..too well, its smooth, handles beautifully, has
enough power to keep 90% of riders happy, you can do a 1000km day on it,
loves having a pillion on the back.....its just.....boring, unless you take
it to its limits, which is pretty bloody high

the only bad thing is the real brakes......shit house feel, very woody, my
Across had better felling rear brakes

Marty H

 

obviously Cat doesnt

and still not big enough

 

not bad years

look hard and you wil find VFR's up to 01 for reasonable money

why not head for private sales ??

dealers will always gouge you and since you are buying something fairly new
its not all that hard to find a bike that has ben looked after and know
enough to stay
away from the buckets of shit

VTwin harley style, what rock have you been hiding under ???

overall the VFR is likely to be more comfortable and have a much better fuel
range

other things to consider is how long are you going to keep this bike and how
many kays ??

a VTR with high Kays is worth virtually nothing

a VFR will last for 100K easy , 200K quite likely without major work

and still get fairly good money with a few kays on the clock

why only 2 choices ????

 

Haven't had that trouble with the brakes on Jen's. Does your model have the
linked brakes?

--
Cheers
Dave (Mojo67)
FZR600 >> ZX6R >> ??? Brisbane
http://users.bigpond.net.au/mojo67/mojo67.htm
I used to never be able to finish anything but now I

 

It shouldn't really matter how fat the bike is in the middle, the only time
the size of the bike makes a difference when commuting is when the gap between
the cars becomes narrower than the widest part of the bike. My ZX12R has a
very fat engine and fairings, but the widest bits are the the mirrors, the
handlebars and my elbows.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R

 

Sorry mate, don't know what came over me.... must be the lack of red
cordial..

 

On Fri, 3 Dec 2004 14:14:11 +1100, "Marty H"

snip most....

Hi Marty, yeh, have to agree - the rear brake on the veefers (linked
models) are shit - no feel at all.

Johno

 

yup...

have heard its a common problem, braided lines on the rear and a softer
compound pad seems to fix it

Mines due for a rear pad change and new fluid, so lets see if that fixes it

marty

 

<snip>

Thanks everyone! I know I can't make any decision till I ride both but
the info that you guys have given as helped give an overview of each
bike.

Matto: You sure came up with some great points for the VTR!! In regard
to your comment "and the yellow Storm was just too cool to go past" I
definately know what you mean!

Given the ideas I had already and what you've all said here I think
the VTR is the best match for me....well until I ride them both it is
anyway.

Dave: From what you say regarding the VFR great for when you grow
up....I think that applies to me as well.

Touring is good but still a secondary part of my bike riding. Shorter
day runs are what I'm mostly interested in at the moment.

Johnnie5: Was planning on buying privately, which is why I feel a bit
wrong test riding at a store.....and my rock even has an ensuite

Its amazing in how many places the VFR is described as an awesome
bike, no flaws ('cept maybe the linked brakes....a honda engineer
braking for you at each turn) yet the overall feeling is boring or
soulless...hehe...that'll teach them for making something too perfect.

The VTR is also much nicer on my budget constraints. Can afford to go
up to 01-02 model rather than a 98-99 VFR.

Well next stage for me is to get my butt on both seats and pay a visit
to the friendly bank manager!

Thanks again.

 

http://www.ardice.com/Arts/Movies/Titles/3/3_Days

 

hmm, not meaning to bite here but it seems I ride my Harley for the same
reason you do your VTR, except with even lower low down grunt.

 

WTF?
Confuss'd-Clem