Initial thoughts on the VFR

PeterT@Home says...

I have said before, on a couple of occasions, that the R1150GS is the
only BMW I would ever consider owning. I've ridden a couple now and
actually got on ok with them. However, they are horrendously expensive
new for what they are and used ones hold their value far too well to be
affordable to the likes of myself.

 

Whilst we're here... does your one get rather warm?

Just wondering as the loan one I have seems to sit around 100C for most of
the time and the fan seems to run most of the time.

I'm not _too_ bothered as it's not mine - but I did check the coolant level
and that's fine. If it is normal, must be lovely in winter - not so good
when it's 30C outside

 

[warm vfr 800s]

one reason why commuting through slow London traffic by VFR in the
summer is not the nicest experience. Mine would often be between 100 and
106 degrees.

 

Around 80C when on the open road but it can climb in the 100 and teens
in stop go town traffic when the ambient temp is >30C

 

I'm sort of getting used to it - but I still find the power delivery odd and
the V-TEC plain annoying.

Possibly the GSX-R spoils me in terms of it's fueling but the VFr seems very
on/off and that surge (both accel and decel) at 7k is a bit of a pain in the
arse - frequently find I either have to ride 10mph slower than I'd want to,
or 10 mph faster - changing gear isn't quite what I'd want either. Something
I'm sure you get used to and adjust to.

That said, it is certainly quite comfy and the brakes are superb - much much
better than the GSX-R in terms of bite and one fingered operation.

The lack of storage space is monumentally silly though.

And I still can't believe it costs £8500+.

 

I don't have a VTEC but have ridden one as a courtesy bike.
Accelerating through corners as the VTEC cuts in is, er,
"interesting".

My older (FIY) and previous FIX are/were both very snatchy in 1st and
2nd gears. That stupid chicane at the end of the Silverstone lap is
impossible to do smoothly.

If you load up with panniers, top, box, tank-bag and three lots of
camping gear strapped across the pillion there is oodles of room.
Fucking awlful to ride on standard suspension setting though.

Its Honda's technology flagship. Many think the late model 750 was
the best of the breed.

 

I'll see you "interesting", and raise you an H1 hitting 6k revs in
second as you exit Heron Quays roundabout this evening.

Front wheel, rear wheel and frame all wanted to go in different
directions, and very nearly succeeded.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/KH500A8/TS250C
|_\_____/_| ..67055../..16127.../..3180./.19406
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 YTC#4 PM#5
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 two#11 WG*
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17
'^' RBR-Visited:43 Pts: 870 Miles:3116

 

remind me - why did you buy that bike?

 

Strangely enough I was wondering this too. I hadn't realised they were quite
*that* bad or do the bearings and bushes have a bit of extra play in them.

 

cos it's a classic!

They are great fun - I'd love one.

 

male menopause.

 

But surely they're just as unreliable?

 

says...

I wouldn't fucking ride it. Jeez, what do you take me for?

If I could afford one I'd just buy it purely for the novelty value, cos
they're so pig-muntering-ugly. My mates would certainly laugh at me for
owning a BMW, but they'd fucking piss themselves if they saw me riding
it.

 

Do you really want me to answer that question?

 

says...

Not really

 

I think this is the point at which I use a cliched acronym or use a
smiley.

 

I don't think I've got room for one.

 

I'd believed the legend. Now I'm determined that it is not going to
beat me. It is top fun, though. More thrills at 40mph, than you get
from the Blackbird at 140.

--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/KH500A8/TS250C
|_\_____/_| ..69339../..16127.../..3180./.19406
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 YTC#4 PM#5
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 two#11 WG*
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17
'^' RBR-Visited:74 Pts:1630 Miles:5400

 

Bear in mind this was the day after the MOT was issued.

IIRC, the swingarm bushes are nylon/plastic, the forks are only about
30mm in diameter, and the frame is made of flexible steel tube.

--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/KH500A8/TS250C
|_\_____/_| ..69339../..16127.../..3180./.19406
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 YTC#4 PM#5
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 two#11 WG*
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17
'^' RBR-Visited:74 Pts:1630 Miles:5400

 

quite possible.

--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/KH500A8/TS250C
|_\_____/_| ..69339../..16127.../..3180./.19406
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 YTC#4 PM#5
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 two#11 WG*
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17
'^' RBR-Visited:74 Pts:1630 Miles:5400