Help with VFR need

Zoji · 10-09-2012, 11:33 AM

For a very long time now I have really loved the VFR (especially G4 and G5). I currently ride an 07 FZ6 for my daily commuter. It does everything I need (its comfortable, plenty of power, looks good, sound could be better), but for some reason whenever I see that 96 VFR go by with that lovely sounding V4 it just makes me want to go get one.

I have ridden an '87. It was a fun ride, and yeah... it is a bit of a pig. My fizzer can do circles around it handling and comfort wise, but what about the newer models? Anyone out there with either a G4 or G5 VFR willing to let me check out their bike so I know if I should switch or not?

I am also thinking of just waiting a couple of years until I move into a house with a bigger garage. I currently have two horses in the stable, but I need more room.

galenernest · 10-09-2012, 11:36 AM

I've got an '01 you can come sit on/check out... possibly take for a spin. I don't know how it compares to the earlier VFR's, but to me it's kind of a turd... heavy steering, long wheelbase... just not what I'm used to.

Bring one of your bikes and we'll switch and go for a short ride...

Edit: Bring the CBR 250! Holy shit I really wanna check that thing out.

Zoji · 10-09-2012, 11:38 AM

Sounds good. The '01 is a gen5 so that is what I am looking at. I could come around either this afternoon or Thursday afternoon. What works best for you? I will bring my FZ6 with me if you want to be able to compare.

galenernest · 10-09-2012, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Zoji

Sounds good. The '01 is a gen5 so that is what I am looking at. I could come around either this afternoon or Thursday afternoon. What works best for you? I will bring my FZ6 with me if you want to be able to compare.

This afternoon is no good... I'm open Thursday after 5pm, though. Or pretty much any time this weekend.

Pvster · 10-09-2012, 12:16 PM

Zoji, be sure to write up your review of the vfr. I'm finding myself in need of a more practical commuter bike during the winter months (hard cases, top case, etc).

Galenernest, be sure to write up a review of the cbr 250 as well!

WaGigKPN · 10-09-2012, 02:36 PM

G6 VFR owner here...Love it.

That is all...

(but i am 6'7'' 300 and dont fit at all on crotch rockets...)

Perfecto · 10-10-2012, 07:16 PM

G6 is a nice bike, but I just don't understand how the thing can weigh over 500lbs.

WaGigKPN · 10-10-2012, 10:04 PM

It weighs over 500 lbs? I can lift the back tire off the ground like a dirt bike and the damn thing is like a feather in the corners. In fact i rode a 2006 cbr1000 for a bit and couldnt wait to get back on the viffer!

I mean if you drop ur bike often i can see why u want the lightest bike possible....go gixer

tims007 · 10-10-2012, 10:32 PM

Triumph sprint? Lol 2c

Gnarly 928 · 10-11-2012, 07:26 AM

For a commuting bike it was probably a good choice.

I, too, fell in love with the sound and the V4 torque, And mine ended up looking really pretty sharp, sounding great and handling OK....but it was too friggin heavy. I had mine for about a year and I sort of got used to the weight, but it was always a concern. Taking it off the center stand? Scary. Riding it down my gravel drive? No fun. Trying to bump start it? Forget that.

I mean, really really heavy. It once fell over off the side stand, sinking it's foot into the dirt in my yard, and I had to erect a lift of scaffold and use a come-a-long to winch it upright because no one was around to help me lift it back onto the wheels. If I had been in the middle of Nevada or somewhere, I could have maybe managed to get that thing off the ground, but at serious risk to my back or possible rupture.

Riding it in the twistys, it was actually OK, but again, the weight of it sucked. It would keep up OK with sport bikes due to the wide torque band and OK brakes but 500lbs +.... Also, the stock-ish suspension really is poor for other than freeway or big highway riding. Mine had an Ohlins rear and that helped, but the forks were awful despite being well maintained. The linked braking sysetm...once I got used to it, that was pretty handy for a lazy rider on the street, I guess, but scary on gravel.

Pretty comfortable for long rides...except the wallowing, clunking front end was irritating.

I got onto my S.O.s F2 for a spin, and that was it. I went back to a sport bike as fast as I could sell the VFR. Think "Heavy"...that was what I took away from my time on the VFR.
Don Hanson

galenernest · 10-11-2012, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by WaGigKPN

the damn thing is like a feather in the corners.

Compared to what? A full dresser Harley?

Originally Posted by Gnarly 928

For a commuting bike it was probably a good choice.

I, too, fell in love with the sound and the V4 torque, And mine ended up looking really pretty sharp, sounding great and handling OK....but it was too friggin heavy. I had mine for about a year and I sort of got used to the weight, but it was always a concern. Taking it off the center stand? Scary. Riding it down my gravel drive? No fun. Trying to bump start it? Forget that.

I mean, really really heavy. It once fell over off the side stand, sinking it's foot into the dirt in my yard, and I had to erect a lift of scaffold and use a come-a-long to winch it upright because no one was around to help me lift it back onto the wheels. If I had been in the middle of Nevada or somewhere, I could have maybe managed to get that thing off the ground, but at serious risk to my back or possible rupture.

Riding it in the twistys, it was actually OK, but again, the weight of it sucked. It would keep up OK with sport bikes due to the wide torque band and OK brakes but 500lbs +.... Also, the stock-ish suspension really is poor for other than freeway or big highway riding. Mine had an Ohlins rear and that helped, but the forks were awful despite being well maintained. The linked braking sysetm...once I got used to it, that was pretty handy for a lazy rider on the street, I guess, but scary on gravel.

Pretty comfortable for long rides...except the wallowing, clunking front end was irritating.

I got onto my S.O.s F2 for a spin, and that was it. I went back to a sport bike as fast as I could sell the VFR. Think "Heavy"...that was what I took away from my time on the VFR.
Don Hanson

This. I am thinking of selling my VFR after having put only about 1000 miles on it. I just don't like it. It's too heavy, it steers slow, its brakes are mediocre (well, it might just feel that way because it's such a porky bike)... etc.

Sure, it makes a great commuter/distance bike. It is comfortable. It's just not for me. I miss the razor sharp handling of a sportbike. The viffer just feels like a turd in the twisties.. lol.

Zito · 10-11-2012, 12:00 PM

Sounds like a few people dont know how to use body language to toss around a VFR, great bikes, great handling, good breaks aside from the linked crap. You cant just sit on a vfr and expect to haul ass like a supersport, you uave to tell it how to behave. But i also switch from a heavier 89 kat 1100 which is also a heavy beast that rewuires body english to corner well.

Click · 10-11-2012, 02:38 PM

I've got a 97 VFR. When I got it, my riding ability went up. It was such an improvement over my Katana 600. Bought it brand new. Kept up most of the time with my buddies TL 1000 on road trips, unless he really wanted to leave me. I still have it with 50,200 miles on it. Love the V4 sound and it still pulls strong up to red line. Put a Staintune pipe on it and that really helped with the sound and look, the way it curves up and tucks away from hiding the tire. I also have a 954, which I love. It's definitely sharper handling and faster, but I still enjoy the VFR and use it for commuting. I found it easy to throw into the corners when on long road trips. Dragged pegs all the time and on hot summer days, heard the motor changing pitch in corners as the tire was fighting for traction. Good times.

WaGigKPN · 10-11-2012, 02:55 PM

U guys must be tiny people if the weight is that big of a deal...I love gravel on my Viffer! 2nd gear fishtales are awesome!!!!

Seriously, i can man handle my viffer no prob, but i am pretty big...

Flyboymedic · 10-11-2012, 10:04 PM

I absolutely LOVE my VFR, I get a lot of compliments on it, and last month I did 2 roadtrips equal to 2200 miles. Try that on a little sportbike! Look, the VFR was never meant to be a true sportbike, nor a true cruiser but by golly it does both VERY well and that engine torque is fantastic off the line compared to an inline 4 out on the streets (I'm 1 tooth lower in front). Look, VFR's are meant to be comfortable sportbikes with snap, not race bikes. OP, VFR's aren't for everyone, but they get a lot of respect for what they are and what they do. My desire is to have a strong, sporty bike for long distance touring.

Flyboymedic · 10-11-2012, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by WaGigKPN

U guys must be tiny people if the weight is that big of a deal...I love gravel on my Viffer! 2nd gear fishtales are awesome!!!!

Seriously, i can man handle my viffer no prob, but i am pretty big...

Yep, I can too at 210 lbs. However, Gnarly 928 is close to 70 and probably not as strong as he once was- with all due respect to him.

Gnarly 928 · 10-12-2012, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by Flyboymedic

Yep, I can too at 210 lbs.

probably not as strong as he once was-.

You got that right...getting older does suck.. You Big Boys, the VFR might be a decent fit for you guys...if you have the body weight to handle a 500+lb motorcycle and enjoy doing so, the VFR is one of the best.

I managed mine just fine once moving, it was very heavy to work with otherwise, for a normal size guy at 180lbs.

Underway, that mass doesn't suddenly go away. To ride a VFR well means to be deliberate with it. 'Bossy'..They respond ok..in fact amazingly well, given the mass of them if you are a total bully, very decisive, with your input......but I always felt a bit like a side car jockey on mine.....after selecting and committing to a line in a corner I'd climb around on the bike to help make it stick and to keep the chassis off the ground...there wasn't much 'adjusting' your line....you don't change direction easily with 500lbs... I have seen them ridden well at the track, too.

On the other hand, you can really relax on a VFR. Nothing you do as the rider seems to faze it much on the highway. You can squirm and wiggle around, talk on you cell phone, ride in 50+ mph gusty side winds or start from a stop in 4th gear and not even notice.

When I sold mine I took it to the airport to meet the buyer, who flew in to ride it home to Maryland. He loaded on two tail bags, a tank bag and a HUGE gym bag tied on top of all that and took off for home...(he was a BIG BOY, 200+lbs, too) He emailed me a week later and said he'd enjoyed his ride home, no problemo...

As others have said, as a sport/touring bike they do work very well indeed. And they are 'bomb-proof' dependable. Mine came to me very abused with 77k miles on it. It will probably go another 77k miles without a whimper...
Don Hanson

VFRMike · 10-12-2012, 06:48 AM

Zoji, I hope someone let's you take one out. I have ridden them for years and have two of them. One old school and a Gen6. Like them both for different reasons.

It's true they are not a racer, but for those who think they are dogs... Let a carpenter show you how to use a hammer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVqQnRrvask

Flyboymedic · 10-12-2012, 07:49 AM

Originally Posted by Gnarly 928

You got that right...getting older does suck.. You Big Boys, the VFR might be a decent fit for you guys...if you have the body weight to handle a 500+lb motorcycle and enjoy doing so, the VFR is one of the best.

I managed mine just fine once moving, it was very heavy to work with otherwise, for a normal size guy at 180lbs.

Underway, that mass doesn't suddenly go away. To ride a VFR well means to be deliberate with it. 'Bossy'..They respond ok..in fact amazingly well, given the mass of them if you are a total bully, very decisive, with your input......but I always felt a bit like a side car jockey on mine.....after selecting and committing to a line in a corner I'd climb around on the bike to help make it stick and to keep the chassis off the ground...there wasn't much 'adjusting' your line....you don't change direction easily with 500lbs... I have seen them ridden well at the track, too.

On the other hand, you can really relax on a VFR. Nothing you do as the rider seems to faze it much on the highway. You can squirm and wiggle around, talk on you cell phone, ride in 50+ mph gusty side winds or start from a stop in 4th gear and not even notice.

When I sold mine I took it to the airport to meet the buyer, who flew in to ride it home to Maryland. He loaded on two tail bags, a tank bag and a HUGE gym bag tied on top of all that and took off for home...(he was a BIG BOY, 200+lbs, too) He emailed me a week later and said he'd enjoyed his ride home, no problemo...

As others have said, as a sport/touring bike they do work very well indeed. And they are 'bomb-proof' dependable. Mine came to me very abused with 77k miles on it. It will probably go another 77k miles without a whimper...
Don Hanson

Don, very well said on everything! On my last road trip (granted I was loaded down) we went out to NE Oregon and hit our favorite twisties and I really noticed the difference between how flickable my 300+ Husky is and how much input I need to give the VFR. Bossy and deliberate are good descriptors for the input needed in the twisties. I had an almost brand new front tire at the beginning of the year and shredded the sides to completely bald after that last roadtrip and I attribute that in part to my completely stock suspension, and needing to manhandle it.

Zito · 10-12-2012, 11:16 AM

Using body weight as an excuse for not being able to handle a bike is sad. I weigh in at around 170, and i can toss around my 6th gen just fine. A friend pf mine weighs about 160ish and can toss his 5th gen around like nothing too. Learn to ride.


10-09-2012, 11:33 AM	#1
Zoji Permit Joined: Jan 2012 From: North Portland, OR I Ride: 2007 Yamaha FZ6, 2012 Honda CBR250rABS	Help with VFR need For a very long time now I have really loved the VFR (especially G4 and G5). I currently ride an 07 FZ6 for my daily commuter. It does everything I need (its comfortable, plenty of power, looks good, sound could be better), but for some reason whenever I see that 96 VFR go by with that lovely sounding V4 it just makes me want to go get one. I have ridden an '87. It was a fun ride, and yeah... it is a bit of a pig. My fizzer can do circles around it handling and comfort wise, but what about the newer models? Anyone out there with either a G4 or G5 VFR willing to let me check out their bike so I know if I should switch or not? I am also thinking of just waiting a couple of years until I move into a house with a bigger garage. I currently have two horses in the stable, but I need more room. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-09-2012, 11:36 AM	#2
galenernest I bathe with candles, flowers, jazz music, and rubber ducky. Joined: Jun 2008 From: Vancouver, but my heart belongs to Beijing Blog Entries: 4 I Ride: in my wet dreams	I've got an '01 you can come sit on/check out... possibly take for a spin. I don't know how it compares to the earlier VFR's, but to me it's kind of a turd... heavy steering, long wheelbase... just not what I'm used to. Bring one of your bikes and we'll switch and go for a short ride... Edit: Bring the CBR 250! Holy shit I really wanna check that thing out. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-09-2012, 11:38 AM	#3
Zoji Permit Joined: Jan 2012 From: North Portland, OR I Ride: 2007 Yamaha FZ6, 2012 Honda CBR250rABS	Sounds good. The '01 is a gen5 so that is what I am looking at. I could come around either this afternoon or Thursday afternoon. What works best for you? I will bring my FZ6 with me if you want to be able to compare. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-09-2012, 12:16 PM	#5
Pvster Chicken Strips Joined: Jan 2011 From: Portland, Oregon I Ride: 2002 honda 919/cb900f/hornet: the REAL naked bike....	Zoji, be sure to write up your review of the vfr. I'm finding myself in need of a more practical commuter bike during the winter months (hard cases, top case, etc). Galenernest, be sure to write up a review of the cbr 250 as well! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-09-2012, 02:36 PM	#6
WaGigKPN Peg Dragger Joined: Mar 2012 From: Gig Harbor, WA I Ride: 2002 Honda VFR800	G6 VFR owner here...Love it. That is all... (but i am 6'7'' 300 and dont fit at all on crotch rockets...) __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-10-2012, 07:16 PM	#7
Perfecto Endorsed Joined: Mar 2008 From: Portland, OR I Ride: Kawasakiiiii 636	G6 is a nice bike, but I just don't understand how the thing can weigh over 500lbs. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-10-2012, 10:04 PM	#8
WaGigKPN Peg Dragger Joined: Mar 2012 From: Gig Harbor, WA I Ride: 2002 Honda VFR800	It weighs over 500 lbs? I can lift the back tire off the ground like a dirt bike and the damn thing is like a feather in the corners. In fact i rode a 2006 cbr1000 for a bit and couldnt wait to get back on the viffer! I mean if you drop ur bike often i can see why u want the lightest bike possible....go gixer __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-10-2012, 10:32 PM	#9
tims007 Streetfighter Joined: Feb 2010 From: your moms basement I Ride: i ride bitchrider : a 2000 triumph sprint st and a xr 600r dual sport, and " das car"	Triumph sprint? Lol 2c __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-11-2012, 07:26 AM	#10
Gnarly 928 Endorsed Joined: Nov 2011 From: Columbia River Gorge, Pacific NW, USA	Just sold my Gen 5... For a commuting bike it was probably a good choice. I, too, fell in love with the sound and the V4 torque, And mine ended up looking really pretty sharp, sounding great and handling OK....but it was too friggin heavy. I had mine for about a year and I sort of got used to the weight, but it was always a concern. Taking it off the center stand? Scary. Riding it down my gravel drive? No fun. Trying to bump start it? Forget that. I mean, really really heavy. It once fell over off the side stand, sinking it's foot into the dirt in my yard, and I had to erect a lift of scaffold and use a come-a-long to winch it upright because no one was around to help me lift it back onto the wheels. If I had been in the middle of Nevada or somewhere, I could have maybe managed to get that thing off the ground, but at serious risk to my back or possible rupture. Riding it in the twistys, it was actually OK, but again, the weight of it sucked. It would keep up OK with sport bikes due to the wide torque band and OK brakes but 500lbs +.... Also, the stock-ish suspension really is poor for other than freeway or big highway riding. Mine had an Ohlins rear and that helped, but the forks were awful despite being well maintained. The linked braking sysetm...once I got used to it, that was pretty handy for a lazy rider on the street, I guess, but scary on gravel. Pretty comfortable for long rides...except the wallowing, clunking front end was irritating. I got onto my S.O.s F2 for a spin, and that was it. I went back to a sport bike as fast as I could sell the VFR. Think "Heavy"...that was what I took away from my time on the VFR. Don Hanson __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-11-2012, 12:00 PM	#12
Zito Licensed Joined: May 2009 From: Gresham Oregon I Ride: 89' katana 1100, 2002 VFR800, 98 yz400f, 94 KLX650R	Sounds like a few people dont know how to use body language to toss around a VFR, great bikes, great handling, good breaks aside from the linked crap. You cant just sit on a vfr and expect to haul ass like a supersport, you uave to tell it how to behave. But i also switch from a heavier 89 kat 1100 which is also a heavy beast that rewuires body english to corner well. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-11-2012, 02:38 PM	#13
Click Peg Dragger Joined: Aug 2007 From: Burien, Wa I Ride: I just keep it in the garage and make the neighbors think I ride	I've got a 97 VFR. When I got it, my riding ability went up. It was such an improvement over my Katana 600. Bought it brand new. Kept up most of the time with my buddies TL 1000 on road trips, unless he really wanted to leave me. I still have it with 50,200 miles on it. Love the V4 sound and it still pulls strong up to red line. Put a Staintune pipe on it and that really helped with the sound and look, the way it curves up and tucks away from hiding the tire. I also have a 954, which I love. It's definitely sharper handling and faster, but I still enjoy the VFR and use it for commuting. I found it easy to throw into the corners when on long road trips. Dragged pegs all the time and on hot summer days, heard the motor changing pitch in corners as the tire was fighting for traction. Good times. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-11-2012, 02:55 PM	#14
WaGigKPN Peg Dragger Joined: Mar 2012 From: Gig Harbor, WA I Ride: 2002 Honda VFR800	U guys must be tiny people if the weight is that big of a deal...I love gravel on my Viffer! 2nd gear fishtales are awesome!!!! Seriously, i can man handle my viffer no prob, but i am pretty big... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


10-11-2012, 10:04 PM	#15
Flyboymedic Chicken Strips Joined: Jun 2010 From: Vancouver, Wa I Ride: 2000 Honda VFR800, 2008 Husqvarna TE-610, 2004 Ninjette	I absolutely LOVE my VFR, I get a lot of compliments on it, and last month I did 2 roadtrips equal to 2200 miles. Try that on a little sportbike! Look, the VFR was never meant to be a true sportbike, nor a true cruiser but by golly it does both VERY well and that engine torque is fantastic off the line compared to an inline 4 out on the streets (I'm 1 tooth lower in front). Look, VFR's are meant to be comfortable sportbikes with snap, not race bikes. OP, VFR's aren't for everyone, but they get a lot of respect for what they are and what they do. My desire is to have a strong, sporty bike for long distance touring. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by Flyboymedic; 10-11-2012 at 10:12 PM..


10-12-2012, 11:16 AM	#20
Zito Licensed Joined: May 2009 From: Gresham Oregon I Ride: 89' katana 1100, 2002 VFR800, 98 yz400f, 94 KLX650R	Using body weight as an excuse for not being able to handle a bike is sad. I weigh in at around 170, and i can toss around my 6th gen just fine. A friend pf mine weighs about 160ish and can toss his 5th gen around like nothing too. Learn to ride. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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