New bike - VFR 800? [Archive] - Kiwi Biker forums

raziel1983

28th February 2009, 15:36

Hi guy's longtime lurker first time poster!

Moving off a ZR250, I'm looking for something abit bigger (I'm 6'3"), more comfortable at speed (fairings) and with a comfortable seating posistion for longer trips!

I Had been looking at things like SV650s/CBR600f/ER6f/Bandit 600s, I sat on a SV1000 and I don't think I could handle the bar height, the ER6's are abit feminine looking to me, I've heard Bandits are heavy bikes with old tech so the CBR600f was leading the pack... Until I payed a visit to the local Suzuki dealer who had a 1999 VFR800, The bike seems to tick the size/comfort/fairing boxes and I really like the look of it to boot!

So I'm here looking for some opinions on this bike, or perhaps a good alternative I've missed, And is $7000 a good price for a "mint" 2000 model with 50000ish K's?

Cheers! :2thumbsup

AllanB

28th February 2009, 16:45

Welcome -you'll find there are plenty of opinions on KB :shifty:

SV1000 - Rapid Art in Hamilton make a higher bar for these if that was the only bother. Nice bikes and well priced.

VFR800 - I've always liked them and you'll be hard pressed to find a owner who does not. GSXR riders don't, but they don't like anything that does not have GSXR in it.

Bandits - nothing wrong with these - great all rounders and last forever. The older oil cooled engine was replaced 2 years ago with a 1250 water cooled one. Don't worry about the air/oil engine - its a strong beast.

FJ1300 - take a look at these, you can add a screen and bags for touring.

GSX1400 - as per the FJ

Hornet 900 (oh yeah baby) - there is/was one on Trademe with a full set of bags set-up for touring. I highly recommend Hornets. You may find them a tad small at 6'3, but worth a look.

Then there are those Italian things.....

vifferman

28th February 2009, 18:35

I love VFR800s long time. Had my current one (2001) 4 years and four munces.
But if you're 6 feet and 3 inches, then maybe you need a Suzuki 1200/1250, or FJ1300 or summat?

Swoop

28th February 2009, 18:51

raziel1983

28th February 2009, 19:03

I love VFR800s long time. Had my current one (2001) 4 years and four munces.
But if you're 6 feet and 3 inches, then maybe you need a Suzuki 1200/1250, or FJ1300 or summat?

I Actually had a ride on a friends 05 FJR1300 and yeah its definitely a real nice big bike! but its possibly a little TOO big for what im after and perhaps leaning a little too far to the full on tourer side, And I really want to keep the budget around the 7k or lower mark at this stage!

Thanks for the suggestions guys, certainly gives me abit to think about.

raziel1983

28th February 2009, 19:14

Good questions.
I'm 6-2 and on an '07. It fits bloody well. The seat is comfortable on longer runs and any leg issues are pathetic compared to other types of bike.
The VFR is the best of the sport/touring genre. Decent for longer hauls and still capable of getting you into the twisties with a huge smile on your face!
Price is difficult to say. Viffers seem to hold their price and you rarely see them up for sale.

Awesome, This is what I wanted to hear! I really am quite sold on the VFR already, I'm going down to take it for a squirt next week to see if we're compatible, judging from your experiences though, I'd say we'll get along just fine!

Taz

28th February 2009, 19:30

Whats this FJ1300 you guys talking about??? An FJR1300 or an XJ1300?? wouldn't get an FJR for 7k.

Wingnut

28th February 2009, 19:56

\GSXR riders don't, but they don't like anything that does not have GSXR in it.

I like them very much indeed - your broad generalisation of GSXR owners is misfounded my friend.

carver

28th February 2009, 20:18

VFR 800's are over rated and boring
SV1000's are gutless for what they are.

a old GSXR is good, there is a nice SRAD 750 on trade me for 5k~

the ER6 is a good bike, also try a GSX650F, they are pretty bland, but pretty practical

carver

28th February 2009, 20:19

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-201033580.htm

vifferman

28th February 2009, 21:09

Good questions.
I'm 6-2 and on an '07. It fits bloody well. The seat is comfortable on longer runs and any leg issues are pathetic compared to other types of bike.

Yeah, OK then.
I'm just over sux foots, and I find it reasonably reasonable arthritis nowithstanding (or sometimes notwithsitting).

The VFR is the best of the sport/touring genre. Decent for longer hauls and still capable of getting you into the twisties with a huge smile on your face!
It's a goodun alright. Be bold to say "it's the best", although it's come top of more sports-touring shootouts than any other bike over the last 10 years or so.

Price is difficult to say. Viffers seem to hold their price and you rarely see them up for sale.
There were a lot of the 5th Gen (1998-2001) for sale a few months back, and they averaged around 8-9k shekeldollars.
Mine's got around 50,000 smiles on the clock at a guess, and the paint's a bit rough, but it's got a few extras (heated grips, packrack, accessory fuse box, aftermarket springs and rear shock, Power Commandeerer, extra hornage, uprated lights, holy footpeg brackets, Satantune zorst, garage door opener button, righteous right angle alloy valve doofers, chromed civic wheel nuts, electronic speedo corrector, Evo Star shifter kit, blah blah blah blather blather), but I reckon it's worth a poofteenth of not much of ferkall. I've spent prolly 15k shekeldollars on it.
I sometimes think I should look at replacing it, but I dunno what with. It doesn't really make sense to not keep it till it's properly run in (another 50k smiles or so....)

ducatilover

28th February 2009, 22:41

get a viffer! open the exhaust then give it to me :banana:

Mort

1st March 2009, 07:44

It depends what you are looking for. There's only one way to find out. Try all the bikes you think might suit you.. VFR's are not for everyone but they are dammed good bikes.....

:mobile:

Swoop

1st March 2009, 08:30

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-201033580.htm
gsxr. Not the nicest seat, if you want to go touring on it. In fact not the nicest of seats, period. They are like a piece of wood that someone has covered in fabric.

get a viffer! open the exhaust then give it to me :banana:
Yes! Definately open the exhaust and let the V4 symphony out!!!

portokiwi

1st March 2009, 08:36

What about a CBR1000F I have seen this bike around very nice .
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=205076351

raziel1983

1st March 2009, 09:26

What about a CBR1000F I have seen this bike around very nice .
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=205076351

That IS a nice bike! Crap, back to the drawing board.

vifferman

1st March 2009, 10:08

What about a CBR1000F I have seen this bike around very nice .
I rode one of those (98 model, I think) back in '98, and it was (and still is) the nicest bike I've ridden in terms of smoothness and like that there. I thought I'd get bored with it because of that. The same day, I also rode a VT1100 Ace, which was the opposite - vibes galore (in fact, it seemed the gears were there solely to dial in different levels and frequencies of vibration!), and crap handling. I just didn't get it at all...

fridayflash

1st March 2009, 10:13

heres another curveball for you raz...rf900 beaudy bike all round and as it
happens ive got one for sale wink wink nudge nudge lol
its a '97 model done 16000miles (25000kms?) comes with fairly new
michelin pilot sports, pack rack, tank bra, two seats (one a touring seat)
neptune pipe etc, a versatile bike. i havent listed it on tm or kb yet
but i will, i need a tad under $5500 for it so i can buy a new bandit yeah!

dazza139

1st March 2009, 11:00

Yes yes yes... Get a VFR! Had mine for only few weeks but it's fantastic. I've upgraded from a 250. Very easy to ride, very forgiving. I was worried about the VTEC kick but it's very predictable and has caused me no proble,s - in fact I seem to have difficulty getting mine into VTEC revs - damn Auckland City traffic!!!

raziel1983

1st March 2009, 14:46

carver

1st March 2009, 15:07

As it happens I've been looking into these too, they seem like an awful lot of bike for the price!

VFR's are a weak sports bike

howdamnhard

1st March 2009, 15:18

VFR are good,RF900 are good butting getting old now.ZX9R are fun.ZZR600,ZZR1100,ZZR1200 all nice.Blackbirds ,etc.There are a lot of options try them all before you make a decision and have fun:2thumbsup.

raziel1983

3rd March 2009, 15:04

OK Guys, to put a finer point on my question...

This for about 7k
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=200526070

Or This for about 6k
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=198739766

Iv'e ridden a VFR 800 but can't find a local CBR so would like to know how it compares in regards to Comfort, Physical Size & most of all value for my hard earned dollars!

Whats the better deal for someone that wants a comfortable bike to commute on, take on the occasional weekend trip and have a bit of fun along the way?

Cheers again!

ducatilover

3rd March 2009, 16:49

i honestly dont think you could go wrong with either. :baby: i bet thats no help

shards

4th March 2009, 11:40

I have owned many of both (3 x VFR, 4 x CBR) but I like light weight so I would go for the CBR. Almost similar riding position but much lighter. VFR motor is great though so that might swing it for you.

How about this one?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-202132947.htm

Lower K's similar price.

vifferman

4th March 2009, 13:03

If it were me, I'd go for the VFR (but then I would say that). :rolleyes:
That model VFR is almost bulletproof, so at 58,000 km is barely run in. Great price too!
The (first) CBR is slightly higher mileage, sounds slightly scruffier, and has the dreaded Honda camchain (which, as everyone knows, are shit). The second CBR is a better buy (apart from the dreaded Honda camchain).
OTOH, the CBR is slightly lighter, about the same horsies, probably slightly less torque.
OTOOH, the VFR is a legendary all-rounder, which is what you were after.
OTOOOH (can you have more'n two hands? :confused:) sorry... can't think of anything else to say about CBRs - only ever ridden one (2004)
OTOF (Yes, I'm using feet now) if you buy the VFR, you'll be joining an elite group - the Vifferisti.
OTOOF, buy a Suzuki, coz everyone who's anyone owns one.

suckingair

5th March 2009, 15:40

It really is down to apples and oranges, both are round and taste pretty good, but..

My .02c, ride all of the bikes that your thinking about and if possible, ride them on what would be your commute to and from work.

I've got a '98 VFR with 108,000 on the clock, and I commute 450km a week, Mon-Fri) so they are pretty bullet proof, with services (oil and filter) done every 10,000 or so.

I do wish/hope/pray that Honda increase the cc to 1000 without adding to the overall weight.

The reason that (some) other people label them as boring is because by and large a VFR will do everything well, tour, twisties, speed, but nothing exceptional.

nico

6th March 2009, 15:43

my viffr might be up 4sale soon if my nipples twisted the right way price will be neg

cheshirecat

6th March 2009, 17:52

I'm a bit biased but I've got a 94 vfr and wouldn't swap it for any other bike. It's relatively cheap to run, reasonable millage (340k per tank) and good to ride when feeling tired and it's chucking down. I commute on it and went to the south I over xmas - first tour in 20 years. Found it can take luggage in all the wrong places, the dog likes traveling on it and best of all has the agility in tight twisties, certainly left a couple of bikes behind on the corners and thought I was really conservative. Nothing seems to upset it. Could rabbit on all day but you get the drift -oh and that cam gear noise never bores. Only mods are heated grips and plus 90% Hella's -would pos change muffler to let that V4 bark.