New-B

**VFR400R** · 15th January 2006, 22:24

Well, thought I would join up and say hello. I have been away from bikes for 14months now (usual story - sold the bike to purchase a new car for the wife with more room for the baby gear etc).

Anyway about to purchase a bike again - after longing for another. However it is a down grade for me (cheaper given the $$ were spend on the new car

)

Anyway I have been riding bikes since I was a little-n (trail) then got my first road bike at 16 a VTR250FG (only had this 1 month before someone wanted it more than me and stole it, not a biggie as I had completed all the L-Restricted test before hand on a mates bike). So then purchased a VFR400 NC21 which I had for 7 years, moved to the then new 98 VFR800, a TL1000S, a CB900 hornet, back to a VFR800 (the new one that came out in 2002) this was the bike I sold so the wife could get a new car (purchased new - lost a bit but shit happens)

Anyway looking to get back on a NC30 or NC35 VFR400R - I like the V's and the V4 are my fav

My other passion is my Datsun 260z (2 seater, no back seat) which is currently getting rebuilt (and never ever going to be for sale). If you want to see it you can visit my website at http://nzeder.net not two wheels but

When I get a bike again I will host pics on my site also.

**zadok** · 15th January 2006, 23:40

Welcome along to K.B mate. Good to see you are getting back into biking again. The Datsun Z range were what I wanted when I was in my youth. Settled for a 1970 Datsun 1600 as my first car.

**skelstar** · 16th January 2006, 07:13

Awesome. Welcome to the site.
Nothing wrong with the 1600's zadok!

**thehollowmen** · 16th January 2006, 07:46

welcome to the madhouse

**Colapop** · 16th January 2006, 07:52

Welcome y'all. I contemplating my next bike purchase and tossing up between a VFR and a TL. Having ridden both what do see as the differences?

**James Deuce** · 16th January 2006, 08:11

VFR400R: Nice bike! NC30 is a lovely bike, a giant slayer in the right hands.

Colapop: One's mental and will kill you, and the other has the capacity to turn you into a boring, pipe smoking, slipper wearing zombie.

**DMNTD:Me** · 16th January 2006, 08:20

Welcome to KB mate. Sweet sounding bikes and the Z cars rock. Love the 240's

Originally Posted by Jim2

Colapop: One's mental and will kill you, and the other has the capacity to turn you into a boring, pipe smoking, slipper wearing zombie.

....therefore get the TL Colapopand handle the jandle! !

**VFR400R** · 16th January 2006, 12:04

Originally Posted by Colapop

Welcome y'all. I contemplating my next bike purchase and tossing up between a VFR and a TL. Having ridden both what do see as the differences?

Firstly to all that have replied thanks for the warm welcome. Re the love 240z comment, that is why I stated 260z 2 seater they basically look the same externally as a 240z on the tail lights are different (there a many more but this is not the right place for that too many wheels

I have owned 240z also and used to race a 240z years back, sold the racecar to purchase the first VFR800 new in 98)

Now back to the question about the TL vs VFR. If you are talking the first gen VFR800 then I found this a bit soft for my liking - it would mono well enough (no clutch too in first just hold the revs at 3000-4000 then give it a big fist full and up see came) for me it was a good bike to get back into bikes again as it was a nice easy ride (and good on my doggy ancle). The TL was fun. Loved the sound....ohh the sound

I changed the rear shock to a olins unit - made a difference should have done it when I first got it. Any way this was a harder bike to ride coming from the VFR800 as it felt like a heavier bike in the corners. However I never had the front end slide on me like I did with the VFR800 (lucky no drop....very lucky considering the number of time it got lite on a number of occuations). The TL power was great, however I could not take it for a ride without going fast = I could see mr plod taking my license if I still had it + plus it was hard work in the twisties and therefore never took it on long runs just a few hours/single tank runs. Lots and lots of fun.

The second gen VFR800 (2002 and above mine was a 2004) is a more sporty job compaired to the fisrt VFR800, a great bike, good power, handling, however only did 2500km (in 11month work kept me busy OS for almost 1/3 of the year in 04) on it before my son was born = wife got new car....bike went down the road

but I would say a much better bike than the first VFR800. It comes down to you really, what is your riding style etc. The second VFR800 had a more sporty riding poss compared to the first but not as heavy on the wrists as the TL.

To me the TL was a go for a thrash only type bike where as the VFR800 was what do I feel like today? Go for a thrash it did this well (not as well as the GSXR1000 I rode once....different bike again different type of riding) or go for a nice long ride and still feel great afterwards - the VFR800 was the bike for this too. Like Jim2 states one will kill you and the other...well I have never smoked and don't plan too but yes it is a compromise type of bike. Both are marketed as Sport/Tour but the VFR800 (first gen more tour, second gen I would put more in the middle) is better described as this with the TL more sport but then not good enough to be a true sport so I guess this is why Suzuki put it into the Sport/Tour market as they knew it did not fit the sports market. But don't listen to me, hell on either bike I am a shit rider just like to keep them upright and go at my pase/level guess that is why I have never had a true large cc sports bike as I know I would have a

biggie one day