Just got myself a Gen 5 VFR800 with full Givi hard bags and thinking it might be the perfect touring bike (as you do with each new bike).
Here's why its better than my last bikes:
900 Hornet - the Hornet was a sweet ride but the VFR is smoother, nicer exhaust note, more protection with the fairing and screen and has the hard bags
ST1100 - another super-sweet Honda V4 but just so big and heavy to park and move around - plus a bit of an old-guy stigma to it
R1100R - they have a certain appeal - I like the chug factor but I had a bit of a bad experience with the electrics - don;t realy miss that one
Triumph Trophy 1200 - looked great, awesome build quality, lots of storage and comfort, stonking engine, but it was big and heavy without great reliability (electrics lol) and the fuel range wasn't great (ran out of gas about 5km from National Park gas station once )
Transalp 650 - Never really had the boogy for touring. Used a lot of gas - don't know what for really. Cool bikes though for shorter distance stuff
VFR800 Gen 6 (VTEC) - had problems with the chain tensioner and was expensive to fix - found the VTEC a bit odd like it had two personalities but I had it for a couple of years and loved the way it sounded
VStrom 650 - they told me they were great touring bikes and it was okay - economical, okay power, but a bit lacking character i thought - had some mechanical issues that put me off. I've never really made friends with a Suzuki - just me .
They say the Gen 5 VFR like I have now are the perfect motorcycle and I can see why. I did 300km yesterday and just had a ball - every corner was awesome - winding it up through the gears is always a thrill - it's low and light enough to be easy to park and move without fear of dropping it - it sounds incredible - and it has the full touring bag kit. What's not to love?
Any good experiences touring with VFR's?
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