[phobiaphobe]

VFR is an excellent all-round bike. Fast enough for any road, comfy, and good range for touring. The v-4 engine is a jewel; it sounds like a small-block v8 and is smooth as silk.

If you buy a VFR buy a low-mileage 2001 model. In 2002 the bike gained weight, and lost the gear-driven cams. That cam drive is a) bulletproof and b) sounds ****in cool, like a supercharger whine.

Also, the vtec feature on 02 and up vfr's can be annoying. It comes on at 7000RPM so you have to be careful that it doesn't come on when you're trying to hold your line in a corner.

You will miss your 929's responsiveness, but not for long. YOu'll appreciate the vfr's sophistication and versatility.

[ndj]

Originally Posted by phobiaphobe

If you buy a VFR buy a low-mileage 2001 model.

Or earlier. The best VFRs yet made were the series from 99-01 and generally it's not the age of bike that's important but the condition and mileage.

My VFR (sold) turned almost as quickly into corners as my new 954 and quicker than my Dunlop 207 equipped Buell firebolt XB9R. It wheelied easier than either!

[G-Force Junkie]

I've found the 98-01 VFR's to not be any more comfortable than a 929 with Heli bars and Corbin Both are not real suitable for touring of any length IMHO. I'm 5'10", 215 lbs, naturaly everyone is built different, your milage may vary.

[ndj]

Originally Posted by G-Force Junkie

I've found the 98-01 VFR's to not be any more comfortable than a 929 with Heli bars and Corbin Both are not real suitable for touring of any length IMHO. I'm 5'10", 215 lbs, naturaly everyone is built different, your milage may vary.

Aha, the key phrase is: "than a 929 with Heli bars and Corbin". What about a VFR with a Corbin? (it doesn't need helibars). Mine had a Sargent replica and it made a huge difference to an already comfortable bike.

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by G-Force Junkie

I've found the 98-01 VFR's to not be any more comfortable than a 929 with Heli bars and Corbin Both are not real suitable for touring of any length IMHO. I'm 5'10", 215 lbs, naturaly everyone is built different, your milage may vary.

Have you been using the parts washer today?...I think the fumes have gotten to you...

There is a large community of riders that tour on VFRs....

[Ferris]

Originally Posted by thompsonian

I want to be more comfy for a nice 300+ mile ride.

I know what ride your talkin about. 450 miles through three states made for quite a trip. My ass still hurts just thinking about it.

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by Ferris

I know what ride your talkin about. 450 miles through three states made for quite a trip. My ass still hurts just thinking about it.

Welcome Ferris....

Looks like you live right in the heart of a sport road heaven...

Are you flooded right now...

[Ferris]

Thanks for the welcome Baketech. Memeber for a while but I'm more of a lurker than a poster. I'll leave the post whoring for the rest of you guys.

Some places around here are still flooded. Still have to take a detour around the water to get to work.

If you get down this way let me know, me and Thompsonian will ride with you. If we can get away from work.

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by Ferris

Thanks for the welcome Baketech. Memeber for a while but I'm more of a lurker than a poster. I'll leave the post whoring for the rest of you guys.

Some places around here are still flooded. Still have to take a detour around the water to get to work.

If you get down this way let me know, me and Thompsonian will ride with you. If we can get away from work.

I get over there a few times in the summer....usually stay in Marietta. Decent riding in all directions...

Hope the water goes away soon...

[thompsonian]

Ferris and I both work in Marietta, and ride outside of Marietta alot. They repaved Rt. 26 with some kind of crappy crap. Seems to chew up your tires quickly. But we can definetly take you on some roads you may have never been on. Of course....as long as you don't mind going thru Ohio....then West Virgina.....then Maryland...then home again...

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by thompsonian

Ferris and I both work in Marietta, and ride outside of Marietta alot. They repaved Rt. 26 with some kind of crappy crap. Seems to chew up your tires quickly. But we can definetly take you on some roads you may have never been on. Of course....as long as you don't mind going thru Ohio....then West Virgina.....then Maryland...then home again...

I've been on a ton of roads in that area...but always looking for more...

[Blorton]

I'll throw in my two cents....

I had a 00 Viffer that I put a lot of miles on and kept for awhile after I bought the 954. I put genmars and a sargent on it, as well as a tbr can I picked up cheap, along with a power commander and miscellaneous other doodads.

Relatively speaking, the 929 and Viffer are not that far apart in the ergos. (I'm 5'11, 190lbs.)

Honestly, put a set of helibars on your 929 and call it done. The bike will almost feel like a standard when you do that. And I know you said the reduced power going to the viffer isn't a big deal for you, but I firmly believe you'll be disappointed. Gotta rememember that not only are you dropping roughly 125cc's of torque, but you are also picking up something like 50lbs of bike weight.

And speaking of weight, the XX isn't all that much heavier than the Viffer, but man do you ever get a bunch more motor in the bargain. Again, put a set of helibars on the XX, and you've got a serious couch for distance riding. Personally, I'd opt for the 'Busa if I was in your shoes, but that's just me. (Comfort, Ooomph, and lotsa fuel range - tell 'em, Chain!)

Another option would be the FJR, I've spent some time on a friend's, and it's a great bike. Very comfortable and smooth to operate.

And before I get stoned for committing viffer-heresy, I used to be a *big* fan of the V4, having purchased an 84 VF1000F before the 800. My feeling is that Honda abandoned *me* when they decided to take the bike into dubious-gains vtec land.

Hth,
Dan - still holding out for the V5

[Scout]

Let me throw these figures at you:

Model Hp Torque Quarter Mile Wet Wt. Last tst
Honda XX ('97) 136.7 @ 9500 80.9 @ 7500 10.20 @ 134.5 556 2/97
VFR800F ('02) 99.1 @ 10,750 54.2 @ 8750 11.26 @ 119.5 557 5/02
AND THEN:
Bandit 12-S ('01) 101.6 @ 8250 71.8 @ 7250 11.15 @ 121.8 543 10/00

and for the money, you can keep your 929. Buy it outright for around $3000 (98-2000 model) and pay around $80.00/ yr. for liability. And you have the reliability of the old carb fed GSXR1100 engine. It doesn't get any lower maintenance. Comfortable? Go sit on one, and say I'm wrong. And even two-up, you can have "spirited" rides. Add a "can", and I'm not kidding you, 20hp more! Corbin makes Beetle Bags for it, but I've made do with soft luggage.

[AZERIONRR]

I have a 99 VFR and an 01 929. I love them both for different reasons The VFR is extremely comfy and I have traveled up to 10hrs/day on it without a hitch. Great stablemates!!

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by AZERIONRR

Great stablemates!!

+1

[CBRVFR]

Originally Posted by AZERIONRR

Great stablemates!!

+3

[NIK0]

I think your best bet is an NSR50R.

[FL RSVR]

Never mind...........

[Baketech]

Volumes have been written about the relative strengths and weaknesses of these 2 bikes, and as a "stablemate" voter it boils down to a couple of factors...

Are the roads familiar, or unfamiliar?

If they are familiar, I choose the 929, superb handling and power...
The VFR is simply more capable of exploring new roads, and arguably safer while doing it....



What's the weather?

The VFR makes a better all-weather platform...

[Baketech]

Originally Posted by FL RSVR

Never mind...........

It looked like a good post to me...

[thompsonian]

Originally Posted by NIK0

I think your best bet is an NSR50R.

Ever seen an elephant a football? Well that's be me on the NSR50R. Still up in the air on the topic. Have the 929 for sale. I do believe a VFR is in the works. Or possible a new Triumph ST1050

[FL RSVR]

Posted to the thread, looked at the thread start date, and thought that it wasn't relevent anymore. So for anyone that may be interested, I agree with the stablemates comment. I can comment on both bikes as I have a 2001 929 and a 98 VFR. Sure the 929 is lighter and faster, but the VFR is a better everyday real world street bike. For me the VFR is much more comfortable for everyday/longer rides. I enjoy riding on the streets at a reasonable pace, where the VFR is a great bike. I have the 929 set up for track duty, where the performance can safely (relatively speaking) can be utilized.

[thompsonian]

I'd love to be able to own both, but limited finances only allow for one I think being as large a fellow as I am, the more relaxed seating position of the VFR is more ideal for me. And the other item is that with that kind of power at my right hand, I could get into some seriuos trouble with it.

[VFR4Lee]

My 5th gen VFR will take me to Laguna Seca, it's more comfortable. The CBR954 goes to track days, it's faster and lighter. In between I have a fun choice to make on which to ride. Gentleman? Or squid? And hey they're worth maybe $10 - $11k total for 2 bikes. Now, for that dual sport machine dream.

[samsblade]

Just to echo what the others have said -I went from a VFR 01 to a 954 and the difference in ergos is insubstantial. I would try higher bars etc before swopping

sam