VFR800 vs. 929RR

thompsonian · 01-05-2005, 4:05 PM

I been thinking about switching out the 929 for something new. I like to go on longer rides and Ithink the VFR would be a good choice togo with. I know that the VFR does not have the power of the 929, but I would like to have a more comfortable ride position. I'm 6'3" and around 260lbs. I love my 929, but want to be a bit more comfy on the longer rides. Pro/cons help me out here.

ConqSoft · 01-05-2005, 4:08 PM

Compared to the 929RR and the 1000RR, the VFR is a couch. It's even more comfortable than the XX was.

Baketech · 01-05-2005, 4:08 PM

They make perfect stablemates....

BDA116 · 01-05-2005, 4:09 PM

They both suck. Get an R1. The R1 can tour better and is a better sportbike. Plus there's the extra added bonus of it cooking you breakfast and sucking your cack.

deez · 01-05-2005, 4:11 PM

I had both bikes you listed (previous gen VFR, the one with gear driven cams and FI) and I'd rather have the 929 due to the motor. Instead of getting a new bike, you should spend a few bucks on your 929 and get some new bars (risers or Helibars) and a new seat. I did back to back 600 mile days on the 929 before with an all stock bike. If I had bars and a seat at the time, it woudl have been sweet.

Newfie TLR · 01-05-2005, 4:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thompsonian

I been thinking about switching out the 929 for something new. I like to go on longer rides and Ithink the VFR would be a good choice togo with. I know that the VFR does not have the power of the 929, but I would like to have a more comfortable ride position. I'm 6'3" and around 260lbs. I love my 929, but want to be a bit more comfy on the longer rides. Pro/cons help me out here.

Have you ever sat on that bike, or better yet, taken one for a ride??

I'm also 6'3" but a bit heavier and I found the VFR800 to be kind of small. It may be comfy for "normal" sized guys, but you better think hard on this one.

One of the mags (Sport Rider I think) just did a comparo between 5 sport tourers, and I think that bike ranked 4th from the top. There is no doubt that you can't fault Honda's reliability, name and fit & finish, but they spanked it on size and power.

The other bikes were the Aprillia, the BMW R1100RS, the Ducati ST4 and my second bike, the Triumph Sprint ST. I don't know why they left out the Kawi and Yammy Sport Tourers, but they did.

I've personally done several long distances on my TLR, and the Sprint, and before those, my Bandit 1200S.

Personally, for our size and if I were loyal to the Honda brand, it would have to be the BlackBird with some nice hard bags by Corbin or something like that.

I'm sure Conq will attest to that, as will other guys here.

ConqSoft · 01-05-2005, 4:21 PM

I should add that I am 5'11", ~165lbs.

Baketech · 01-05-2005, 4:27 PM

The Blackbird has more cramped ergos than the VFR....

ConqSoft · 01-05-2005, 4:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

The Blackbird has more cramped ergos than the VFR....

Yep, seemed that way to me too.

Baketech · 01-05-2005, 4:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

Yep, seemed that way to me too.

Seat to footpeg is quite a bit shorter...tall guys "usually" find the VFR more comfy than the XX....

Newfie TLR · 01-05-2005, 4:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

The Blackbird has more cramped ergos than the VFR....

How big are you Bake?? Admittedly, I only had the XX on a .......... shall we say spirited .... 25 km ride, but I only had to sit in the Viffer to know it wasn't for me.

Baketech · 01-05-2005, 4:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newfie TLR

How big are you Bake?? Admittedly, I only had the XX on a .......... shall we say spirited .... 25 km ride, but I only had to sit in the Viffer to know it wasn't for me.

I'm only 6'-1"....

Most people think the XX has roomier ergos, but it's not the case....weird isn't it....

thompsonian · 01-05-2005, 4:57 PM

I've sat on the VFR, haven't gotten the chance to ride one yet. I know of a gent who has ridden with my group before has one.Might try to look him up and see if I can take it for a ride. I've also considered Helibars or Convertibars and have a bid on a Sargent seat on the bay right now. The only other bike that I feel are similar to the VFR style is a Superhawk and an SV1000s. I want to do more 2up riding also and I think she would be more comfy on something like the VFR or Hawk. If Icould only get the local dealer to let me demo. Iknow he has an 03 VFR that has been sittin in the showroom for awhile. Hmm.......

ConqSoft · 01-05-2005, 5:00 PM

If you want to ride 2up, and you're 260lbs alone, you may want to look more closely at the XX. It has about ~40 more HP than the VFR. I find the VFR fine for 2up, but myself and my passenger only weigh a total of.... er... ...well, let's just say less than 300lbs.

Baketech · 01-05-2005, 5:00 PM

Viffer is not a "great" 2-up machine, unless you are both on the small side...

thompsonian · 01-05-2005, 5:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

If you want to ride 2up, and you're 260lbs alone, you may want to look more closely at the XX. It has about ~40 more HP than the VFR. I find the VFR fine for 2up, but myself and my passenger only weigh a total of.... er... ...well, let's just say less than 300lbs.

Oh...I see...callin the fat guy fat huh?!?!?!

Yeah, the both of us are more than that, but she doesn't ride very often. Mostly in town or highway jaunts. Not out a road. Yet. I want to be more comfy for a nice 300+ mile ride. But yet still feel like I have a sportbike under me. Am Imaking any sense, or am I confusing everyone

Kidder · 01-05-2005, 6:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thompsonian

I've sat on the VFR, haven't gotten the chance to ride one yet. I know of a gent who has ridden with my group before has one.Might try to look him up and see if I can take it for a ride. I've also considered Helibars or Convertibars and have a bid on a Sargent seat on the bay right now. The only other bike that I feel are similar to the VFR style is a Superhawk and an SV1000s. I want to do more 2up riding also and I think she would be more comfy on something like the VFR or Hawk. If Icould only get the local dealer to let me demo. Iknow he has an 03 VFR that has been sittin in the showroom for awhile. Hmm.......

The SV1000S has ergos similar to current gen sportbikes. It would not be comfortable on longer rides.

2OHOH2 · 01-05-2005, 6:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thompsonian

Oh...I see...callin the fat guy fat huh?!?!?!

Yeah, the both of us are more than that, but she doesn't ride very often. Mostly in town or highway jaunts. Not out a road. Yet. I want to be more comfy for a nice 300+ mile ride. But yet still feel like I have a sportbike under me. Am Imaking any sense, or am I confusing everyone

If it has to be a Honda, then consider the following, in this order:

- better bars and seat (Heli, Convertibars, etc) for the 929
- XX or ST1300
- notthe VFR, because of its size, marginally better ergos, reduced weight capacity, and weaker engine

Otherwise, give the FZ1, the FJR1300, Busa, and ZZR1200 a look/feel/seat/ride.

OSIRIS · 01-05-2005, 6:45 PM

Go with the XX. It DEFINITELY feels like you have a sportbike under you and is a great bike for 2-up riding. Plus you can probably find quite a bargin on a leftover XX

Newfie TLR · 01-05-2005, 6:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

If you want to ride 2up, and you're 260lbs alone, you may want to look more closely at the XX. It has about ~40 more HP than the VFR. I find the VFR fine for 2up, but myself and my passenger only weigh a total of.... er... ...well, let's just say less than 300lbs.

The Princess is a tiny one!! Nice that you thought not to add total weight since you posted your weight above. Oughta get ya some brownie points!!

Now, had you posted the total.........................

Hamburgler · 01-06-2005, 1:23 AM

I have owned a 929 and a 5th gen VFR. The VFR seemed bigger and heavier (it is) and was not as comfortable on curvy roads. Of course I just had the stock suspension settings set up on the VFR as it was my first sport bike and I had no clue what I was doing. The VFR is so much better for long distance rides(I am 5'7" 165lbs), but the 929 is more fun.

Ideal would be to have both. You can pick up a 98-01 VFR for $4k-5k so rather than trade in your 929, you could try to pick up a vfr as an addition and not a replacement. I WILL own a VFR again when I can afford having 3 bikes at once.

ndj · 01-06-2005, 1:52 AM

I just sold a '99 VFR to buy a 954. The VFR was a very comfortable bike and, notwithstanding that it has less power than the 954, had a very sporty and fun engine. The throttle response was excellent at ANY rpm and yet it was a lot less "snatchy" than the 954. Ideally, I would have loved to have kept my VFR but financial limitations made it impossible. Having said that, the 954 is very much like a harder edged VFR and provided you don't need to take a passenger is quite comfortable. Among the current sport-tourers the VFR is probably the best for passengers with it's low footpegs. Funnily enough the 954 and 929 have a luggage trunk and the VFR doesn't!

I had tried/ridden the blackbird before buying the VFR and found the VFR more comfortable (I am 5' 11"). Also, I found the blackbird's standard screen directed a stream of air straight into my helmet causing terrible wind roar and buffeting. I couldn't imagine touring for any distance on the blackbird without getting a terrible headache.

If you go for a used VFR, I would get the 98-01 VFR over the current VTEC model as the earlier engine is better. I hate the VTEC (which doesn't appear to improve performance) kicking in and out and I love the sound of the gear driven cams of the earlier RC45 sourced powerplant.

My

....

oldfogey · 01-06-2005, 7:32 AM

I cannot comment on the 929 against the VFR (sadly), but between the XX and VFR unlike Osiris I find the VFR more like a sport bike, it responds so well to determined riding. The XX has much more power, but it's so smooth and torquey I tend to ride more laid back with it. I'm 5'9" and 170lbs, so not comparable on ergos. I confirm the VFR suitability for long distance riding at any speed, whether watching the limit freeways or enjoying the freedom.

ndj · 01-06-2005, 8:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldfogey

I cannot comment on the 929 against the VFR (sadly), but between the XX and VFR unlike Osiris I find the VFR more like a sport bike, it responds so well to determined riding. The XX has much more power, but it's so smooth and torquey I tend to ride more laid back with it. I'm 5'9" and 170lbs, so not comparable on ergos. I confirm the VFR suitability for long distance riding at any speed, whether watching the limit freeways or enjoying the freedom.

Yes. the VFR is definitely more like a sport bike than any other other sport tourer.