954 to VFR?

DUX · 06-25-2005, 6:41 PM

Ok, I've been all over the spectrum lately in consideration of selling my 954.

In the past two weeks I've ridden the following:

-BMW K1200S: Awesome bike, too expensive for my needs.
-BMW 1200GS: Nice bike, tall, not crazy about the boxer engine.
-BMW 1200RT: Again nice bike, good ergos, still don't like the boxer.
-FJR 1300: Very cool, great power, like the looks, sits too upright.
-Suzuki SV650s: Comfortable, but way too under-powered.

I've found an '05 Interceptor (non-ABS) that I can pick up for $8800 OTD. Except for the front end, which I can live with, I love the look of the bike. The ergos seem to work very well for me. Unfortunately I can't find a test-ride to make sure.

I'd plan to add heated grips and the bags. The bike would serve double duty as a weekday commuter and a weekend back-roads bike in addition to an occasional track day. I have a VTX for two-up touring.

My main concern is the power. I know it has less, but will it be disappointing for street riding? Is it THAT much less useable power for someone who doesn't push hard on the street?

Are there any reliable rumors about what may happen to the VFR in '06?

Thanks!

CBRVFR · 06-25-2005, 8:19 PM

I'm not a big fan of the Vtec VFR, either aesthetically or from an engineering standpoint, but they are very good bikes for the purposes that you mentioned. There's more than enough grunt for any one-up street mission. Might I suggest you see if there is anyone selling a used one so you can get a short ride? And a '98-01 model in great shape would cost less. Even nicer, IMO.

Alternatively check out Bwhips new Trumpet Sprint ST.. Pics of the New Bike and First Impressions

I hope you didn't drink the Kool-Aid at the BMW dealership..

DUX · 06-25-2005, 8:30 PM

Bwhip's ST is very cool looking. I've been into the local Triumph dealer a few times. They have an '04 and two '05's in stock. It's just hard to step away from Honda fit/finish/reliability.

Thanks for the suggestion on the older VFR's. I'll look around. They used to be one of my favorite bikes.

I didn't drink the cool-aid, they also had coffee

. I did like the bike a lot, but the price tag didn't seem to justify the machine. The 1200s was relatively comfy, long, heavy, and stable....all the wrong reasons for a track, but nice on the street.

G-Force Junkie · 06-25-2005, 9:33 PM

I've seen some guys hustle those beemers around trackdays...they may have to work it pretty good, but a decent rider could keep up with anyone in intermediate groups.

DUX · 06-26-2005, 4:04 PM

I think I need to stop riding my 954 to work. Seven miles, all traffic, no fun. It has been up for sale 3 times now and my friends just keep shaking their heads.

I took it out this morning with some friends. Two 50 mile loops in the back-roads. I LOVE THIS BIKE. Can you be bi-polar about a motorcycle?

At least the test-rides I've done in the past few weeks have taken away the desire for those bikes. Let's see what '06 brings.....

ND4SPD · 06-26-2005, 9:03 PM

Keep the bike. Add on to your garage. Buy more bikes.

colryn · 06-26-2005, 9:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

Keep the bike. Add on to your garage. Buy more bikes.

DUX · 06-26-2005, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ND4SPD

Keep the bike. Add on to your garage. Buy more bikes.

That is the new game plan.

JBAXX · 06-27-2005, 1:09 AM

I love my 954 also. It really is an excellent all-around motorcycle.

samsblade · 07-04-2005, 5:50 PM

A friend has a blackbird, 954 and a vtec. He finds the vtec lacking in mid range - so much so he going to sell it after 4000 miles.

I went from a vfr pre vtec to a 954 - simply because I could not live with the weight and the handling (the vtec bike is heavier than the pre vtec but may carry its weight better)

sam

sleeper · 07-30-2005, 2:12 AM

I confused...Why would you want to trade down to the VFR? The 954 is waaaaay too much in comparison.

Sam

FireMedicZ · 08-26-2005, 11:36 PM

I have a '02 VFR which I put over 16k miles on before getting my 954. The VFR is excelent for what it's made for, Sport Touring. I've done 3-4 500 mile days and was always relaxed and comfortable. The Vtech has a dead spot between 5 and 6k which is fixed by a PC3 and the right map, the Vtech kick at 7k rpms gets a bit annoying at times especially mid turn but is easly managable. I have thought of selling mine but on occasion, due to space constrictions in my garage, but every time I think about it, I take a ride on it and that makes me forget about selling it. It really is a good all around bike and now that it's paid off.....well....It's just another bike in my collection.

Take a ride on one before you make your decision, it could'nt hurt.

Just my own humble personal opinion

tailgunn · 09-07-2005, 3:40 PM

I had a 954 for a year and I really liked it. Found out earlier this year wifey is pregnant w/ twins so I sold it to free up some cash while she is off work, and I picked up a 96 vfr for $1900. It needs some plastic, but it has a Two Brothers full system and it sounds awesome. Yeah, it's a bit heavier and doesn't go quite like stink but I still can get a thrill out of it. Don't ask me why I'm looking in the for sale ads here though...

pacman · 09-29-2005, 4:05 PM

I would say (if you can) "KEEP THE 954 AND BUY THE VFR"

Those are two different bikes! on public hwy's, the VFR would do the job, believe me

VFR is a SPORT touring bike with good handling/ergos/chassis, comfier and it looks good too!

Every time I go for a 2 days trip or less with the intention of putting many kms, I take the VFR.

I had liter bikes (CBR900/929, R1) and still have one (CBR1000RR), but if you want to SPORT tour, the VFR is the bike of choice and you can really use its power as opposed to the 954/1000...

Just my opinion...

zine · 12-31-2005, 2:58 PM

Why not look at the CBR1100XX (Blackbird)? ... It has the 'sports-touring' capacity along with the power that the VFR is missing

deez · 12-31-2005, 3:49 PM

The 929/954 bikes are comfortable in regards to being a sportbike. Yes the VFR is more upright, but you could remedy that on your bike with a good set of clip-ons. I would keep it, the VTEC VFR would not be a good swap in my opinion. You'd lose power, flickability, handling, etc, and exactly what would you gain? You can change the riding position of the 954 pretty cheaply.

Scout · 12-31-2005, 3:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUX

Ok, I've been all over the spectrum lately in consideration of selling my 954.

-Suzuki SV650s: Comfortable, but way too under-powered.

SV1000s ??? (I know Slowzuki, haters

) How about the Bandit 1200. Loved mine, and for not a lot of $$$, big grins and a great commuter/ sporty bike, (That would absolutely stuff and eat a VFR).

These standards are good too:

ZRX-1200
FZ-1

ATLSHawk98 · 01-06-2006, 11:27 PM

i have a '95 (pre-vtec) VFR and i a LOVE IT! i think it is one of the most well rounded bike on the market. there are those that argue that it is too heavy, or not flickable enough, or that it is underpowered, etc, etc. you will hear many different stances on the VFR from many different types of riders. this particular opinion is coming from a guy that is past his "testosterone" days of needing to be the coolest, or fastest, or lowest cornering, etc. the VFR is PLENTY fast and sporty for 95% of riders. most riders aren't capable of riding the bike to its limits. the V-4 engine makes more low-RPM street usable torque than any of the I-4's. you end up "riding" it more than "driving" it around town. it is great for the daily commute as well as taking it up to the mountains and hitting the twisties hard. there are those breed of riders that need the speed and wheelies more than anything - and they need not look at the "slow & heavy" VFR.

all around i think is one of the best sport bikes ever made - with just a little bit of touring put into it!

my humble opinion...