VFR too much for Beginners??

smoothrideronli · 06-06-2006, 12:57 PM

Is the VFR too much bike for a beginner? I dont have any experience with them and someone close to me will be learning to ride and she asked about one? Advice...

ConqSoft · 06-06-2006, 1:00 PM

Depends on the rider... A co-worker of mine just got his first bike and went with a new leftover 2004 VFR. He's a big guy though, and wanted something comfortable for commuting to work. He had ridden friends' bikes in the past; mostly cruisers.

phobiaphobe · 06-06-2006, 1:00 PM

I don't think it's a bad beginner bike... pretty forgiving compared to a 600RR.

Plus she's not gonna want to get rid of it for something faster when she starts to do some real riding.

edit: one with ABS would be even better.

CBRVFR · 06-06-2006, 1:15 PM

We tend to forget how powerful sport motorcycles are compared to cars.. My VFR was my 2nd bike after my re-start after 20 years off, and I had my hands full for a while. I thought it was abrupt in all respects then; acceleration, stopping, and turning.

Of course, it's nothing compared to a FireBade, but it'll still bite your ass if you're not careful.

As a first bike for a beginner, I'd say it's not ideal.

I'd recommend a used, standard naked bike that your friend could sell without taking a big loss after a season. A bandit 600, a Honda 599, or an SV would be ideal. Maybe a Triumph Trident or something from the 90's.

smoothrideronli · 06-06-2006, 1:27 PM

Thanks for all the input. She is about 120 lbs and has absolutely no experience on motorcycles...except for the time I let her crawl forward on my bike. Abrubt throttle would be a bad thing. I was thinking of an F4i or something on that level. Please feel free to shoot me down if I am being too ambitious...I dont want her to be in over her head.

ConqSoft · 06-06-2006, 1:28 PM

In that case, Ninja 250.

gthotchkiss · 06-06-2006, 1:34 PM

I had a 95 Viffer as my first bike... It was a great bike! Maybe a little big for starting off tho... plus I'm about twice her size 6'2 weighing in @ 210... Great bike, but I'd consider something a little bit smaller for her

phobiaphobe · 06-06-2006, 1:35 PM

Ya maybe a VFR would be overdoing it for her.

smoothrideronli · 06-06-2006, 1:36 PM

Maybe...but now I am sure a VFR wouldnt work for her. The naked bike would make sense...we will see...thanks all.

HondaGalToo · 06-06-2006, 2:03 PM

Yeah, a VFR is pretty tall and heavy, not to mention that although it's not like a modern sportbike, it still hauls ass. I'd go with what others said, something small to start. Ninja 250, 500, or Suzuki GS500 if she wants something sporty. A Rebel 250 or maybe a Shadow 600 if she's into cruisers.

smoothrideronli · 06-06-2006, 2:10 PM

She wants an F4i...I didnt think that was a bad choice...but its been so long since I was a beginner I might be biased.

HondaGalToo · 06-06-2006, 2:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothrideronli

She wants an F4i...I didnt think that was a bad choice...but its been so long since I was a beginner I might be biased.

It's not a horrible starter compared to a current 600, but it's still a lot of bike for someone who's never ridden. Some guys start on them and do ok, but likely they're bigger physically and have dirt experience. I rode around on an '82 Yamaha XS650 (parallel twin, maybe 60 hp) for about 6 years before upgrading to a sportbike. The one I chose was a '92 FZR600 because it felt the smallest to me. It was scary fast to me, almost like learning to ride all over again. I don't think I would have done very well learning on one.

She can get something small, learn on it, then sell it for close to what she paid. In the long run, she'll be a better rider. Plus, she's gonna drop it. Best to start with something with less expensive plastics, or better yet, no plastics.

sheepofblue · 06-06-2006, 2:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

It's not a horrible starter compared to a current 600, but it's still a lot of bike for someone who's never ridden. Some guys start on them and do ok, but likely they're bigger physically and have dirt experience. I rode around on an '82 Yamaha XS650 (parallel twin, maybe 60 hp) for about 6 years before upgrading to a sportbike. The one I chose was a '92 FZR600 because it felt the smallest to me. It was scary fast to me, almost like learning to ride all over again. I don't think I would have done very well learning on one.

She can get something small, learn on it, then sell it for close to what she paid. In the long run, she'll be a better rider. Plus, she's gonna drop it. Best to start with something with less expensive plastics, or better yet, no plastics.

Listen to wisdom

SoCalBlade · 06-06-2006, 3:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

In that case, Ninja 250.

They are big overweight slugs, seat height is a bit high too for stock. Not too much power, just too much bike. Im not going to beat around the bush. 120lbs, probably 5ft 2-5ft6, it would be a mess to watch that and dangerous too.

Ninja 250 all the way, no other option besides an old 600, like early 90's or a GS500. Listen to HondaGal, thats the same bit I tell every beginner verbatim except I had a 94 FZR.

Red Rider · 06-07-2006, 4:34 PM

A VFR800 may not be the best choice for a beginner, but it is probably more forgiving than any other sportbike...

gt702 · 06-07-2006, 4:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smoothrideronli

She wants an F4i...I didnt think that was a bad choice...but its been so long since I was a beginner I might be biased.

The put throttle limiters on the little CR50's why not on an F4i ?

Either a stop on the throttle, or a smaller diameter tube so it is now a 3/4 throttle to slow down the throttle inputs. Unplugging a couple cylinders to make it a twin might work too ... but would be easier with a carbureted bike.

Most important thing is that she feels comfortable with the weight and seat height.

SunchVFR · 06-09-2006, 1:33 PM

I recently went through a lot of these "most appropriate first bike threads" and as others people have said it depends on the person. I got my first bike about a month ago, a 1994 VFR750F, low mileage, some fairing damage. The big issues for me were weight, seat height and power. Others have covered the power issue. As a beginner I wanted to have a good footing when I came to a stop and went to move the bike around. My vfr is on the upper end for me and I'm 5'5", I wouldn't mind if my seat was 1/2" lower. Out of all the sportbikes over 600 cc that I sat on this model VFR was the lowest. She will probably also want a bike that she can pickup when she puts it down. With some adrenaline I can manage and I'm a medium build (165lb). If she has never ridden the MSF course is definitely a must. Its amazing how much they go through in the two days. For me the bike was little shaky at first but after practicing regularly in an empty parking lot doing low speed manuevers I'm feeling pretty good about my decision.

Repeater · 06-09-2006, 2:11 PM

SV650. it has 70 hp but has the power in the right range so she won't have to rev the piss out of it or bogg it down. It is also more crash friendly than the plastic fantastic bikes we ride.

The f4i is a great bike, but it is pretty fricken fast and has alot of power. the good thing about the f4i is that it is extremmmmly stable.

onevcs · 06-09-2006, 2:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

We tend to forget how powerful sport motorcycles are compared to cars.. My VFR was my 2nd bike after my re-start after 20 years off, and I had my hands full for a while. I thought it was abrupt in all respects then; acceleration, stopping, and turning.

Of course, it's nothing compared to a FireBade, but it'll still bite your ass if you're not careful.

As a first bike for a beginner, I'd say it's not ideal.

I'd recommend a used, standard naked bike that your friend could sell without taking a big loss after a season. A bandit 600, a Honda 599, or an SV would be ideal. Maybe a Triumph Trident or something from the 90's.

try this one http://www.ultimatemotorstx.com/detail.aspx?iid=1043617

esoteric · 06-09-2006, 4:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

Some guys start on them and do ok, but likely they're bigger physically and have dirt experience.

Physical mass won't have much to do with it, but some height for standover, and prior two-wheel experience would be good. I'm ~5'10-11" and ~130#, started on the 600RR with no problems. Have raced all kinds of bicycles for many years, so that's my in.

Scout · 06-09-2006, 8:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ConqSoft

In that case, Ninja 250.

And with little people on them, they have the potential to wind up and boogie.

MrJoelieC · 06-26-2006, 3:29 PM

Hmmmm

My first bike is my current bike which is a VF700F the "precurser" as it were, to the VFR....

A couple of things: I'm not sure were you are but I rode my bike when I first got it last year and was quite nervous on it... Then in April I took the Motorcycle safety Beginer rider course from the MSF... If she has never been on a bike I strongly urge you to encourage her to spend whatever money to take this course in your area.

A lot of simple "control" and "maneuver" aspects that are analized and demonstrated and practiced on a smaller bike. After the 3 da course I was much more comfortable on my bike. I'm still skiddish on some aspects but I'm just working through to my comfort zones and I have improved faster than friends who did not take the course because the "Training" tought me how to improve. The coaches work with you on the excorsizes and tell you what you are doing wrong and what to work on....

I'm telling you a VFR is a beutifull bike. It's fast and forgiving but not necesarily in that order. But I guarentee she will be much more comfortable on "Any" bike no matter what you choose if she takes that course....

ajmadison · 07-26-2006, 2:43 PM

[quote=MrJoelieC;487011]Hmmmm
...

A couple of things: I'm not sure were you are but I rode my bike when I first got it last year and was quite nervous on it... Then in April I took the Motorcycle safety Beginer rider course from the MSF... If she has never been on a bike I strongly urge you to encourage her to spend whatever money to take this course in your area.

A lot of simple "control" and "maneuver" aspects that are analized and demonstrated and practiced on a smaller bike. After the 3 da course I was much more comfortable on my bike. I'm still skiddish on some aspects but I'm just working through to my comfort zones and I have improved faster than friends who did not take the course because the "Training" tought me how to improve. The coaches work with you on the excorsizes and tell you what you are doing wrong and what to work on....

[quote]

As someone who first took the MSF course and learned the most basic of the basics on their little 250's, I, against the common wisdom, proceeded to buy & ride a beatup Ninja 600 as my first bike. At the time, I was 5'6" and 165 lbs. I did drop the thing, but only because I wasn't paying attention, which is a form of rider skill. But I did ok otherwise, and I always had a healthy respect for when it was or was not appropriate to 'twist the grip'. And for me, the bike was just the right weight for me to handle easily and comfortably, albeit, again, a 600 sportbike as a 1st bike is against the common wisdom. I will also admit in that first year, I was pretty much terrified of even the idea of riding a 750 or a litre class bike. Though that did subside after several years of riding.

so I have two points. 1. For your 1st bike, think seriously about if you can afford to drop it and get all the road rash fixed. 2. get a bike that has the right height and weight for the new rider to comfortable handle.

Think the right kind of responses have been made, but thought I'd put my 2 $.01 in.

JBODIE · 07-26-2006, 3:14 PM

My ex - co worker bought a 1999 r1, she transitioned from the dirt world (cr125). She was 5ft in about 140 pounds. When i met her saw what she rode and i was suprised and she said it is as fast as you crack the throttle. Listen to your gut, it will not steer you wrong. that is my