I sold my F3 last year, and since Spring's approaching, I'm looking for another bike. I'd like to get another sportbike (I was looking into F4i's), but my father owns a Harley, and he lives about 4 hours away. I'd like to do some riding with him this year, so sportbikes are out. I looked at some cruisers (Shadows, in particular), but I just didn't feel "right" on them.

That brings me to the VFR Interceptors, which I've read that they're great sport-touring bikes. I like the looks of them, but I've never sat or rode one. The weather's still cold/snowy here, so I can't really go test drive one. Any of you have any experience with these bikes? Would they be a ton better suited for a 8 hour ride than an F4i? Do they have at least some resemblance of the nimbleness of the CBR's?

I did talk to a guy today with an 03 VFR 800 Silver, ~3000 miles. It had been dropped by the dealer, and it has light scratches on the front faring and some dings on the tank. He's asking $5,900. Of course I'll try to talk him down from that. Good deal?

Thanks for any inputs. Can't wait to go riding again.

 

Pigs to work on, if it has the linked brakes they are sh*t and don't work that well. Nice engines and with a few suspension tweaks can be entertaining.

 

Thanks, Luke. I see that the linked brakes were done away with in '04. Should I go for an '04 or would a swap be pretty easy on this '03?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks, Luke. I see that the linked brakes were done away with in '04. Should I go for an '04 or would a swap be pretty easy on this '03?</TD></TR></TABLE>

The cost and time of swapping them out isn't worth it. If it was my money then I would go for a VFR750 K circa 1988/9. By far the best useable VFR ever made.

 

I just looked into a 1988/89, but couldn't find a single one! They must be pretty rare.

Thanks for the input. I'll probably end up with an '04.

 

why couldn't you get a sportbike and still ride with your pops? I ride my superhawk with my bro who has a cruiser. Then again technically the superhawk is a "sport tourer"


anyways the vfr is a great bike. the mid 90's ones are pretty nice. there's tons of bikes that'd work that are "sporty" but not all out super sports. the hawk gt is cool and looks pimp. or you could get like a sv650 that's been modded to be kind've like a cafe racer (clip ons, lower fairing, bar end mirrors)

 

I just don't think I could handle an 8 hour ride (much less, just getting up to my father's place is 4 hours) on a sportbike. I rode mine for 2 hours and my back was killing me, as well as my wrists that were going numb. I tried to shift positions, rest on the tank, use my legs for support more, but it was very uncomfortable. I'm sure it could be done, as I've read some people logging 9-10 hour rides on their F4i, but I'd rather do it in comfort.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> I'd like to get another sportbike (I was looking into F4i's </TD></TR></TABLE>

Why not just get the F4i? Mine works great as a tourer. I've ridden 8 hours in a row on it before and never gotten fatigued hands or back.
It's ergos are actually quite forgiving. And if it's still not upright enough for you, you can buy some Heli risers or something.
VFRs are great looking bikes, with lots of cool features and engineering, but an extra 100lbs doesn't seem that appealing to me. And from the one i've sat on, it's not any more comfortable than my F4i, and it feels like a pig.

 

no offense but it's going to be very difficult to be comfortable for 8 hours on any bike other then like a honda goldwing. I've done 6-7 hours on my superhawk with little problems. the f3 wasn't exactly the most comfortable bike ever either. Get what you want and figure out a way to ride together without forcing one of you to ride to each other (meet halfway)

 

Hmm... I guess I just imagined that the VFR was much more comfortable than the CBR's. I have yet to ride one, but as soon as the weather clears, I'll hop on one and see how it feels. If it's not much better than the F4i, then I'll definately opt for the CBR.

Thanks for the advices.

slvrblckf4i - How did you ride for 8 hours and not have a sore back or hands? I was dying 1.5 hours into my ride.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EngineNoO9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">no offense but it's going to be very difficult to be comfortable for 8 hours on any bike other then like a honda goldwing. I've done 6-7 hours on my superhawk with little problems. the f3 wasn't exactly the most comfortable bike ever either. Get what you want and figure out a way to ride together without forcing one of you to ride to each other (meet halfway)</TD></TR></TABLE>

How is the superhawk's riding position compared to the VFR or the CBR? There is a '99 996 for sale right by me for $5900 with 4k miles. I'll go check that out, also.

 

christ that price is high for a 99. that gets you an 05 leftover basically. the riding position is fine. I've never ridden a cbr but this is very comfortable with the corbin seat on the highway. tons of torque too. Look in the $3-$4k range for used. That price for a 99 is absurd though

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slvrblckf4i &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Why not just get the F4i? Mine works great as a tourer. I've ridden 8 hours in a row on it before and never gotten fatigued hands or back.
It's ergos are actually quite forgiving. And if it's still not upright enough for you, you can buy some Heli risers or something.
VFRs are great looking bikes, with lots of cool features and engineering, but an extra 100lbs doesn't seem that appealing to me. And from the one i've sat on, it's not any more comfortable than my F4i, and it feels like a pig.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

F4i's are great but a VFR750K is a way better bet. It even has torque

 

the vfr 750 was rated like bike of the year one year and is an awesome bike. There's definetely options. one of my main alternative options for you is the yzf 600r. considered to be one of the most versatile sport bikes around.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

slvrblckf4i - How did you ride for 8 hours and not have a sore back or hands? I was dying 1.5 hours into my ride.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

My but was kinda numb, and i had light tingling in my hands, but that's about it.
I think me and the F4i just go together well. I'm 5'10" 165 lbs. I'm not sure what my proportions are like, but i'm comfortable on the F4i and don't feel hunched over.
I also have been a mountain biker all my life and maybe i'm used to being hunched over all the time.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hmm... I guess I just imagined that the VFR was much more comfortable than the CBR's. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Ummm, it is.

My brother had two VFR750s during the 90's, and the difference between it and an all-out sportbike is pretty significant, in terms of comfort and long-distance suitability. Don't let anyone tell you there's not a big diff between a few hours on an F4i and a few hours on a VFR. I've never seen an F4i with hard saddle bags.

The performance is certainly there with the VFR, but the comfort is there as well. A lot of people have called it the best all-around bike out there and people have been known to put many tens of thousands of miles on them.

I'd have gotten one, but I'm just too small to muscle that thing around at lower speeds. The v-four motor is a delight and sounds like nothing else out there. The VFR hung with SS bikes until they started getting insanely light and fast.

The only complaint that I've heard is that the VTEC can be a little disconcerting if it kicks in while you're leaned over. If I were looking for one today, I'd probably look for the model before the current redesign - the one that still had a 4-1 pipe, instead of the dual underseat pipes it has now.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slvrblckf4i &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

My but was kinda numb, and i had light tingling in my hands, but that's about it.
I think me and the F4i just go together well. I'm 5'10" 165 lbs. I'm not sure what my proportions are like, but i'm comfortable on the F4i and don't feel hunched over.
I also have been a mountain biker all my life and maybe i'm used to being hunched over all the time.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I've heard that the F4i's riding position is a little more upright than F3's. I'm not sure if that's true, but I guess I'll find out, as I'm going to test on out this weekend. I'm about your size (5' 11", 160), so hopefully it'll work out.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Ummm, it is.

My brother had two VFR750s during the 90's, and the difference between it and an all-out sportbike is pretty significant, in terms of comfort and long-distance suitability. Don't let anyone tell you there's not a big diff between a few hours on an F4i and a few hours on a VFR. I've never seen an F4i with hard saddle bags.

The performance is certainly there with the VFR, but the comfort is there as well. A lot of people have called it the best all-around bike out there and people have been known to put many tens of thousands of miles on them.

I'd have gotten one, but I'm just too small to muscle that thing around at lower speeds. The v-four motor is a delight and sounds like nothing else out there. The VFR hung with SS bikes until they started getting insanely light and fast.

The only complaint that I've heard is that the VTEC can be a little disconcerting if it kicks in while you're leaned over. If I were looking for one today, I'd probably look for the model before the current redesign - the one that still had a 4-1 pipe, instead of the dual underseat pipes it has now.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'll be checking out that '03 VFR this weekend (don't think I'll buy it, but just to get a feel for it). I hope it will feel nimble enough for the around town rides. Thanks for the info.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by P Nut &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


I'll be checking out that '03 VFR this weekend (don't think I'll buy it, but just to get a feel for it). I hope it will feel nimble enough for the around town rides. Thanks for the info.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I wouldn't write it off if I were you. 2003 CBRs go from $5-6K nowadays, and they were much cheaper bikes when new than the VFR. That's not a bad price at all, and it's a really special bike. If Honda made a smaller one in a 500 or 600, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It's just too heavy for me (5'6", 135 lbs).

 

has vtec correct?

 

hi one of my close friends bought a 04 vfr when they first came out. he traded in his F3. as with yourself he did it so he can go on longer rides. he loves it. bigger tank, which allows him to ride 300 miles without stopping for gas. which is the only reason he stops. he went from 300 miles killing him to riding 800 to 900 miles in a day. the 06 vfr is even better than the 04. If you are not sure about the vfr though the 03-06 F4i is not so cramped up as in previous models, as that is what the RR is for, so give that one a shot as well. The ultimate Honda cruiser (beside goldwing) has got to be the ST1300. it is very expensive but you wont have to worry about cramps or numbness. my friend's dad bought one last spring, it was a 05. this guy is a little old than 50. he put 11,000 miles in 1 northern summer (about 6-7 months). just to give some ideas on these wonderful bikes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ross R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I wouldn't write it off if I were you. 2003 CBRs go from $5-6K nowadays, and they were much cheaper bikes when new than the VFR. That's not a bad price at all, and it's a really special bike. If Honda made a smaller one in a 500 or 600, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. It's just too heavy for me (5'6", 135 lbs).</TD></TR></TABLE>

The CBR is a good all rounder, but the VFR is a far superior mile eater. Now if we are talking about the best bike that Honda ever made then I vote for the VF500F2. They are really nice, thats the only word for it. The suspension is a bit creaky and the brakes are sh*t these days but the engine is a jewel. If only Honda had made a VFR600R, can you imagine how much fun it would have been.

Anyway dont waste your money. the earlier VFR's are quicker and handle better plus are lighter than the later ones. The VTEC bikes are a bit of a joke IMO and linked brakes just suck.

We (UK) never got the proper 'Interceptor' with all the magnesium cases etc



Kerker pipe, new wheels and brakes, perfecto.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chitownrida &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">has vtec correct?


</TD></TR></TABLE>

Only the newer VFR800s have it - i dont remember the years.

liam