Maybe it is a sign that I am getting older, slower or perhaps more boring, but I find myself questioning the need for a 600cc super sport on my daily grind. Over the years my bike purchases have become increasingly more race inspired with each bike holding a racing edge over its predesessor; I believe I am nearing the top of the Japanese repli-racer arena with my 2007 CBR600RR. For a change, I think my next bike will be a step in the more comfortable direction. After a recent 520 mile day trip I found my rump begging for a nicer seat and my wrists (despite proper riding form) asking politely to jump in a tub of ice. Granted, 500+ miles on a super sport is a lot to tackle in a day and not something I do all of the time, but distance riding and mini tours are things that I enjoy. I think it is time to find a bike that can sacrifice a little of its racetrack prowess in favor of good, sporty ergonomics.

Despite my desire to ride mid to long distances in comfort, I still consider myself a sport rider; that is to say I actively seek out the twisties and don't mind a 12,000+ RPM red-line if that is what the bike needs to achieve silly acceleration. I do however, think the time has come for me to think more realistically. I am not a bad rider, in fact many people would probably consider me a good rider, but I am still not able to safely use my 600rr to its potential on the street. I love my 600rr and what it is capable of, but the time is nearing for me to convert it to a track-day only bike and utilize it solely in the environment it was built for: The Racetrack. What ever bike I choose to replace the 600rr as my daily transportation will need to maintain good reliability, fuel economy and be simple to maintain. This future bike will need to have a comfortable seat with at least a semi usable passenger pillion and bars (or clip-ons) that are set in a fairly upright position. This bike will also need to maintain a certain level of handling and corning clearance sicne it will be used for the weekend twisties and back-road hooliganism. My new bike will need to have character as well; a bike that has a personality that I can mesh with and get along with for years to come.

I want this:
Sporty handling (but not racy)
Comfortable ergos (but not touring)
Adequate wind/weather protection (again, it doesn't have to be a Goldwing)
Peppy motor (torque is fine, but it needs to have some rev range)
Not your everyday bike (been there, done that)
The ability to add saddle bags is a plus

Based on the above, it seems that a newer Interceptor would fit the bill nicely. I could keep the RR for the track and enjoy the Viffer every other day of the week.

Thoughts?
Recommendations on other bikes?

 

Sounds like a great choice. I've always lusted after the VFR of the 4th generation vintage. While the aesthetics of the current VFR aren't my cuppajoe, the do-it-all aspect of the bike appeals to my pragmatic side.

Are you looking to get a second bike just for something different than the 600rr? Because you could always had an aftermarket seat, clip-ons (ie, Heli Bars), a taller windscreen, etc.

 

it sounds like a vfr is the perfect bike for you. ive had a 97 and 00 vfr and loved both of them. my only complaint were there over 500lbs wet and there suspension isnt great. for touring its great, for twisties its fine, but usd's or new fork springs and an ohlins in the back will really wake a vfr up. my favorite thing is still the v4 growl, best sounding and fun engine out there, and sssa's look great.

my recommendation would be go with an 01 and older. the new ones have vtec which has many negative reviews, and also they have recalls with there wire harness. alot of guys were having there harness catching on fire and fuse problems.

ive ridden a 91,92,97,00,and 02 and my favorite by far was the 97 and 91/92. the lightest was the 4th gen which is the 94-97, which is my fav years, but the 5th gen 98-01 is nice cause there great bikes and fuel injected.

my goal is to get a 97 again, rc51 usds, and ohlins rear shock but i did sell my vfrs to get my 07 600rr which im in love with and cant part with it

 

best bet: 2 bikes

i love my vfr for long trips and general bombing around on the daily grind. a warning, though... if you ever ride a vfr, it will ruin the sound of every other bike short of a ducati/ape. with an exhaust and opened up intake the V4 sounds like a dementedly cool V8 at lower revs and screams like some sort of demonic freak past 7-8 grand. and the gear whine from the valvetrain. ohhh, the gear whine... (excuse me while i change my pants)

my hawk is more for stress relief, general hooliganism and track days. although i've been thinking of ditching it for something quicker and more aggressive. or an SV. or mebbe a Z1000 :D


edit - beer makes me add stuff


Modified by ragnaroek at 11:49 PM 8/28/2008

 

Yes, I will absolutely be keeping the 600rr around. I have tossed the idea around of a Corbin seat and Helibars, but in the end I think it is better off as a track bike and something else as a daily.

How well do the 1998-2001's hold up? I will probably be putting on 15,000+ per year.

 

i've put over 3000 miles on my '98 since buying it in april... seems to put up fine with my somewhat abusive riding. from what i understand, basically all the vfr motors last next to forever with regular maintenance. i don't like how the vattack models look, however. i love my 5th gen

a corbin saddle, risers and a more 'touring' windscreen (i have an MRA adjustable deal) make the bike a highway monster. 600 miles/day is easy to do at ~90mph

 

i'm thinking about getting a VFR myself for some medium range touring. awesome bike.

i'd also love to fighter one cuz that SSSA looks so cool.

 

This forum is soon to become a Viffer madhouse...I, too, have been looking at the VFR. They maintain a sporty feel but are easier on the wrists and buttocks ( ) than a 600RR. Personally, I don't mind the looks of the later models either, but that may change with more research.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Tornadom &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes, I will absolutely be keeping the 600rr around. I have tossed the idea around of a Corbin seat and Helibars, but in the end I think it is better off as a track bike and something else as a daily.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree, keep the 600RR as a track bike. IMO, if your wallet can take the drain, grab a sport-tourer to compliment your SS. Bothering with switching back and forth between Heli's, the Corbin, plus any other 'comfy' mods on your 600RR sounds like more work than it's worth.

Anyone looked into making a newer VFR more sporty?

 

When I get my newer VFR or Interceptor I will take it to the same guy that has setup my previous motorcycle's suspensions; he has been doing it for a long time and can manage some amazing things with OEM shocks and forks (if several AMA teams trust his work, why shouldn't I).

I think my bike will have a mellow (but not stock) exhaust and maybe some opening of the intake just for the sound, beyond that it will be strictky business.

Also, what kind of fuel economy can I expect from 1998+ VFR/Interceptor? I am usually mid 40's on the 600rr and saw 56mpg on one trip.

 

i get anywhere from 35-45 in town, depending on how aggressive im being. cruising at ~70-75 nets 50mpg, ~80-90 gives 45ish

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ragnaroek &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">~70-75 nets 50mpg, ~80-90 gives 45ish</TD></TR></TABLE>

I can definitely live with that.

 

I've always lusted after the 98-01 Viffers for some reason.

 

Look at 04-06 f4i simlar ergos as a vfr but whay lighter, the v4 with an exaust

does sound real good though I had a 87 vfr.

 

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

I can definitely live with that. </TD></TR></TABLE>

mine has a slip-in, the snorkle removed from the airbox, and a PCII... i dunno what a stock 5th gen viffer would get

 

my 97 was carb'd and had a 2 bros pipe and regularly saw mid 40s.

my 00 was fuel injected and had a stock pipe and that saw mid 50s.

vfrs def get great gas mileage and the sound of a staintune on one is intoxicating.

for example
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...lated

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rd91sib18c5r &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Look at 04-06 f4i simlar ergos as a vfr but whay lighter, </TD></TR></TABLE>

I like the F4i, but it really isn't enough of a change from what I currently ride to justify sinking the money on.

The more I read about the VFR, the more I want one.

 

I dont think the f4i is not really that great of a step away from the 600rr. i just took a 300 mile trip on my f4i and my *** hurt so bad after that trip that I was complaining the next day. I took a 400 mile trip on my old gsxr and really had nothing to complain about.

 

well most stock seats suck. after a 300 mile day on my stock vfr seat my *** is burning. if you put a corbin seat on a vfr you can literally ride all day and not have any pain at all

man all this vfr talk is making me want one cause i dont really wanna tour on my 600rr either

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by swappedcx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I dont think the f4i is not really that great of a step away from the 600rr. i just took a 300 mile trip on my f4i and my *** hurt so bad after that trip that I was complaining the next day. I took a 400 mile trip on my old gsxr and really had nothing to complain about.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They changed the seat in 04, not as sporty but whay more comfy.

Mine gets 45 to 50 mpg, I'd like another vfr if it wasn't so heavy.

The next generation with a v5 should be sick.