johnnie903

The reason I looked at it was, I had been told by a few people that it was on the sporty side of sport touring. I was thinking it would be similar to the Ducati Supersport. I guess that is what I think of when I think of a sport touring bike. Thank you.

I love the way it looks, but I rode it and it just didn't do it for me. It felt heavy and clumsy, if that makes sense. I rode the new Moto2 Street Triple and loved it. The riding position, with the raised clipons, was perfect for me and it felt really nimble with tons of midrange... but, I find naked bikes unbearable at speeds over 120. If they made that bike with fairings, it would be perfection! I also rode a Ducati Supersport. It is quite comfortable and handles great, but feels like it lacks power. There isn't that much up top. It also seems a bit overpriced and I'm not sure I'm quite ready for the "challenges" of Ducati ownership. I think I am leaning towards a CBR1000RR and 1" rise clipons.

Thank you all so much for your help. I was able to finally ride one this weekend, unfortunately it was quite a drive to get there. It is a very nicely made bike. It has good fit and finish, looks very sophisticated, has a really smooth engine, and appears to be full-Honda quality. Sadly, I don't think it is the right bike for me. The seating position didn't seem to suit me; I felt like I was sitting in the bike and not really on it, and the bars were too high for me. I felt like I was leaning back a bit, but not enough to stand up on the pegs... just seemed like an unsual position to me (mind you, I've only really ever ridden road race and MX bikes). It also seemed hard to get it to initially turn into a corner and there did not seem to be a lot of feel through the front end. It didn't feel like I could get enough weight onto the front tire with the upright riding position. I am sure I could get used to it, but it feels strange to me. Everyone keeps telling me that at my age (46) I should get a touring bike, but they just don't seem right for me. I think I am going to get something a bit sportier. I honestly find the riding position on something like a CBR to be more comfortable, it just seems like I can load the front tire more and turn in easier. I also get that everyone thinks I am nuts. Thanks again guys.

Not sure that gives me a tonne of insight. Pretty sure John McGuinness could smoke me on a Grom!!!

Thank you. The stability in the wind would be nice, it gets super windy here and I hate riding in that stuff. Turn in effort would be annoying... does anyone raise there rear end up and maybe lengthen the forks to help that? I tend to like my knee down in corners just because it makes me feel more comfortable... it's just a habit at this point. Totally unnecessary, but I feel a little weird if I don't have that third point of contact.

Thanks for the response. I'm quite glad to see you can still ride your bike on track. That makes me feel better about it. Off track, I haven't ridden much in 15 years, with the exception of gooning on my Honda Monkey, and I'm not sure that really counts for much. My last street bike was an early BMW S1000RR... as I remember, it was quite good, but always felt kind of dull and sterile. I have fond memories of my first street bike, an F4i, but that was over 20 years ago and time may have me wearing rose-colored glasses. On track, I've had an SV650, CBR600RR, Triumph Daytona 675, and R1. My current motocross bike is a Husky 350 and my supermoto bike is a Husky 450. Of the road bikes, I think the Daytona was my favourite because it handled neutrally, controlled a slide well, and was stable, but that was after a lot of suspension and chassis work. I only rode it once or twice before the work was done and, I think, it was pretty slow to turn stock.

Hello all. I was hoping to get a bit of advice about buying a VFR 800 from some folks that have them, as I am considering getting my first real street bike since my twenties. I am trying to decide if this is the right bike for me. I am in my mid fourties and have been racing forever (road racing, motocross, and supermoto). After a lot of injuries, surgeries, metal implants, and spending a fortune, I have decided to stop road racing (but will I definitely keep doing moto a few times a week). Anyway, I think I may have talked my wife into letting me ride on the street (even though the thought terrifies her) and I am wondering if a VFR would be capable enough for fun/spirited riding. I would probably commute once in a while, ride on some twisty mountain/canyon roads weekly, and do five or six track days a year. I don't plan to ride at race pace, but still want to be able to go at a decent clip, dragging knees, and having fun. Also, not trying to be full of myself, but I think my 7/10ths canyon pace is still pretty quick. I have no ambition of ever touring or going on rides longer than a few hours. I found a 2015 VFR with low miles for sale, but it is about six hours away and I have never ridden one (and probably won't get to unless I buy one). I am trying to decide if I should pull the pin and head up there to buy it. Do you all find that your VFRs are fun for spirited riding or do you think a middle weight sport bike would be more appropriate and more fun? I sat on Suzuki GSX-S1000GT and a Ninja 1000SX at the dealer and was shocked by how big, heavy, and upright they felt, but I would assume the VFR is lighter and sportier than that, right? I've owned a lot of Hondas and I have always thought they have been great bikes. I know the VFR isn't going to be fast, but does it handle well? Is it fun to ride at pace? Does it do okay at a trackday at intermediate pace? Thank you