TimC

Looks great! 👍

The thing I miss most about my VFR is the factory hard bags.  I don't do a lot of trips, but those bags were a godsend for sport touring.  I have struggled with what luggage to buy for my current bike, as I don't love any of the options.  I'm close to making a decision now, but it has taken me a long time to get to this point.

Kudos to you for making your own setup for your 5th gen. since there wasn't anything you liked on the market. 🙂

Congrats on your 6th gen, welcome from Ohio, and good luck getting the bike sorted!

Great photos.  Thanks for sharing! 🙂

I've been fortunate to ride amazing roads in that region several times, including during the VFRD spring ride a few times.  I was hoping to get there again this summer, but it probably won't happen.  Maybe next year!

Welcome from Ohio! 🙂

Welcome from Ohio, USA!  Thanks for posting that great introduction!  👍

I keep thinking someday I'll buy a 5th generation VFR, even if it's something that needs some work.  It wouldn't be my only motorcycle, so I could afford to take my time with it.  While I loved my 6th gen, I'd only need the VFR for fun days and not trips and tours, so it could stay mostly unmodified.  Maybe.  😉

Congratulations on that beautiful 5th gen. and welcome to the forum! 🙂

16 hours ago, DirtbikesRule said:

Got up early and went for a long twisty one.  I decided it was going to be a day spent trying to work on my vision and regaining some flow in my riding while staying in complete control, and I feel like I accomplished that.

I have very similar feelings.  I did an overnight trip this weekend to SE Ohio, home of most of the best twisty roads in the state.  It has been a while since I did any real sport-riding, and rather than push it, I rode more conservatively than usual.

I think as I get older I'm less willing to risk it all just to go 5-10% faster.  I'm not racing, after all.  Just looking to go reasonably quick and to ride as smoothly as possible, practicing good technique into, through, and out of corners.

10 minutes ago, Sweeper said:

The ergos on the Tiger660 or 800 are way more old man friendly than the Ape. Less cool for sure but more all day comfort. There are a lot of Tiger660 leftovers for closer to $7k floating around. If you were closer, I'd put you on mine for a test ride.

Agree on the ergonomics of the Aprilia.  Upper body forward lean is sporty but okay.  But the footpegs are in a very sportbike-like position.  Way too high for this old man, lol.

Also, I don't know if things have radically improved, but when the Aprilia 660s starting coming out, I was hearing rumors of quality issues and lack of parts availability.

I know looks are subjective, but to me the new screen looks better.  It looks sleeker and more befitting a sporty bike.  🙂

Sorry to hear about the failure.  Heckuva way to start your riding season.  😞

The battery in my BMW is dying.  (I've already bought the replacement, just need time to install it, as it's a real pain to get to on my bike.)  I'm thankful to have a voltmeter built into one of the gauges - though I added that gauge, because the bike didn't come with a tachometer, and that gauge includes the LCD where the voltmeter and other information are shown.  Having dealt with an electrical issue or two with my old VFR, I don't think I'd ever want a bike without a voltmeter now, whether it's built in or I add one myself.

I hope you can get everything sorted and be back on the road quickly!

If anyone asks, "Why aren't there any nice 5th gen. VFRs left for sale in Canada?" I think we know the answer: @maxredline is hoarding them!  😆

Just kidding.  Congrats on your latest VFR!

Glad to hear the event went well and everyone had safe rides!  Thanks for posting the great video!  👍

I wish I'd been able to attend in the last couple years.  A busy life has kept me from riding much over the last year, but I'm hoping to do more this year, including a couple trips.

I no longer own a VFR, but when I did I used a K&N filter for the last 8-10 years of my ownership of it.

Welcome to the forum!

@Dutchy is kidding around a bit, because there is another forum for the VFR similar to the language in your thread title.  But he's right, too -- this one rocks.  😉

The bike looks good and those are some very nice (and usually desirable) modifications.  I agree with @afinepoint on the maintenance items.  If the seller has records, great, but if not -- and maybe even if they do -- replace the fluids anyway.

The ad says cruise control, but I think they meant throttle lock.

I don't think anyone has said it yet, but on 6th gens, ABS bikes had gold brake calipers, and standard brake bikes had dark grey/black calipers.  Of course, ABS bikes would also have a front wheel sensor, too.  So this bike has the standard brakes.  Don't let that be a deal-killer.  I'd wanted ABS when I was shopping for a VFR, but got a bike without it.  Thankfully, I never needed it to save me.  🙂

Please let us know how this turns out!

Welcome to the forum from Ohio, USA!  I can't help, but want to wish you luck in sorting out the issues.  🙂

Congrats on that great looking 6th gen. and welcome to the forum from Ohio! 🙂

I have a Hepco & Becker rear luggage rack on my BMW, and have considered adding one of their top boxes for trips.  They're spendy but I would love to have waterproof and lockable storage available for long days and trips.

Congratulations on your VFR and welcome to the forum! 🙂

Congrats on your 6th gen. and welcome to the forum! 🙂

There aren't many motorcycle shops left near where I live, as most of the smaller ones closed in the last 10-15 years.  There are several in Cleveland, but not closer to my town.  There is one large dealership just north of Akron, and they deal all Big 4 brands, plus Aprilia and now Triumph, too.  They usually have a pretty good variety of new bikes on the sales floor, but there are also models they never stock.  At least their prices are fair, and they have a decent but not great selection of riding gear and some accessories available.

I visit dealerships on kind of regular basis, mostly to look at new and used bikes, and just for fun.  Once in a while I need a small part or accessory, or a new piece of riding gear.  But having a BMW means most aftermarket accessories in local shops (except for the BMW dealer) won't work on my bike.  At least the sales staff and parts counter folks are usually friendly and generally helpful.  I'm never really in the market so I don't want to waste the sales staff's time, but if they aren't busy they can be pleasant to talk to about some bikes and riding.

We had snow here in NE Ohio earlier this week, but even without it the mornings are in the low 30s, so still too cold to commute on the bike.

It's supposed to be in the mid-50s and dry this Sunday, so I'm hoping to get a short ride in, or at least do a little work to my Beemer in the garage without my hands getting frozen.

Welcome to the forum from Ohio! 🙂

Good luck with your search for a VFR1200.  I don't think there are a ton out there for sale at any given time, but when you do see them they're generally in pretty good condition.

If I may ask, are there any particular reasons you're focusing on that generation of the bike rather than one of the 800s?

I moved on from a 6th gen. VFR to a BMW R nineT model almost five years ago.  I don't regret the new bike, but sometimes wish I had kept that VFR.  I still think I might buy another one someday, but as the years pass that gets less and less likely.  😞

Nice write-up, HS! 👍

I've always wanted one of the original Super Duke 990's from the mid-2000s.  Never could afford one back in the day, but older ones are cheap now.  But I already have a naked bike somewhat similar to the SD, even if it's not as sporty as a Duke, so that KTM will just have to remain one of my dream bikes.