....'cause it has been agreed as a part exchange, against a new CBR1000 RR in HRC Tricolour colours ! So cannot risk it, even though the sun is shining. The next time it will get ridden will be next week on the way to the dealership, to do the exchange deal against the new CBR. What to do on a sunny Saturday and no bike to ride - could always, erm, well there is always, er, cannot think of anything. I am off to look at stuff in shops.
Thank you, very kind of of you. This is what I will be trading in and saying goodbye to, although it has not caused me any grief: VFR800 Coast Road by 660 Mattie, on Flickr
Good shot Matt, you'll fall in love with the Blade and this weekend will pale into insignificance and it will all be worth it....
Mattie how did you get on with the Vfr was thinking about one for next year had a shot of one earlier this year but after my vfr12 it felt a bit underpowered what was the + and - with it. Thanks George r
Hello George, well: I will have had the bike for 14 months and covered 12,100 miles The bike is a beautiful object that definitely has a quality feel to the look of it - gold/bronze wheels, engine casings, rocker covers and handlebar console - and not the kind of cheap finish that will flake off after a little while. It still looks good as new now. Gorgeous colour and paintwork, especially with some layers of Auto Glym wax. It carries luggage fine, either OEM panniers, or something from Givi or Oxford. Good dash display, really easy to read and work out. Nice size cockpit, not to big, but it is all there. Heated grips, excellent anti-lock brakes and traction control, and a very well, almost hidden from view, centre stand. Suspension and corners a dream through twisty roads. After a few hundred miles on it, maybe 1,000 it fits you completely. It is quite a manageable size, flat foot easily both sides. Very reliable, no issue at all, no recalls, nothing. And mine was one of the first batch on UK roads in May 2014. Not a single problem with it. It sounds nice when on the move, and winding it up a bit. Winding it up in fourth gear is great, into a sweeping bend, terrific. Clutch and general behaviour through town is okay, no issues, certainly had worse. It copes okay, but for doing this regularly maybe get an X-Max scooter ! A few of the negatives Indicator switch below the horn, so a few accidental pips on the horn when going for the indicators, but you soon get used to it and I have not piped the horn by accident for quite a while. But when I first got it did it a few times. But that soon goes. The standard end can looks okay, but makes the bike sound very weak on tickover, certainly not going to turn any heads on start up. Advise a slip on. I bought an Arrow, and it sounds great, but not over the top. But it does need it really in my opinion. Luggage can still be fitted even with some of the after market pipes, so still choice as to which one to get. The crux of the matter then is how quickly do you want to go ? we all know the speed limits, and barrelling along certain B roads at about speed limit is fine. At common UK motorway speeds the bike is also absolutely fine, and the bike will be quite at home in the outside lane come rain or shine. It is not so good at rapid progress from zero, and it has a bit of a limited rev range - the VTEC kicks in about 7,500 rpm but I rather change gear before that - but that is personal. The reason I am selling it is because I did France - Spain - France - Assen TT - France, in total about four days of that were throttled pinned at the continental motorway speeds, and I thought it a bit underpowered. It still did the job, and did Assen in the top of Holland, to the St Malo ferry in France, in 2 days flat (going round the back of Paris and avoiding Caen like the plague !). I feel a bit more power would be nice, but not a GS type tourer. I would rather take a small pack, a card, and stay in hotels. I still want something sporty, before I get too old for it. So upgrade to a CBR. If you have had the VFR1200 then I am sure you will find the VFR800 underpowered and probably very small ! I have had a hoot riding it. Going up by 660 Mattie, on Flickr
Thanks for that great write up on the Vfr it sounds like a great bike will just need to adjust to power level after the 12 and fireblade. Thanks again George r
