The Honda Owners Club

Thanks for all your comments but I didn't expect it to get into a slagging match.

On a positive note as of today I now have a full bike license . After 4 intensive days I passed the test and are going to sign up for some advanced training after easter . I'm still unsure of what bike to buy but it certainly will not be a CBF500 which I did my training on and took for a blast after the test.

I take on board all your views and concerns regarding big bikes and new riders but I'd like to think I have commmon sense but the adrenalin can take over all of us I surpose. Decisions , Decisions. If I going to use it for commuting it needs some form of fairing to cope with windy hill on the M62.

Yorki.

Congratulations on passing!

BTW, a fairing can make cross-winds seem worse than a 'naked' bike, as there is more for the wind to catch, but it does push the wind out of the way, particularly when riding into the wind, making it more comfortable for you.

Not sure if taking advanced training so soon after an intesive training course to pass your test is such a good an idea.
It might be too much for you to take in if you a very new rider. Why not get some experience first, to get yourself comfortable about riding a bike without having to think too much about what you are doing. Then when you do take advanced riding tuition, controlling the bike is 'second-nature' and you will be able to take in better what you are being taught, and be more likely to pass an advanced riding course first time. Only my opinion, though!

Hi yorki
Like you im new to the site and have always wanted a vfr as i think they are the best bike a person can own , like many of the other people on this site i think you should try something else and work your way up and to give you some idea of why is because i have dropped my vfr and it has cost me £110 so far but the 2 fairing panels i need will cost me new between £650 to £800 , unfortunatley for me at the moment i can't afford it so please think very careful and ride round on something second hand like a hornet or cbf500/600 or whatever honda as it depends on what you are using the bike for.
Anyways welcome and nice to know the viffers are so well loved.
Doug

Hi and welcome,

When thinking about buying a second bike to my CX500 I did consider a VFR but ended up with a 1979 CB750Kz and i am glad I did .... but that doesn't mean i wont add a VFR to my collection at some point and the thought had recently gone through my head (but my wallet says no at the moment) although my next bike will be a Classic CB900f

Witch

Welcome to the site btw.

What didn't you like about the CBF500? My first big bike was a Kawasaki GPZ500S which I owned for about 18months and it was okay.

I didn't find the VFR I owned particularly quick or intimidating but I may have spent too long riding Fireblades. The VFR is a pretty good commuter bike although, as said above, it is a bit sensitive to side winds in a way that the 06 Fireblade isn't for some reason (no I am not recommending one of those although it is a really easy bike to ride ).


John

I can vouch for the CB500 as i have one myself. i passed my test last year and i got a great insurance deal (87 quid for the year)
It's a very forgiving bike for us newbies, engines are bulletproof and in my opinion a very good all rounder first bike.

I've got a 07 VFR VTEC and absolutely love it to bits, its an absolute joy to ride and very forgiving to the inexperienced. However like previously stated it is heavy to haul around at slow speeds and its turning circle is not good so you would need to practice your slow control skills and unfortunately this is where you usually find the bike gets dropped etc and I find Honda parts not the cheapest to replace.

I started on a Faired 650 Bandit, the bike is fast enough to put a smile on anyones face, it has a good comfy riding position, its light and you can customize it to suit your needs at little cost. (If you want a fully faired model look at the GSF650)

Once you've got some miles under you're belt and improved your basic skills (as this is only what you're instructor has taught you to pass the test) then go for the VFR and only then will you appreciate the VFR for what it is a truly fantastic bike in all departments.

All the best whatever you're choice Rob

Coming back from the BMF rally a couple of weeks ago I was getting seriouslly battered by winds on my VFR750. 70MPH on the A1 was very hard work and it required a lot of concentration to just keep the bike on the carriageway at times. By contrast Steve Hill on his Wing, who I was following, seemed to to have little problems.

Regards

Chimpy

I ride my vfr800 up and down the M1 and get a little blown about but nothing major , the bike is great and really does work for me .

I used to have a VFR (both types of 800) and commute over the 62. It copes easily - better than my FJR actually. So, I wouldn't worry about that too much.

Alan

I passed my test 3 years ago after 26 years out of the saddle.....my last bike being a 250 Wetdream in '79

After passing my test I went for a Bandit gsf600, I found this to be plenty powerful enough for what was, basically, my first big bike.

After 9 months I bought my VFR 750 FT, which is a brilliant all rounder.

I had a accident back in Feb, a stupid woman pulled out in front of me and wrote it off. On settlement of the claim I went out and bought another VFR 750, NOT the 800!

Coming back to the Advanced training, I'm pretty sure you can't take the test until you've been riding at least 6 months on a full license.

yorki wrote:Thanks for all your comments but I didn't expect it to get into a slagging match.

On a positive note as of today I now have a full bike license . After 4 intensive days I passed the test and are going to sign up for some advanced training after easter . I'm still unsure of what bike to buy but it certainly will not be a CBF500 which I did my training on and took for a blast after the test.

I take on board all your views and concerns regarding big bikes and new riders but I'd like to think I have commmon sense but the adrenalin can take over all of us I surpose. Decisions , Decisions. If I going to use it for commuting it needs some form of fairing to cope with windy hill on the M62.

Yorki.

Hi Well done on passing, and as for the VFR, go for it, it's a very reliable bike and you can go as fast as you dare go, but I would take it easy and get used to the weight and power. There are lots of bikes out there to choose from but the VFR as far as I know Honda made a loss developing a really reliable bike, they used all the tricks in the book and it cost them millions to come up with it for them to sell it at a reasonable price instead of a expensive price, so If I was You I would be going for reliability, it's a sports tourer so it will do what YOU want it to do. Enjoy mate and don't buy something you don't want......