Triumphrat

maxorbit · 08-15-2012, 09:10 PM

A friend , who owns a 2009 VFR, & I took a nice ride together today.It was hot out !. On the way back we switched bikes at my request. I've always liked the looks of the VFR and my friend has owned several over the years. Well, his VFR fit me well, I'm 5'8" with a 28" inseam and I could get my feet on the ground . I did notice that the throttle would 'snatch' .If you rolled off the throttle quickly the revs would plummet then when you applied throttle it would over compensate.Also, at certain RPMs the motor would lose a bit of power of a moment. My Sprint has never done any of this. The rollon acceleration didn't seem as good but it was a bit smoother than my Sprint.The mirriors didn't vibrate.

The location of the pegs seemed to suit me well.The bars were not to my liking. They were a bit too low but not by much.The clipons were cranked in more than my sprint ( I use LSL superbike bars).Also, the grips were a lot smaller which made my hands want to cramp up.

However, with the exception of the throttle snatching it was very good in my case. I could see myself riding a VFR and enjoying it.I've always thought they were too tall for me but this generation fit me well.The seat was flatter than the Sprint but was comfy.

Shall I consider a VFR for my next bike? Although I don't think I'd buy a white one like my friend's.In my case 2 seasons with the same bike is an eternity.Then there's always the S2R.

Lee H · 08-15-2012, 09:48 PM

The color is easy to fix... I just found a quart of dark metallic orchid (dark purple, almost black) that I had bought for a project, then changed my mind...

Mickea · 08-16-2012, 03:40 AM

"Shall I consider a VFR for my next bike? Although I don't think I'd buy a white one like my friend's"
And your point of all this is?

Moke · 08-16-2012, 04:41 AM

It would be interesting to know what your friend thought of the Sprint.........

DaveM · 08-16-2012, 05:23 AM

I have never liked the idea that on the newer ones the variable valve thingy kicks in right where it shouldn't, not what you want kicking in when well cranked over in a corner exit.

At least that is what I have read a good number of times on forums and motorcycle mag reviews.

That alone would be enough to make me not buy one.

Honda's are well made, I have had several, but my Triumph's have soul / character or something.

Honda's just seem to do it for me at the moment anymore.

Macduff · 08-16-2012, 07:38 AM

Good to hear a generally positive VFR opinion from another Sprint rider.

I owned a pre-VTEC 800 for 8 years and loved it. Have to say I still regret changing to the Sprint but over the 3 years I've had it, the Sprint has grown on me.

The positives for me were

- build quality easily betters the Triumph although I'm hearing that newer Hondas are nowhere near as good.
- handling again much better than the Sprint. for me, the VFR is more sports orientated while the Sprint is more upright and just much harder work in the twisties
- headlights. say no more.

The Sprint betters the VFR in a few areas
- brakes although the VFR's were good despite press complaints about the linked brakes
- power although the VFR was smoother and despite what some people say about Jap bikes, the V4 has character unlike an inline 4
- it's British so I'm supporting our economy

- looks from some angles are better but then the Sprint design was 7 years newer

BTW, the issue with the lurching can be sorted if the throttle bodies are balanced properly. Don't think the VTEC is so much of an issue on the later ones as the cut-in/cut-out RPMs were changed. Early VTECs (up to 05 IIRC) had the VTEC set around 6500rpm so if you happened to be hovering around that, it would keep switching in and out. From 06 they changed it so there was something like a 500 rpm difference between the cut-in and cut-out i.e. something like 6700 for cut-in and 6200 for cut-out.

Dave

Slymon · 08-17-2012, 06:52 PM

I have an 04 VFR with ABS and just wasn't satisfied ... Ended up with an 06 ST ABS and prefer it. The VFR is more stable at high speed (much heavier at slow speed though also) but I just disliked the VTEC kick which would invariably happen when I didn't want it. The ST is MUCH smoother and with the high bars MUCH more comfortable. I would recommend a VFR to anyone that wants one but would recommend an ST that doesn't know what they want.

DaveM · 08-17-2012, 06:56 PM

That's interesting Slymon thanks for the input.
I am not saying too much because I have never ridden a VFR but read a lot about them, but owning both bikes gives you a real comparison.

maxorbit · 08-18-2012, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickea

"Shall I consider a VFR for my next bike? Although I don't think I'd buy a white one like my friend's"
And your point of all this is?

The point is the constant,eternal search for something different/better. It's your choice to contribute .Don't feel that it's required.

A lot of good opinions and observations.I don't think my friend enjoyed my LSL adapter and he mentioned the shifter positioning but that was all.He's a couple inches taller than I am.The VFR steering seemed lighter but I noticed the front tire was a lot thinner in profile than my Sprint.Also, the tacho was hard to see for me with my poor eyesight.The Sprint has a larger tacho. I'm not a fan of digital gauges on a motorcycle and the VFR has a couple...fuel gauge and temp I think.

The thing is my Sprint is 13 years old, the VFR was an '09 with barely 6K on it. My Sprint is still enjoyable to ride with no problems.It is puffing a bit of smoke on heavy acceleration but that's probably worn valve seals.I drive my wife nutso with this stuff. I like to wheel & deal on cars & bikes.I also think Triumph makes a good product.They have a full lineup of different styles.

Will I stop looking?? Hell ya... about a day after I kick off.

BRG-BIRD · 08-18-2012, 09:05 AM

I have never ridden a VTEC model VFR. That said I can give a few impressions based on owning a 94 VFR for 11 years and have ridden a friends 99 many times. Smooth engine, great exhaust note, the 94 & 99 had gear driven cams that sound great out on the road, both bikes where very capable for distance riding and having fun in the corners although my buddy's had lighter steering.

They are a tough machine, the only issue I had with mine was a voltage rectifier (and they were known for that) otherwise a very well built, solid machine and feel the newer models are as well built. The only thing looking back and of course comparing to the Sprint is I really had to wind up the VFR to get any power out of it...