Ducati Monster Forum

And was completely underwhelmed. I've liked this bike since I first saw it years ago and had a chance to test drive a 2003  VFR 800. It was smooth, planted, had good wind protection and is quite a bit faster than my S2R1k. But, it was just boring [thumbsdown] I didn't smile at all, there was no leap forward from initial throttle opening no sounds that made me laugh etc.
I do think however that the four cylinder bikes are much easier to ride. an ill time downshift does not result in sudden nut crushing deceleration, but just more revs. It would be far easier for me to ride smoothly with a passenger on that bike...but I don't know. I guess at the end of the day there were no grins to be had for me :'(
Which sort of disappointing to me as I was sort of looking for a bike that might be a shade more comfortable  on long rides and with the potential for a pillion that was still fun. Any suggestions from the peanut gallery?
The good news is that it cemented my love for my bike! [Dolph] 

I actually like the non V-Tec 800 VFR's. Particularly the 2000 that came in the Chiquita banana yellow with pearl metalflake in it.

Have you ridden an ST?
Not the Honda ST....

I have not, I'm sort of thinking of the Hyperstrada, as I would like a lighter shorter bike, since I am only 5'4", otherwise the Muti might be on my radar.

I'm 5'-8" and the Multi was too tall for me.  You need an ST4.   ;D

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=65253.0 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=65253.0)

The bloke across the road from me had a vfr 800 with a pipe on it, that v4 sounded sweet when he was coming down the street.
Is it that the bike you road had the factory pipe on it?

The Hyperstrada?

I've had a regular and an S version in the shop.
I rode both, I'm 6'1" and could barely flat-foot them.

(http://www.ducatiusa.com/cms-web/upl/MediaGalleries/535/MediaGallery_535348/Color_Hyperstrada_W_01_1067x600.jpg)

Clearly Ducati dont give a rats arse about customers under six foot. Bugger, I'm 5'8.
I can tip toe on a Elefant though.

My brother sold his VFR800. He was lucky to ride once a year. I convinced him to come out for a ride and when we swapped bikes he didnt want to give my Monster back. Most fun on a bike he had in years, he said. He sold the VFR and got a 2001 900S ie.
He loves riding again.

I'd actually get one of these

(http://www.mc24.no/getfile.php/Innhold/MC-tester/KTM/990%20SMT,%202009/ktm%20990%20smt%202009%20%281%29.jpg)

over a Hyperstrada any day of the week.

I didn't spend a long time studying the ones I saw, but I don't see any good reason why they're so freaking tall.

I reckon I would get a Hyper evo or Hyper DS1100 and fit a CCW tank before buying
that 4 valver. I would trade top end power for more mid range grunt anyday (for street riding).

Was there a packaging issue that caused such a high seat? There is an extra frame/sidecover layer under the seat. Really ruins the look too.

I looked at the parts catalogue, looks like it's fuel tank running under the seat that's driven it up.

I AM that brother! Check my sig.

It was too heavy, had average brakes, average front forks, too tall for my 5.6" height and the reach to the bars was a little long for me.

It also didn't ignite the passion that the Monster did and does!

GK

[thumbsup]

I agree about the VFR not exactly, stirring the soul.  Can't really fault them, they're versatile, just a little under exciting.  And that V-tec is just plain weird to ride, with this buzzy sound when it kicks in.  I had a good long swap ride on an '05 VFR during an Alaska tour.  Felt almost as heavy as my Blackbird without the thrust.

VFR's have a huge, loyal following, but so do V-stroms.  Some guys just value comfort, reliability and practicality more than others.   I think the S2RK is perfect for a  3 - 400 mile day, beyond that, well, it can be done, but so can a lot of painful things.  And we all know Monsters suck 2 up.

I want a Pike's Peak Multi some day.  If my pillion wants more comfort than that she can take her car while I ride.       

I reckon a Cagiva Gran Canyon or Elefant would be a good mix of soul and comfort if you like older desmodues. Air cooled Multistrada could be a more recent option.

I had the same experience as the OP. Had as ride on a 2011 VFR as I had heard a lot of people talking them up. How do you say that when a bike is to perfect to ride that is kinda boring? Sterile? Geat bike but it just lacked the soul of my Monster.

feel free to purchase my Gran Canyon and find out!!!!

Ah, a Honda V4.  I have one, a first generation Magna V45.  Nothing like smoking a Corvette with a cruiser that's 30 years old.  The stock seat is okay, you can get a more comfy aftermarket seat and ride 2 up with no problems.  Or get the V65 version and have some serious fun.  Sadly, people who bought these when they first came out rode them like cruisers, so the cam wear problem reared its ugly head.  Keep it at 4000 and above and everything is oiled properly.

I raced Honda V4s for awhile, VFR400/NC30. Beautiful little bikes with great motors (360° big bang). They had character, as do the VFR750s. Two mates own 1995 VFR750s. A mate raced an RC30 and regretted ever selling it.

Honda refined too much character out of the 800s imo.

I actually just sold my vfr800 , 06 vtech to get a monster s2r for this very reason. I spent a year and a half on that Vfr and over 8k miles. Fantastic bike! Fun, nimble, really cool v4 noise, and fast. But you are correct.. There is something missing. There is no connection to the bike. No soul.

Welcome rev.
Cheers.

If you want the brilliance of the MTS 1200 but not the seat height buy a Diavel, it is absolutely not what you might think it is. I admit to not having put any miles on one because getting my leg over it is almost impossible, Hyperstrada too for that matter. But I do have 56K miles on my ST3, which is pretty special with the mods I've made. I have 50K+ on my M900 and it still puts a smile on my face when I ride it. I sold my S2R1000 with about 15K miles, it was great on the track but I liked my M900 better on the street. But trust me the Diavel is better than any of those bikes, way better. Only issue is luggage, I'm working on a luggage option, probably go with the Ventura system. The tank bag that Ducati sells is good enough for 2-3 day trip, 1 up. Just my thoughts. - Gene

Any experience with a 2012 or newer VFR 800?

I haven't been on one myself but I was told by a friend that was shopping for one, it's a similar set up. Don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with the VFR platform. I'm sure the new one is every bit as capable as the prevoius. It's an extreemly well sorted out bike with no true flaws to speak of other than it's lack of distinctive personality and that's totally subjective. I'd say ride one and see what you think. It's a great machine really.

Some added weight, but jury is out if it really matters. - Gene

I love my Multi, and I mean LOVE IT!!!  But I'm 5'11" and I can't flat foot the bike.  One of the easiest bikes to ride and turns so easily.  I could do a U turn on a narrow two lane road with no shoulder easily.

Check out a Triumph Sprint ST or RS.  I bought my 2001 Triumph Sprint RS new, and it's never left the garage as many other bikes have come and gone.  The 955r triple motor is bullet proof and a torque beast.  The few recalls the bike had (all minor quibbles) should be done by now and they can be had super cheap.  The 1050 motor has it's fans (later models), but I prefer the 955. The ST has a SSSA, and the last year of the RS also has the SSSA.  If the bike is not going to be the primary bike, then save some $$$$ and get a nicely sorted all rounder like Triumph ST or RS.  It can easily handle a pillion (with luggage) and it will do any road with ease.  The bike delivers 40+ mpg no matter how I ride it and 45K miles later (mind you I have 4 bikes in the garage right now) I've had no problems.  You can pick one up cheap, leave it in the garage for when you need it, and it will do whatever you want it to do. I've also ridden the VFR's, and they left me feeling the same as you.  The Triumph does not, as the triple has a unique note and the engine grunts and hums.

(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/7762118888_4d9b7c3409_o.jpg)

 I have come sooo close to pulling the trigger on one of those Triumphs! Like that yellow one.
Cricumstanses led me to a 2000 BMW K1200RS, but that triumph was always lurking in the back of my head.......

I owned a 2001 Triumph RS for a year and rode it from Toronto to Vegas and back, as well as a few other 3-5 day trips. It was a fine bike with great motor, but top heavy and had crappy suspension.  The suspension issues could have been sorted out, but I found every time I was riding it, I was wishing I was on the monster.

I sold it and eventually picked up an 98 ST2. It was a much more balanced bike with better suspension and a lower centre of gravity. It wasn't as fast as the Triumph, but I the motor had much more character. It's the only bike I've ever been on that didn't leave me wishing I was on the monster.

Last year I found an 01 ST4 for a price too good to pass up ($3k) so I picked it up and gave the ST2 to my brother. The engine doesn't have quite the character of the ST2, but it is faster and smoother. It's the bike I was hoping the Triumph RS was when I bought it.

I've ridden a buddy's VFR a couple times and while an excellent bike, it's just a little too bland for my taste.

Hell yes I owned a 1995 vfr from new,sold it 10 years later with over 120,000 k's on it.brilliant workhorse,did everything I asked of it.since then gotta a monster,no comparison .onya monster

I just got a monster on Saturday, previously I only owned a Yamaha r6, cr125r, and a blaster 200. rode all kinds with all kinds of ppl on ride swapping days, im convinced that the only Hondas that have personality are Honda two strokes, and those almost always have terrifying personalities, everything else is give and take but Honda 4 strokes have always been black holes of un-inspired nothingness to me.

So you've never been on an RC51 i take it..  [Dolph] [evil] [evil] [evil]

+1
My bike, previous to the Monster.
With Sato CF exhaust, a Power Commander and a couple of inexpensive mods the thing was a hot rod.

Never an rc51, but some cbr1k's and other hot Hondas, you've missed the point, I never said they weren't fast, they all just feel soulless....sterile

Actually I'm pretty sure I get your point.
What we are saying is ride an un-corked RC51 and make your same "soulless & sterile" statement.
Pretty sure you will not.

Exception to the rule.

ill accept the exception....also the Honda two strokes were epic.

IMHO the sound of the 4 pipes on my CB500 Four back in the 70's was pretty damn good and when that system rusted the 4 into 1 Bassani had a sweet sound and the xtra get up and go wasn't bad either. Also FWIW that bike was solid for 125K miles only issue was the cam chain rollers wore down and things got noisy, so every 20-25K miles I would replace the top roller. - Gene

eh i just personally cant get over Honda's political adgenda, their hatred for the two stroke kills me, coupled with the fact that they made some of the best two strokes ever and i cant get myself to tolerate them at all.