Selling Monster + VFR Questions

[J3]

Well, it looks like the monster and I will be parting paths soon.  I started school again last fall and school+job=no free time until the masters (maybe PhD) is completed.  I haven't had the time to ride it anymore, been on it less than 10 times this year, for under 200 miles total.  In addition I bought an old Buell to commute on last fall as I didn't want to park/ride the monster around campus and all the young inexperienced/distracted/incompetent drivers. 

Anyway, I will probably sell both bikes and pick up a VFR or some other small sport touring bike (<1000 cc) with some room for luggage, books, etc...  So, somebody give it to me straight about the 5th/6th gen VFRs (or point me to another good forum).  What needs fixing, where are the trouble spots, what specifics should I look for when purchasing?  How does it compare to a ST2 (mostly in terms of maintenance)?

Thanks guys.

[phildo]

I love my Viffer. If at all possible I suggest keeping the Monster and adding a 4th or 5th gen VFR.
I really enjoy haveing both. I ride the VFR most of the time, just take the Monster out for fun.
VFR's are great bikes, but if it's your only one you will miss the Ducati.

These are both good viffer sites:
www.vfrworld.com
www.vfrdiscussion.com

You can get a screaming deal on a 6th gen, but I would go for a 5th. Gear driven cams and a little more sport oriented. A 4th Gen is even better, but clean ones are getting hard to find. 4th gen is has carbs and analog gages which is a plus to me
cheers

Reliability wise they are all bomb proof. The only issue would be with the RR, but that's a $200 part that takes 5 minutes to replace, and once it's done it's done. 

[J3]

Yeah, I've been reading a bit about the R/R issue and it doesn't seem like too big of a deal.  Also sounds like everything else is "set-it-and-forget-it".  5th gen or older seems rather difficult to find in my area, and the local honda dealers all have new 07 VFRs sitting around for bargain prices (sub $8k).  I was planning on purchasing a used 5th gen, but these seem like a great deal too.  No matter what - goodbye timing belts.  I won't miss that, the wonky fuel injection, or the melting gas tanks on the monster.

[cdv478]

J3,

I had the same thoughts as you, and joined VFRWorld. It's similar to this site in the way everyone is helpful. I like the 6th gen even though they aren't as popular with everyone as the 5th gen especially. Where do you live that has new '07's for sub $8k? They are mostly gone in the southwest, and I like the red, white and blue 25th anniversary paint. The only one near me is a 5000 mile prior rental '07 non-abs for $8900, and non-ABS '08's for 10500-12k.

Whatever you decide, both seem to be great motorcycles, and you'll always focus more on the positive aspects of the one you don't have.

[silentbob]

Going from a Desmo to a V-Tec is not an improvement in maintenance costs or reliability.  The gear driven VFR is bullet proof, plus it doesn't have the huge mid range bog that makes you feel like the V-Tec is doing something when it finally turns off and gives you back the power it stole.

[DW]

Two months have passed since I sold my S2R1000 and picked up a 2002 VFR800.  I am impressed to say the least.  It has not died at a stop light even once.  It doesn't run out of gas at 120 miles.  It handles pretty well.  Center Stand .  I just got back Monday from a 4.5 day 1,600 mile trip through Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas.  The bike didn't even hickup once.  [moto]

What is less than favorable.  It is HEAVY compared to the Duc.  It doesn't torque the front wheel up in the air nearly as well as the Duc.  VTEC is something that I could do without.  You really have to get used to rolling the throttle on gently around 7k if you are exiting a corner.  Otherwise the hit is very unsettling. 

The owners manual encourages you to perform most of the maintenance yourself, whereas the Duc suggested you take it to the dealer to wipe the bugs off once per ride (OK, a bit of exaggeration there, but it didn't even have a chain adjustment section ).

In regards to VTEC being equivilant in maintenance to Desmo...  How does a 16,000 mile adjustment interval equal out to the 6,000 mile interval on the Duc???  I think it is quite reasonable. 


I had been planning to pick up a Ducati superbike next year, but I am not certain now that I really need one.  The VFR really does it all.

[silentbob]

In regards to VTEC being equivilant in maintenance to Desmo...  How does a 16,000 mile adjustment interval equal out to the 6,000 mile interval on the Duc???  I think it is quite reasonable. 

It doesn't compare until you see what the dealer will charge you to adjust the valves or repair the v-tec.  The earlier (non v-tec) bikes are lighter too.

[J3]

Looking through the service manual, the VTEC is nearly as complicated to clearance the valves as on the monster (which I feel comfortable doing) with the amount of disassembly required and swapping of shims but without the pesky belt tensioning and 2 year belt lifespan.  However, the check interval is 16,000 with many suggesting waiting until almost double that. 

Don't get me wrong.  If I could find a reasonably low mileage, good condition, 5th gen I think I would prefer it.  The reality is that the chances of finding said bike are quite poor.  I guess I'm not fully sold on linked brakes on either generation yet either.

I'll be test riding a 6th gen on Friday and I will go from there.  A BMW F800ST is not out of the question, but finding a nice used one will be fairly difficult as well.  I really haven't done any research on them as far as maintenance, etc... though.

[DW]

Two places that just recently had new leftover models on the floor: S&S Powersports in Clarksville Indiana.  They had the anniversary edition that you had mentioned just a few weeks ago.  The honda shop in Litchfield Illinois had a maroon one ('07 i think) just last weekend.  Both new still.

My mechanic is slow, but doesn't charge much (I am that mechanic).  I plan to open up the heads this winter along with replacing the chain and sprockets, adding hard bags, etc.

[phildo]

I just stepped outside at work for a little breath of fresh air and noticed another 4th gen parked next to mine. I walked over just to kind of have a look. I glanced at the millage out of curiosity. I thought initially that it had 10k miles, a second glance revealed 100+k on the clock. Bike still looked really good too.