So I rode a VFR yesterday

[pitbull]

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.

[Boltznnuts]

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

[rufus1138]

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.

[reverus]

So you've never been on an RC51 i take it.. 

[Ducatamount]

So you've never been on an RC51 i take it.. 

+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.

[rufus1138]

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

[Ducatamount]

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.

[rufus1138]

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

[twolanefun]

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

[rufus1138]

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.