919 vs vfr Opinions needed

[delian13]

Allrighty.. I've put 2k miles on the 919 now, and added a CBX to my garage and a cb1100 that I am doing the cafe treatment to it..

So my thinking is, do I need 3 generations of CBs, or should I add an option..

I have the ability to get an 04 vfr for a great price.. And if I play my cards right, I could end up with enough cash in the end to upgrade to VFR suspension a bit..

On the side burner, I'm working on track bike which could sate my appetite for straight up speed.. Which may or may not happen, but there's a plan in the works..

So, 919 v vfr.. Any thoughts?

[Ottawa919]

If you do a search you will come across a couple of guys here who made the switch and found the VFR superior in many ways, which it probably is (brakes, handling, suspension). It isn't a 919 though. It has it's own character. Some VFR owners thought the VFR was somewhat bland.

In your case, you have enough variety that the VFR will round out the stable a bit better.

[undercover919]

I love my 919 but I do often wonder about having a VFR as its SSSA makes adjusting the chain a breeze and I think I may like having a faired bike as well. But I do like the uniqueness of the 919 and the power and I'm not sure the VFR has the power I would like or that I have come used to with the 919.

My 2 cents, more a ramble than anything else lol

[delian13]

I had a VFR about 10 yrs ago, which I traded for a cbr900rr which was like a kick in the balls.. And I subsequently got 4 huge tickets in one year..

My problem now is I've got all these naked bikes.. The fairing will help with wind.. Make long distances better..

I also have access to a spare motor for a VFR800 that I could bore 30 over and get a bit more punch out of if I were so inclined..

[Mark919]

I have a 2001 VFR in addition to my 919. I had thought the VFR would be enough of an all-around ride to make me not want both. It didn't happen.
The VFR fairing is great for the highway and/or longer rides but not in the city and not in the heat. The rear two cylinders put out a lot of heat and moving slow in traffic is not fun. You live in Texas. I hear it can be warm down there.
If i had to pick just one bike it would be the naked 919. You may already fill that bill with your other CBs. No question the VFR is a great bike so if your are looking for a sporty bike for comfortable country or highway miles you can't beat it.
I chose the 2001 VFR (gen 5) to avoid the VTEC (surge at 6500 rpm, the extra weight), and the electical issues of the early gen 6 years.

Good luck.

[curiousmike]

The fact that you're considering the swap means you're not in crazy,ga-ga love with the 919.

You have the two other standards.

IMO, it's a no-brainer. Get the VFR.

If you suddenly miss the 919, get another 919.

[Toast]

My VFR cornered a lot better than my 919 did, but the 919 felt more powerful because of the weight advantage and the lovely torque. I disliked the suspension on the 919, and the suspension on the VFR was very plush compared to it. I see the bikes having two different main purposes. The 919 as an around town fun motorcycle that you can throw around relatively easy, and the VFR as a longer distance machine that can take high speed corners with more confidence. Although...I have never traveled on my 919 when I had it.

[Epicsoldier]

I had an 04 919 and a 05 VFR.

I'll try to keep it short, they are very different bikes obviously, the 919 was alot of fun but when it came to going places and riding for the day...the VFR For the win!

-The VFR had amazing brakes, I mean just insane brakes...the feel was very good (mine was abs with combined braking system)
-The VFR is much more comforable, highway speeds and such.
-VFR handled better than the 919, high speed corners felt composed and it took bumps fairly well for stock suspension
-919 felt faster, and probably is
-919 was alot of fun to ride

The 919 was fun as hell, and made rides fun (not that the VFR didn't)

It really depends on what you are looking for, if you are looking at doing day trips and going on long trips and not feeling like someone kicked the crap out of you...you should get the VFR.

If you are into shorter day trips, or don't mind the pain at the end of the day...or you looking for alot of fun on your ride...keep the 919.

[wildwest450]

Cool thread! I still love my 919, but I still ride with a Harley/cruiser crowd. Tired of 80mph 300mile highway rides, my 42 year old body doesn't appreciate it. I am seriously considering a VFR, do they really cut the wind down on the freeway? The windshields look kind of short. I gag at the thought of a "cruiser", and most sport touring bikes are monstrous in size, the VFR looks like a decent compromise.

Wish I could test drive one.....

[Shriker]

VFR's are some of the best bikes in the world....I have owned or ridden one of the last three generations . Gen 5 (just prior to last 800vtec model) was probably the best though I have not ridden a new 1200. VFR is a more refined expensive premium bike, 919 a bargain street fighter. Suspension components , frame material and design engine design etc. VFR is a halo bike for Honda.

Two areas the 919 wins handily are POWER and comfort. Being much lighter and having much more low end power the 919 is faster everywhere by alot except the very top end where they may be close with the edge still going to the 919. As for comfort , I am 6'1" and the sit upright ergos of the 919 are very comfy although the VFR's were relatively comfy as well.

[3dcycle]

i just biught a vfr from a 919. a buddy has had a vfr vtec since new in 04, we did a 50mph roll on to WOT in 3rd gear, his is stock with slip on compared to my 900rr exhaust with sato gp pipe, Powercommander and +1 on the rear sprocket, i kept up with him until about 100mph once i had to shift there was no gaining back up even when his shifted. its just faster. they have the same HP numbers his may be slightly heavier but make up for it with the fairing

i will say this though, we swapped bikes one day, and of coarse being used to mine the vfr felt funny but is just somthing you have to learn to ride. rev limiter seamed to hit very easy on it.

[sml2727]

The real question is, do you need that many bikes?

[boogunoogun]

Originally Posted by sml2727

The real question is, do you need that many bikes?

/ what do you do for a career?!

[Pvster]

Originally Posted by sml2727

The real question is, do you need that many bikes?

worst question evar!

[nd4spdbh]

Originally Posted by Pvster

worst question evar!

seriously! you can never have to many bad ass bikes!

[g00gl3it]

Originally Posted by sml2727

The real question is, do you need that many bikes?

Originally Posted by Pvster

worst question evar!

Originally Posted by nd4spdbh

seriously! you can never have to many bad ass bikes!

If it's a Harley, you already have one too many....

[zaq123]

very easy:

keep 9er, keep cbx, sell cb1100 and with money you get and save on its rebuilt get VFR and Supermoto

[3dcycle]

Originally Posted by zaq123

very easy:

keep 9er, keep cbx, sell cb1100 and with money you get and save on its rebuilt get VFR and Supermoto

now thats the smartest thing ive heard all day

[3dcycle]

Originally Posted by zaq123

very easy:

keep 9er, keep cbx, sell cb1100 and with money you get and save on its rebuilt get VFR and Supermoto

now thats the smartest thing ive heard all day
2 for the price on 1

[delian13]

Getting the supermoto anyway.. May end up trying a 600! Never thought id say that.. But my buddy has me convinced its better to learn the track with a 600..

I cant not do my cafe cb1100! I need to replace my Bonneville! I loved that bike, but it had zero balls! Hehe.. Also, this bike is the testbed for my efi project.. If it works out, the cbx is next!

[davehirt]

i have had both, the vfr has that sound, mmmm v4, and a fairing, which is why i lost my licence.
On the 919 theres nowhere to hide, so i cannot keep the same speed without my neck aching big time from my head whipping around.

[ricko2]

I sold my 919 to PVster a few years ago, replaced it with a 2000 VFR. There is no going back. In fact I bought a CBR1100xx this year, which was a dream bike of mine. Which bike did I sell? I unloaded the 1100, made $500 and kept the VFR. I love this thing.

[mrhonda1987]

I think i'm gunna go look at a VFR800 on Saturday. It's a 2003 model with 16k on the clock. Anything I should be looking for? I really like it and would make a good stablemate for the 919, Shadow, CB350 and Super Cubs. And it's silver. Not red. Damn I'm sick of every bike I own being red. I'll call it the Enterprise. I'm such a nerd...

Any suggestions when inspecting VFRs?

[curiousmike]

Wasn't it the 2004's that had the VTEC modified so the 6500RPM "kick" isn't as pronounced?

Regulator/Rectifier was an issue in 90-98 bikes, don't know about later ones.

[delian13]

OK.. So I went for the VFR.. Sold the 919 for 4k and bought (2) 2004VFR800s.. Guy had a pair, one of which he said was a "parts" bike.. Turns out the "parts" bike is complete except no spark.. I ran the wiring harness and found 3 wires that were cut presumably for an accessory or something.. Fixed them and Bam! 2 working VFRs for 4500..

As far as the ride, it is absolutely different.. WAY smoother, not as grunty down low, and a different "feel" to the cockpit.. Overall, though, I'm just as happy as I was on the 919.. It's just different.. I don't feel like I have to fight to stay on the bike..

So I've got a new daily driver.. It's not naked, but my weekend warrior is, so I can keep posting in this forum..

[Pvster]

NICE!, you got a steal on those 2 vfs then! i bet you could sell the not so nice vfr for a profit and go buy another 919 ; P

[delian13]

I've thought about it.. Gonna sell it and but some CR carbs for my CBX..

Maybe finish the EFI conversion on my 1100f cafe bike, too..

[TheBeeDeeGee]

Dude, that's freaking awesome. I am pretty interested in a VFR as well, PICS OR IT DIDNT HAPPEN!!!

[delian13]

Hell, I could just take a pic of my garage right now.. It's ridiculous.. There are 5 bikes squeezed in there.. CBX, 2 VFRs, CB1100f, and a 98 CBR900rr roller that I'm putting back together..

[g00gl3it]

That is awesome - pays to be a home brew mechanic! That guy didn't even know how easy the fix was on VRF 2.0.

Sad really, but I guess we've all done stuff like that.

[rmb]

What a deal!

[PHOBMAN]

All of my best cruising was on a CBX back in '79. Hence the restoration!
The 919 is awesome for around town and twisties.
The next bike will be '60's Bonne, or Vfr!