Pig as in big, harder to direct vs. light and easy > flickable
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FZ6 - Honda VFR comparison
- Thread starter agutierrez
- Start date
Pig as in big, harder to direct vs. light and easy > flickable
4fun
Member #1360
Thanks for the laughs, I read your posts for some reason in Stewie's voice (from the family guy). Dont know why I do this, but it's stuck in my head that way.
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If your looking...new 2007 leftover VFR in NH for $8K
I went riding with DanKatz and his friend (who was riding a VFR) last Saturday. DanKatz told me about a dealer, Naults Windham Cycles, in NH that sells new leftover bikes at a really good prices. Naults currently has 4 new leftover 2007s VFRs listed starting at $7999 (non-ABS).
Just an FYI if you are considering a VFR check them out.
Naults Windham Motorcycle (look in the leftover sport touring section)
-John
I went riding with DanKatz and his friend (who was riding a VFR) last Saturday. DanKatz told me about a dealer, Naults Windham Cycles, in NH that sells new leftover bikes at a really good prices. Naults currently has 4 new leftover 2007s VFRs listed starting at $7999 (non-ABS).
Just an FYI if you are considering a VFR check them out.
Naults Windham Motorcycle (look in the leftover sport touring section)
-John
Avalon786
Member
yoshiki
Junior Member
bring up this very old post as i am stuck with the same dilemma and wouldnt wish to start a new topic.
let me start off with the price of the machines i am looking at:
2003 vfr vtec :US$5590+-
2008 fz6s2: US$7475+-
both before insurance.
dont know if this applies everywhere, FYI: bikes here have a lifespan of 10 years, afterwhich, must pay another US$500+- to extend its lifespan for another 10 years.
riding style and usage: (weather 32 deg celsius all year)
daily riding: for sure. i dont have alternative transport. so daily riding would be about 60km to and fro home and office.
track: definitely.
touring: definitely when times permits.
hope to get some helpful advise. thanks alot!
let me start off with the price of the machines i am looking at:
2003 vfr vtec :US$5590+-
2008 fz6s2: US$7475+-
both before insurance.
dont know if this applies everywhere, FYI: bikes here have a lifespan of 10 years, afterwhich, must pay another US$500+- to extend its lifespan for another 10 years.
riding style and usage: (weather 32 deg celsius all year)
daily riding: for sure. i dont have alternative transport. so daily riding would be about 60km to and fro home and office.
track: definitely.
touring: definitely when times permits.
hope to get some helpful advise. thanks alot!
(none)
Not even here
My take, i've had (have) both:
VFR:
Pro: -looks great
-best headlights of any motorcycle
-V4 smoothness, power and sound
-decent windprotection, OEM luggage available
-seems better built than the yamaha
Con: -Gotta take those fairings off to do anything
-surging and vtec transition can be an issue (surging is a main reason i sold mine)
-Valve checks are expensive (but many put them off for long periods with no problems)
-Some have wiring/RR issues (my '04 had none)
-fuel mileage (i averaged 40mpg no matter how i rode, best i got was 42)
-known to have thermostats go bad, known to overheat in traffic (mine did both)
FZ6:
Pro: -No fairings to take off
-Great fuel econ (i usually get 47-50mpg, best of 53)
-Nice and light with a good upright seating position
-Lots of aftermarket support
Con: -That buzzyness (you get used to it, but its there)
-Gotta wind it out to get that power (not an issue for me, some people don't like it though)
-Some controls and such are kinda cheap feeling
All in all, for my daily riding/commuting i choose the FZ6. If i lived somewhere where i could carve corners all the time and twist the throttle a lot and hit the track consistently, VFR. Now the hard part is finding a VFR w/o the transition and surging issues. They are around, and every bike is different. Everything else can be fixed, but there are no known fixes for these issues, just band-aids.
VFR:
Pro: -looks great
-best headlights of any motorcycle
-V4 smoothness, power and sound
-decent windprotection, OEM luggage available
-seems better built than the yamaha
Con: -Gotta take those fairings off to do anything
-surging and vtec transition can be an issue (surging is a main reason i sold mine)
-Valve checks are expensive (but many put them off for long periods with no problems)
-Some have wiring/RR issues (my '04 had none)
-fuel mileage (i averaged 40mpg no matter how i rode, best i got was 42)
-known to have thermostats go bad, known to overheat in traffic (mine did both)
FZ6:
Pro: -No fairings to take off
-Great fuel econ (i usually get 47-50mpg, best of 53)
-Nice and light with a good upright seating position
-Lots of aftermarket support
Con: -That buzzyness (you get used to it, but its there)
-Gotta wind it out to get that power (not an issue for me, some people don't like it though)
-Some controls and such are kinda cheap feeling
All in all, for my daily riding/commuting i choose the FZ6. If i lived somewhere where i could carve corners all the time and twist the throttle a lot and hit the track consistently, VFR. Now the hard part is finding a VFR w/o the transition and surging issues. They are around, and every bike is different. Everything else can be fixed, but there are no known fixes for these issues, just band-aids.
yoshiki
Junior Member
so am i right to say that, given the 2 specific machines (with prices i provided) and my usage of the bike, you would choose the fz6s2?
your pro of fz6 "no fairing to take off" > i would consider fitting some fairings on it! i always loved fairing bikes. (to the extend of taking out the headlight fairing of the fz6s2 out, and probably retrofit sportsbike like r6, r1, cbr race fairing for track. PS: any1 tried before? is it economically possible?)
but i need to put a topbox or side panniers as its my daily transport.. commuting made easier when i zip around town with my girlfriend as well.
your pro of fz6 "no fairing to take off" > i would consider fitting some fairings on it! i always loved fairing bikes. (to the extend of taking out the headlight fairing of the fz6s2 out, and probably retrofit sportsbike like r6, r1, cbr race fairing for track. PS: any1 tried before? is it economically possible?)
but i need to put a topbox or side panniers as its my daily transport.. commuting made easier when i zip around town with my girlfriend as well.
Have2BeFree
It's My Bike!
I don't know much about engines so I will stay away from that but comfort issues I can deal with - I have the FZ6, a friend has a VFR which I may buy as a 2nd bike (I have ridden it a few times). S IMO:
FZ is lighter, easier to handle, flickable, upright seating position, clutch/throttle easier to position, better bike for short commutes, twisties and a fun ride.
VFR - heavier, doesn't get thrown around in wind/traffic as much, feels more stable, fairings offer good wind protection (especially important if you will be riding in cold weather), nice smooth ride, better bike for a passenger to ride on back, great for a long day ride (or more), brakes are much better than the FZ.
FZ is lighter, easier to handle, flickable, upright seating position, clutch/throttle easier to position, better bike for short commutes, twisties and a fun ride.
VFR - heavier, doesn't get thrown around in wind/traffic as much, feels more stable, fairings offer good wind protection (especially important if you will be riding in cold weather), nice smooth ride, better bike for a passenger to ride on back, great for a long day ride (or more), brakes are much better than the FZ.
gpd211
Junior Member
Really surprised to see all the positives of a VFR listed on an FZ forum
That being said I had a 2000 VFR (5th gen) that I slid over a cliff. The 05 FZ was the replacement for that bike. I liked the FZ but it definitely lacked the refinement and quality feel of the Honda. The 5th gen VFR didn't have the vtec so all four valves worked all the time. The biggest pains in the FZ are chain adjustment and rear tire change. This is where the SSSA is so nice. To change the tire on the VFR you simply take the four lug nuts off and the wheel comes off. To adjust the chain loosen the pinch bolt and adjust with a spanner wrench. So much simpler than the FZ. The other issue with the FZ was the power didn't come on till WAY late. Gotta keep the thing above 8k to really enjoy it. The VFR pulled strong form 5k.
The linked brakes I could do without. The nice thing is it is very hard to lock the rear wheel on the VFR due to when you step on the rear brake pedal you get front too. On the FZ if the roads were wet at all it was so easy to lock the rear wheel.
As for seating position. I really don't agree with the VFR being more sport bike. I feel more part of the bike with the VFR and "on" the FZ.
Touring. I did a trip to Deal's Gap on both and would take the VFR any day over the FZ. The FZ was just as fun once there but getting there the extra weight of the VFR was nice (much better ride).
As someone mentioned Honda is clearing out left over '07 VFRs for next to nothing. I had to jump on that. So the FZ went and a RWB '07 took its place. I don't have any problem with the vtech serge. Comes on smooth as butter.
That being said I had a 2000 VFR (5th gen) that I slid over a cliff. The 05 FZ was the replacement for that bike. I liked the FZ but it definitely lacked the refinement and quality feel of the Honda. The 5th gen VFR didn't have the vtec so all four valves worked all the time. The biggest pains in the FZ are chain adjustment and rear tire change. This is where the SSSA is so nice. To change the tire on the VFR you simply take the four lug nuts off and the wheel comes off. To adjust the chain loosen the pinch bolt and adjust with a spanner wrench. So much simpler than the FZ. The other issue with the FZ was the power didn't come on till WAY late. Gotta keep the thing above 8k to really enjoy it. The VFR pulled strong form 5k.
The linked brakes I could do without. The nice thing is it is very hard to lock the rear wheel on the VFR due to when you step on the rear brake pedal you get front too. On the FZ if the roads were wet at all it was so easy to lock the rear wheel.
As for seating position. I really don't agree with the VFR being more sport bike. I feel more part of the bike with the VFR and "on" the FZ.
Touring. I did a trip to Deal's Gap on both and would take the VFR any day over the FZ. The FZ was just as fun once there but getting there the extra weight of the VFR was nice (much better ride).
As someone mentioned Honda is clearing out left over '07 VFRs for next to nothing. I had to jump on that. So the FZ went and a RWB '07 took its place. I don't have any problem with the vtech serge. Comes on smooth as butter.
Hotness ^^^!!!
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Really surprised to see all the positives of a VFR listed on an FZ forum
That being said I had a 2000 VFR (5th gen) that I slid over a cliff. The 05 FZ was the replacement for that bike. I liked the FZ but it definitely lacked the refinement and quality feel of the Honda. The 5th gen VFR didn't have the vtec so all four valves worked all the time. The biggest pains in the FZ are chain adjustment and rear tire change. This is where the SSSA is so nice. To change the tire on the VFR you simply take the four lug nuts off and the wheel comes off. To adjust the chain loosen the pinch bolt and adjust with a spanner wrench. So much simpler than the FZ. The other issue with the FZ was the power didn't come on till WAY late. Gotta keep the thing above 8k to really enjoy it. The VFR pulled strong form 5k.
The linked brakes I could do without. The nice thing is it is very hard to lock the rear wheel on the VFR due to when you step on the rear brake pedal you get front too. On the FZ if the roads were wet at all it was so easy to lock the rear wheel.
As for seating position. I really don't agree with the VFR being more sport bike. I feel more part of the bike with the VFR and "on" the FZ.
Touring. I did a trip to Deal's Gap on both and would take the VFR any day over the FZ. The FZ was just as fun once there but getting there the extra weight of the VFR was nice (much better ride).
As someone mentioned Honda is clearing out left over '07 VFRs for next to nothing. I had to jump on that. So the FZ went and a RWB '07 took its place. I don't have any problem with the vtech serge. Comes on smooth as butter.
I love this bike, but it isn't FJR/FZ6 comfortable to my 6'3" 285lb frame.
yoshiki
Junior Member
thanks for all the inputs.. for the style and looks.. no doubt i would choose the vfr.. but apparently maintainence, parts, heat, feasibility of using it as a daily transport over here, the fz6 is slightly better..
hmm.. tough decision..
hmm.. tough decision..
nextfriday
Junior Member
Both of these bikes both have two wheels and ability to tour. They are in completely different classes to have an honest comparison. The msrps are off by 4k!
yoshiki
Junior Member
yup i understand that the msrps are very different. that's why i am comparing an older vfr to a newer fz6s2 which is about the same price as from my findings in the 2nd hand market over here.
cheers.
cheers.
knightrider
Junior Member
The VFR has a center stand? That is awesome.
When I changed over to my ZX6RR that was the biggest disappointment. A center stand is so useful and handy for doing a lot of stuff. Keep that in mind too, tons of bikes lack a center stand these days.
When I changed over to my ZX6RR that was the biggest disappointment. A center stand is so useful and handy for doing a lot of stuff. Keep that in mind too, tons of bikes lack a center stand these days.
gpd211
Junior Member
I'm 6'3" 215lbs and find the vfr more comfortable. I looked like a monkey f**cking a football on the fz
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it is quite comfortable but the riding position is a little too hunched over for 500 mile days in my opinion.
The FJR fits everything except my budget.
An option for a bike without a center stand is a simple race stand... you can find some for $75 on ebay :thumbup:
zmeiaspas
The tall one
I liked my FZ6 and I love my VFR. To me, the FZ felt nimbler and more sporty whereas the VFR is just smooth and made for touring and covering long distances (don't get me wrong - it still has quite a bite if you want to let it loose). My knees and ass were always killing me after 200-300 mile rides on the FZ, forcing me to stop quite frequently. I logged a couple of 500-600 mile days on the veefer and never felt a thing. I really liked my FZ but frankly I would not go back to it after having experienced the comfort of the VFR. Yet again I'm 6'6" 
P.S.
And since this thread is worthless without pics:
View attachment 24569
View attachment 24570
I'm sorry - I'm just looking for excuses to post pics
P.S.
And since this thread is worthless without pics:
View attachment 24569
View attachment 24570
I'm sorry - I'm just looking for excuses to post pics
Last edited:
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I liked my FZ6 and I love my VFR. To me, the FZ felt nimbler and more sporty whereas the VFR is just smooth and made for touring and covering long distances (don't get me wrong - it still has quite a bite if you want to let it loose). My knees and ass were always killing me after 200-300 mile rides on the FZ, forcing me to stop quite frequently. I logged a couple of 500-600 mile days on the veefer and never felt a thing. I really liked my FZ but frankly I would not go back to it after having experienced the comfort of the VFR. Yet again I'm 6'6"
P.S.
And since this thread is worthless without pics:
View attachment 24569
View attachment 24570
I'm sorry - I'm just looking for excuses to post pics
That V-4 has an awesome sound with those Two Bros.....:rockon:
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