Zee - here's a mini comparison.
One of the things that I really enjoyed about the B6 was the comfort of the ride. I felt that the sitting position, ergos, Sargent seat, and wind protection all combined to make her ideal for long rides. I did several 400+ mile days that combined lots of twisties and high way cruises, took many a road trip, and rode her around town with no complaints about comfort. I also did a lot of two up riding, and my girlfriend always raved at how comfortable she was on the Bandit.
With the VFR, the seating and ergonomics are very different. First off, the sitting position makes you feel not like your riding the bike but like you're actually part of the machine. I feel like I blend into it. I really like this. The wind protection is very good as well, and I don't feel as much buffeting as I did on the B6. Another thing you notice is the lack of buzzing and vibrations. The ride is smooooooooth. Two up, my girlfriend said the Bandit was more comfortable, but I think it may be just the fact that she has to get used to it. She used to complain about the Bandit at first as well. Another point regarding comfort is the heat that you feel coming from the engine. We had a 95 degree day this week, and you feel the heat right on your legs, and it's concentrated. This wasn't the case with my Bandit.
Power. Hands down, the VFR feels a lot better. Throttle response is immediate. You don't have to wait for the power to come, it just takes off right away, and the sound of the engine, along with the Two Brothers pipe sound awesome!
Handling. After 3 years with the Bandit, I could say that I got to know her very well, and knew how to work her in the twisties. With the VFR, you don't have to put as much effort into making a turn, and any input is felt right away. I had to get used to this and am still working on getting it right.
Another thing I like on the VFR is the fact that it's got a clock, temp gauge, and fuel gauge. I never ran our of fuel on the B6, as I tracked my odo, but having it displayed right there is cool.
Overall, I would say that the two bikes are two different to give it a good comparison. Everything about them is different, from the ergos to the engine, to the design. While I'm very fond of the B6 and can confidently say that I never had any problem with keeping up, comfort, or reliability, I can't deny that Honda has a great quality product with the VFR.
Of course, my overall experience is very limited. The Bandit was my first bike, the VFR my second. I've taken a few bikes on spins, including the Gixxer 1000 and the SV1000S. So take my review with a grain of salt. If there are any specific questions, please feel free to ask and I'll answer as honestly as I can.
I don't think I could have picked a better bike than the B6 to start with. I have no doubt about this. I think the VFR is a good choice for a second bike as well.
Tacoman - yeah, I heard about how expensive the adjustments can get. At the same time, the first one's at 16K, and I hear that they almost never really need to be adjusted.
Pitter - Yes, we do have to get together one day. You, me, and a bunch of other guys from the area. I've tried getting rides set up, but it's been an uphill battle. I see that you've been hitting the track up, and since most of my friends are doing the same, maybe I'll eventually hit Pocono up as well. If not, I'll let you know when I go to spectate, and maybe I'll see you then.
Topic: Got a new ride (Read 2985 times)