VFRs about face

30 seconds of Googling have produced no insight, so what's the difference
between a VFR800-A4 and a VFR800-A5?

Specifically why is this bike http://tinyurl.com/2l9d7z the same price as
this one http://tinyurl.com/34dtps, despite being a newer model with 5,000
fewer miles on?

Oh, this is all too confusing for me.

--
AndrewR, D.Bot (Celeritas)
Kawasaki ZX-6R J1, Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo
BOTAFOT#2,ITJWTFO#6,UKRMRM#1/13a,MCT#1,DFV#2,SKoGA#0 (and KotL)
BotToS#5,SBS#25,IbW#34, DS#5, COSOC# Suspended, KotTFSTR#
The speccy Geordie twat.

 

The one with higher miles is listed as having ABS and heated grips.
Personally, having now had the ST1100 ABS woes, I would avoid the ABS if
possible.

HTH

 

God knows. Someone will be along shortly to tell you that they're both
underpowered sheds and that the 750 is a better bike.

Well, the A4 is 'very good condition' and the A5 is 'excellent
condition' and has heated grips. Controversial, I know, but why not
phone the dealer and ask.

<mode=recommend what you own>
Just buy a Sprint ST 1050.
</mode>

 

If possible try and encourage him not to buy a Honda or a VFR at all.

 

They'd ruined it years before that sub-assembly was added

--
wessie at tesco dot net

BMW R1150GS

"Wessie is a lovely man with many wonderful qualities" TM Blaney

 

On a slightly hijacking note, would you extend that advice to a
Blackbird? I have a small yearning, you see, and a bloke that I know
is about to move on his 'Bird.

This bike is ultimately cared for, living in a carpeted, airconned
garage. It has had all the services, by time as well as mileage
(although it hasn't many miles) and he replaces tyres when they get
dopwn to 3-4mm as he "prefers the look of new tyres".

He did his first trackday in the Novice group at Silverstone a couple
of weeks ago. He "didn't see the need for first or second", so he
circulated in 3/4/5/6. This bike has never ever been thrashed, is in
as close to showroom condition as it possibly can be - but it is a
Honda with linked brakes and only one step away from a Pan.

How say you, KawasakiMan?

 

But, Mr Champ, I'm so confused.

I *know* I want a new bike, I just don't know what I want.

Tell me what to buy!

--
AndrewR, D.Bot (Celeritas)
Kawasaki ZX-6R J1, Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo
BOTAFOT#2,ITJWTFO#6,UKRMRM#1/13a,MCT#1,DFV#2,SKoGA#0 (and KotL)
BotToS#5,SBS#25,IbW#34, DS#5, COSOC# Suspended, KotTFSTR#
The speccy Geordie twat.

 

A Rocket III.

 

<chips in>
It's a heavy'ish old bird all fuelled up. Maybe 20kg more than an RF.
Back to back with a Thunderace it felt top heavy and barge like with a long
stretch to the bars. The linked brakes were ok, but I didn't need to stop on
any off camber gravel strewn T junctions.

Zym has or had one I think, to comment. IIRC he prefers them to his ZZR1200.

 

Ooops ZX12-R

 

Buy pork bellies.. Sell orange Juice!!

 

Yes. Those BSAs were much nicer than the Trident.
Of course, neither compares to the Hurricane....

 

Up to 7k, but I'd prefer to spend less than that if possible.

I want hard luggage and the budget has to cover that as well.

--
AndrewR, D.Bot (Celeritas)
Kawasaki ZX-6R J1, Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo
BOTAFOT#2,ITJWTFO#6,UKRMRM#1/13a,MCT#1,DFV#2,SKoGA#0 (and KotL)
BotToS#5,SBS#25,IbW#34, DS#5, COSOC# Suspended, KotTFSTR#
The speccy Geordie twat.

 

Bandit 1200 GT, and give the change to me.

 

<fx:tries again>

http://tinyurl.com/2rpcy3

Have a test ride. You will easily add hard luggage to it and remain
within your budget.

 

Exactly how I felt after riding Zymurgy's. Immensely capable, and a real
quality bike, but 120mph felt like 80mph which felt like 50mph. No
sensation of speed whatsoever except for the slipstream and the figures
on the clock.

I must confess to having the odd itch for a ZZR1200, or now, the 1400.
Amazingly affordable, even new.

 

Gawd you can have most things fairly new then including

2003 Yam FJ1300ABS 20k miles for ~£6000
2004 Kwak ZZR1200 15k miles ~£5000
both with hard luggage

If you have such a sufficiency to spend and why would you even *consider* a
VFR.

I think I'd go the ZZR route myself out of those two.

 

I've considered it, but M&S don't do test rides on used bikes[1] and it
seems, to me, pricey for a 2 year old bike with 22k on the clock.

I've been to have a look at this one, http://tinyurl.com/2cms6x, but it's
the same story ... no test rides.

[1] Because, they say, all of their bikes are untaxed and SORNed, but I
didn't think that mattered if you stuck trade plates on them.

--
AndrewR, D.Bot (Celeritas)
Kawasaki ZX-6R J1, Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo
BOTAFOT#2,ITJWTFO#6,UKRMRM#1/13a,MCT#1,DFV#2,SKoGA#0 (and KotL)
BotToS#5,SBS#25,IbW#34, DS#5, COSOC# Suspended, KotTFSTR#
The speccy Geordie twat.

 

Both too big, I think - I need something I can get through rush hour traffic
into the middle of Newcastle easily every morning.

--
AndrewR, D.Bot (Celeritas)
Kawasaki ZX-6R J1, Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo
BOTAFOT#2,ITJWTFO#6,UKRMRM#1/13a,MCT#1,DFV#2,SKoGA#0 (and KotL)
BotToS#5,SBS#25,IbW#34, DS#5, COSOC# Suspended, KotTFSTR#
The speccy Geordie twat.

 

Yeah, I know that one is a bit pricey. On the plus side, Sprint ST
residuals must be good )[1]

Test ride a new one then, and then look around for good, low mileage
secondhand ones. It really is a cracking bike.


[1] Smiley for TOG's benefit - I do realise that asking price <>
selling price.