Bird versus VTEC

[macp]

I will be as brief as possible.
I was considering purchasing a VTEC VFR800 for my short (for now) commute to work and weekend rides but dont like the servicing cost`s for the VFR.Has anybody worked out the rough costs for running a Bird against a VTEC. think it maybe cheaper to run a Bird over a VTEC.

 

[Greb]

forget the v-tec,to complex,and the bird is an outdated, fat has-been,apparently:neenaw: you won't go far wrong with a busa:bow: though!!

 

[Smix]

pretty sure the Busa will cost too much in rear tyres to make it a valid commuter bike!! h1d1ng2 Bird happily fights with traffic everyday though! :yo:

 

[Alan Hodges]

v tec

find the vtec 800 very narrow after riding the xx

anyone over 5'10" will probably find the same

as i'm 6'2" my legs make it look like a push bike

would'nt swop the blue xx for the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:bow:

Alan:yo:

 

[macp]

forget the v-tec,to complex,and the bird is an outdated, fat has-been,apparently:neenaw: you won't go far wrong with a busa:bow: though!!

Yeah Im starting to think the VTEC is too expensive to run at ?300-400 every 16,000mls just for the valve check & setup.I dont think the Busa is within my budget.As to the comment about the Blackbird being fat an outdated, well I am heading in that direction personally anyway.

 

[macp]

pretty sure the Busa will cost too much in rear tyres to make it a valid commuter bike!! h1d1ng2 Bird happily fights with traffic everyday though! :yo:

I agree with your comment re tyres. This new bike business is bloody hard.I want a do it all bike but I want the convenience of fuel injection so I can click & go.

 

[Greb]

I was joking about the eye abusa,check out the other threads,i too would'nt sell me bird for love nor money,well maybe love:lick: I had a st11 before the bird,and that is one big albatross.but i think for a short commute,i'd consider a pushbike:bow: i do,or maybe a dullsville,dr200 are apparently quite useful also.

 

[Smix]

I agree with your comment re tyres. This new bike business is bloody hard.I want a do it all bike but I want the convenience of fuel injection so I can click & go.

I'd call the Bird a 'do it all'!! Not difficult to do basic service yourself (if you want to) so no Huge regular service costs, doesn't eat tyres (unless you try hard!) - plays happily with sports bikes at weekends - comfy and quick for touring - sensible if you can be - absolutely bril for commuting IMO!!! Go birdy Go Birdy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! h1d1ng2

 

[fairb]

Brid v VFR

I will be as brief as possible.
I was considering purchasing a VTEC VFR800 for my short (for now) commute to work and weekend rides but dont like the servicing cost`s for the VFR.Has anybody worked out the rough costs for running a Bird against a VTEC. think it maybe cheaper to run a Bird over a VTEC.

If it wasn't for the VTEC I would probably have bought a VFR last year. However, I bought a Bird and I'm glad I did. I'm not sure it's a commuter though? MPG plunges when commuting so I use a CB1000F for commuting.

I got 4000 miles out of the rear of my Bird which I was disappointed with. (Get 8000 miles for a rear on the CB1000F.) Mind you, it did include a 2000 mile two-up tour of Scotland with full panniers and top-box.

 

[macp]

Thats the thing I need more than one bike to do everything. My VFR800 non VTEC was quite happy doing everything but I fancy a change and my CC bills forced me to sell it. Maybe I should just go back to it, sorry to say that on a Blackbird forum. I really like the Blackbird but if it`s just too much bike for the job I should stay away.By the way I could get to work just about on a pushbike but I dont want to.There are people commuting short distances to work in 1.6,1.8,2.0 cars why cant you commute on a large capacity bike :dunno:

 

[Stik]

My last bike was an 04 VFR Vtec. I commuted berkshire to Tower Hill London daily - 100 miles round trip all kinds of roads inc. mways and rural country stuff . . . the bike did it all effortlessly . . .

my new bikes an 05 blackbird ... doing the same commute , and the simple answer for me, is the BB is the better bike for the job - no question.

best bit is that maintainance ( important point at 100 miles a day ) is probably less than 3/4 overall, although the BB does use a bit more fuel ( cos it goes much quicker ??!! )

both good bikes, though you need to ride each for a decent stretch to see for youyrself . .

 

[Duck n Dive]

Thats the thing I need more than one bike to do everything. My VFR800 non VTEC was quite happy doing everything but I fancy a change and my CC bills forced me to sell it. Maybe I should just go back to it, sorry to say that on a Blackbird forum. I really like the Blackbird but if it`s just too much bike for the job I should stay away.By the way I could get to work just about on a pushbike but I dont want to.There are people commuting short distances to work in 1.6,1.8,2.0 cars why cant you commute on a large capacity bike :dunno:

Well I regularly commute on the 'bird and find it fine.... filters with no problem when needed.

You can commute on a 125 and there's an argument to say that if you don't get over 60mph it might be better suited. But when you want to go out of an evening/weekend you'd probably find it a bit limiting!!

I've used all sizes of bikes for commuting (and even touring on a 175).. you can have fun on 'em all........... I simpky find the 'bird is a great all rounder. Does the daily work trip in comfort and is equally capable of covering long distances and/or going quick when the mood takes.......

Bikes should be bought with the heart............... not the brain................

In fact personal transport as such I think is rarely bought with the brain. After all with the cost of renting from easycar (or suchlike) I reckon it would be cheaper for me to commute by train each day and rent a car when I need one....... no insurance costs, no maint. costs, no purchase costs, no worries...... not as convenient though!!

 

[macp]

Well I regularly commute on the 'bird and find it fine.... filters with no problem when needed.

You can commute on a 125 and there's an argument to say that if you don't get over 60mph it might be better suited. But when you want to go out of an evening/weekend you'd probably find it a bit limiting!!

I've used all sizes of bikes for commuting (and even touring on a 175).. you can have fun on 'em all........... I simpky find the 'bird is a great all rounder. Does the daily work trip in comfort and is equally capable of covering long distances and/or going quick when the mood takes.......

Bikes should be bought with the heart............... not the brain................

In fact personal transport as such I think is rarely bought with the brain. After all with the cost of renting from easycar (or suchlike) I reckon it would be cheaper for me to commute by train each day and rent a car when I need one....... no insurance costs, no maint. costs, no purchase costs, no worries...... not as convenient though!!

Thanks duck n dive

Your point about buying with your heart rather than the brain struck a chord with me. I notice your in Winsford im in Crewe.

 

[Duck n Dive]

macp.... nice one... drop me a pm and we can arrange a get together and you can see what a 28,000 mile 'bird looks like!!:yo:


Crewe Honda actually have two new ones... black and silver, they've had the black one a while now......

 

[macp]

macp.... nice one... drop me a pm and we can arrange a get together and you can see what a 28,000 mile 'bird looks like!!:yo:


Crewe Honda actually have two new ones... black and silver, they've had the black one a while now......

I am a paid up member of the VFR forum having had a VFR previously but a lowly member here so cant PM you im afraid. A meeting would be toptastic though.

Re Crewe Honda I wish I had that much cash. I have about ?4k to spend and it looks like it will definitely get me at least a 99 Fi model.

 

[D.S.]

I'd call the Bird a 'do it all'!! Not difficult to do basic service yourself (if you want to) so no Huge regular service costs, doesn't eat tyres (unless you try hard!) - plays happily with sports bikes at weekends - comfy and quick for touring - sensible if you can be - absolutely bril for commuting IMO!!! Go birdy Go Birdy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! h1d1ng2

Play happily with sports bikes? Really? Careful what ya type Smix!
Do it all? Pah ......................no. I tried off roading a Barge once and needless to say it didn't work - lol. The only true ALL ROUNDER is a KTM Adventure. It'll happily much m-ways miles and commute as well as this:

 

[fairb]

Commuting

You can commute on a 125 and there's an argument to say that if you don't get over 60mph it might be better suited. But when you want to go out of an evening/weekend you'd probably find it a bit limiting!!

Perhaps I should have qualified what I meant by commuting?

Totally agree with you. For the 10 miles I commute it's wall-to-wall cars and little national speed limit so I don't think a Bird is the best tool for this (for me). The Bird seems a bit like overkill for this sort of commute unless you like to pose while filtering past cars? To be honest, in the winter something like an old K100RT would do me. On the other hand, for longer distances and touring there's nothing to beat the Bird. That's where my heart comes in to it. So for me, it's a cheap tool to commute with and a Bird for everything else.

 

[Duck n Dive]

I am a paid up member of the VFR forum having had a VFR previously but a lowly member here so cant PM you im afraid. A meeting would be toptastic though.

Re Crewe Honda I wish I had that much cash. I have about ?4k to spend and it looks like it will definitely get me at least a 99 Fi model.

Ok I'll sort out e-mailing or something.... no problem.....we'll find a way!

J&S in Northwich had a red bird for just over 4K a while ago... not sure if they've still got it though. I notice that DK bikes always seem to have around 5 or 6 for sale..... has anyone ever bought s/hand from them?? When I had a look around there I was left with the feeling that their s/hand stuff was a bit like like the old motorcycle city used to be years ago...... caveat emptor........



And FairB... agree with you...... my commute is 25 miles each way and as I use the car on the days I don't feel like using the bike (not many of those though!!). Although years ago I used to use a Honda XL125 for commuting the same sort of distance....

 

[macp]

Ok I'll sort out e-mailing or something.... no problem.....we'll find a way!

J&S in Northwich had a red bird for just over 4K a while ago... not sure if they've still got it though. I notice that DK bikes always seem to have around 5 or 6 for sale..... has anyone ever bought s/hand from them?? When I had a look around there I was left with the feeling that their s/hand stuff was a bit like like the old motorcycle city used to be years ago...... caveat emptor........



And FairB... agree with you...... my commute is 25 miles each way and as I use the car on the days I don't feel like using the bike (not many of those though!!). Although years ago I used to use a Honda XL125 for commuting the same sort of distance....

Ok my email addy is petermacfarlane2@aol.com

Not sure about J&S but the reason D&K have so many Birds is the price they ask. They have to be the most expensive dealer in the UK even dearer than main Honda dealers.I was there last weekend and Im amazed at their prices so much so that I left there feeling angry.I know they must make a profit but I feel they take the p*ss. Rant over.

Would anybody here buy a used parallel import and what should you look out for if you are considering this.

 

[Greb]

Just remember that dealers are not there to do you any favours!! Its a wonder they sell anything at those prices at a certain big dealer in the staffs area,and the so-called warranty is worth fuck all,just take your time looking,you'll save in the long term.