Topic: VFR700 vs Concours

[IndyFour]

I've been chewing on the idea of getting a second, more modern bike for longer trips (modern is a relative term when I have a nearly 40 yr old bike now).  I love my 550, but it's just not comfortable for long distance, especially at higher speed (for me).

Keeping in mind that I have a budget of only about $2k, i'm looking for a late 80s to late 90s bike with some miles on it.  The idea of a sport-tourer attracts me, but in all honesty, I'm probably not going to do any super long distance riding or anything.  It would be nice to be able to hop on and do a full day's ride comfortably and actually go on the interstate for a long distance.

The two bikes that catch my eye at the moment and are in my budget are...

1987 Honda VFR700 - I like the look of the bike (retro 80s but still kind of fresh) and it would probably be plenty fast for me.  I know the later VFR bikes were often used as sport-tourer type bikes....would one of these earlier ones be put into that category as well or more of just a plain 'ol sport bike?  Is it common for folks to do longer range riding on these older VFR's?  Is it a good all-purpose bike?  I know you can strap luggage to about anything.  Is the bike comfy?

1990ish Kawi Concours - I like the general look of the bike, but I feel that the seating position may be a bit more upright than I want.  The design, while nice, tends to look a bit more dated to me and when I see them, I think of old men riding them (no offense!).  That said, I hear nothing but good things about the reliability of these bikes and the great power.

I don't know if these two bikes are even really in the same segment.  I hear good things about the design of both drivetrains.

I've never sat on either of these bikes.  I'm tall (6'4").  Can anyone give me any advice as to which one may be a better fit?  Any help to guide me one way or the other would be helpful.  Like I said, not looking for a cross-country rig....just something that will be more comfy at higher speeds on the highway for hours at a time and maybe a two-day trip every year or so.

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Steve_K]

I don't know about the early VFRs. but I had a 92 VFR and I put over 45k and in some years 14 to 15k a year.  Loved the bike, quite comfortable for 400 mile days which I did quite often.  I am 6' 1" and weigh 220 lbs.  Love the sound of the lumpy idle.  Note: NEVER needed to change the valve shims or adjust the the carbs.  If it has the centerstand, that is a plus.
Steve     

[Eydugstr]

I own a '05 Kawasaki Concours, bought it brand new, and have a little over 27k on it.  Lot of bike for the money.  The 94-06 models are pretty much the same.  The '86-93 models had different gauges, wheels, front brake calipers and cam tensioners.

Your height would be a good match for the bike.  I stand about 5'11", and if I was an inch or two taller, it'd be perfect.  It'll do the highway trips all day long no complaints, and the hardcase luggage is really useful.  They use screw-type valve adjusters, and valve adjustments can be done in an afternoon's work.  They have a fair amount of accesories availible for them and great support group (Concours Owners Group, and two forums).  The performance is no match for a modern sportbike but it does respectably well, and it speed it handles way better than most people give it credit for.

Yeah it does get a rap for being an "old man's bike..."  So do Goldwings...but I can say this from experience...Went to one COG rally in South Dakota, and followed two old  COGger's into Montana.  One had about half a dozen Iron Butt rally patches on his jacket, and the other routinely went to track days.  Both were in their 60's.  Wound up chasing them both into WY with a little over 100 mph on the clock.

It does have some cons.  With a full tank of gas they weigh about 630 pounds, and that weight is high (keep in mind the gas tank holds 7.5 gallons).  The fuel petcocks were prone to going bad after a few years (I've replaced mine once in the time I've owned it) and if neglected, can cause a hydrolock situation (bent rods & other engine damage if ignored).  Some people complain about a sportbike-like "buzz" feeling through the bars, but normally a good valve adjustment and carb synch cures it.  Kawasaki's quality control sometimes leaves something to be desired, too.

Another issue is the heat - the fairing wraps around the radiator and acts like a big fan duct putting the heat on the rider during hot days!  I got around this by cutting down the windshield.  On colder days this is actually a plus, though.  There are fairing "wings" on the side that can be reversed, which helps some.

On mine the gas mileage has varied a lot, the worst was 38 mpg (commuter riding) and the best was 48 mpg (short highway trip w/tank bag and no saddlebags).  Another time it got 46.5 mpg on a two day trip, fully loaded two-up with tank bag, saddlebags, tail bag & backrest.

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM or just ask.  I went from riding a '72 CB750 to the Concours, and can tell you it's a night and day different bike.