I got a good mate of mine which is about to buy his first bike.

He has fallen in love with three bikes

- CBR600F4
- VFR800Fi
- SV1000S

Now, the bike has to be an allrounder. It must be fun to ride, but also has to have the ability to ride two up down through Europe. I know tha non of these bikes is a CBR1000F and maby not the right forum to bring this up, but I don't know any other place where I know I can get a straight answer.

Hope you can get my mate some good advice. I know what my choice of bike would be, but what would yours be?

 

Ride alone for fun => CBR600
Two up around Europe => VFR800

 

I would choose the VFR800 for touring alone or with passenger.
The SV1000 i would use as a "Streetfighter" and to commute between home and work.

 

I would choose the CBR 600 F4 on this list if riding alone, great handling and finetemperament. The SV1000 is not very good or very bad at anything.

I prefer going by car if not riding alone, but wouldtake the viffer w/pillion

 

Pre v-tec VFR all the way. It's a do all bike! Tour, street, track.... you name it, the VFR does it all well.
My girlfriend has an 1998 with 65K miles and she loves it. In fact when asked what her dream bike would be, she says "I already own it"!

 

CBR is too crouched over for touring. VFR is a great all around bike. 1998-2001 are the best years imho. VTEC is a little sloppy on 02 up. I have a 98 and it is by far the best bike I have ever ridden. I am not much of an opinion, all I've ever ridden is : CBR1100XX, CBR1000F, CBR600F1, CBR600F4I, Katana GSX600, VTX1300, Intruder VS1400GLP, VFR800FI. VFR is my favorite out of those.

 

VFR 800Fi is good all round and it is not a bad looking bike!!!

theSV 1000sis not to good at all the rest of the things he wants in a bike!!!

Get him a cane!!! ha ha ha

 

He should get some Motech lugage mounts for Givi hardbags and some helibars to raise his handlebars on the SV1000S and then he will have a comfortable tourer with hella-fun v-twin action. If he puts the effort into modding the SV into a passable sport tourer he will want that one because the twin is going to give him overall the most fun on the road.

If he is not willing to mog his bike, then he should go for the VFR with the hardbags.

 

I'd go the vfr, BUT, when you say "first bike" I wonder??
Any of these bikes could catch the new rider out. I hope your mate has his head together, especially when riding two up around Europe.
Yeah....ok....I'm over 40!
Ride safe, Dave.

 

Throttle control, throttle control, throttle control. And look for a VFR with ABS brakes.

Has anybody ridden the later VFR, say '05 and after? I've heard the V-Tec is much improved.

Craig