for what im looking for in a bike... yes it does.. and what im looking for is an all around degree of control .... actually a study was done a few years ago where everybike from your everyday cruiser to the top of the line crotch rocket was tested for insurance purposes.. and the true sportbikes came out on top with unmatched maneuverability , stopping , acceleration, and control. yes comfort is a luxury you have to take in stride... kinda like driving a ferrari.. not the most comfortable car to get into... but show me a lesser class vehicle that will outperform it in every aspect..

what makes the most difference here has alot to do with the rider.. but on the bike itself its mainly weight.. the sport-touring bikes and cruisers are 2x more heavy.. which same as in a car makes it take longer to stop ,harder to control in sudden movement situations..

i have ridden on a few sv650's , a ninja 500, and i have a 2004 harley vrod as well.. it is just as fast as my f4i... do i feel as safe on it,, NO why ? because it just does not maneuver or control as well as my sports bike, the front and rear tires are 3x as easy to lock up even with pilot powers on it.. why did i buy it? because it was the most comfortable harley style i found to ride on that i liked.. same with the f4i, it was the most comfortable sport bike i found mixed with hondas reliability .. i didnt by it because it looked fast.. because most of the sportbikes today look alot more powerful and alot faster than the F4i.. so it wasnt for looks

so to answer the question at hand.. is the VFR800 more comfortable? .. maybe is it a better bike for the street?... in my opinion NO

 

All perspective my friend. I think theymake exellent street bikes.<<

'zactly. I can't imagine a better overall street bike that the 4Fi, which is why I bought one. I use it for short commutes, mid-range rides and thousand-mile tours. It does it alltwisties and superslabs. Nice sport riding position, but not too aggressive.

I've got a choice, too. I have a BMW 1150RS which is a great two-up touring bike, but not what I'd call a good street machine. Too heavy, too slow, too...piggish. (It does carry more.) I have also an Aprilia Tuono, also a good street bike, but heavier and higher.

I'm old enough to have gotten over buying things for image. If image were my wont, I have more than enough money to buy another liter bike or, perish the thought, a 'Busa. The F4i has everything I want in perfect balance. Fast but not stupid fast, excellent handling, comfortable. Better brakes and mirrors would be a plus, but I can live with it.

And what a bargain they are bought used. I love 'em.

Paul

 

if you have the money and means.. get you a front end from a honda 954.. triple clamps, forks, brakes front wheel...

the brakes are alot bigger and have a awesome response to them.. or for alot less you can just get steel braided brake lines for about $200 front and rear which dramaticallly improves the braking

 

as a owner of both a 07 VFR & a 02 F4i

I prefer the VFR.. more comfort, just as "nimble" cheaper to insure & different< you dont see them EVERYWHERE .. OH and they hold thier value just a well if not better than a CBR

if you want sporty & probably the best all around sport bike EVER made find a 5th gen VFR 98-01

 

Thanks for the tip on the 954 front end. I'll add to the list of mods.

Last winter, I did install stainless lines and just this weekend, I go around to putting on the Galfer HH pads. Marked improvement from these, I'd say. Not quite Brembos, maybe, but good enough for me.

Paul

 

again this is all in perspective.. cause looking at the spec i dont see how you can think they are just as nimble.. they run basically the same power but the VFR is 100lbs heavier

2004 VFR800 Interceptor
79 kW (104hp) @ 10500 rpm. Torque. 80 Nm (59 ft·lbf) @ 8750 ..470lbs dry weight


2004 CBR 600 F4i
77.6 kW (101hp) @ 12500 rpm. Torque. 76 Nm (56 ft·lbf) @ 10500.. 370lbs dry weight

 

but also your compairing 2 bikes 5 yrs apart.. the 02 F4i only had 89-90hp.. the 07 VFR prob has more than what is stated in the specs here.. so your talking a difference of 5 yrs and 15-20 hp.. that big of a difference on a bike would make even a harley feel more nimble.. LOL

2004 VFR800 Interceptor
79 kW (104hp) @ 10500 rpm. Torque. 80 Nm (59 ft·lbf) @ 8750 ..470lbs dry weight


2004 CBR 600 F4i
77.6 kW (101hp) @ 12500 rpm. Torque. 76 Nm (56 ft·lbf) @ 10500.. 370lbs dry weight