A great bike, a realistic everyday road riders machine. After my stint on the Fireblade I can honestly feel that Honda have got it bang on.
Its a sports bike for the person who wants a fast bike delivered in a more relaxed way, it feels so much more planted and secure for quick road riding and the power is delivered in waves of creamy silky smooth V4 with 172 very content happy galloping horses.
It plush, beautifully made, the more you look at it the more you love it like a sculpture. As for riding, each mile is another mile toward's motorcycle heaven, the ultimate experience of two wheels. Man and machine flowing as one entity through a timeless mist towards mechanical foreverness.
i need to get a life, it is just a very very good bike.
Saturday 8 May 2010
First Service Now 673 miles
Took the bike for its first service, I also got the center stand fitted along with the hugger, the top box will be at the end of the month.
Whilst I was at the dealers I was given the opportunity to test drive a Fireblade. This was an interesting chance to see what the blade felt like. I have to admit to always wondering about the blade. I was a little worried that I might like it to much.
The blade is a great bike but for me there is nothing my VFR1200 cannot do that the blade can for my style of riding. All the blade offers is more discomfort and a more edgy nervous ride, it felt flighty and needed to be reved a lot harder.
It confirmed what I already knew that these types of bike are not for me. I once owned a ZX10R and for me the blade was a step better but still too track focused. I did a good 50 miles on the blade by the time I returned my wrists ached and my fingers were numb.
The good thing was it just confirmed to me what a perfect bike the VFR is. Now I know you might expect me to say that but this was what I really felt. VFR's Plural are just so much more realistic road bikes for most everyday riders.
If anyone wants a track bike then they will want the blade but if you in the market for a good roadsports bike (Aka Honda) then I would urge you to test drive both bikes. You just might get a surprise.
Anyway first service done and a pleasant ride home. In the afternoon Eileen took a half day off and we went out to Powmill, one of my favorite milk bars. We had a pleasant run back taking in some new roads. Eileen had a nice afternoon and another 60 miles under her belt as a VFR pillion.
In the evening I did another 20 miles to force the fuel warning on and this time hit 133 miles. So again very good this had involved several different runs.
I washed the bike and enjoyed the new center stand making cleaning chores so much easier.
Whilst I was at the dealers I was given the opportunity to test drive a Fireblade. This was an interesting chance to see what the blade felt like. I have to admit to always wondering about the blade. I was a little worried that I might like it to much.
The blade is a great bike but for me there is nothing my VFR1200 cannot do that the blade can for my style of riding. All the blade offers is more discomfort and a more edgy nervous ride, it felt flighty and needed to be reved a lot harder.
It confirmed what I already knew that these types of bike are not for me. I once owned a ZX10R and for me the blade was a step better but still too track focused. I did a good 50 miles on the blade by the time I returned my wrists ached and my fingers were numb.
The good thing was it just confirmed to me what a perfect bike the VFR is. Now I know you might expect me to say that but this was what I really felt. VFR's Plural are just so much more realistic road bikes for most everyday riders.
If anyone wants a track bike then they will want the blade but if you in the market for a good roadsports bike (Aka Honda) then I would urge you to test drive both bikes. You just might get a surprise.
Anyway first service done and a pleasant ride home. In the afternoon Eileen took a half day off and we went out to Powmill, one of my favorite milk bars. We had a pleasant run back taking in some new roads. Eileen had a nice afternoon and another 60 miles under her belt as a VFR pillion.
In the evening I did another 20 miles to force the fuel warning on and this time hit 133 miles. So again very good this had involved several different runs.
I washed the bike and enjoyed the new center stand making cleaning chores so much easier.
Mileage running still
The next run planned was a two up trip from my home in Dalgety Bay. Sandy my brother joined us again on a hit or miss day weather wise. Also for my partner the back of the bike was still a bit of an effort and I think she was apprehensive to say the least.
So I had two tasks, one to make the ride more comfortable for Eileen by driving with more consideration, the second task would automatically follow as this meant a true tour mode ride and I would see what the tank range was like in this mode.
As previously stated in an earlier post at a minimum I wanted 120 miles.
We set off and headed for our first stop at Lochearnhead, normally we stop at the Loch side toilet facilities but I have to admit to feeling a bit cold by the time we got there. My eyes detected what turned out to be a delightful Little coffee stop.
Hot chocolate and cake followed, I asked Eileen how she felt and she said she was fine and that the leg cramp she had experienced on the first short run we did was gone. She was comfortable but still felt she was having to put a bit of effort into holding on. Still by now we had done 60 miles and she seemed relatively sprightly and in good cheer so things were looking more positive.
We pushed on, the next stop was the Drovers Inn on the way to Loch Lomond at a place called Inverarnan. Ignore the date on the photo's I don't have a time machine, please click to enlarge.
Ok an expensive bowl of soup and a bit off rain and we were on our way, we rode down the side of Loch Lomond on a lovely twisting road however very busy with traffic.
From there we hit Stirling and I now had my fuel indicator flash at 136 miles. Excellent this is what I was looking for, the bike is still running in so this should also improve with miles and I have still to experiment with the higher octane fuels. But this places the bike well in the tour range i need.
We covered 168 miles and Eileen was more than happy and got more relaxed as the ride went on. Once I get the top box installed I think Eileen will feel a bit more secure also making the seat less slippy might help.
Nice day out though despite the rain and the bike was faultless nothing negative to report.
So I had two tasks, one to make the ride more comfortable for Eileen by driving with more consideration, the second task would automatically follow as this meant a true tour mode ride and I would see what the tank range was like in this mode.
As previously stated in an earlier post at a minimum I wanted 120 miles.
We set off and headed for our first stop at Lochearnhead, normally we stop at the Loch side toilet facilities but I have to admit to feeling a bit cold by the time we got there. My eyes detected what turned out to be a delightful Little coffee stop.
Hot chocolate and cake followed, I asked Eileen how she felt and she said she was fine and that the leg cramp she had experienced on the first short run we did was gone. She was comfortable but still felt she was having to put a bit of effort into holding on. Still by now we had done 60 miles and she seemed relatively sprightly and in good cheer so things were looking more positive.
We pushed on, the next stop was the Drovers Inn on the way to Loch Lomond at a place called Inverarnan. Ignore the date on the photo's I don't have a time machine, please click to enlarge.
Ok an expensive bowl of soup and a bit off rain and we were on our way, we rode down the side of Loch Lomond on a lovely twisting road however very busy with traffic.
From there we hit Stirling and I now had my fuel indicator flash at 136 miles. Excellent this is what I was looking for, the bike is still running in so this should also improve with miles and I have still to experiment with the higher octane fuels. But this places the bike well in the tour range i need.
We covered 168 miles and Eileen was more than happy and got more relaxed as the ride went on. Once I get the top box installed I think Eileen will feel a bit more secure also making the seat less slippy might help.
Nice day out though despite the rain and the bike was faultless nothing negative to report.
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