Hi,

I currently have a 2002 Blackbird which I love. The problem is, as you probably all know, is that the Blackbird is not the best bike for in town use. Long wheelbase, gobs of power, runs hot, not the best for lane splitting, etc. Not knocking the bike, it truly is one of the finest motorcycles I have ever seen or ridden. It's just that's it's out of it's element in town/commuting IMO.

I'm thinking of picking up a 2000 VFR for this purpose (and maybe some canyon carving although the Blackbird does just fine in this regard). I currently have a Ninja 500 for commuting and it's a great little bike but I love Hondas and the price seems to be right for this bike.

Question: am I just getting another Blackbird with a weaker motor? I'm hoping the VFR is a more manageable at low speeds, lighter on it's feet, etc. Curuous if any of you have ridden one and how you would compare/contrast it to the Blackbird.

Am I going down the wrong path here? Thanks for the input.

I owned an old interceptor and have had experiance with the newer ones. I dont think the Interceptor is any better for an in town bike.

Your Ninja500 would probably be better than picking up a VFR. I have a '92 along with my '03 XX. Though the balance and torque of the V-4 is superior to many inline 4's in the twisties, in town it wouldn't fair very much better than the Bird. I love both my bikes, but they are both best suited to open roads more than congestion and traffic.

I ride my XX in town and on the open road and im happy with it in both zones.

Long wheel base hasnt been much of a problem to me..
Gobs of power are controlled by the right wrist position
and i dont lane split often..

Could you just modify your riding style a bit to accommodate the birds foibles?

Originally Posted by Uglystick

Could you just modify your riding style a bit to accommodate the birds foibles?

Not in KommieFornia. My XX is my daily commuter these days and though I don't spend much time on the Interstate, it gets warm enough if I run into any traffic. Tollerable for the "boys" compared to the VFR, but still they both like to have air flow over being stopped in traffic. Their all water cooled and as long as the fan and thermostats are functional they'll be just fine. The Ninja500 may just be a little lighter and a little nimbler for city traffic is all I'm saying.

Originally Posted by Growler67

Not in KommieFornia. My XX is my daily commuter these days and though I don't spend much time on the Interstate, it gets warm enough if I run into any traffic. Tollerable for the "boys" compared to the VFR, but still they both like to have air flow over being stopped in traffic. Their all water cooled and as long as the fan and thermostats are functional they'll be just fine. The Ninja500 may just be a little lighter and a little nimbler for city traffic is all I'm saying.

Growler is right, in CA., traffic is a nightmare, even on the freeways. You wouldn't believe how much time I spend lane splitting. There really is no rush hour...anytime of the day, the roads are jammed.

Anyway, here's the real dilemna. I currently have 3 bikes, want the VFR badly and can't afford it unless I get rid of something.

The Blackbird...no brainer. It stays.

A Kawasaki Concours...a lengendary sport tourer. I ride this through the winter (amazing fairing) and when I have reaaalllly long rides. 600+ miles in a day is no problem. On the fence about getting rid of it, it is an amazing long distance, bad weather rig.

The Ninja 500....great in town bike. I can zip around, lane split, it's light, economical, dead reliable. I was hoping the VFR would replace this as this is the one I'm least attached to. It's more utilitarian than anything else and have no attachment to it. Paradoxically, it's the one I ride the most by far.

Maybe I should just pass on the VFR....there are worse problems in life. Too bad, been looking for a VFR for a while and the right one at the right price has come along just when I'm broke

Anyone want to adopt me or become my pimp?

Originally Posted by rlew

Anyone want to adopt me or become my pimp?

Well I be happy to be your pimp.. but i will warn you i have found that i get the most costomers at 20 cents a time..

Shewie doesnt like it because i only give him 10% and he reckons its his hard work im living off.

Dont know what he's bitchin about he makes $262.40 per night..

Originally Posted by Uglystick

Well I be happy to be your pimp.. but i will warn you i have found that i get the most costomers at 20 cents a time..

Shewie doesnt like it because i only give him 10% and he reckons its his hard work im living off.

Sold...to the lowest bidder. 20,000 tricks will go fast.

Vfr is a nice set of wheels but I would rather be on the bird wherever I am riding

The XX VFR Concours and Ninja 500 are all sorta sporty-touryish kinda bikes, and all of a certain era of design. Someone has a fetish methinks

Originally Posted by thechamp55

The XX VFR Concours and Ninja 500 are all sorta sporty-touryish kinda bikes, and all of a certain era of design. Someone has a fetish methinks

Astute observation. I like practical, multi-purpose, bullet proof, low maintenance bikes. You won't see me riding BMWs or Ducatis even though they are sexy (even if I could afford them).

Originally Posted by rlew

Sold...to the lowest bidder. 20,000 tricks will go fast.

LOL where are you going to get a VFR for $400.00

Remember you only get 10%..

Originally Posted by Uglystick

LOL where are you going to get a VFR for $400.00

Remember you only get 10%..

We ho-dogs ain't very good at math.

I still say 200,000 tricks will go fast. Just more gangbangs.

Ditch the ninja and grab the one of the best bikes ever made. If you don't, you'll probably regret it. Seriously, if you had to, you could always grab another 500. Those bikes are everywhere. Cheap too.

VFRs weigh about the same as an XX, right? No advantage there in a VFR.