[Mad Dog]

i found the VFR boring and my ST4S a joy. Just miss the personality when I was on the VFR, kind of passionless.

 

[mw0dbb]

I seem to have that idea about all the jap bikes to be honest. Anyway if i sort this one out I will know whats done to it. Better to do that than start from scratch maybe?

John

 

[furylow]

Hi guys

I have had 4 vfrs. Yes, four, one after another, from '90 rc36 to '05 VTEC, in between I had the rc46 fi model which has my personal record of 2 and a half years of ownership.

Talking about the rc46-2 "vtec", it is a much different bike than a ST. Suspension is simply "simplier" than ST, but believe me, does the job, specially if it is a vtec-abs version whith preload adjuster.
Brakes, really ST also is better, but CBS-SPORTS does the job. It took me a lot of time getting confident with unlinked brakes after 3 and a half years of "pressing the brake lever and the bike does it for you". Really brilliant for road and city use; don't be caught in "posh" thinkings that linked brakes are not cool.

Chasis and handling, vfr is easier to drive fast. Aluminium frame is delicious, easy to do cornering than the st. The lower gravity center help a lot and feels sporty.

Ergonomics Is one of the points which gave me to change the bike. handlebars where too low for me, windscreen too small and air buffeting was really disturbing me. Nothing you can do, neither putting taller screens, it simply doesn't work for me.

Engine and feeling Other point wich I can tell you st's are better. You have to drive like a 600 for less perfomance than a 600, but fuel costs and everything are like a 800. Vtec is funny but no real improvement, yes you feel a real punch but below 6500 / 7000 there is nothing but a slower bike.

Realibity Vfrs are the good bikes, well built but with well know problems. Rectifiers/Regulators like to burn itselves and alternators also. Wiring harnesses are poorly grounded and have gremlins, and camchain tensioners also fail often.
Ducatis are italian () so supposed to be non realiable bikes, but mine works quite ok unless some known problems solved with the fatduc.

So it depends really on you, go test a vfr, hear what she tells you, feel her, ride her, and take a decision. I can promise you they are special ladies, not the best in nothing but the second in everything

Sorry if its not understandable I am a poor spanish

 

[Motard-Menace]

John,

Sounds like you might have got yourself a lemon. If you like the ST line of bikes you might also just want to look at getting her going and then trade up for a newer model ST hopefully without the issues.

Good Luck either way......

 

[mw0dbb]

Thanks for your opinion furylow, it was just a thought really. It seems any bike that I get is going to have its issues, I think I will take my time and battle on with the 4S and hope! that I get a good bike in the end. I have done lots of other stuff to her and I don't want to see that go to waste.

John

 

[erikrichard]

I know you don't want to hear this, but consider swallowing your pride and paying an experienced shop to do it. Not only will there be a better chance of success, you will get a guarantee with the work.
There are very few instances I would suggest paying a shop, this is one of them.

 

[mw0dbb]

To be honest erik it's down to cost, if I could afford to spend £50 and hour I would just scrap the bike and buy a new one! To do the work again is going to cost me about £150 as I now have all the equipment ready, its just a case of the time. I will get it sorted in the end!! I just need to be 100% sure of my measurements this time.

John

 

[jobst3]

I had an '01 VFR ran it 79k mi till bambi took it out.
Great everyday ride - relatively bullet proof 'cept for eating a regultor every 15k or so.

My ST3 is a vastly nicer ride; better susp, brakes and a good bit more power (termis, chip and a/box) - only had it 5k mi and 6 months so I can't comment on reliability yet.

My two cents: stick with a duc - try and ST3??

 

[HarrisFD]

VFR vs ST4S

The one bike has a soul, the other doesn't!

 

[Able Duc]

The one bike has a soul, the other doesn't!

sometimes soul isn't needed

 

[MarkST]

sometimes soul isn't needed

What an ace pic

Is that you ? If so, can't you get a similar pic of your 4s ?

 

[stryder]

sometimes soul isn't needed

No, not to go round bends scrapping pegs. That can be done on any bike, you're right. But it's the ownership exerience after the ride, before the ride and during the ride, including nice sweepers, when soul is needed. Nice pic.

For those of you who care: I heard MCN recently did a ST "comparo" with a base ST3, a V-tec VFR, and a TR ST, and the ST3 "won."

 

[Pacman]

The one bike has a soul, the other doesn't!

That's right. Neither does it have 60k+ miles without a glitch like my friend's '06 800 vtech. And a guarantee of not having any rocker issues. LAte ST2 or ST3 I'd possibly consider. A 4V? I don't think so.

 

[fastrob691]

That's right. Neither does it have 60k+ miles without a glitch like my friend's '06 800 vtech. And a guarantee of not having any rocker issues. LAte ST2 or ST3 I'd possibly consider. A 4V? I don't think so.

I know 2 Vfr 800 owners personally, both have had numerous regulator/rectifier/wiring issues. And both are over 70,000 miles.

 

[Gearbox]

Stryder - Actually the journalist chose the VFR but you are right in that all the comparisons within the article suggested the ST was the better bike so was quite surprised at the verdict given , usual Honda bias.

Personally I have found the VFRs' I have ridden to be rather bland and when I did recently try another ST bike it was the Triumph not the VFR despite being available with better accessories. We eventually established the 1050 did not provide what we wanted from a bike so returned to the Ducati fold !

I would rather have something that I can connect with a few minor irritations than either a tuetonic or riseburner white noise ride - No offence intended to anybody but that is my preference.

 

[DuckMan]

In the December, '06 issue of Sport Rider they did a comparison between the ST3S, VFR ABS, Guzzi Breva and Triumph Sprint ST ABS. In their opinion the Duc narrowly beat out the Honda primarily because of more and better power and heat issues

Reading the comparison one item really stands out for me. The VFR weighed 60 lbs more and had about 20 lb/ft torque less in the midrange.

 

[Able Duc]

No Mark not me on the Honda. Just trying to show a bit of balance with regard to the capabilities of other brands other than Ducati.
I have 2 which are famous for being the most ugly in the coarse of history. I like the Ducs because they go pretty hard and like the characteristics of the V2.
They are a machine designed for a purpose. If you want romance from a machine, get a vibrator.

 

[stryder]

Stryder - Actually the journalist chose the VFR but you are right in that all the comparisons within the article suggested the ST was the better bike so was quite surprised at the verdict given , usual Honda bias.

Oh okay, that's for clarifying that. I didn't read the article, just comments on it elsewhere which suggested the ST3 "won." It was at a Ducati friendly site so the poster was probbaly a little bias.

...I would rather have something that I can connect with a few minor irritations than either a tuetonic or riseburner white noise ride...

"white noise"

 

[Bob92]

VFR, gears whine, steering is effortless to the point of providing no feedback at all, motor is smooth but sewing machine is all that comes to mind. Every time I let my friend who had one ride my ST4, he would never give me my bike back and I couldn't keep up with him when he was on my ST4 and I was on his VFR. When I was on the ST4, he couldn't keep up with me. I would go for a adventure bike or somthing like that if you really want a change.

 

[mw0dbb]

It was just a thought really as I was really pissed off with the Duc! I have however found the problem but I'm going to take the winter months to sort it out. I'll stick with the Duc for the time been!

John