VFR vs. KLR for commuting. - Page 4

n8dawg6 · 07-30-2012, 11:27 AM

I would think that a Versys or Vstrom would make a better pavement commuter than either the VFR or the KLR. Upright riding position, strong acceleration at around-town speeds, plenty of top-end speed for highways, and you can get good all-weather street tires for either one. That's what I'd get, at least.

That being said, I'd like to own a VFR. Wouldn't even mind one of the newish 1200's. Would like to own a KLR if I was tall enough (I'm not).

jearnshaw · 07-30-2012, 01:19 PM

Wow, I did not think this would have made it to 4 pages.

I have looked at Harley's but the only one I would even consider is a Dyna Super Glide. But for cruisers, the only one I had ridden is a 2011 Triumph Speed Master, after 5 minutes I realized that cruisers are not for me. For me the handling felt like a milk crate on top of a skate board. Now I think about it I have only been on 5 different bikes and that one was the only one where I felt I needed both hands on the handle bars.

I am keeping a close eye on the market for Vstrom's. I have sat on them in the shop and they fit me alot better then the KLR. Also for winter my wife's only rule for commuting is not to take the bike out if there is snow are ice on the ground. And for the colder air I am considering the Aerostich Roadcrafter suit, that should help alot along with decent gloves and boots.

Tinks · 07-30-2012, 07:06 PM

If you are willing to drive a bit 5 or so hours or fly and ride those deals can be easy ($2,500-3,500 for an older well farkled one).

Tinks · 07-30-2012, 07:08 PM

PS: there is often an ADVer nearby to check it out or willing to keep it in a garage or bring it to you

N-Id-Jim · 07-30-2012, 08:49 PM

I have a VFR w/ factory bags, and occasionally commute on it, but it is a short jaunt.. 5 miles or so. I also have a DRZ400 which is more fun to ride around town on, but has really shitty brakes. The vfr is not good in stop n go traffic. But, If i were going more than 10 or 15 miles the viffer would be my weapon of choice for sure.

Guano11 · 07-31-2012, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jearnshaw

And for the colder air I am considering the Aerostich Roadcrafter suit.

The 'Stich will double your riding season in the PNW. Good call.

jearnshaw · 07-31-2012, 12:59 PM

I know I am getting off subject here. But has anybody ever have a picture of a motorcycle seem to speak to them..

Something about a Honda 919, every time I look at one I can't help but to smile and daydream a little.

nachtflug · 07-31-2012, 04:26 PM

dream on.

dino1 · 07-31-2012, 09:33 PM

Just thought I'd throw this in there

jearnshaw · 08-06-2012, 05:41 PM

Well it looks like I am going to have to wait til spring to pick up a bike.

Went up to mountains this weekend with my family to check out the area we will living and with winter creeping around the corner, it will be no question I need to pick up a 4wd vehicle so I would be able to travel to work.

Worroll · 08-07-2012, 07:18 AM

The type of riding you describe I'd go with the KLR for a commuter. That's what my current commuter is. I'm in an apartment, and also need a bike that isn't a theft target. My other bikes are kept in a garage elsewhere.

But I don't think you'd go wrong with the VFR either.

Mazaev · 08-11-2012, 05:36 PM

I went from a Wee to a '99 VFR, living in NYC. While I think functionally the Wee was a better city bike and got much better MPG, the VFR makes up for it in fun factor. At this point I have the Veefer outfitted with the same luggage as the old Wee, and it does great as a tourer, shopper and commuter. Only real complaint is the mileage, but thats partly because PO put a full lsystem and a power commander in there. I've also noticed that I've been getting stopped more on the VFR by LEOs, as opposed to not even being looked at on the Wee.

If I were shopping around now, I'd also look into the 919/599 Hondas and the FZ6. They're all good for minimal gravel roads too, and although the Wee was able to handle some really nasty offroading when thrown at it, it wasn't much fun and I'd rather have a more dedicated bike for that sort of thing.

I'd go for a KLR if I were doing Costa Rican backroads on a regular basis.. not so much for highway commuting.

jearnshaw · 08-17-2012, 08:11 PM

Well I have my store that I will be transferred to and traveled the route today to see what I will be up against.

The majority of the route is 18 miles of twisty and winding roads with only a few sections where you can get up to 55mph safely anyways, I am sure a more novice rider on a sport bike can travel a lot faster but I am not risking anything. Also since I will be traveling off of The Blue Ridge Parkway, there is a lot of police watching the area.

Most likely the KLR will the winner of because of the slow commute to work and there is a lot of gravel roads close to where I will be living.

07-30-2012, 11:27 AM	#46
n8dawg6 krunkin' Joined: Apr 2011 Location: MS Oddometer: 145	I would think that a Versys or Vstrom would make a better pavement commuter than either the VFR or the KLR. Upright riding position, strong acceleration at around-town speeds, plenty of top-end speed for highways, and you can get good all-weather street tires for either one. That's what I'd get, at least. That being said, I'd like to own a VFR. Wouldn't even mind one of the newish 1200's. Would like to own a KLR if I was tall enough (I'm not). __________________ '09 XR1200 '00 TT600

07-30-2012, 07:06 PM	#48
Tinks Imp of Satan Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Conway, AR Oddometer: 19,789	If you are willing to drive a bit 5 or so hours or fly and ride those deals can be easy ($2,500-3,500 for an older well farkled one). __________________ Ride, Wreck, Ride (Mr. Disaster) Preston Drew Haun June 17, 1981- August 15, 2010

07-30-2012, 07:08 PM	#49
Tinks Imp of Satan Joined: Sep 2007 Location: Conway, AR Oddometer: 19,789	PS: there is often an ADVer nearby to check it out or willing to keep it in a garage or bring it to you __________________ Ride, Wreck, Ride (Mr. Disaster) Preston Drew Haun June 17, 1981- August 15, 2010

07-31-2012, 09:33 PM	#54
dino1 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2010 Location: cen tex Oddometer: 133	Just thought I'd throw this in there __________________ 1987 BMW R80 (SOLD) : ( 1996 Honda elite 80 2000 honda vfr no flames, skulls or cupholders : [ 1995 orange speed triple (SOLD) : {

08-07-2012, 07:18 AM	#56
Worroll Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Southern CT Oddometer: 629	The type of riding you describe I'd go with the KLR for a commuter. That's what my current commuter is. I'm in an apartment, and also need a bike that isn't a theft target. My other bikes are kept in a garage elsewhere. But I don't think you'd go wrong with the VFR either. __________________ 2011 Sprint GT, 2008 Kawasaki KLR650, 1981 Honda CB750F, 1957 BSA Bantam D3 restoration project, Past bikes -1986 Honda Shadow VT1100C, 1998 Honda Shadow Aero VT1100C3, 2006 Yamaha FZ6, 2006 Kawasaki ZX-14,1980 Yamaha XT500

07-30-2012, 01:19 PM	#47
jearnshaw ^OP Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Jefferson, NC Oddometer: 92	Wow, I did not think this would have made it to 4 pages. I have looked at Harley's but the only one I would even consider is a Dyna Super Glide. But for cruisers, the only one I had ridden is a 2011 Triumph Speed Master, after 5 minutes I realized that cruisers are not for me. For me the handling felt like a milk crate on top of a skate board. Now I think about it I have only been on 5 different bikes and that one was the only one where I felt I needed both hands on the handle bars. I am keeping a close eye on the market for Vstrom's. I have sat on them in the shop and they fit me alot better then the KLR. Also for winter my wife's only rule for commuting is not to take the bike out if there is snow are ice on the ground. And for the colder air I am considering the Aerostich Roadcrafter suit, that should help alot along with decent gloves and boots.

07-30-2012, 08:49 PM	#50
N-Id-Jim Gnarly Adventurer Joined: May 2009 Location: where elephants roam Oddometer: 333	I have a VFR w/ factory bags, and occasionally commute on it, but it is a short jaunt.. 5 miles or so. I also have a DRZ400 which is more fun to ride around town on, but has really shitty brakes. The vfr is not good in stop n go traffic. But, If i were going more than 10 or 15 miles the viffer would be my weapon of choice for sure.

07-31-2012, 12:59 PM	#52
jearnshaw ^OP Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Jefferson, NC Oddometer: 92	I know I am getting off subject here. But has anybody ever have a picture of a motorcycle seem to speak to them.. Something about a Honda 919, every time I look at one I can't help but to smile and daydream a little.

07-31-2012, 04:26 PM	#53
nachtflug infidel Joined: Jan 2002 Location: New York Oddometer: 42,871	dream on.

08-06-2012, 05:41 PM	#55
jearnshaw ^OP Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Jefferson, NC Oddometer: 92	Well it looks like I am going to have to wait til spring to pick up a bike. Went up to mountains this weekend with my family to check out the area we will living and with winter creeping around the corner, it will be no question I need to pick up a 4wd vehicle so I would be able to travel to work.

08-11-2012, 05:36 PM	#57
Mazaev Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2011 Location: The rotten apple. Oddometer: 136	I went from a Wee to a '99 VFR, living in NYC. While I think functionally the Wee was a better city bike and got much better MPG, the VFR makes up for it in fun factor. At this point I have the Veefer outfitted with the same luggage as the old Wee, and it does great as a tourer, shopper and commuter. Only real complaint is the mileage, but thats partly because PO put a full lsystem and a power commander in there. I've also noticed that I've been getting stopped more on the VFR by LEOs, as opposed to not even being looked at on the Wee. If I were shopping around now, I'd also look into the 919/599 Hondas and the FZ6. They're all good for minimal gravel roads too, and although the Wee was able to handle some really nasty offroading when thrown at it, it wasn't much fun and I'd rather have a more dedicated bike for that sort of thing. I'd go for a KLR if I were doing Costa Rican backroads on a regular basis.. not so much for highway commuting.

08-17-2012, 08:11 PM	#58
jearnshaw ^OP Adventurer Joined: Aug 2011 Location: Jefferson, NC Oddometer: 92	Well I have my store that I will be transferred to and traveled the route today to see what I will be up against. The majority of the route is 18 miles of twisty and winding roads with only a few sections where you can get up to 55mph safely anyways, I am sure a more novice rider on a sport bike can travel a lot faster but I am not risking anything. Also since I will be traveling off of The Blue Ridge Parkway, there is a lot of police watching the area. Most likely the KLR will the winner of because of the slow commute to work and there is a lot of gravel roads close to where I will be living.

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