Time for a bigger bike - VFR800 or Falco?

I've had the SV650S for coming up to 3 years now, and I've loved it. My main riding has been short commutes and short blasts around the country lanes (6 hours max) and it's been perfect. Low insurance, low maintenance, big grin factor!

Last winter I totally stripped the bike, spruced it up with a thorough clean & service, and reconditioned/replaced any ropey bits to make it all lovely again (inc. B1H shock and Hagon springs). Even last winter I knew our time together was limited, I found myself looking at other machines...

To finish the summer off nicely, I went on a 850 mile tour of Scotland (Edinburgh, Fort William, Inverness, Edinburgh). The bike was fantastic, but by the last day I was in agony! Wrists, ankles, knees....maybe the SV isn't quite the right machine for a 6' 2" bloke for 3+ days?

So that's settled it, time for a new machine whilst they're cheap in winter! I've a European tour planned next year, and Scotland again - I couldn't do another uncomfy stint on the SV.

I've looked at all sorts, but have got it down to 2:

1. Honda VFR800
2. Aprilia SL1000 Falco

The VFR appeals to my inner 'old man' - comfy, reliable, good for distance
The Falco appeals to the same things that make me love the SV - everyday sporty, V-twin characteristics

I'll be test riding over the next few weeks, but any input anyone?

Cheers,
Chris

i'll throw a spanner in the work's and suggest the sprint st imo it's got those two beat on pritty much everything.

I'd go with the vfr; personally, I'd prefer the pre-Vtec 800, but as far as I'm aware that, despite the added complexity of the VTEC system, they are very reliable machines

Originally Posted by transparent_opacity

I've had the SV650S for coming up to 3 years now, and I've loved it. My main riding has been short commutes and short blasts around the country lanes (6 hours max) and it's been perfect. Low insurance, low maintenance, big grin factor!

Last winter I totally stripped the bike, spruced it up with a thorough clean & service, and reconditioned/replaced any ropey bits to make it all lovely again (inc. B1H shock and Hagon springs). Even last winter I knew our time together was limited, I found myself looking at other machines...

To finish the summer off nicely, I went on a 850 mile tour of Scotland (Edinburgh, Fort William, Inverness, Edinburgh). The bike was fantastic, but by the last day I was in agony! Wrists, ankles, knees....maybe the SV isn't quite the right machine for a 6' 2" bloke for 3+ days?

So that's settled it, time for a new machine whilst they're cheap in winter! I've a European tour planned next year, and Scotland again - I couldn't do another uncomfy stint on the SV.

I've looked at all sorts, but have got it down to 2:

1. Honda VFR800
2. Aprilia SL1000 Falco

The VFR appeals to my inner 'old man' - comfy, reliable, good for distance
The Falco appeals to the same things that make me love the SV - everyday sporty, V-twin characteristics

I'll be test riding over the next few weeks, but any input anyone?

Cheers,
Chris

I know what you mean with the SV, I had exactly the same, and I'm an inch or so smaller than you. I got a Falco which was great but still a bit of a contortionist bike but I'm very wary of letting 'inner old men' talk me into anything. I've got myself a more 'sit up' type of bike now but still fancy a sports bike for quick blasts. Have you considered different styles or must it be faired?

[mattSV]

Have you considered a Sprint ST?

If I had to chose between a falco and a viffer, I would go for the viffer, especially with a set of staintunes on - sounds

Originally Posted by transparent_opacity

I've had the SV650S for coming up to 3 years now, and I've loved it. My main riding has been short commutes and short blasts around the country lanes (6 hours max) and it's been perfect. Low insurance, low maintenance, big grin factor!

Last winter I totally stripped the bike, spruced it up with a thorough clean & service, and reconditioned/replaced any ropey bits to make it all lovely again (inc. B1H shock and Hagon springs). Even last winter I knew our time together was limited, I found myself looking at other machines...

To finish the summer off nicely, I went on a 850 mile tour of Scotland (Edinburgh, Fort William, Inverness, Edinburgh). The bike was fantastic, but by the last day I was in agony! Wrists, ankles, knees....maybe the SV isn't quite the right machine for a 6' 2" bloke for 3+ days?

So that's settled it, time for a new machine whilst they're cheap in winter! I've a European tour planned next year, and Scotland again - I couldn't do another uncomfy stint on the SV.

I've looked at all sorts, but have got it down to 2:

1. Honda VFR800
2. Aprilia SL1000 Falco
3. A 600rr will kick both their a$$es.....just not as comfy,lol.

The VFR appeals to my inner 'old man' - comfy, reliable, good for distance
The Falco appeals to the same things that make me love the SV - everyday sporty, V-twin characteristics

I'll be test riding over the next few weeks, but any input anyone?

Cheers,
Chris

Thanks for the input guys.

Budget's up to £2,000 (So 600rr's out Robo ) and I'm not a fan of the Sprint ST in that price range, I do like the newer ones though.

Went to test the only local VFR today, only to arrive and find someone handing over the cash for it

No rush, I can hang on

another thing to think about is do you really want to have to pay to service a v4 quite expensive.

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by zsv650

another thing to think about is do you really want to have to pay to service a v4 quite expensive.

The 800 VTEC is *very* expensive at the 16k mark especially.

Personally I find V4's very cheap to service but then I do it myself, 39quid+VAT for a full service kit for my VFR and 59 for the RVF. That's sparkplugs, oil filter[1], air filter, fuel filter and sump washer.

The 400's are a pain but the 750 is very easy to work on.

Druid

[1] Last time complete with tool too.

FD, I have heard some people claim that many honda technicians won't check the VTEC-activated valves in the VTEC 800's, because its so much of a faff.

And I know a few people who I trust to work on my bikes probably wouldnt want to do the VTEC valve clearance checks