Sold a Suzuki and bought a Honda

[trevor]

Yep I sold the 2022 Suzuki gsxs1000gt I got new last year...I put exactly 32,616kms on it in one year.
The bike is great in a lot of ways but disappointing as well. The things I wasn't happy with...
Myspin app is useless imo
Getting tired of chain and sprockets on a touring bike
Can't put a centre stand on it....brutal with chain and sprockets
vibration at 5000rpm or 120kmph....
hot start rattle for 20 seconds that everyone complains about but Suzuki has not responded to
paint quality....front rim is already peeling
And the biggest complaint is that it just lacks character...
Won't be long before the bike isn't worth much and I figured I'd sell while I can still get a decent dollar for it

But I have an update....the experience with the v4 ST has made me revisit the Honda VFR1200F....I really liked them when they came out but at the time they were out of my price range. The bike never sold well with new models staying on the sales floors for years.
A lot of people jus didn't understand them...they sold a lot better in Europe ...it's a lot like my k1300r...didn't sell well here but did in Europe....they have way better tastes in motorcycle than we do imo.

2010 One owner...retired dentist....20,000kms (12,000 miles)
170hp, shaft drive, single sided swingarm

I found this one in Thunder Bay...3000kms away...I will fly and ride in a couple of weeks

List of mods...

I wanted to give you a full list of all the mods I have done to the bike (as far as I can recall). I do believe that I did the shaft drive recall on the bike in, I believe 2015 or 16, but I will confirm with Honda before I sell the bike. So here is a list of all that the Bike has installed that I can recall. 1. DAM exhaust. 2. Radiator Guard 3. Centre Stand 4. Power Commander V 5. TechSpec tank side pad protectors 6. Corbin Seat (heated). 7 Honda Tank bag (the bag itself is showing some wear around the top, but is still fully functional and holds a good amount of personal items) 8 Honda Air Deflection kit 9. Tire pressure Monitor system 10 Bazzaz Z-bomb system 11. BMC Air filter 12. The Honda pannier and top box set (has back rest for passenger), with bag liners for items 13. Carbon fibre Rear wheel Hugger, 14 Carbon Fibre tank top pad, 15 Carbon fibre side panel, 16. Custom rear sets for driver, 17 Brake and clutch covers in matching Red 18. Front fork rebound adjusters in Red 19 aftermarket Rear shock system (can’t recall which brand, not Ohlins however). 20 USB charger for phone GPS etc, 21. RAM Stem mount installed 22. Puig tinted windshield. I may also have installed aftermarket front fork cartridge kit, but can’t recall if I did or not, but will assume not. 22. Brake and clutch shorty levers (black with red accents, I believe Pazzo brand, but could be ASV). I will send a set of some separate videos of the bike and me doing a cold start on it which you can watch. I will send them each as separate text messages.





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[steve murdoch]

Congrats on the new ride.
Nice it has a different exhaust, the stock one had the proverbial sewing machine sound.
Youtube videos of the Dam system sound good...with the baffle installed.

 

[trevor]

Congrats on the new ride.
Nice it has a different exhaust, the stock one had the proverbial sewing machine sound.
Youtube videos of the Dam system sound good...with the baffle installed.

Thanks Steve,
Yeah I had never even heard of Dam exhausts....look like nice quality though.
Just got a quote to ship it here at $1500....not sure what I'll do...
A guy I know has one and he's offered to let me ride it tonight, so I'm going over there shortly.

 

[tas850g]

Ban this guy asap!

 

[ptegsotic]

Dam !! looks great

 

[trevor]

Took my friend's vfr1200 out today....i like it

 

[Rob S.]

You mentioned poor paint quality on your GSXS. I can't really comment on that specifically because the only Suzuki I've ever owned is my '82 11E (repainted in '83 red).

But as I gaze at her in my living room, I'm constantly reminded that Suzuki took the 'cheap' option as far as cosmetics are concerned. Whereas the 11E was painted a single color and finished off with decals, my '73 Kaw 900 had three different colors on the tank, and metal emblems on the tank and side covers. Much more visually exciting than the Suzi.

But I love her just the same.

 

[storm 64]

Nice looking Honda, I bet it runs smooth as a Swiss watch.
Yeah, you're right, chain and sprockets on a sport touring motorcycle? What were they thinking? Oh, price and weight of the motorcycle... But who wants to clean and adjust their chain in a hotel parking lot when out on the road?
Congratulations on the Honda.

 

[trevor]

Nice looking Honda, I bet it runs smooth as a Swiss watch.
Yeah, you're right, chain and sprockets on a sport touring motorcycle? What were they thinking? Oh, price and weight of the motorcycle... But who wants to clean and adjust their chain in a hotel parking lot when out on the road?
Congratulations on the Honda.

Thanks Norm....I used to be ok with it...but I seem to be taking more long distance touring and by myself....no centre stand or ability to add one is just dumb on Suzuki's part. The Honda is very smooth. The one I took out last night has stock exhaust...pretty quite until 6000rpm...the one I bought has a Dam after market exhaust....should sound nice. The Honda is a little on the heavy side at almost 600lbs wet. My GT was only 500lbs and my K1300r is 535lbs in comparison.
Cheers

 

[JMHJ]

That thing matches my ZX-11 in the quarter mile, according to the specs I saw... I've got it on top speed, but who'll ever see 170mph+?

By touring, do y'all mean off the hard surface sometimes? I've got over 4,000 miles on mine since December, and haven't done anything but oiled it (the chain) several times. It does seem like it might need tightening a bit. The center stand's a must.

A chain was part of the preference list for me when I was looking, before I got this last one. I spent 12 years or more with 2 shaft drives before that. Had to change the driven part on the 850 once (got the part from Redman).

 

[Suzukian]

The not center stand is a drag, but there's a very easy stand that uses your side stand, and this piece attaches to the rear swing arm and picks up the rear of the bike. It's small, and can be easily carried.

You have a beautiful bike. The bike looks better than showroom condition. I'm not a fan of the V4 Honda's, my brother-in-law has a VFR750, and the VF(R) 800, that has the shaft drive. I thought they handled horribly. I enjoy my ZZR1200 much more.

Your bike are probably the best examples of those bikes I've seen. You sure do ride a lot, and you got the bike(s) you want, that's all that really matters. Many happy miles!!

 

[GS1150Pilot]

I love Honda V4s! Much as it was a tank, I absolutely adored my VF1000R, and very much liked the VF500f. Congrats!

 

[rphillips]

So far, I just can't get us'ta these newer huge exhaust systems some bikes are getting. Gawd that's ugly :stupid:. The "Dam" looks a little less bad, but still very ugly. But my opinion usually differs from others.

 

[Suzukian]

So far, I just can't get us'ta these newer huge exhaust systems some bikes are getting. Gawd that's ugly :stupid:. The "Dam" looks a little less bad, but still very ugly. But my opinion usually differs from others.

The Nuclear Reactors I took off of my Kaw ZZR1200 weighed 52 lbs.. What I made to replace them has saved me 40 lbs. in weight, and the bike sounds sounds great.

 

[Rob S.]

So far, I just can't get us'ta these newer huge exhaust systems some bikes are getting.

I couldn't agree more. I think it's noise/emissions legal requirements.

I like the look of my 11" by 3.5" diameter V&H "SS" canister. It's just a trifle too quiet (and 'buzzy'). I'm sure a drill or a dremel can cure that. :smug:

 

[JMHJ]

It looks like a BMW at first glance.

I thought the same about the new exhausts when I started doing bikes again late last year (and started noticing). There's a ZX-14 at work with stock exhausts and the impression (overall) is "man, that's an ugly bike" (lol). Idk the year but it's way newer than mine.

I've got Micron 4-1, and PO said it was a lot of weight savings over the 4-2 original system.

Wonder what the V4 sounds like, even with aftermarket exhaust? I've ridden '84 Interceptor 1000's twice, briefly. Maybe a lot different than that 2010, but I didn't dislike the sound. Might've taken a little getting used to.

That's starting to get into the "multiple bike disorder" zone, as the instructor for the course I just had characterized it - I want on of these and one of those, and one of this one, and yeah. Let's see, a V4, and one that goes potato-potato-potato, and... He was a Harley guy and had to settle for that.

 

[Rob S.]

It looks like a BMW at first glance.

I thought the same about the new exhausts when I started doing bikes again late last year (and started noticing). There's a ZX-14 at work with stock exhausts and the impression (overall) is "man, that's an ugly bike" (lol). Idk the year but it's way newer than mine.

I've got Micron 4-1, and PO said it was a lot of weight savings over the 4-2 original system.

Wonder what the V4 sounds like, even with aftermarket exhaust? I've ridden '84 Interceptor 1000's twice, briefly. Maybe a lot different than that 2010, but I didn't dislike the sound. Might've taken a little getting used to.

That's starting to get into the "multiple bike disorder" zone, as the instructor for the course I just had characterized it - I want on of these and one of those, and one of this one, and yeah. Let's see, a V4, and one that goes potato-potato-potato, and... He was a Harley guy and had to settle for that.

I couldn't agree more. The basic, mandatory pair for me is a big bore inline four and a gorgeous Sportster. But how about a Kaw 750 2 stroke triple (and the 500)? And a V-MAX (or two) couldn't hurt.

A CBX next to a BMW six. An Aprilia V-4 and a Ducati L twin. Am I leaving out any major configurations? A vertical twin should be included, but I could pass on the 'thumpers.'

That should be enough for me. I mean, I had enough difficulty deciding which to ride when I had the Sporty and the 11E. :dancing:

 

[trevor]

So I thought I would update you on the VFR1200F.
My original plan was to fly to Thunder Bay Ont and ride it the 3000kms home. But I reconsidered after contacting a local motorcycle hauler about shipping the bike to me. The cost was $1500. I couldn't fly there and ride it home for that...not with flight, motels, meals and gas. Plus they agreed to bring a box of extra parts.... So they picked up the bike Sept 1st and delivered it to my door Tuesday Sept 10th.






I think the VFR and K1300R compliment each other well....

 

[Rob S.]

Trevor's got one of them magical garages. Always room for one more. :snowman:

 

[trevor]

So I get the bike on a Tuesday with plans to ride it to Kaslo BC, about 750kms to meet up with friends.
My plan was to leave later Wed afternoon so I could take care of a few things at work and take the bike for a little ride first. Boy am I glad I did.
I was on the highway and the rear tire went flay on me...scared the crap out of me...bike was weaving all over the place...got it to the side of the road and was real close to a friend's bike shop...limped it there for him to fix it. We notice the valve stem was cracked. Put a new one on. The valve cap was a tire pressure monitor cap...bigger than normal and we noticed it was hitting against the rear caliper ever so slightly but probably enough over time to make the valve stem fail.
Took the that off...So at 4pm I head out to the ferry to catch the 5pm...wasn't feeling very confident on the bike at all....and got close to the ferry terminal and noticed I forgot to put my little throttle clip on it for cruise control...and this bike with the forward riding I would need a break.
That was enough for me to bail and turn around go back to my place and grab my k1300r. I just did not feel right taking the vfr without having ridden it more.

So I get home the following Monday from my trip and Tuesday I take the vfr out again...ran some errands in town and on the way home on the highway my bike starts to act like I'm treading water again...I struggle to get it off the highway to the ditch where I can't believe I didn't drop it.
You guessed it...front tire flat! Same thing, a cracked valve stem. Yeah I can't believe I didn't check it either ..lol.


Called my buddy's towing company and once again brought it to my friend's bike shop....he said "Again"??? Lol...
Needless to say I wasn't happy with the vfr so far....I texted the guy I bought it from to tell him what had happened.....he did an a gentlemanly thing and transferred me $500 for my troubles. He felt terrible.