VFR versus RSTD

[Guest Tufelhunden]

This change is not for me, I am Love the VFR and can do 600 to 800 mile days in the twisty stuff and not feel beat. The wife however, is a completely different story and I think the RSTD might fit the bill. So tell me please, brothers of the road, who here has gone from a SPORT-tourer to a Tourer and what are you thoughts.

 

BTW looking at the RSTD as it has the best engine format ever for a motorcycle, the mighty V4.

[86er]

You don't need to change from a sport/touring to get a comfy passenger and the Mighty V4. All you have to do is find a nice 1st Gen!!! That is what Yamaha designed it to be and it's the best of all worlds! It's like Skid says "800 pound crotch rocket!"

 

[mini-muffin]

Well as a passenger I can say the 1st gen is comfy for me. Besides Todd is right, you don't need to go to the RSTD just get ya a first gen.

Margaret

[SaltyDawg]

Why stop at a RSTD? Why not go first class and get a RSV?

[hig4s]

To really be comfortable for a passenger the RSTD would need aftermarket seats added. You should also test ride the Goldwing and the BMW 1200LT before you decide.. and the ST1300 (probably the most comfortable sport-touring machine for two up) and the new MotoGuzzi Norge.. both are very comfortable for two up riding and better in the twisties than the RSTD or RSV.. The RSTD and RSV are cruisers, they handle well, but not sporty.. I went from a Ninja 750 to a Kaw ZR-7S set up for sport touring to the RSV.. I debated it for two years and once almost bought a BMW LT, and also almost bought an ST1300, but now find I don't miss the sporty handling and I'm just happy cruising along in comfort. Of course I still have a motocross bike for those time I just need to be wild.

[rjmalizia]

Well I went from my 89' zx-10 to a RSTD last September...The cruise is much, much better, But i do dearly miss the acceleration (quick to pass) and the fun (adrenaline) of cornering. But then these bikes are apples and oranges too, at least that's what I kept telling myself.

 

So why did I switch? Well, I had trigger (zx) for a good seven years and was actually thinking of jumping over to the V-Max camp until I came across the royalstar. all in all i really like the bike (other than when its time to move it around the garage, she's a big heavy pig).

 

Like me, if you make the move, you'll have to get use to a different train of thought: rather than zip zip am i there yet; to where i am, is where its at: and to slow down and enjoy the ride.

 

Hope this helps... and good luck in your decision(s).

[Guest Red Raider]

I went from a '79 Ducati GTS to a 2005 RSTD and have never looked back.

I'm still riding stock seats, but seats are an item that I will change in the future. I think you can do better. We travel at most about 450 miles in a day 2 up, and do pretty well. I did install a Utopia back rest and that adds a lot comfort for the long haul. What's really fun is powering that big heavy beast through twisty high speed turns. It does not handle like a Ducati, but for a big, heavy cruiser...it is very nimble and agile. When you wind out that V4 coming out of a turn, it feels just right.

[Guest hank]

This change is not for me, I am Love the VFR and can do 600 to 800 mile days in the twisty stuff and not feel beat. The wife however, is a completely different story and I think the RSTD might fit the bill. So tell me please, brothers of the road, who here has gone from a SPORT-tourer to a Tourer and what are you thoughts.

 

BTW looking at the RSTD as it has the best engine format ever for a motorcycle, the mighty V4.

 

I rode a VFR once. It was a rather small bike compaired to the FJR I had at the time. I converted to the RSTD after test driving one. The RSTD or Venture are very big bikes. Bigger than Harley's. One of my friends has been a Harley nut for many years. I let him try the RSTD and his comment was, it's a Cadilac. The RSTD (05) has plenty of power for "normal" riding and comfort wise is way better than a sport-touring bike.

[Tour Deluxe]

I think you need to give a FJR a test ride, modify the seat (Backrest for her) and you get the best of both worlds. If you are both resonible size people you will love this bike, it covers ground like no other bike. I had an 03 model, sold it for lack of self control, 140 feels like 60. If you have any self control ride this bike !!!

[Guest hank]

Yeah, they are really something. I put 26,000 on a 03 I got Oct of 02.

[Guest Tufelhunden]

Thanks for the input gents and ladies. I will take a hard look at the FJR.

[concours]

To really be comfortable for a passenger the RSTD would need aftermarket seats added. You should also test ride the Goldwing and the BMW 1200LT before you decide.. and the ST1300 (probably the most comfortable sport-touring machine for two up) and the new MotoGuzzi Norge.. both are very comfortable for two up riding and better in the twisties than the RSTD or RSV.. The RSTD and RSV are cruisers, they handle well, but not sporty.. I went from a Ninja 750 to a Kaw ZR-7S set up for sport touring to the RSV.. I debated it for two years and once almost bought a BMW LT, and also almost bought an ST1300, but now find I don't miss the sporty handling and I'm just happy cruising along in comfort. Of course I still have a motocross bike for those time I just need to be wild.

 

Before you consider a BMW LT (or other Beemer), go and read about clutch and final drive failures.... www.bmwlt.com search "clutch" and "rear drive". Totally UNACCEPTABLE for a $25K premium motorcycle... (heck, even a low end bike) The stories on the Beemer forums turned my beemer wood into mush, pronto. My cousin has put two clutches ($1500 job after warranty) into his K1200LT in only 18,000 miles. Pa-too!!

[Guest tazman547]

I have went from cruisers, last was a 1100 Shadow Aero, and then rode a 05 Kawi Concours for two years. It was a nice machine, it was easy to eat up miles with and could do 800 mile days with it on the stock seat. I added a trunk to it with a back rest. I even had my eyes on the new ZX-14 based Councors for 08 and I liked the look of the new 08 Victory Vision. I had also, been mulling over the RSV. I found a deal on the RSV, talked the dealer down on a 07 Blue/Raven to less than another dealer had a 06 RSV. Then ask the wife, what she would prefer to ride two up on, and she preferred the RSV; so I bought it and sold the Concours. So far I have been very pleased with the RSV, I don't have the range of the Concours, but I have less of an urge to race the bike down the road at 100+. I also found the RSV to be very nimble for a big bike.

[WilCruise]

1st gen was the original sport tourer IMHO! Worth considering since it's pretty comfy too!

[GigaWhiskey]

and the ole lady will consider a nap an option while on the back! heh