Wanna buy » Conundrum: Should I swap VFR750 for MTS???

[dmk 2007 1100S (Red)]

I have a '96 VFR 750 in addition to my Multistrada 1100S. Before I got the Multi, the VFR was my day ride bike and I had a BMW for commuting and touring. Now that I have the Multi, I hardly ever ride the VFR anymore.

There are a few things I prefer about the VFR: the sound and feel of the V4, the smoothness, and the airflow management. But the Multi is just better for almost every kind of riding I do.

And it's a lot more fun. Get back on the VFR after a ride on the Multi and you'll be amazed at how slow revving and slow steering it feels in comparison.

If you can swing it, an 1100S will give you more refinement so it won't feel like as big of a jump from the VFR.

Dave

[Ashalina]

I had a '98 Interceptor 800 for seven years. I loved the sound, refinement and typical of Honda, had zero maintenance or reliability quirks.

I sold that and picked up a Tiger 1050 that is an amazing bike and this spring I picked up the Multi.

When I bought the VFR back in '98 it was the best blend of sport and tour because the tour options at the time were large, heavy bikes like an ST1100 or BMW if you wanted a bike with tour and sporting abilities. The sporty options were sport bikes which were not comfortable at all. The VFR was no couch, but it was more comfortable than a sport bike and more affordable and more nimble than the bigger sport touring bikes.

The "new" breed of bikes including the Multi, Tiger, Ulysses are changing things where you can ride a bike capable of sport, commuting and touring with few compromises.

For me,the Multi is nowhere near as refined as the VFR. Heck, the VFR was a technological jewel for Honda (albeit a 15 year old jewel) and the Multi is an air cooled twin. This is not to imply the Multi is not refined, just not as refined as the VFR. That being said I would take that lower refinement level and take the added comfort of the Multi any day. I found in the later years of my VFR it was ridden very little. With this new breed of bikes that really do all things well, I ride almost every day.

This is my second Ducati and though neither has left me stranded both had annoying problems I was not used to with years of Japanese bike ownership. The Multi forgets which model it is every time I ride it which requires a reset of the instrument cluster so that I am not reading in metric instead of US. The lack of dealer support is a bit of a change as well. Not having a bunch of dealers to choose from and the one Ducati dealer being nearly 2 hours away is not as convenient.

When I see or hear a VFR I do have fond memories, but I would never go back unless they put the VFR motor in a more upright and versatile package.

[notoriousdjw 2007 1100 (Red)]

I owned a bunch of VFRs before the multistrada (2 x 1990, 1 x 1991, 1 x 1992 VFR400RR, 1 x 1998, 1 x 2002) so it's definitely one of my favorite bikes. The Multi is similar in that it balances sport and touring but I prefer the riding position, leg room, greatly reduced driveline lash, torque, and slim waist of the Multi. Like some other posters, I also didn't ride the VFR much because it was always easier to take the car. Now I'm on the Multi 3 days a week driving to work, the store, or whatever excuse I can find to use it. The bike more than compensates for a comparative lack of refinement with sheer exuberance.

[dogfm 2003 1000 DS (Gray)]

A quick search will tell you the quirks you need to be aware of, for the age of bike you are looking at you'll be having a dry clutch will be a little different and understand that you cannot rely on the fuel guage to tell the truth.

The MTS is however a great bike and very capable of pretty much everything, I have a 2003 MTS and it is superb, look for one with a service history, gel seat and luggage (if you want it) and you'll be set to go.

I did have a VFR for a little while, very efficient.