this post was submitted on 10 Aug 2024
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We do this trip every year. This is the second time on this bike.
The previous years were on a VFR800 and the rider position was starting to hurt doing 8 days of riding several hours a day.
On the R1200RT though, feels like I'm riding a sofa :)
Also looks like riding a sofa weight-wise. Full with luggage and fuel, that bike must be heavy. Is the weight manageable at slow speeds?
It was a little scary when I first got it, but I'm pretty confident on it now. It's surprisingly steady when it's upright but if something goes awry and it starts to lean it can be a struggle.
I've dropped it once, not long after I bought it. I turned round to talk to my daughter who was riding pillion whilst stopped. The shift of weight as I turned round was subtle and I didn't notice that we were starting to fall before it was too late.
What year VFR? I have a 2000. It seems like those who actually use it as a ST typically end up on the R800 or 1200 after 100k miles. I can't say I do as I currently use it as a comfier CBR that makes V8-ish noises, but I do admire the tourers.
'99. It was my daily driver for 5 years until we got a second car for me to go to work in. Loved that bike. If I had the room for 2 bikes I wouldn't have sold it.
After I started driving the car the bike was only used for pleasure rides. I take my daughter every time so we would travel a few hundred miles on weekends. To the beach, or to the hills.
We the had the idea of going to visit my friend in Netherlands. It was fun, but after the 2nd day I could only ride 50 miles or so without stopping due to muscle and back discomfort.
After that happening the second time round I upgraded to the R1200RT. Different bike, different feel. Slower. I feel like an old man. But I am old and I don't mind :)