A new bike in the Exit3DC stableMay I introduce the stunning VFR800 Interceptor.
My new ride... Its an ABS model and hard luggage is on the way! It was a drawn out and difficult decision but it was between this and returning to the V-Rod family. After waiting a year for its release - I was disappointed with the Street-Rod. Perfect on paper, but somehow lacking in the flesh. I couldn't make peace with the V-Rod seating position - I test rode each a couple times just to make sure.
The VFR is one of those bikes that has "made sense" to me for a long time, but I could never pull the trigger on. After all... isn't this PRACTICAL? Its what I've said I wanted many times - only to turn around and buy something completely impractical... like a British bike (955i) or a V-Rod.
In practice the Interceptor is proving itself to be an incredible road bike. Smooth, comfortable and very quick on its feet - it handles commuting with absolutely no fuss at all. Not to say that the ride is boring.
Kept in Dr. Jekyll smoothie mode it quietly growls and efficiently slices through traffic... its very silky and relatively quiet in the cockpit. Response in any direction is practically immediate and the suspension does an excellent job of being super plush while communicating road feel.
...then there's a break in the traffic
...plot the course
Twist your wrist in (even slight) anger and let the revs roll past seven... Hello Mr. Hyde! Apparently there is not a big jump in power as the VTECH system engages all 16 valves... but it sure does seem to open things up. The motor wakes up and
sings to redline. The sound and feel change pretty dramatically in Hyde-o-Matic mode. Even the suspension seems to tighten up (Its all in my head I know)... but whether it makes a piss of performance difference or not, it sure is fun ;-)
You can spend all day in either world.
Jekyll gets better mileage, reports the ambient temperature, has two trip meters, a clock and a real fuel gauge - is kind to passengers and will still smoothly sail up to One-oh-five in top gear. ABS imparts a smooth flat braking feel.
Hyde makes delicious noises, will likely hang with just about anything on-road, and will gladly dish out just about whatever heinous hooliganism you desire. (I've already wheelied on power through second... by accident of course - I'm still breaking in). ABS hauls you down from triple digit speeds lickety-split.
All the ABS and LBS trickery is completely transparent, no juddering, pulsing or funny noises. You just STOP. Sure, I could probably out brake it by a gnats ass hair on the track - and it doesn't have that pinching-the-disc-with-my-fingers feel, but it works great for the road. I don't know what all the fuss is about. This system could out brake at least 90% of the people riding out there. Grab/Stomp = Stop
Love it!
(I'll have to keep in mind though... there is no low/high side ABS) ;-)
Both personalities will comfortably haul you, your girlie and enough stuff to last you a week wherever you are going (in hard-waterproof luggage - each side fits a full face helmet plus some extra chachkis). All this without requiring anything but oil changes until almost 40k mi.
I'm looking forward to clocking many miles in the near future.
