Is the Interceptor the modern Vision equivalent?

[Jimustanguitar]

One of these years it will be new bike time (of course I'll keep the old Vision) and I would just basically be looking for the new equivalent of what the Vision already is. It would be nice to have something fuel injected and new with a warranty, you know? (and that new bike smell :)

From all of my research I would have to say that the Honda VFR Interceptor would be the best match, what do you think?

[rhpaw]

Nah, I hear they're too boring. I would say SV650 is a closer match.

[QBS]

IMHO, the closest currently available new match to the '83 V (which I own) is the Kawasaki Ninja 650 R.  It has the full fairing, similar or better ergonomics, less weight, dual discs, more C.C.s', two cylinders, faster than a V, and it's cheap to buy.  It is a really good mid displacement sport touring bike.  One of the very few currently available new now.  The only real down side is that it is chain drive.

One other most excellent candidate is the BMW F800st.  Same description as above except that it's not cheap to buy.  BUT....Major difference: It does have belt drive.

For me, this is a Really Big Deal.  I really hate chains.  My last chain drive bike left my ownership in '74.  After 36 years of shaft drive, a chain would be a major paradime shift.

Both the Kawasaki and the BMW are fuel injected.

The Interceptor is way too heavy and big.  Plus, it's much more complex with four cylinders.

[lexx790]

What about a Honda Deuville, V-twin 700cc shaft drive.

[rhpaw]

(Deuville ) automatic...
it's like a scooter.

btw Lexx- been watching that show on Hulu.. great stuff! Reminds me of Red Dwarf with better eyecandy.

[Brian Moffet]

What about a Honda Deuville, V-twin 700cc shaft drive.

Hmm, I like that one.  Though I wish the ABS version came in more colors than just silver...  Might be just the bike to get me to sell my 83 Vision....

automatic?  Says it has a 5 speed.

[lexx790]

Definately not a scooter, its evolved from the NTV600 thats been around for years, used by many despatch riders as the engines go on forever.

[Night Vision]

(Deuville ) automatic...
it's like a scooter.

you're thinking of the Do Not 0rder 1

[rhpaw]

Yeah, I realized my mistake after my post.
Those dn's look like snooze on a stick.

[QBS]

The Honda VT 700 weighs 586 lbs. wet and MSRPs' for $11000.  Imho it's way too big, heavy, and pricey.  The Ninja 650r (curse its' chain), a much better deal, costs 40% less and weighs 100+lbs. less.

[Brian Moffet]

The Ninja 650r (curse its' chain), a much better deal, costs 40% less and weighs 100+lbs. less.

A little unfair to compare the ABS version of the VT 700 with the non-ABS version of the 650r. :-) 

[arthurdent510]

I've always found it amazing that my speed triple weighs less with another 400 cc's then my vision.  But I was surprised at how similar they rode... riding position and handling felt close.  Now the s3 is a hell of a lot faster and a bit pricier... but it felt similar to me /shrug

[Walt_M.]

Re: the title of this post, h*ll no!

[Ron_McCoy]

I've ridden the SV 650, the Ninja 650, and the F800ST. The Ninja is closest to the Vision for riding position and power characteristics. The F800ST feels much the same as the Ninja except for a slightly better seat, but less comfortable seating position, definitely hard to justify almost twice the money to buy it. also I rode those two back to back. The SV also had a less comfortable riding position and seat but similiar power characteristics to the Vision. As far as the riding position comments it might help to know that I'm 6'3" tall so your feelings about that may be different than mine. I've ridden a late model Interceptor also and that's completely different,
much larger feeling and different feeling engine. No shaft drive on any of these and after 26 years with my original Vision and three other shaft drive bikes, I'm spoiled.
So in my opinion, there is no modern equivalent motorcycle.

[pullshocks]

At the motorcycle show I did a seat test on the Honda Deauville.  Comfortable seat and classy  look & feel.  But $3-4,000 more than a V-strom?  You could get a full set of Givi bags on the V-strom and still have a grand to pay for a nice long tour somewhere.
Also the magazine reviews of the deauville are tepid at best. Performance no better than a Vision.

You can buy a lot of stators for $10,000