VFR800 good bad or otherwise?

[Quasievil]

Hi all

Ive been thinking about a new bike, Im moving away from the uncomfortable full on sports bike towards something I can ride long distances possibly two up.
I have been thinking about a GSX1400, XJR or CB1300, Ive ridden a bunch of these, the CB1300 seems the best to me but thats no what this thread is about, I happened to test ride a VFR800 2008 model 28000 kms, I liked it and am seriously thinking about it as it was comfy, capable sporty wise and would make a good tourer.

Im interested to TAP the KB resource pool to see what you think about these bikes, good bad or otherwise.

cheers

[ktm84mxc]

A Very good sports tourer can do both equally well, styles an acquired taste to many lines and angles. some came with hard luggage.

[240]

They are awesome bikes.
They ride well and that v4 is a sweety!
In fact when I come to replace my current bike I will be looking long and hard at one.:cool:

[AllanB]

Excellent bikes. Like it - buy it.


U could pick up a 900 Hornet and kit it out for travelling.

[Maha]

I test rode three bikes one day..a Thunderace/VFR800 and a Triumph Sprint...had I not rode the Triumph Sprint I would have got the VFR..
I often have one on my watchlist, seems to be shit loads for sale at any one time, colour would have to be black, though I do like the white with the black stripe.
Dont know about having a co pilot and gear..there are more suitable bikes made for that scenario.

[cheshirecat]

I've got the older '94 gear driven cam version and wouldn't change. Haven't ridden the newer versions so sort of useless comments coming up, but will say that V4 really comes in when the going gets tough, end of a long day's touring, tight hair pins. slippery descents etc. Also the suspension really works in that it soaks up bumps and hollows with full luggage without upsetting your line, making it deceptively fast over distance. I've really overloaded mine at times but nothing seems to upset it even in gusty cross winds despite carrying the dog on the back in his Dog Pod, (Windwhistle and frequently the the Hutt MW)

Might "only" be 100bhp but very usable power especially low and midrange where I tend to want it.
They tend to be compared with bigger cc bikes which can be both flattering and unfair.

Apparently you can significantly boost the mid/top end real easy just by routing an air conduit from the front to the main air intake.

Uber reliable of course.

[gammaguy]

have worked on many of these for the rental co i used to do work for as well as private owners.

we had a few of the earlier gear cam models and a few of the later VTEC ones.

The earlier ones have more power,but its not really a major thing.The VTEC engine is different and peakier,but still not a problem with plenty of low down and mid range.

They almost all have an issue with regulator rectifiers,the mod I did was to relocate the REGREC into a cooler spot so it got more air,that fixed it.

The cam chain models can have tensioner issues,and its a long fix.Valve clearance checks on the VTEC requires special tools and substitute shims and a lot of time.Having said that,I never needed to change any shims on one.Learn to do it yourself and save a shedload of money on servicing.

Had a few fork seal issues,nothing out of the ordinary there.

Nice bikes to ride,i rode a non VTEC one thru the snow on the desert road once,thank god for heated grips!

I have done thousands of k s on a VTEC one and they are a nice machine,can just cruise along or behave like a sports bike if you want.The linked brakes are good,plenty of power and stability.

All in all a good machine,not perfect but then what bike is?

[willytheekid]

The VFR range ;)

Bike of the year for 11 years running!...say's it all really:cool:

ps Just aquired the 96 VFR750(Always wanted one!)...its even better than all the reviews say it is :niceone:

[Damantis]

( not politically, evidently :killingme )

But yeah, VFR800 will def be on my shortlist for my next ride. If I had the budget for it, I'd get the VFR1200. Took one for a test ride once and it was smooth as silk with power to burn, without feeling dangerous like a Hayabusa etc. The 800 I rode felt a lot heavier than it looked, tho turned and accelerated really well. Kind of a "best of both worlds" bike. :2thumbsup

[carver]

The VFR 800

thirsty when thrashed!
not that quick either

[Drew]

They're gay.

[merv]

They're gay.

Its OK it legal now and soon you'll be able to adopt whether you are married or not.

[Madness]

...power to burn, without feeling dangerous like a Hayabusa etc...

You're doing it wrong.

[Gremlin]

I didn't like the VTEC stuff, with it kicking in and all... personal pref.

Define long distances... I love the Hornet, but for long distance you'd probably want some wind protection. Suspension is also budget when it's stock.

[raziel1983]

Test rode a VTEC VFR800 a while back, right after riding a CB1300s and found it lacking bottom end and roll on grunt compared to the CB, I ended up buying a new Bandit 1250s, same'ish peak HP stock but so much more bottom end/midrange.

[AllanB]

I mentioned in your other thread to have a look at the GS1200ss Suzuki - landed in NZ in 02-04 - big arse oil cooled old school engine that is super grunty. F1 in Hamilton make a set of higher clipons that significantly improve the riding position. Cheap as chips and tour really well plus offer good protection with the fairing.

[cheshirecat]

This is not a bad buy - pity wrong country
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-VFR750-taxed-long-mot-rides-well-new-stainless-pipes-fitted-/290717093091?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item43b016cce3

[numbersixteen16]

I didn't like the VTEC stuff, with it kicking in and all... personal pref.

My understanding of VTEC is that it gets rid of that powerband kick, by not only having advanced cam timing up top (for top end punch), but retarded timing down low (for low down grunt). Thus getting rid of a "kick" that comes as a motor gets into its powerband.

Ive been in integra type r's and there is no kick, just power everywhere. Not sure about bikes though

[Quasievil]

there was no "kick" on the one I rode

[ducatilover]

My understanding of VTEC is that it gets rid of that powerband kick, by not only having advanced cam timing up top (for top end punch), but retarded timing down low (for low down grunt). Thus getting rid of a "kick" that comes as a motor gets into its powerband.

Ive been in integra type r's and there is no kick, just power everywhere. Not sure about bikes though

No. If you were in something with the typical Honda VTEC (not the VFR, it's not essentially VTEC) and you didn't feel a kick, it's because it's gutless or overloaded with fat fucks.
Hitting VTEC should feel more violent than "climbing a cam". I've been in/worked on countless stupid VTECs and they all fail at low revs, F20C and K20A being the exceptions.


Quasi, the VFR are brilliant bikes, nothing more to say.

[malcy25]

I did a ride with a mate a few years ago VTEC VFR800 and a Trumpy Sprints ST.

I thought that
1) The Triumph was a better version of the VFR800 than Honda built!
2) the VTEC was a pain in the arse.

[Swoop]

What price Quasi?

At 28km she has been run-in and that's about it.
A good seat for longer rides. 2 up riding is OK and couple the fact that you wouldn't normally be thrashing the arse off of it with a pillion on the back, quite acceptable.
1-up, the bike is a great combination with the race pedigree which has evolved into a great tourer. I'm happy with mine for a good blast or for a trip away 2-up with bags. No complaints from the rear seat occupant either.

They almost all have an issue with regulator rectifiers,the mod I did was to relocate the REGREC into a cooler spot so it got more air,that fixed it..
Reg/rec on the '08 is up near the headstock. A lot more air there than previous models being nearer the left thigh of the rider and nicely hidden away from much cooling.


Valve clearance checks on the VTEC requires special tools and substitute shims and a lot of time.Having said that,I never needed to change any shims on one.
A local honda mechanic says the same. Inspected a few and never had to adjust one.

Just aquired the 96 VFR750..its even better than all the reviews say it is
That's the year I'd go back to if had to choose. A nice ride!

[cheshirecat]

good with furry pillions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nFflm5qq1k

[zeocen]

Awesome bike let down by a shitty engine. VTEC doesn't improve power on the VFR800, it just makes the output as good as it should be in the beginning, pre-VTEC just gimps the bike.

Triumph ST is basically a VFR800, if the VFR800 had a proper engine.

[CRM]

I had a 2003 and did about 20,000km on it around both Islands. Mostly happy memories - you could tootle along quite adequately or open her up and use the VTec and it transformed into something quite fun. The kick at 7000rpm was quite pronounced on mine and a lot of fun - it hit 7000 at 160km in top and just took off ;) Mine had Staintune pipes and power commander which may have helped it to feel extra snappy when opened up - certainly sounded good :drool:

The problems I had were that you had to work it a bit to get real fast overtaking - on a bigger bike - Bandit, GSX1400, CB1300 or my Trophy you just wind it on in whatever gear to get the same instant results. I also got sore wrists and elbows from the riding position for long distances and it gave problems with the cam chain tensioners needing replacing around the 55k mark (I could see it getting expensive as any engine work involved getting in past the VTec) so I sold it - but often wished I could take it out for a quick blast again.

[cheshirecat]

Telll you what, only two things have come close to those gear driven cams(on the relevant VFR's) and they've been my CBX 1000 full swan and listening to a 1974 MV start up with straight thru pipes (which also had gear driven cams). Cam chains just don't do it anymore.

[Ender EnZed]

The kick at 7000rpm was quite pronounced on mine and a lot of fun - it hit 7000 at 160km in top and just took off ;)

It's the same story on my '86 VFR750; 160 - 200 in top is faster than 100 - 140. I think it's quite a good amount of power for most NZ roads. You can get along at any pace you choose to (if you don't mind changing gear occassionally) but you can also feel like you're really working it without doing go-to-jail speeds all the time.

[nudemetalz]

good with furry pillions

I see me on the Guzzi at 0.13-0.15 :)