Tell me if I'm mad....

[Gman71]

Having been properly bitten by the biking bug, I am looking at my options for a bigger bike as soon as I get my Full license.

I was all keen on a CBR600F1, 636 etc-Daytona, sometype of 600 sports....

BUT I have just come across the Honda VFR800 which makes me go all giddy when I look at it...

(Yes I know I have to go and ride these things)

But am I mad going from a GSX 250 to an 800 like the VFR??

Seems less harsh than the riding position of 600 sports and perhaps accomodates my sedate countryside rides more than the others will.

I rememeber the cruel sarcasim unleashed on the last newbie comtemplating moving straight to a 1000cc. I am hoping for some considered opinion about the VFR800.

[yod]

Having been properly bitten by the biking bug, I am looking at my options for a bigger bike as soon as I get my Full license.

I was all keen on a CBR600F1, 636 etc-Daytona, sometype of 600 sports....

BUT I have just come across the Honda VFR800 which makes me go all giddy when I look at it...

(Yes I know I have to go and ride these things)

But am I mad going from a GSX 250 to an 800 like the VFR??

Seems less harsh than the riding position of 600 sports and perhaps accomodates my sedate countryside rides more than the others will.

I rememeber the cruel sarcasim unleashed on the last newbie comtemplating moving straight to a 1000cc. I am hoping for some considered opinion about the VFR800.

no , youre not mad

the VFR (781cc) is not the same as a 1000cc out and out sprotsbike - 100hp vs 150hp, 200kg vs 170kg....ish - there's a considerable difference in power-to-weight

do you have the ability to control your balls with your brain when you need to? if the answer is yes, then you will be fine, just respect the beast

[Mikkel]

The VFR800 would be less insane than a supersports I am guessing.

But no, insanity happened when you decided to take up biking

"I don't suffer from insanity - I am savouring every minute of it!"

[megageoff76]

You will be fine, go for it. At the end of the day its only a bike, just like the one you already have..you ride them all the same way.

You just wont need to twist the throttle as hard everywhere you go.

[vifferman]

I am hoping for some considered opinion about the VFR800.

Uh-oh....



Firstly it's a Honda (cue the anti-Honda brigade saying, "It's a Honda - it's ghey! You're ghey!" etc etc.)
Secondly, apparently you need to own a pipe, slippers and cardigan to own a VFR800 (although none of the VFR800 owners I know have any of those items).

My opinion (biased as it is) is that the VFR800 is a great all-rounder, and has been voted such several times by various bike magazines. It's reliable, comfortable, and perhaps the ideal bike if you want something that can be used as a commuter, sprotsbike and touring bike. Although it's only ~100hp, and does weigh over 200kg (alleged dry weight around 210), it's not a slouch, with an alleged top speed of 240km/h, and 0-100km/h time of 2.9 seconds.

But you'd better get in quick, if you want a new one. Although it has a cult following, rumours abound that Honda is phasing it out in the next couple of years.

[Swoop]

A bloody good choice. An excellent all-round bike that you can tour great distances on (and still be able to feel your arse at the end of the ride) and chuck about in the twisties with great abandon!

Do it! It will be the best thing you do.

Power wise, just be sensible (as if we need to tell you that).

What year are you looking at?

[Edbear]

Personally I'd advise caution moving from a 250 to an 800. Even "only" 100hp, that's several times what you're used to. Ride it like your 250 and you'll die a horrible death very quickly!

The VFR has a very long history of reliability and all round capability which, (despite it being a Honda...) is well deserved and you'll probably be very happy with one, if you can control your right hand enough to get used to the performance. Servicing costs may be a bit higher, but you can soon ask a shop.

Maybe compared to a Gixxer, they are not fast, but believe me, they don't hang around when you twist the throttle!

The first of the V-tec models were criticised for the abruptness of the timing change which could unsettle the bike mid-corner and caught a few out, but the earlier, non-V-tec and the latest model are much better and smoother. Some argue that the pre-V-tec models were the best, but by all means if you can afford a new, or near-new one you should get a very good bike. Just please remember, it's in a different league to your 250!!!

[enigma51]

your mad

[Edbear]

your mad

Or that....

[Gman71]

Not mad after all.

to answer some of the questions:

yes my brain controls my balls. 4 kids and a heightened sense of mortality means I often get mistaken for a nana-on-a-bike

Looking at 2003 or later (maybe even a new one depending on my domestic sales skills)

thanks GOD i wont have to nearly brak my wrist making the thing go. (feel terrible about how hard I have to wring my bike to cruise at 100km p/hr). I mean 70.

Sensible is my middle name. (sse point one)

Thanks Guys!

[Big Dave]

If it fits you ergonomically and you are competent handling its mass - good choice.

[vifferman]

The VFR has a very long history of reliability and all round capability which, (despite it being a Honda...)

WTF is that supposed to mean?
Honda's are renowned for being reliable and capable - it's "lack of excitement" and/or "lack of style" or "boring" that they're usually panned for.
Since buying my first Honda in 1973, I've had one (1!) part fall off (a footpeg, due to the mounting bolt snapping after too many wheelies), and two breakdowns - both from R/Rs, which aren't made by Honda (but it was Honda's fault for fitting sub-par units).

Servicing costs may be a bit higher, but you can soon ask a shop.

The Vtec is expensive for valve clearance checks, as it takes 5-6 hours. But (however), you can pretty much guarantee that after the initial one, the clearances will be in spec, so skipping them isn't a big deal.
However, long-term reliability of the camchains is a big question mark, and there have been recalls for wiring, brake valves, and faulty stators on the earlier examples (2002-2005).

Some argue that the pre-V-tec models were the best

The Vtec has marginally more power (courtesy of revving a few hundred RPM higher) and has better suspension and handling than a standard pre-2002 model. Styling is entirely subjective - I like the Vtec's dash and non "dumbo ears" front indicators, but otherwise I prefer the looks of the 00-01 VFR.
Riding an 02 and 01 back-to-back, and asking the pillion's opinion, I preferred the 01, but she said they were both the same for comfort even though the 02 had a fatter arse, but preferred the 02 because she "liked its eyes".

[YellowDog]

Not mad after all.

to answer some of the questions:

yes my brain controls my balls. 4 kids and a heightened sense of mortality means I often get mistaken for a nana-on-a-bike

Looking at 2003 or later (maybe even a new one depending on my domestic sales skills)

thanks GOD i wont have to nearly brak my wrist making the thing go. (feel terrible about how hard I have to wring my bike to cruise at 100km p/hr). I mean 70.

Sensible is my middle name. (sse point one)

Thanks Guys!

I'd imagine that with 4 kids, you will now have amazing control (out at the hint of a squirt). So you are definitely not mad and you will love the extra power.

Just watch that wrist control.

[vifferman]

thanks GOD i wont have to nearly brak my wrist making the thing go.

You will find the throttle takes a bit of getting used to - the EFI is a bit more "lightswitch" than on your 250, and on some there's an awkward transition between closed loop mode and programmed mode when you throttle off then on again. (Easily fixed by disabling the oxygen sensors).

[Edbear]

WTF is that supposed to mean?
Honda's are renowned for being reliable and capable - it's "lack of excitement" and/or "lack of style" or "boring" that they're usually panned for.
Since buying my first Honda in 1973, I've had one (1!) part fall off (a footpeg, due to the mounting bolt snapping after too many wheelies), and two breakdowns - both from R/Rs, which aren't made by Honda (but it was Honda's fault for fitting sub-par units)..

Sorry, should have put p/t there... I guess I got sucked in momentarily to the usual banter about Honda's. I like them, personally. Honest!