VFR800s.. What ya reckon?

[Mountlocal1]

The red one is too close a colour to the ST and Goldwings and I think it makes it look like a big tourer - just my opinion.... Cant you get the anniversary colour (red,white and blue)? That would be my first choice. Otherwise go for Silver! So the wheels match. (womens opinion anyhow) and it hides the dirt better.

Yeah I was angling toward the silver... Id give someone elses left arm to get hold of one of the anniversry ones but cant find em... maybe by the time I buy one there may be some imported...

I did consider the ST but theres a huge price differance...

[vifferman]

VFR750 was a far better bike

Nup.
I've owned both, and the 800 is much better in most regards.

magazine tests don't rate the VFR800 that well either, the VTEC doesn't work

That's not true - most tests up until the last couple of years have rated the VFR well. The problem is that the VFR is now down on power and suspension compared to the bikes it's in the same class as. It needs and is a few years overdue for a (proper) upgrade.
Yes, the VTec is kinda dumb in some ways - doesn't add power, and is an unnecessary complication. It's main purpose (not that it's advertised as such) is to meet EuroIII emissions testing, for both noise and fumes.

[vifferman]

Iclimbed off my VTR and onto a 1999 VFR 800 in September last year and was initially disappointed as it lacked the explosive acceleration of the V2 but as I used to the different power delivery I began to really appreciate the more comfortable riding position vastly superior suspension and all round improved "rideability" and the much better fuel economy.I doubt that there is many better mid size touring/sports bikes on the market.Mine's not for sale,ever.

Eggs Zachary what I found, when going from a VFR750 to a VTR to the VFR800.
The big difference I found at first was that the VTR has a big torque wodge that starts at 3k rpm, whereas the VFR's peak torque is around 7-8krpm. It made the VFR feel like it had a huge hole in the power delivery down low. Peak HP is around the same though, and overall the VFR feels like a much more sophisticated bike, and does everything (apart from wheelies) better.
Still miss the VTR though.

[Swoop]

does everything (apart from wheelies) better.

Agreed on that point.

Getting the front wheel off the ground takes a bit of work!

[Mountlocal1]

Hmmmm... Just got off the phone to Bluewing Honda and they told me that Japan has stopped making the current model VFR and that the 08 is the last off the line... They also said nothing has been announced to replace it yet.

Anyone have any speculation bout if or what itl be replaced with?

[Swoop]

Anyone have any speculation bout if or what itl be replaced with?

This year will be interesting to see what is released.
With the cancellation of three(?) of their major bikes, the replacement/s might be interesting.

Hopefully a VFR1000!

[Qkchk:Me]

Yeah I was angling toward the silver... Id give someone elses left arm to get hold of one of the anniversry ones but cant find em... maybe by the time I buy one there may be some imported...

I did consider the ST but theres a huge price differance...

Get hold of Botany Honda in Auckland. They did have one in stock a couple of months ago - you never know.......

[Qkchk:Me]

This year will be interesting to see what is released.
With the cancellation of three(?) of their major bikes, the replacement/s might be interesting.

Hopefully a VFR1000!

Now that would be a hoot! (After much specualtion throughout the years of a v4 1000cc...) Maybe 2009 could be the year?

[Mental Trousers]

Go for it mate. The Honda V4's have always been fantastic. The VFR800 is extremely competent and does everything you want in a bike. And it handles 100x better than your old GS too. It's lighter blah blah.

[yod]

Also enjoyed the Blackbird, a very nice bike.

yep - just bought one, definitely worth considering

yeehah

[pritch]

Hmmmm... Just got off the phone to Bluewing Honda and they told me that Japan has stopped making the current model VFR and that the 08 is the last off the line...

That's funny 'cause just a few weeks ago BlueWing sent out to their dealers a list of their models for the coming year and the VFR was on it. BlueWing often make me wonder though...

As I understand it the capacity of the VFR can't be enlarged it's already bored out to the max, so a bigger V4 has to be a new design.
Then again we're still awaiting the long rumoured V5 - and the replacement for the Blackbird - and the V4 Superbike contender and...

In the last couple of years the new models (apart from the CBRs) seem to be all designed and built in Italy.

I'm not sure if the V Tech idea is entirely dead. Part of the logic for having it is fuel economy and that would seem to be an idea whose time has come. Suzuki is currently developing a different way of acheiving a similar result, variable profile cams or something equally umm different?

As for VFRs being down on power? Compared to what? Yes if a Blackbird, but they should still compare to similar sized bikes.

And don't believe anybody who says V Tech doesn't work, it does. You may not particularly like it, but it does do what it was designed to do. For the record I don't mind it, it's just there and that's that. I would've liked gear driven cams too, but you can't buy a new one of those either so these things ain't options.

[yod]

and they are a fekkin nice looking bike imho

[Mountlocal1]

See... http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=75775

[Reckless]

My mate imported a 2008 anniversary Edition Vfr 800 from the USA to replace his 2000 Anniversary one. He absolutely loves it. Says its tighter and a lot better than his previous VFR800. He's offered me heaps of rides but I haven't taken him up on riding his new baby yet. His old 2000 VFR did everything our Vtr's and similar bikes did on our trips. I road that one a few times and it didn't feel as hoony as the VTR as said here. But over all it was a much better all round bike I would say. Never got left behind when we went for a blast and a shit load more relaxing when doing all those K's on a trip.

PS Botany did have one same red white and blue but without the Anniversary stickers the one I know has!! Dunno if its still there.

They are really not my cup of tea, but even if I don't like the styling they are a bloody good bike.

[vifferman]

I would've liked gear driven cams.

The reason they were dropped on the VTec was noise. VTec is supposed to make the bike quieter at low revs, which is a bit pointless if you have the noisy scissor gear and gears the 1998-2001 VFRs have.
I liked the VTec I test-rode, but I don't like Hondas with camchains: I've owned 4, and all were problematic. Plus the VTec servicing is much more complicated. Thank goodness the valve clearances on Hondas generally stay in spec.
I hope (haven't checked any on a bike since about 1993...)