2014 vfr800

[Erelyes]

"Every piece of bodywork fits together with every other piece with other-worldly precision. The gaps between them (“shut lines”, a Honda man informed me at the launch in Alicante), are hair-thin and perfectly uniform."

Wonder if production bikes will be like that, as well as the ones they give to reviewers!

I do wonder why they've not managed to shave 20kg of lard off it.

[James Deuce]

Which bit it's the admission of guilt?

The bit where the last model, which ran for 11 years, was a fashion statement and they were losing VFR riders to other brands. VFR riders don't typically want the latest or greatest or another brand's product. They don't want the up-engined VFR Honda thought they were asking for either. They want a VFR800 you can put soft panniers on and one that fuels consistently throughout the rev range. They also want build quality.

[yevjenko]

Oh that bit. Completely agree with that bit

sent from my phone (so scuze auto correct typos)

[Urano]

i was actually referring to the other bit, the one where the last 11 year model which was a fashion statement has been completely discontinued in favor of a bigger, uglier and expensiER fashion statement thus completely abandoning, together with the decline of cbr 600f, middle class sport touring segment.

yamaha with the fazers and kawasaki with er6 and z1000sx will be long grateful...

anyway, the bit you mentioned is pretty fair too.

[pritch]

I like it.
Mind you, I like every VFR

I'll second that.

Oh, and there is a new CBR650F in the pipeline. Reportedly soon to arrive in the USA.
There is also a CB650F (unfaired) version, first road tests have already appeared.

[Urano]

Oh, and there is a new CBR650F in the pipeline.

ya, the 4 cylinder honda version of kawa er6...
nice bike, but half the one it was before. even considering the "faired hornet" model...

[vifferman]

I must admit, at first I didn't like it, but after viewing a whole swag of photos, it started to grow on me somewhat. But... why would I swap my well-fettled, just-about-run-in VFR800 for... well...anything? Oh - and it's more fettled now. Pix coming when I get some time and sun.

[Muppet]

Doesn't really do it for me. Mind you I said that when the CBR came out (hahaha came out....) Anyway, don't mind the look of it now.... Fuck am I getting subconsciously being converted or something...

Same here. When the 08 Fireblade was released with that blunt nose, I thought Honda had flipped.

[MD]

At the risk of offending those VFR fanatics from the olden days, when the VFR earned it's legendary following, I tried to view pictures of this 'new' VFR and read the specs. Each attempt failed as I fell asleep instantly from the overwhelming boringness and dullness of the images.

I tried to avoid eye contact with the bike images so I could maintain consciousness long enough to read the review/specs. Wow. After 28 years of gestation to hone their R&D Honda have produced a bike with MORE weight and LESS power than the VFR750 from 28 years ago!!! What the hell! They saved heaps by not spending money on market research investigating today's fussy buyers.

All I can say is their shipping costs from the factory to the market will be really low. One 20ft container should meet worldwide demand I'd say.

[SPman]

I like it. It's comfy with a good riding possie for an old git like me who, although he likes the adrenaline rush of compressing the horizon on a 1000 plus, just can't be bothered any more, but won't buy a cruiser!
Adjustable height seat, looks well finished, nice control layout - and it's only $15,400 on road - same price as a Street Triple R! Same power as well, I think.
Just rip off the horrible muffler and replace with something less obtrusive and slightly throatier..........and they've already sold several over here.

[raziel1983]

and it's only $15,400 on road

Try $20,995 plus ORC

[SPman]

Try $20,995 plus ORC

Bloody overpriced Kiwi market! $15,400 in Perth, W.A.

[James Deuce]

Bloody overpriced Kiwi market! $15,400 in Perth, W.A.

The only thing overpriced about the NZ bike market is Honda product. Doesn't matter though. If I wait a couple of years it will be $14,995. Another year and it will be $12,995.

[Ocean1]

Wow. After 28 years of gestation to hone their R&D Honda have produced a bike with MORE weight and LESS power than the VFR750 from 28 years ago!!!

Aye, I like the look, little too pretty maybe. But at 55 lbs.ft and 242kg it's obviously not aimed at the sprotsbike market, Shirley.

I used to think that they were simply not listening. Any of them. When 1 hp/kg is the benchmark why give us this shit? I can almost hear the marketing dudes: "Give it more "features", and don't spare the pork."

But it's worse than that. The simple fact is that it's more profitable to make something shiny and cheap and to market it effectively than it is to make higher spec'd machines at any price.

I fucking hate that.

[Ender EnZed]

When 1 hp/kg is the benchmark why give us this shit? I can almost hear the marketing dudes: "Give it more "features", and don't spare the pork."

But it's worse than that. The simple fact is that it's more profitable to make something shiny and cheap and to market it effectively than it is to make higher spec'd machines at any price.

It hasn't gained a single hp since 1985. Honda has to have a stronger plan than just being stagnant for 30 years. Right?