VFR 800 opinions? | GTAMotorcycle.com

VFR 800 opinions?

chimera

chimera

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Howdy :wave:

Just wanted some 'real' reviews, not a magazine one I can find online.
Anyone own or have owned a VFR 800? Thoughts on the bike? Positives and negatives?
Been looking at +2002 and up.

Thanks to anyone who gives a helpful response. :)
 
All people whom I have talked to about it loved it.
 
I took a motorcycle maintenance course from Humber College and I actually asked the instructor (30 years+ riding experience) about them. He said that having personally worked on them, they are amazing bikes to ride, very well balanced...but, since they are Honda's showcase of technology, they are not easy to maintain / personally repair. I would buy one, but I just wanted to tell you what the instructor told me.
 
With about 30 years of riding streetbikes, my 2002 VFR800 was the best all around bike I ever owned. People always talk about the complexity of the valvetrain maintenace but they never mention the ease of chain adjustments and tire changes with the single sided swing arm. You may need the valves adjusted once during a typical ownership cycle - twice if you put more than 100,000km om the bike. How often to you adjust the chain or change rear tires? Don't let the maintenance issue bother you it is mostly a myth.
 
Stepdad has a gen 4 I think... has 156 000 Km's on it. Still runs strong as hell.
 
Very expensive valve checks. $1000-1600 (check out any VFR forum for further details - looked into it a while back)
Otherwise, I *LOVE* the sound, and they're very nice to ride (only been on one for about an hour, but found it very tractable and forgiving).
 
I test rode this bike (I ride a 250 right now). I loved it. It was the perfect balance of aggressiveness and comfort. Mine had Two Brothers slipons and that engine roar sounded orgasmic. The only 2 things I disliked about the bike was that I found it a bit top heavy, making it a bit harder to tip into turns (but everything's heavier than a 250), and that the engine was a bit hot on my legs.

If I had the money to buy one, I'd get it right now in a heartbeat. That bike gets my soul stirred way more than any SS bike. I can hear that engine noise now...

I'll see if I can post up the video of it tomorrow.
 
I picked up an 03 this year and am loving it. Great all around bike. If you're planning on doing any touring look for one with the factory side bags included. It's a sports tourer, so it's more on the heavy side compared to today's sports bikes...if you plan to communte and do long rides on it you can't go wrong.

There are a couple of forums devoted to the VFR where you can get all sorts of info.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/index.php/index
http://vfrworld.com/forums/content.php
http://www.vfr.on.ca/

Good luck!
 
Bigevildoer said:
Very expensive valve checks. $1000-1600 (check out any VFR forum for further details - looked into it a while back)
Otherwise, I *LOVE* the sound, and they're very nice to ride (only been on one for about an hour, but found it very tractable and forgiving).
Click to expand...

Damn I'll have to look into this...I knew the valve checks were necessary but I had no idea they cost THAT much!
 
I went from an 03 Katana 600 to an 06 vfr 800 last season and I've put about 20,000kms on her since then.

As mentioned Valve adjustments are expensive, but many members on vfrw and vfrd have either not bothered or only done it once and have racked up the miles with no issues.

I just got back last Sunday from 9 days at Deals Gap. The VFR will eat up the miles with ease, I rode down mostly via US219 spend the week there then slabbed it home on the Interstate. In the tight stuff you might notice the weight but on the more open sweepers and such it's no issue. I was riding with a broad mix of bikes and had no issues with keeping up in the twisties. On the interstate I was doing 85-90mph and I'd start flashing empty about 330kms, it'd probably be higher if I cruised at a slower speed.

As mentioned above, if your gonna tour find one for sale with Hard bags. They aren't cheap and when they do pop up for sale on the forums the good deals go fast. If your seriously looking I'd also recommend looking in the US for one to import.

The Single sided swing arm makes chain adjustment a breeze and the same with tire changes, four lug nuts and the rims off. No messing with the chain, or rear brake. Comes with a center stand so any rear wheel maintenance is a breeze.
 
A few years ago I had my heart set on a Honda VFR800. Even put a deposit on a brand new one!, and I'm a huge Honda fan with several Honda products and auto's.

BUT....... I made the "mistake" of test riding a BMW F800. I just couldn't get the damn BMW F800 out of my head!

IMHO, it had everything I wanted in the Viffer and more. It was cheaper, it's waaay lighter (80 pounds lighter!) and more flickable in the twisties. Belt drive, so no messy chain to fart around with. Single sided swing arm like the VFR. It has nice standard items like heated grips from the factory. Luggage options. Outstanding gas mileage. Great midrange torque for the street. 3 year unlimited mileage warranty with free roadside assistance. Tire pressure monitor. Gear shifter position indicator.

Also the fact that the VFR was introduced in 02 and carries on to 2011 virtually unchanged was a negative to me as well. The Bimmer was a totally brand new model introduced in 07 and was a clean sheet design with some clever innovative thinking (example...putting the gas tank under the seat for lower center of gravity and better handling).

It lacks the topend power of the VFR in the higher crazy speeds. But the F800 still does 0-60 in 3.2 seconds which is plenty quick enough for me.

Keep an open mind! Im glad I did. Three years later, I couldn't be any happier with my F800!




VFR vs F800........

http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-out...f800st-vs-honda-vfr800-interceptor-86719.html
 
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Thanks everyone for the inputs so far. :)

I will look into the info that's been posted.
 
I've got a 2007 with nearly 50,000km and have been happy since day one.

Valve checks are expensive, but not $1600! I was seeking prices many km ago but ended up not needing them done. I'm going to take it in to Honda at the end of this season for another check, hopefully I don't get a surprise! The bike hasn't cost a cent at a shop yet, I've done all the maintenance myself so far and nothing has been too difficult to do on the driveway. It's a complicated motor, but regular wear items (brakes/fluids/chain adjust/light bulbs/washing!! etc...) are as easy -or in a few cases easier- than any other bike.

I can go chase SSs on country roads one day, then take the wife for ice cream in comfort the next, tape up the lights and have some fun on a track day and then go ride down to Tenn. the next week.... all on the same bike! It's not outstanding at any one particular task but it does them all quite well.

Also, don't get hung up on the negativity about the VTEC your bound to hear, I haven't had any issues going in or out of it yet, I haven't highsided, lowsided or been blown up by having it engage in a corner....

Like it was mentioned though, if you get one GET ONE WITH THE BAGS! This is my only regret, they are way too expensive to buy after.

Negative for the bike is weight.... I live on a hill and its a royal PITA to push around. I think Honda welds 50lbs of lead to the bottom of each VFR!

Happy bike hunting Chimera!
 
172Driver said:
Valve checks are expensive, but not $1600!
Click to expand...

Here's a bill for $1675.93 taken from another website.

"Speaking of crazy expensive bike to own. The last Honda VFR VTEC required a tricky valve adjustment every 7000 miles. The cost on that was so staggering, I didn't buy one.

Here is a screen shot of someone elses bill for a 16K service on a VFR

16KService.jpg

Yes that is over $1600"​
 
Wow at that bill!!!!

I guess if all regular maintenance stuff is done at home I can save some money there and apply towards the valve service when needed.....lol

In the end though comfort is key and to some extent the 'look', I like single sided swingarm on bikes hence why looking at a VFR. As for the bags, It's not a key item, if it comes with them it does and if not then no big deal.

Thanks so much for the great feedback!!! Seriously I appreciate it! :)

See folks, there are helpful people out there! :)
 
Chaos said:
you thinking about moving on from the 696?
Click to expand...

No never! LOL

I LOVE my 'little monster', too many great memories invested as well as 'mods' that I will never re-coup on a sale. I will keep the 696 'till it runs into the ground.

Looking for my fiancé who needs a more 'practical' everyday bike that can commute as well as do long hauls. At the same time one I can take out for a boot if I want to change it up that day.
 
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