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VFR 800 opinions?

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Englishj said:
Worth taking at look at 98-2001 non vtec models. Cheaper maintenance and a still a great bike.
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That is my next bike. IMO when the VTEC kicks in it is very abrupt (at least in 2007) an sounds like something broke. Add the crazy cost of adjusting valves = no way. (Shims are not used, so the lifter must be replaced if out of spec and the rads have to drained an moved just to check clearances.)
 
As others have mentioned. The cost of valve service is lower on the 5th gens, plus they still have the gear driven cams. I just did my 50 k service at Milton Honda. All valves were good, cost to check them was 350.

Things to look for or get on a VFR.
Sergeant seat
Power commander
Staintune exhaust
Heli bars

I have owned many bikes, my 5th gen VFR is the best machine I have ever ridden. Sporty when you want it and comfortable. And mounds of torque.
 
Hey man,

I just picked one up in May after waiting 8 years for one. This is my first hand experience on the bike!

1. It is smoooooooooooooth.. very well balanced as stated.
2. If you're going 6th gen, get a 2006+ A.) Clear turn signals, looks a lot better. B.) V-TEC engagement was changed. C.) Wiring harness that would sometimes fry on 2002-2005 models has been updated to avoid that issue.
3. Riding position is very comfortable, but the stock seat is crap.
4. There's a lot of aftermarket exhausts but Leo Vince Carbon Fiber is nicest sounding from all my research.
5. It's great on gas
6. A little on the heavy side
7. Did I mention the stock seat is crap? lol

If you're in Mississauga and wanna come check mine out.. you're more than welcome too! It came with OEM hard luggage too!
 
Oh and also look for one with upgraded suspension. Stock is adequate but a nice set of racetech's up front and a good 3-way in the rear helps the VFR to do everything it is capable of.
 
Englishj said:
Worth taking at look at 98-2001 non vtec models. Cheaper maintenance and a still a great bike.
Click to expand...

I just bought a 1998 with 47,000 kms. I've only put a couple of hundred kms on it so far but it I've found it very easy to ride at high speed. No problem losing your license on this thing. The forums have people with well over 100,000 on them so they can last forever if you maintain them. Sport-touring gives you the best of both worlds. I think the cylinders have some kind of magic ceramic material in the lining.
I think they were $12,000 new back in the day so don't expect to get a good one cheap. The 5th generation 1998-2001 are the most sought after because they are cheaper to maintain and because the vtec had handling difficulties in the turns. When they introduced the vtec they had two valves per cylinder working up to 6,800 - 7,000 rpm and then the other two valves kicked in. It is my understanding that at this point the engine was well into the power curve so the change was pretty abrupt. If you were riding in a straight line I guess it was a nice kick in the pants but if it happened in a curve or turn then you could end up in the ditch. In 2006 they reduced the rpm for the two - four valve conversion to 6,200 rpm and that seemed to help quite a bit. Mind you I've never ridden a newer one so this is just hearsay from the research I've done.
 
Franko! said:
IMO when the VTEC kicks in it is very abrupt (at least in 2007) ...
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+1. My wife and I demoed an '06 model. On the way up the rev range, the VTEC was so abrupt that the bike completely hesitated for what felt like a good second, causing my wife and I to play helmet pinball. Needless to say, the VFR didn't make it home to my garage. Otherwise the bike was nice, comfort and handling wise.
 
I will second Sunny's comments...I owned a 2000 VFR 800 that I rode for a few seasons. Found that without luggage I wasn't riding the bike very often and I didn't care for the options available.
Sold the bike and went without for a few years and missed the riding.
Saw the BMWF800ST and bought that in 08. Most of these bikes came the factory luggage which I love since it is not too wide but the bags can be expanded to carry more when you need it. Not only it the bike much lighter it is also much less top heavy due to the fuel tank being under the seat.
It is not perfect and I am sure that the last VFR was a fine bike but for for my tastes I would not trade!
Fuel mileage is also fabulous on the BMW...I average 4.4 L/100KM and I usually ride 20 - 40 K over or more in the corners:cool:
 
I wouldn't say the fuel economy for the VFR800 is great. Most owners seem to average somewhere around 40 mpg. It's good, but BMW has done a better job with the F800's gas mileage.

The ergos lean toward the realm of sportbikes; in fact, sitting on mine feels pretty close to the ergonomics of a CBR600F4i. If you want something more upright and stretched out (like the BMW), then the VFR isn't for you.

Another spendy maintenance issue is with the cam chain tensioners, though this one isn't up there with the cost of the valve inspection. But being a Honda, the reliability of the bike is pretty good and it's not too likely you're going to end up with a lot of other service issues.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with my '04 VFR and saved by buying it in the US. I'm not interested in changing the stock exhaust, but keep in mind it'll cost almost double to do so on the VFR because of the dual exhaust (plus the Power Commander).
 
beverage said:
+1. My wife and I demoed an '06 model. On the way up the rev range, the VTEC was so abrupt that the bike completely hesitated for what felt like a good second, causing my wife and I to play helmet pinball. Needless to say, the VFR didn't make it home to my garage. Otherwise the bike was nice, comfort and handling wise.
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LOL - there must have been something wrong with that bike. I've put 30K on my '06 and I love it. I have no idea why people make such a big deal about the Vtec 2-4 valve transition, I have never had an issue with it. It does make a small difference in power but I swear it is mostly auditory. You can see a small blip if you look at a dyno chart. In the city I find that the 40+ lbs of torque at 3500rpms and up makes it such a smooth bike with lots of useable power. Very stable at all speeds on the highway too. I won't be getting anything else in the near future....and when I do it might be a VFR1200.
 
Ya the vtec issue is blow out of proportion by most. Any year 92 and up were all nice machines. I too will ride nothing else.

Milton Honda had an 07 white, looks sharp. I thing it was 13k, it's a good deal, and if it's still there I'm sure you could get it for less.

That's what I would by if I had the money.

Head over to vfrworld.com and vfrdiscussions.com

Lots of helpful riders on both sites, and lots of generation specific info.

You can also find threads with shop manuals etc.

Good luck
 
Adamant said:
Milton Honda had an 07 white, looks sharp. I thing it was 13k, it's a good deal, and if it's still there I'm sure you could get it for less.

That's what I would by if I had the money.
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An 07 for $13k??? Is it brand new at least?

The 2011 BMW F800ST sticker is $12,550.

As much as I love Honda, their pricing structure baffles me.


.
 
Hi I have an 09 VFR, it is a great bike, however not perfect. Power delivery is very smooth. When the V-TEC kicks in, it's mostly sound. I've ridden I4's that have a bigger kick when you hit thier power band. Try and old RD350, or RD400 at 7000rpm, then you'll know what abrupt is. The V-TEC is far from abrupt. I do find the bike heavy and top heavy at that, but once under way it's very manoeuvrable.

Thing's I would change, Heli Bars for sure as the stock bars do wear on the wrists after a stretch. The seat would also be another swap out for long distance riding.
I'm averaging about 330k's a tank, however that is a lot of highway riding. All in all, it is a great bike, but perfect?...not quite.
 
Englishj said:
Worth taking at look at 98-2001 non vtec models. Cheaper maintenance and a still a great bike.
Click to expand...

Agree'd 100%

The (5th Gen)1998-2001 VFR800 are still 800cc Fuel Injected V4 engines...but they don't have V-TEC (which means much easier valve adjustments) and they have Gear Driven Cams.

I have a 4th Gen VFR which is the last of the 750's and it's a dream.
 
Ha i have 70k on my 5th gen 2000 and never have checked the valves. Check out vfrdiscussion.com and do a search. Nobody gets them done and those that do find they seldom are out of spec. I love my vfr and have enjoyed it immensley, great all rounder oh and cheap on insurance too.
Varrus999 said:
Damn I'll have to look into this...I knew the valve checks were necessary but I had no idea they cost THAT much!
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I consistantly get in the mid 50 mpg and can squeeze out 450 clicks to a tank with a few litres left to spare.
Rick CH said:
I wouldn't say the fuel economy for the VFR800 is great. Most owners seem to average somewhere around 40 mpg. It's good, but BMW has done a better job with the F800's gas mileage.

The ergos lean toward the realm of sportbikes; in fact, sitting on mine feels pretty close to the ergonomics of a CBR600F4i. If you want something more upright and stretched out (like the BMW), then the VFR isn't for you.

Another spendy maintenance issue is with the cam chain tensioners, though this one isn't up there with the cost of the valve inspection. But being a Honda, the reliability of the bike is pretty good and it's not too likely you're going to end up with a lot of other service issues.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with my '04 VFR and saved by buying it in the US. I'm not interested in changing the stock exhaust, but keep in mind it'll cost almost double to do so on the VFR because of the dual exhaust (plus the Power Commander).
Click to expand...
 
I had my 2001 for 2 years and replaced the Regrec once. Loved the bike sweet motor. My bud has a 1998 for 5 years now and just replaced the regrec for the 3rd time. Both our bikes got to hot in top and go traffic. Also they have a bit of weight to them. The 1998 to 2001 would do 50 mpg plus all day long. Some people complain about the Vtec 2002+ bikes mpg numbers. Also my insurance for old fart with good record was $795. Replaced it with a
DL650 for better two up riding and even cheaper insurance.

I would by one again if I had the spare cash.
 
If you are not scared, do the maintenance yourself, being in Canada we have enough winter months to try this lol Following what I read you can do a valve adjustment once or twice in the lifetime of the bike.
 
GVH said:
I had my 2001 for 2 years and replaced the Regrec once. Loved the bike sweet motor. My bud has a 1998 for 5 years now and just replaced the regrec for the 3rd time. Both our bikes got to hot in top and go traffic. Also they have a bit of weight to them. The 1998 to 2001 would do 50 mpg plus all day long. Some people complain about the Vtec 2002+ bikes mpg numbers. Also my insurance for old fart with good record was $795. Replaced it with a
DL650 for better two up riding and even cheaper insurance.

I would by one again if I had the spare cash.
Click to expand...

I modded my cooling system with the vtr fan blade and the Nissan thermo switch runs 10-15 degrees cooler now, usually low 80's, 90's in traffic.
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