Opinion Honda VFR 800 2006

[Davadvice]

Hi,

I have been without a bike since selling my SV on here a year and a half ago. I'm now looking for another and the VFR seems like a good idea. The bike i have seen is a 2006 with 16K on the clock its a dealer thats selling and i'm hoping my brother can help get the price down as he works for the same company.
I had a look at reviews and seen that there can be issues with the cam chain tensioner and the Reg/Rec(nothing new there)

does anyone have any guidance on buying and keeping a VFR that would help me?

I looked at the DL650 but i'm not so keen on the look.

if there is any alternatives i should look at please let me know?

i'm sure there was a thread on here a while ago on the VFR but search turned up nothing.

my budget is around 4-5K

thanks

[carelesschucca]

Slightly over budget with this BMW GS (http://www.victordevine.com/locator/541394/2005-05-reg-bmw-r1200-gs.aspx#.VKfj0yusXQg) but as your not trading in you could try and talk them down.

[NTECUK]

If you read every review. Then every bike had a issue somewhere or another.
VFR s are popular because they do every thing good.
But it's like most things.
There's capable alternatives.
Get your deal head on and search for something that you can use as a lever if you have your heart set on that one.
You might not get anywhere but at least your have tried.

[Luckypants]

I have had two VFR's of that model. I had a 2005 (55-plate) A5 that I put 33k miles on in 3 years. 100% reliable in all of that time except for one time the speedo gave weird readings in VERY wet conditions. Fixed that with some petroleum jelly on the speedo connector on the gearbox. Had both of the 16K valve clearance checks done by an independent Honda specialist, as it is expensive at a Honda dealer (but getting less so, don't believe the horror stories!). Neither time was adjustment necessary and I believe this to be quite rarely needed. I really liked the bike so I bought another!

My 2006 A6 has also been 100% reliable. I have only put about 8K miles on it since buying it in 2009, so not really able to say it is reliable over many miles, but I have to say based on experience it is a good bike.

Buying the VFR you are looking at make sure the dealer has done the 16K valve clearance before buying. Most VFRs of that age/mileage should have a full dealer service history, so check for that. Other than that, mechanically it should be 100%, no known nasties to bite you at that age/mileage. There was a recall for the oil cooler rusting on the pipe joints of early models, so check that has been done as my 2006 needed it. A known issue on all VFRs is the exhaust collector box can rust on high milers or bikes left outside, look for BAD rust on the exit pipe before it joins the tailpipe - it is unlikely to be a problem but check anyway :). Also the fork lowers can pit if not looked after, one trip in salt without washing made mine look scabby but it is only cosmetic.

Obviously an ABS model is worth more than a non-ABS model, quite bit more as the non-ABS was discontinued after 2007 so that model not looked at so favourably.

More questions? Just ask!

HTH

[suzukigt380paul]

Hi,

I have been without a bike since selling my SV on here a year and a half ago. I'm now looking for another and the VFR seems like a good idea. The bike i have seen is a 2006 with 16K on the clock its a dealer thats selling and i'm hoping my brother can help get the price down as he works for the same company.
I had a look at reviews and seen that there can be issues with the cam chain tensioner and the Reg/Rec(nothing new there)

does anyone have any guidance on buying and keeping a VFR that would help me?

I looked at the DL650 but i'm not so keen on the look.

if there is any alternatives i should look at please let me know?

i'm sure there was a thread on here a while ago on the VFR but search turned up nothing.

my budget is around 4-5K

thanksfor 4 to 5k that should buy you a low milage 2008/9 A9 abs and leave you with change in your pocket from 5k

[L3nny]

I owned a VFR for 18 months and put 10k on it.

As a bike it's an awesome tool, fast enough without being intimidating, neutral handling, amazing build quality, comfortable, the OEM luggage is huge and well made.

Negatives, It's a little bit boring, if you're using it just for transport it's perfect but if you like to scare yourself or pose down the local bike meet it's not going to cut it. It's also pretty expensive to run, servicing is expensive, especially the Vtec service and it uses more fuel than most other bikes I know of, way more than my Fireblade.

I spent £4000 on a 3 year old bike with 20k with full luggage.

[NTECUK]

Triumph sprint can be had for the sort of money your looking at.
They are however slightly more milage.
Tiger sport also in with a shout. If you are into the adventure bike look.

[keith_d]

Good:

Comfortable
Does everything well
Goes well with full camping kit (or a pillion) on the back.

Not so good:

Expensive service every 16k miles
Thirsty if you're having fun in the VTEC zone
It feels like a big bike


I like my VFR and would happily have another one, mostly because it's a comfy bike to ride. The linked brakes are unobtrusive and I like where the VTEC kicks in so it works for me. But it does feel rather substantial and after riding the VFR the SV just feels a bit like a moped.

Just my opinion,

Keith.

[Davadvice]

Hi,

thanks for all the replies, it's appreciated.

I'm looking for comfort a little more as the SV was hard work after a couple of hours and i'm not big on posing and scaring myself (too much)

fingers crossed i can get the right deal and get back on 2 wheels again.

[Quiff Wichard]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/43a69df646903eadc5376bc00118997b.jpg

Buy mine !!!

2006 ... 57 reg
15k
None abs
Heated grips
Autocomm
Good tyres and spare rear tyre
Mirror extenders
Adjustable levers
mirror extenders
Upgraded horns
2 charge sockets
Staintune cans ... and originals
Tinted screen
Bla Bla ...loafs of stuff if u interested ...well within your quoted budget ..

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/5ce8167e8e1d32d1dd2cb88184fbe197.jpg

[Quiff Wichard]

Did I say mirror extenders ? :D

[Quiff Wichard]

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/ca18f675718d2c09eec09b9d5ec30609.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/fe3c8295aa5b67f71f944f5b8cdc9e85.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/8b22dc93c15375686e57377a6e1d9702.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/bc5bba64ac0afc3b24c3149fc41b54dc.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/4bb4ea9fdf9ef3df57ad8d878ccc5e3c.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/09/4f7cee3659b23e8beaefb78c4bcaaaa1.jpg

[mattSV]

I can vouch for Dave's bike, lovely example and sounds awesome with the staintune cans. Hasn't quite got the grunt of a Sprint, but still a very quick and capable bike.

[admin]

I bought mine in 2013. An A6 with ABS and 18k miles. I love it to bits. I can ride it for hours and get off as fresh as a daisy, whereas the SV crippled me on long journeys. It just does everything well and without fuss. The only problem I've had was in pouring rain (monsoon) when the engine died twice on the M25. Not fun. I've never gotten to the bottom of that. I can't replicate either with a hose.

[Luckypants]

I can vouch for Dave's bike, lovely example and sounds awesome with the staintune cans. Hasn't quite got the grunt of a Sprint, but still a very quick and capable bike.
Seconded, it was this bike persuaded me that I bought the wrong colour! :p

[Quiff Wichard]

Well its on offer til midnight tonight now on e bay then off to the dealers if it doesn't sell

[admin]

So what are you going to replace it with Dave?

[Quiff Wichard]

Nothing john. . Retiring

[admin]

Nooooo. Why?

[Quiff Wichard]

Old knees . Old age .. pushed my luck .. money would be handy . Mum n mum in law hate us on the bike .

[admin]

Dave. You'll never be old mate. 😁