Time for a bigger bike - VFR800 or Falco?

[fastdruid]

Originally Posted by Alpinestarhero

FD, I have heard some people claim that many honda technicians won't check the VTEC-activated valves in the VTEC 800's, because its so much of a faff.

And I know a few people who I trust to work on my bikes probably wouldnt want to do the VTEC valve clearance checks

I actually considered one as a replacement for my VFR750 but I wasn't keen on the way the VTEC engaged and I wouldn't fancy doing the check or paying 500ish to get them done (and at every 16k that's nearly once a year). That is if anyone would actually check them rather than just charge for it...

Besides I found it a bit dull in comparison to mine (although invariably much better all round just didn't do anything for me).

Druid

I'll throw in another spanner and suggest you test ride a V-Strom 1000. If you're tall you'll like it. I did scotland on mine, rode 960 miles in 3 days (including one 550 mile day) and it was great. The sv was awful for anything over a two hout blast, even with a gel seat and helibars.

[Luckypants]

All I can say to you VTEC doom sayers is you don't really know what you are talking about. Unless you have owned a VTEC, you are only reporting hearsay. Having done 22K miles on mine, I can report that servicing costs are quite 'normal' for main dealer services. The 16K VTEC valve check is now a fixed price service from a Honda dealer, mandated by Honda UK at £500. Now that is expensive for a service I grant you, but it is cheap if a shim needs changing. I now do my own servicing and it is as cheap as any other bike. The exception is the 16K service which was done by a highly recommended ex-Honda bike mechanic for a very reasonable £230.

Regarding how the VTEC actuates - early models were a bit snatchy but this was resolved by ECU programming updates on 2003/4 bikes onwards (IIRC) and this update can be retro fitted to earlier models. 2006 on bikes had further updates to smooth the VTEC transition, meaning that the VTEC comes on at around 6800 rpm but goes off at around 5800 rpm so you don't get that on/off thing if riding around the transition revs.

I would just say to anyone who fancies a VFR-VTEC, ride it without regard for all the VTEC hater FUD stories and make up your own mind.

IMHO VFR is a great bike which I chose over a Falco and have never had cause to regret buying it. Several loans of a Falco has never made me doubt my choice.

[fastdruid]

I'm sorry but;
a) I rode one (a 2006 model IIRC) and didn't like the way the VTEC kicked in and out mid corner.
b) 230, 500, what ever, its expensive and for me would be a *yearly* cost, on top of the normal servicing costs and something that previous models (and other makes) don't need. Fine if you do 1.5k a year, crap if you do ~14k/year.

Druid

[Luckypants]

Fine if that is your opinion, I don't find the VTEC obtrusive, you do. Let others make up their own minds.

16K service for me appears to be about every 18 months. first one was after less than a year but I have not been riding as much this year. Yes it is expensive, I never said it was not, just that it is not the big scary amounts some folks like to bandy about - I gave facts not FUD. This is not a DIY service due to needing the special tool, so there is limited scope to get the cost down. However it does not compare to badly at £230 to paying a bike mechanic to do a valve check service on other bikes.

[Bri w]

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Fine if that is your opinion, I don't find the VTEC obtrusive, you do. Let others make up their own minds.

16K service for me appears to be about every 18 months. first one was after less than a year but I have not been riding as much this year. Yes it is expensive, I never said it was not, just that it is not the big scary amounts some folks like to bandy about - I gave facts not FUD. This is not a DIY service due to needing the special tool, so there is limited scope to get the cost down. However it does not compare to badly at £230 to paying a bike mechanic to do a valve check service on other bikes.

I actually prefer the V-Tec. It's like fitting a turbo. I can potter around in "old man mode" but when the devil wants to come out to play... And thats one of the reasons i bought it.

Service costs; I knew it was going to be costly but i bought the bike i wanted - bit like you'll buy an exotic and pay the extra insurance if its what you want.

Very comfortable, and for someone with "war wounds" it needs to be.

And for me its even better than my expectations.

You could always hire one from George White's in Swindon, (they insist its delivered to your home) at least that way you get to try it out over a full weekend/week.

When you're getting a new 2nd hand bike i think a lot depends on what' s around and the individual bikes you see. I've got a vfr800 and i love it. One of the main reasons is because it's been well looked after and it doesn't have any odd noises emitting from it so i can properly enjoy myself on it. The same with my SV - i didn't have to spend money fixing it when I got it which made the whole riding experience more enjoyable!
Good luck with getting one - i hope you find one you ilke
mary

VFR VTEC ALL THE WAY! just because we needed another VFR Vtec lover in the debate... and because i've now got one lol!

Cheers

Ash

Not ridden either, so my opinion is based on how exoctic it is, how nice it sounds, how rare it is, how good it looks. So read how you will.

In which case, the Falco wins for me. Not so many about, reports of a very under-rated bike, a mini de-tuned Mille.

Falco is worth more Internet cool points also.

But as i say, not ridden either.

Originally Posted by Daimo

Not ridden either, so my opinion is based on how exoctic it is, how nice it sounds, how rare it is, how good it looks. So read how you will.

In which case, the Falco wins for me. Not so many about, reports of a very under-rated bike, a mini de-tuned Mille.

Wooo good vote.

About the RSV mille detune thing, load of codswollop (I know they always say it in the reviews sigh)... Its got the same motor as the 99-2001 model RSV with a different (2-2 vs 2-1) exhaust, the electronics are all the same too. Basically a Falco is the road friendly (more comfortable) version of the RSV.

Its just that the falco somehow gained mid range over the RSV, didnt lose out of top though , so people who ride them don't get the same rush at the top end due to the fat mid range and so presume its less power. There are many dyno comparisons on the AF1 site to show this.

The 2001-2003 RSV's got bigger intake valves (36mm to 38mm) and slightly more lift, which gave them about 2bhp on the top, and in 2003 got close ratio gears.

Anyway, now that thats all straight... My last major service cost me £160 including having the fork springs changed for me to lighter ones for my small ar$e. Granted that wasn't an "official" dealer but still pretty cheap. Minor service... easy peasy Lift tank and take airbox off. Change all spark plugs and have bike back to running in about 15 mins.

I think the choice comes down to what you want. Try to test ride as many bikes as you can. I suppose between the two, do you want a hooligan bike or a safe option?

Oh and V4's sound nice but V2's sound better imo