VFR800

I had one for about two months as a loan bike while my insurance was being sorted out.

It will surprise a few 600 sports bikes. It is rapid and has a real turn of speed afyer 7k rpm. It handles well, goes well, stops well........but the engine "can" catch you out when the VTEC kicks in. If you are just gunning it from the lights, the engine is a peach and the VTEC is unnoticable other than an extra kick at 6,800 rpm. Normal riding is where it caught me out a couple of times. I would be leant into a corner just before the VTEC kicks in (6,500 rpm ish) and be gently rolling on the throttle through the corner. The engine then hits the VTEC zone and as it changes from 2 to 4 valves per cylinder, there seems to be a dip in power before it picks up again. This dip would make the bike drop further into the corner. A little disconcerting.

As a mile eater it is excellent. I rode to Soho and back one Friday evening on it. (circa 200 miles) and it was pretty comfy.

Overall it rides well "if" you can live with the VTEC. (I think you would probably learn to ride round it), but it makes you feel 50 years old when you chuck a leg over it.

Originally Posted by Scoobs

but it makes you feel 50 years old when you chuck a leg over it.

Ah, thats why I liked it then

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I have a 99 vfr and love it. From what I've read avoid the newer ones with v tec and chain driven cams...the tensioners seem to commonly have problems but the model I have is a great bike. Quick enough, handles well and basically feels "quality" from the second you get on it.

If I were you I wouldn't buy one. I did as my first bike on my return to biking and to be honest it was a mistake.

I constantly meet people who talk to me aboput how many bikes they have had and how they change them every couple of years trying different makes, models and engine configeration.

The problem is when you start off with perfection, make no mistake the VFR800 is perfection, there becomes no point in sampling other lesser bikes.

Be young and be foolish, spend your life in the quest of the perfect bike and wait a while before you findd the VFR, its your only hope of having a head full of boring bike owning stories for when you are really old

Originally Posted by Patch

If I were you I wouldn't buy one. I did as my first bike on my return to biking and to be honest it was a mistake.

I constantly meet people who talk to me aboput how many bikes they have had and how they change them every couple of years trying different makes, models and engine configeration.

The problem is when you start off with perfection, make no mistake the VFR800 is perfection, there becomes no point in sampling other lesser bikes.

Be young and be foolish, spend your life in the quest of the perfect bike and wait a while before you findd the VFR, its your only hope of having a head full of boring bike owning stories for when you are really old

Well put Patch.... It does exactly what it says on the packet... And does it very well !

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Yeah nice bikes, but a little too heavy for my urban stuff. Otherwise, the combination of power, long wheel base and weight make it real mile muncher on the motorway. More more comfortable than the SV (higher bars, lower pegs, better seat). It's also surprisingly quick and very composed and balanced on the faster stuff. Build quality is superb too. However, the VTEC can be annoying, and it's a costly bike compared to the SV. Have you looked at the new sprint ST? Pretty similar but for more power and a triple engine.

Oh yeah, freind of mine has the staintune's on it and it's loud! Also check out the laser and stasher exhaust systems.

Surely if the bike was "the" best bike, everyone would have one and rave about them.....

But plenty of people call them bland.

Personally i love em!! I would have one if the servicing costs of the VTEC didnt put me off. Bit pricey.

[northwind]

"Bland" usually means "too good" in biking Perfectly smooth power curve? Bland. Don't have to work it hard to get anywhere? Bland. Doesn't tankslap? Bland...

I'd like one... Not the newst one, I don't think, don't like its looks. I'd want a crack on that one, the L 750, and the 800 without Vtec though.

Originally Posted by northwind

"Bland" usually means "too good" in biking Perfectly smooth power curve? Bland.

I thought it meant honda.

I had one for 3 months as a courtesy. Was great. But plenty of people find honda's.......too honda-ish.....