VFR800

Originally Posted by thor

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.

Thor,

Have you actually commuted on one ??

I have and have never encountered the problems you mention... It's just as nimble through traffic as my FireBlade and so much more comfortable than an SV. You then go on to mention the new ST... Have you ridden one of theose ? Now they are lardy and more cumbersome.

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Originally Posted by Jelster

It's just as nimble through traffic as my FireBlade.

When I rode the one I had to Soho I had no bother through the traffic. I will say though that when I first got it the weight distribution nearly caught me out. It seems to carry it up high. Not an issue on the move, but I nearly dropped it when I leant it over to kick the stand down. Once you know the weight is there it is not an issue.

[jambo]

Hi,
Not ridden a VFR but my stretched little wallet would not be happy with the VTEC one as the cost of checking and altering the valve clearances is insane (I believe they drop the engine out of the frame due to the complexities of engaging / disengaging the drive to the VTEC valves while the motor is not turning) I remember reading that getting change from £500 worth of labour would be an acheivement for the 16,000 mile service.....

i've done some research seems there are different stories on the 16k service- some dealers can do it with the engine in the frame, others take it out.. i'd rather buy a 1999-2000 Fi one from an old boy who'd looked after it superbly, full service history, all reciepts.. there seems to be a few immaculate ones on MCN.. went down to a dealers yesterday and sat on the FI and the VTEC, preferred the looks of the VTEC but the feel of the FI - both had amazingly solid build quality and i am very impressed either way..

if only they made the FI one look like the VTEC. I really like the underseat exhausts

Just out of interest a pal of mine is selling a mint red 1999 model with 10,860 miles on it for £3,500 - has a full arrow system on it - this seems like a good deal? i'd almost consider keeping the SV at that price but i don't know..

I have ridden the Vtec (a few test rides) and there really isn't that much to worry about. 30 minutes and I'd learnt how it worked and rode accordingly, it really is a great "do it all" machine.

Some people call it "bland", but just get on one and ride it, properly.... It's a hoot when given some stick, will hold a good line, and is very comfortable. It will give most 600 Supersports a run for their money, and with a decent set of cans that V4 sounds so good....

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The worries about the 16K service have been greatly mis-reported. The actual cost is pretty well in line with most bikes, I have yet to hear of an owner who felt they were paying more than they feelt they should.

Having said that the Fi is a great bike, I have ridden one for 70K over the last 4 years, intertwined with 20K on a BMW GS, 10K on the goldwing and 6K on an SVS (Curvy).

I test rode the Vtec a couple of years ago and to be frank there was just not enough reason to change, I am waiting to test the 06 (Vtec change altered) to see if I will change this year or not. Although my Fi has 80K on the clock I know that the engine is still good for another couple of hundred, so its hard to change just for the sake of it.

Originally Posted by Gnan

Just out of interest a pal of mine is selling a mint red 1999 model with 10,860 miles on it for £3,500 - has a full arrow system on it - this seems like a good deal? i'd almost consider keeping the SV at that price but i don't know..

Your mate is a thousand quid over the odds on that price, you dont need to pay more than two grand, remember milage is irrelevant.

I agree that it is a good bike. Infact it is a very good bike, even the slightly offputting VTEC. I just didn't feel any passion or emotion whilst riding it. Not because it is a Honda or anything like that. It just didn't light me up and for me that is what riding is all about. You never know, in 10 years time when I have got the sports bike bug out of my system a Viffer may be the answer, but to be honest, I think I will just stick with the sports bikes and lower the pegs with some spangly rearsets so my hip replacement can cope. Either that or a bike naked muscle bike. ZRX12 anyone?

Originally Posted by Jelster

Thor,

Have you actually commuted on one ??

I have and have never encountered the problems you mention... It's just as nimble through traffic as my FireBlade and so much more comfortable than an SV. You then go on to mention the new ST... Have you ridden one of theose ? Now they are lardy and more cumbersome.

.

No, because I didn't buy one. On my old commute even the SV I do have was too long and too heavy. And I wasn't recommending the sprint over the VFR, and certainly not for tight town stuff. I just thought it was worth mentioning, as they are similar in some respects.

i like the new sprint ST but it's too expensive for me...