Pre 2005 VFR's

Kaya75 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 11 Jan 2015 Karma :

I'm being considering the next bike, I'd love to spank 6k on a newish VFR but can't justify the credit.. So any thoughts on the pre 2005 Vtec? How bad is the hiccup? I'm can see the sudden binary nature being a bit annoying, but really is it such a pain in the butt?? There's some nice examples for a couple of grand..

Cheers Thumbs Up

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ybr125 Sold, GSF600 K1 Bandit (For Sale), FJR13000 gen2.

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

What's your budget? I'm very close and my 2007 bike will be going for sale on Tuesday.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

ADSrox0r · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Oct 2012 Karma :

Don't get a pre 2006 VTEC, the VTEC lurch isn't nice and the low end fuelling is atrocious. They can be easily tamed with a Power Commander though if you can pick up a cheap PCIII or even a PCV.

There were also a number of recall issues with them that were resolved with the 'b' model 6th gen (2006 onwards) particularly the notorious blue ground connector. If I were to get one it would need going over with a fine tooth comb.

And don't let's get started with the dreaded VTEC valve service.....
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

barrkel · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Jul 2012 Karma :

I have a 2005 VTEC (stock all round), and the vtec "lurch" isn't problematic at all on my bike.

The bike isn't entertaining ridden below 7k - all the go is higher up. I don't find the low-end fuelling particularly bad either, but I don't get out of 2nd gear until I'm doing over 40 and barely get out of first in a 30 zone, so take it for what it's worth - I don't ride bikes at low RPMs.
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Bikes: S1000R, SH350; Exes: Vity 125, PS125, YBR125, ER6f, VFR800, Brutale 920, CB600F, SH300x4
Best road ever ridden: www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2MhNxUEYtQ

Maimboy · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 27 May 2011 Karma :

I have a 2002 VTEC and the 'lurch' is nothing to be concerned about, in fact it's quite pleasant when you're pressing on. It's done 70K now and never had a valve check either. They're good quality bikes and pleasant to ride.

They're a bit heavy and a teeny bit bland, but they're all like that... Mr. Green

Crumbso · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Karma :

I've had both the 'sorted' 2007 VTEC VFR and the last pre-VTEC model and if pushed would spend on a sorted low mileage pre-vtec model every time. It felt lighter, span up the engine easier and was more comfortable.

I'd try test ride 'em both though cause both of them were alright bikes in the end.

ADSrox0r · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Oct 2012 Karma :

It isn't the most horrendous thing in the world, it's a bit like an old fashioned 80's turbo kicking in.

The 'problem' (And that's for want of a better way of saying it) was partly due to the fuelling in that range but mostly the implementation that changed. On the pre 2006 the VTEC kicked in at 6000 rpm and also off at 6000 rpm so it was a bit of an on-off switch if you were in that area. More problematic was if you were in a turn leaning on and it kicked on you. The later models changed so that it came on at 6800 rpm and switched off at 6000 rpm so gave a bit more lenience.

Purists will always say the Fi model (98-01) is the superior machine with its gear driven cams but in reality changing the CCTs out is a 20 minute job that needs doing around every 25k miles (generally) Personally I'm not a fan of the gear whine either but that's just a subjective thing. I'd like the reliability of the Fi (minus the shitty electrical issues) combined with the two-tone personality of the VTEC.

End of the day, any of the VFRs will serve well and you won't find many people who will say they're any kind of shit, it just won't blow your knickers off.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

I borrowed a pre-vtec one, engine was great, really smooth. Headlights good. Handling was a bit twitchy, but i think that was excessive rear preload.

Does the combined brakes persist into the vtec models? There was something wrong on the one i borrowed and the rear brake pedal felt worse than the drum on my 535. Someone on here explained what was up.
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Bandit. does. everything.

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

Yep the Vtec has combined brakes (and 'A' models have combined ABS).

My non ABS Vtec stops very well for a reasonably heavy bike. I don't often have to brake hard, but when I do I'm always pleasantly surprised.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

Chain driven · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 07 Jan 2014 Karma :

Just got to say the fi (5th gen) is a really good reliable bike heavy yes ultra reliable ( fit a transistor reg/ rec they run cold ) and the gear whine is music but goes quiet above 4800rpm and you can make them rock on the twisties Laughing

Crumbso · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Karma :

Gotta concur. I'd have another in a heartbeat if I had space in the garage.

c_dug · Super Spammer Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :

spnorm · Crazy Courier Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Karma :

The beauty of the pre-VTEC VFR was the usable mid-range power from 5-8k rpm, which the engine on the early VTEC ruined. It was OK when revving hard, but rolling on and off the throttle on twisty roads resulted in the dreaded lurch as it switched in and out of 4-valve mode.

I hated the engine on my then new 2003 VTEC and only kept it six months before eventually buying my 2000 VFR back and keeping it a few years until buying a K1200S in 2006.

The 2000-2001 VFR800FiY/1 is definitely the one to go for with its wonderful V4 gear-driven cam engine Thumbs Up