So tell me about VFR800's.... (pre vtec)

[neatbik]

All of the magazine reviews i read of these are positively glowing.
Build quality, comfort, performance, handling - all highly rated and (if you believe them) the perfect 'do everything' bike.

But are they really that good?
Any owners past or present care to air your views?
Cheers

[virus]

stinkwheel has a 93 vfr750, tis god, sexy gear driven cams and easy to work on, not heard him ever say a bad word about it.
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owned: 85 rat CG (sold), 91 GS500e (stolen), 84 gsx400f (scrapped), 81 z250 (siezed, siezed, scrapped), 83 cb250rs (sold), 84 gpz750r ratfighter (killed) 84gpz400 (sold), '80 cb650 ratfighter (wrote off) 95gsx6/12f ratfighter (killed) 91 xj900 (sold)
stinkwheel Well I just had my hands up a pigs fanny. Which makes your concerns pale into insignificance.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Toby R has one, although I don't know how often he comes on here.

Only real issues with them are reg/recs and exhaust rot.

Also not everyone likes the CBS linked brakes, which were fitted to all I think.



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[stinkwheel]

It got a few choice expletives when I had to push it for three miles when the reg/rec failed!

Other than that. I can't really fault my 750. Brakes are a bit inadequate but the 800 ones are better anyway.

Apparently the plastics on the 800 are a bit of a bitch to get off.

Yes. It does pretty much everything you'd want to do except offroading (and to be honest, it's not the worst roadbike I've ever ridden along a forestry track). It'll sit at motorway speeds all day long in comfort, it'll hoon round single trackers up in the Highlands, it'll go the length of the country 2-up with luggage. The more you pile it up, the better it handles.

Certainly the best build quality of any bike I've owned.

It's not as fast as a litre sports bike, it's not as nimble as a 600 supersports and it doesn't tour like a big BMW. It comes close though.
https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/tourer.jpg
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I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[neatbik]

Cheers Stinkwheel, very helpful

[Red Mick]

I had an FiY (last before the vtec) 35K in four years or so, two up to France Germany etc. some commuting and lots of weekends.

The reg/rec problem didn't affect these later bikes as they fitted the same unit as the earlier 750s, so I'm told.

I did fit a custom seat, which made a comfy bike even more so, pillion liked it too. Always had a top box on, with throwovers/tank bag for longer trips. Scottoiler touring kit a boon, original chain still had life in it when I moved on.

Probably the best bike I've had in the last thirty years, until I got the Blackbird anyway.

[Alex A]

I had a '91 VFR750 for a year or so (12k miles).

The build quality is superb, the handling neutral and predictable. The engine is absolutely sublime, with ample torque from right down low, no flat spots, a lively top end. Power builds in an eerily perfect progressive manner, and it was a fair bit smoother than any other bike I've ridden. It's a bit of a heavy bike but ridden well, it'll easily keep up with the modern stuff off the track.

BUT... the CBR918 'blade is a better bike. Similar build quality. Faster. Even better weather protection. Almost as comfortable. Much lighter. Engine isn't as much of a peach, but it's more powerful and just as durable. It's also much easier to work on. And a good one is similar money to a good early VFR800.

In terms of maintenance and servicing, they're also a pain with unnecessarily complex ("innovative") components and unreliable reg/rec units.
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Current: Ducati Panigale R / Ducati Streetfighter S / Suzuki GSX-R1000 L5

[c-m]

I had a 07 Vtec one on loan. It was quick but never felt it. I found the riding position uncomfortable, and that was coming from a ZXR750. It was bit and heavy but never felt it while on the move. Havinga centre stand was also great. Fuel economy was worse than my ZXR750 (j1 model) and I found rear grip to be lacking.

[Flip]

[Red Mick]

[lonner]

the engine is a bit dull but comfort and build is tops

i had a fiw model 800 and was well pleased with it.

if you can get one with stainless downpipes all the better as that's the big bill thing and they all rot.

mine was 9yr old when i got it and the finish was superb

as for the dcbs its ok on the vfr but i dont like it on the blackbird.

my mechanic liked working on mine

https://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr319/SP2Riley/mypics539.jpg

https://i495.photobucket.com/albums/rr319/SP2Riley/mypics770.jpg

[TUG]

Get one, tho the 750 is a better bike so called, asked my mentor have you ever had to do something major on the 800, he said nope, never had the chance, kinda speaks for itself. i want one, sexy bikes tbh.
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Haz ER-5, innit!

[veeeffarr]

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Buy an older Fireblade.

Easier to service, quicker, more fun, a hell of a lot lighter, just as comfortable and as good at carrying luggage.

VFR's are big heavy and overcomplicated.

[colin1]

I'm not a past owner, by I did test ride a vfr750 a few years ago.

As I own a bike a lot like yours, I'm in a good position to tell you how it compares.

Its a less involving ride, its more of a tourer, the power is easier to use as you have more midrange so better for overtakes.

To get the same fun, you need to ride a bit faster, as its just a bit effortless.

I dont do distance, just occasional shortish rides for the fun of it, if you wanted to do some longer rides or touring with less effort, it would be ideal.

It certainly doesnt feel like a bus, but its just not as agile as a sports 600.

It's quite a bit heavier, which means it more effort to move about by foot, but you are taller than me, so that may be less of an issue for you.

alex (phoenix) swears by his old blade, so as previous poster has said, thats probably worth thinking about. He says he gets the same fuel economy on his blade as a 600.

test rides are the way forward
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