33bhp VFR800 V-TEC 2003

[Devans]

Hey all, i've got attached too a mint 5k miles 03 VFR, but i'm on a restricted licence.

Main issue being, how will it respond being restricted?

Second issue, is the V-TEC and cam chains such an issue as people once thought?

May aswell tell you the background too, basically i'm 19 i'm after a sensible sports bike that's comfy and still looks nice. i'm not fussed about speed aslong as it will cruise nicely on the motorway etc, as i've planned a scotland week long tour in July with a mate on his SV650 (also 33bhp).

The bikes mint condition, 5k miles, from a dealer 4.3k in silver and looks the dogs!

Any help or advice will be superb.

Cheers in advance

Dan

[Seb]

I'd be a little worried about the weight and the sidemount rads, not a bike you want to have a comedy topple on really, a bit of bad luck and a simple drop has the potential to get hugely expensive.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[Nyarlathotep]

I have an 08 vtec, and used to run an sv650 alongside it (now an xt660r). I've never ridden a restricted bike, however what I can tell you is that by modern standards the VFR is a heavy bike.
For me it works because I can get a bit sporty when the mood takes, but it also does touring duties with the wife as pillion and full hard luggage. If it was just me always I'd probably have something else (currently lusting after a street triple r).

I would imagine it's rubbish when restriced though - compared to an sv (or big single) it still needs a good few revs to be satisfying, and I'd have thought you'd be having to change up before you can really enjoy the vtec.
So, much as we all like to reccomend our own bikes, in this case I wouldn't. For me, if I had the misery of 33bhp restriction, it be looking at an sv650s (with bar risers to get a more VFR like riding position) or something like a drz400sm

[G]

Surely the idea of the vtec is so that you still have some low-down go as well as having the top end .

Personally I'm not convinced of VFR800s myself and always advise something like a zx9/fireblade over one personally.

If you're going to keep it restricted, something like a SV650 would seem to make more sense - less weight and lower gearing means the 33hp will be a bit more usable. As above, it's easy enough to adjust a bike's riding position to suit you generally.

While the weight is going to be a bit of a hindrance at this power, the highish gearing isn't going to help either.
I wouldn't worry too much about the original 'character' of an engine - whatever it is, your restricted engine will still be making about 33hp at peak, which tends to even things out a bit.

[Nyarlathotep]

[chillyman0]

the 750's are supposed to have more pull lower down, and mine pulls well from 2k rpm so may handle restriction better and IMO they look alot nicer too

[Paulington]

A VFR800 will feel dreadful restricted I expect, due to the weight (220kg!)

My SV feels dire restricted and that's what, 165kg? I can't even fathom adding another 55kg to it. .
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"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Charlie]

When restricting a bike you have got to remember it was originally designed to have 3 times the power and as such is geared for 3 times the power. Other things as well as gearing will play in the matter but the bike will always feel 'gutless' and feel like it is running out steam compared to how it is meant to be.

That was a big reason I choose a bike that a very similar amount of power to what I was restricted too.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[crazyjoyce]

they say the 2 years goes fast, it really doesn't, perhaps if you're a fair weather rider its only 2 summers, but i ride year round near enough every day, 2 years is a lot of days

[Charlie]

My 2 years went fast, and enjoyed it all the time. I have 20,000 miles in 2 and half years and the only times I ever really wanted more power was doing boring motorway roads. Ride roads that are fun for the power of your bike

Its not what you ride, its how you ride it.
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Noxious89123]

[DrDonnyBrago]

[Devans]

Erm, i've well kinda left a deposit on the VFR

[Phoenix]

You can sometimes get a desposit back if you have a good reason. Ofcourse buy it if you want but to restrict it to 33bhp will be a bit of a joke I think, the engine is going to suffer badly I imagine especially with the VTEC, you ought to check if they even make a kit for it. It weighs a ton and as people say if you drop due to being a newish rider then good chance you can bust a radiator, the panels are not drop friendly either as they have 'sides' to them around the edges to cover the gaps between fairing and frame.

I've ridden a few and wasn't impressed, is a shame as they look very nice. The engines also cost an absolute fortune to service, personally i'd say you're better off with the earlier VFR800 or older 750, much less hassle and likely to take restriction much better.

[Devans]

If it's shite i guess i'll live an learn but so far so good.

[BorderHooner]

I would not restrict this bike. If you drop it - and not being cheeky but you probably will - you will be cunt fucked.

IMHO just play it safe and get a normal road bike with a bikini fairing, maybe a parallel twin... 650 or thereabouts.
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Benelli. Happy as a pig in cacky.

[Charlie]

Keep the bike, its what you want and I am sure restriction it will feel amazing compared to what you have now. Enjoy it
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere

[Noxious89123]

The most important thing is to buy what YOU want. Forget what anyone else says, what we think is irrelevant, it's you are your bike. So don't let us lot pu a damper on things

I was told a sportsbike wouldn't be a good idea, and that I should get something like a GS500f. Pfft.

Very glad I stuck to my guns and bought the bike that I had googly eyes for

Oh, and restrictors sometimes fall out
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[G]

[temeluchus]

Ive had a go on a restricted XJ600. It was the most horrible gutless depressing thing to ride as it had no power and was heavy with it. I've also owned an unrestricted Seca 2(USA spec divvy), which was no rocket ship but showed me that the engine only just got on song after the point the restrictors killed it. Comparison performance wise was that the restricted bike crawled up to 90mph or so and the unfettered bike was brisk up to 85 and pulled fine up to 115 or so.

I'd personally get something closer to 33bhp and restrict that.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[SpicyBlimp]