Talk to me about VFR 800s. edit. Deposit paid, pickup Friday

[carlosthejack...]

Finally got the missus on the back of the Hornet. From initially shitting herself to the point of hanging on for grim death, she relaxed and ended up really enjoying it. FIrst thing she said when we got back was"You're getting a bigger bike". Plumped for a VFR 800, but owt I need to know on the 02-05 models?
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Responsibility. It's a difficult reality for some. I'm running the 2014 Sheffield Half Marathon on behalf of Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice. Please sponsor me, even if it's just a quid.
DonnyBrago: "I think you may be confusing rain and napalm..." Paulington: "It's not what you ride, it's how you ride it."
Current rides: '05 VFR800 VTEC, '57 Mondeo 1.8 TDCi #58LEGEND

[duhawkz]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=290965

It's mostly about the VTec models.
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"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

[Itchy]

There is an urban legend which nobody knows is true or not.

About the VTEC valves, Honda's workshop manual apparently says it requires 10 workshop hours to adjust the valves.


Bill who was a Honda dealer says buy the 750 and pre VTEC cam gear versions.


Peter a mechanic whom I trust thoroughly won't touch a VTEC with a barge pole.

A bike seller (who was pushing a VFR on me) said with valves don't ever touch them unless they need doing.


Arches Andy says Hondas never need their valves doing anyway.

K has NEVER done her valves. I did my CBR600 valves twice over the life of the bike.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[stinkwheel]

I did the valves on my last gear driven VFR750 for the first time at 45k miles. They were all within tolerance.

I swapped the cams on my latest (Japanese import) VFR750 for a UK spec set out of a used engine manufactured three years later than mine. I had to buy 2 shims.

Valve clearances, certainly on the gear driven cam models, are not an issue
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[spnorm]

I used to be a very active member of the VFR club (led ride outs and organised tours etc.) and the VFR guru Dave Roberts (aka "Greenvfr" - sadly killed by a SMIDSY in 2012) used to say that a heard ridden VFR would need its valves adjusting at the 16 or 32k service. He worked on dozens of the things for club members.

I checked mine at 32k and they were still all within spec, although a couple of the exhaust valves would have required adjustment at the 48k service.

I hated the VTEC engine on the 02-05 model and only kept mine for 4 months/6k miles before buying my 2000 model back. I'd recommend either buying a late pre-VTEC model or a 2006 onwards VTEC with the improved VTEC transition.

[pinkyfloyd]

I've seen many reviews that claim the VFR750 was the best bike in the world for an allrounder. They added an extra 50cc and never harmed the thing. It all went wrong with the Vtech though I read. Go for the pre Vtech ones.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Maimboy]

I've got a VTEC and it's just SUPER. I know the 750/800 don't have the valve clearance check hassle, but I think they look old and dated so f*** them. Mine's at 56K and the clearances have never been checked - if it goes pop, I've saved enough to buy another engine.

However... I don't think it's a great choice if you're regularly carrying a pillion, it's just not spacious enough.

[duhawkz]

I suppose it depends how big you are. I had the vtec and there was plenty of room for me and the missus and luggage.

I really liked mine, the only down side was the weight, they're a tad on the lardy side. I didn't find a problem when it was moving, just when you trying to paddle it backwards or in tight spaces.

I found it quite top heavy and it doesn't have to lean over very far for it to tip over

Photo whore time

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v720/duhawkz/PICT0330.jpg
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"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

[Alex A]

[Nyarlathotep]

I have a 2008 vtec. Had it from new and it has about 24k on the clocks now.
Good bike, my wife prefers it as a pillion bike to some more traditional tourer types.
From 2006 on the vtec transition was made smoother and there were some cosmetic tweaks, but otherwise it's largely the same as yours.
Things to watch out for? Charging problems - mine is in the garage at the moment waiting for a re-wound generator to be fitted as the reg/rec went and killed it.
Otherwise the exhaust system is stainless steel but the brackets are mild steel and rust away (look at the low point of the exhaust near your right footpeg). When they go, replace them with cheap generic stainless brackets. The heat shield below the catalytic converter will suffer the same fate also. When that starts to fall apart, rip it off, chuck it away and forget about it.
Oh and when you are trying to ride more gently with a pillion you'll probably find the fuel injection is too "sharp" off a closed throttle, making it jerky. Either fit a power commander and get it mapped to suit, or just (as I did) get used to it - they're all like that!

[sidewinder]

I've been looking a vfrs myself. Some say the 750 is a better. Bike?

[carlosthejack...]

[Dibble]

Double post

[Dibble]

[spnorm]

[Dibble]

I've only had my 5th Gen VFR for 3 months (but have just done my first Reg/Rec) so don't know much about the Bikers Oracle Schism but it's a bit frustrating that some of the most knowledgeable members got banned. You find a useful old thread that comes to no conclusion because suddenly the poster got a bullet in the back of the neck.
Suppose that's the trouble with commercial sites.

[carlosthejack...]

Update. Went back to see the one I'd seen originally at a local dealers, 05 reg, 17k miles, looked fabulous. Got a good p/x deal on the Hornet I've not been able to sell for over a year and what I think is a cracking price for a very nice looking bike. I'd found cheaper, but a LONG way away, and the one that my mate's shop had got in and I test rode turned out to have the dodgiest history you could imagine.

Already bought the seat cowl and a double bubble screen.

Pick it up on Friday. Will report back.
____________________
Responsibility. It's a difficult reality for some. I'm running the 2014 Sheffield Half Marathon on behalf of Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice. Please sponsor me, even if it's just a quid.
DonnyBrago: "I think you may be confusing rain and napalm..." Paulington: "It's not what you ride, it's how you ride it."
Current rides: '05 VFR800 VTEC, '57 Mondeo 1.8 TDCi #58LEGEND

[DrDonnyBrago]

I had a traffic light drag race against one of those last week.

I thought it would crap all over my 2001 CBR600F but it was neck and neck. They do look and sound nice .

[barrkel]

[Big Rab]

[Big Rab]

[carlosthejack...]

[Big Rab]

[carlosthejack...]

Oh lordy, it goes like stink. All that worry about the VTEC kicking in is, frankly, gash. V-twin rumble all the way up to 7k rpm and then it goes BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPP all the way to the redline. 120mph was easy, smooth, planted and effortless.

This is going to be good...
____________________
Responsibility. It's a difficult reality for some. I'm running the 2014 Sheffield Half Marathon on behalf of Bluebell Wood Childrens Hospice. Please sponsor me, even if it's just a quid.
DonnyBrago: "I think you may be confusing rain and napalm..." Paulington: "It's not what you ride, it's how you ride it."
Current rides: '05 VFR800 VTEC, '57 Mondeo 1.8 TDCi #58LEGEND

[barrkel]