5th or 6th generation?

Hi all,
I'm in the market for a VFR and wanted to get some feedback on the differences between the 5th and 6th gen.
Probably opening a can of worms here, but wanted to see what overall impressions are as well as pros and cons of both.
I am moving from an '87 K75s BMW and looking for something a little more exciting, but still functional.
Thanks!
RJ

 

5th gen FTW.
It'll be cheaper to buy, cheaper & easier to maintain, and sound better(cam gear whine!). Plus... (my opinion here) looks better too. Best way to really decide is to see both in person. I wanted a 6th gen until I heard a 5th gen - sold me right there!


( That and the VTEC kinda turned me off...)

 

rjw:

You can't go wrong with either one. Your description of what you're looking for, "exiting but still functional" exactly describes the VFR's niche.

To quote Motorcycle News about the fifth gen: "The Honda VFR800i is the best version of the best motorcycle ever built according to some. " Everybody loves the noise from the gear-driven cams.

Sixth gen: To again quote MC News, “The Honda VFR800 V-Tec is a beautiful thing and rides, goes and handles superbly too”. Everybody loves the exhaust note when the VTEC kicks in. Other than that, to most of us (me included, an '07 sixth-gen rider) think the VTEC is much ado about nothing. I wouldn't buy a bike ‘cause it had it, I also wouldn't pass on a bike because it had it. I love my 07's combination of great looks (to my eye), handling and ride, giddy-up, comfort, build quality, ... ( believe me, I could go on!)

There are lots of folks here at VFR World who are passionate about their preference and will no doubt share with you. My humble opinion is that if one generation more than the other talks to your inner biker that's the one you should get.

Best of luck whichever you choose,

 

I had the choice of a 5th gen with 4500 miles and a 6th gen with 4550 miles last fall. Both for $4100 and both red and stock in great shape. Talk about a touph decision. I finally went with the 6th gen due to the updated looks. So far I haven't looked back and I don't plan on. I love the bike. I think you'll find that no matter how many opinions u get it boils down to personal preferance.

 

You're definitely opening a can of worms!!! I have owned both and I can honestly say that I prefer neither. On the 5th Gen, I liked the gear driven cams better. On the 6th Gen, I liked the looks and handling better. For me the engines were a draw. Either way you can't go wrong because you'll be buying a Honda VFR which is well known for it's reliability and longevity. I would buy whichever one presents itself as the better deal.

 

I like the looks of the 5th gen better and and the fact that the cams are gear driven !!

 

how different is the handling? I have a little bit of saddle time on a 5th gen and loved it. also have a little bit of wrenching time on both and think the 5th gen may be the way to go (if you get one with a good regulator rectifier and stator).

 

Let the gen wars begin! I have seen some crazy deals on gen 6 lately and 06 and newer would appear to have most of the electrical bullshit worked out. THIS MESSAGE WILL BE DELETED!

 

This is totally going to depend on you. For me, the 6th Gen just seemed sharper and more sensitive to my input. For me, it is one of it's strengths. For others, the 5th Gen might suite them better. Is there any chance that you can get some seat time on a 6th Gen so that you can compare?

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I think I'm gonna lean towards a 5th gen unless a 6th gen climbs into my lap.
Unfortunately the friend that has a 6th gen moved to Maine this last summer (sucker!) and has his bike in winter storage.

It is okay to post listings for bikes and get feedback or is that uncouth?

I got the bug bad now. Reading everything I can find. Didn't sleep too well last night thinking the perfect bike was being sold while I was in bed. What a crazy "hobby".

 

Oh, we love helping others spend their money! Feel free to post them up. Just be sure to post pics of the bikes your looking at. Not so much so we can help, just because we like looking at the bikes.

 

Help! I have a tax return burning a hole in my pocket!

Here are a few I'm looking at:
Beautiful Yellow 1998 VFR 800, VFR800 Interceptor, Low Miles
1999 Honda VFR 800 FI
1999 Honda Vfr 800 for sale in San Francisco, California - CycleTrader.com

Who knows maybe the owners are on the forum.
I really like the yellow.

 

If you plan on doing your own maintaince then a big downer for the 6th gen is doing the valve adjustments. A lot more work put into it than the 5th gen. If you're gonna have someone do it then expect to pay high hundreds. Luckly I've heard from several with a very WIDE range of mileage saying theirs were never out of spec or they just had to shim a one or two valves.


I've never ridden a 6th gen so I can't personally tell you any good or bad. Just from what I hear.


Yellow is the rare ones of the 5th gens. Of course, red is always nice. The owner of the yeller is here. http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/...ful-yellow-1998-vfr800-interceptor-low-miles/

 

I may not be able to pass this one up.
2002 Honda VFR Interceptor 800
going to go look at it tomorrow.

Anyone have an opinion about how good a price this is for what is offered?

 

Original owner, low mileage, excellent condition - what more can you ask for? I would still try to talk him down a little bit. Also ask him about the service history. Good luck.

 

You noticed it is a 6th Gen, right?

Seems high - but maybe not too bad if the bike is perfect and has factory bags. I bet you could find an identical deal on an ABS model if you waited (new worms crawling out of the can now). On the other hand, if the bike is perfect and you want it, how much effort do you want to spend looking around for a slightly cheaper bike bike that may not be as nice? The dilemma of buying used! If you like it you can bargain with the guy. Check to see if the recall work has been performed (wiring harness replacement especially)

BTW, the 1999 5th gens you linked earlier look pretty good. 20,000 miles is not terribly high mileage for these late-model VFRs, so that wouldn't scare me off at all.

Good luck!

Jonathan

P.S. - Great color on that 6th Gen, by the way!

 

what is involved if the wiring harness recall hasn't been done? fixing it myself?

 

Bought my '01 with a tad over 20k miles. I'm not a tad over 40k miles with no problems.


The '02 started the 6th gens and had a few quirks. You need to really ride it to see if you like the vtec. You either love it or hate it. Really pay attention to when it kicks in. The early 6th gens vtec kicked in too early as I hear (kicking in on turns seems to upset a good few folks) and honda raised the rpm kick in on the '06 model I think. I'm sure someone on here can answer that.

 

There are a few things I like about the 5th gen better. I prefer the look of the instruments and prefer the analog speedometer. There is more under seat storage. I use soft luggage and it doesn't touch the exhaust pipes on my 2001. Like many, I LOVE the gear cam sounds. These are just personal preferences, but things to consider. I do admit I prefer the look of the 6th gen though. My gut feeling is that its generally a good idea not to buy either a bike or car the first year it comes out with a new model. Better to give them time to work out the bugs.

 

On the recalls, ask the guy for proof that they have been done. If not, Honda dealers will perform them for you for no cost.

The 6th Gen wiring harness needs to be replaced. The dealer will do it without charge if it is required, no questions asked. You just need to know whether it needs to be done or not.

BTW, I love my 6th Gen. I would have loved a 5th Gen too (and a 4th gen probably), but the deal i struck was for a 6th Gen. I have never regretted it.

VFRs are all good. I have a 1st gen and a 6th gen and have ridden most in between. Now, the 7th Gen is captivating my interest, but it ain't sporty enough! ;-)