Just bought VFR800fi 1998 wise choice??

Hi my first post on the site just bought VFR800FI pick it up from dealer on thur 14/06 its a Red one looks great. Read all the write up on the bike on the web seems to get good reviews.

Just wandered what u guys have to say?? any tips about riding (linked braking system whats that like) Any info would help

Thanks

Barry

 

Hi thanks for the info had full been riding since 1974 but not sure about the braking system. Still never shy about trying something new will let u know how I get on after Thursday !!!

Cheers

Barry

 

Linked Braking - basically it applys a little rear braking when you squeeze the front braking lever and applys a little front braking when pressing the rear brake pedal.

Honda say it is an easy way of distributing braking between the front and rear wheels and reduce rider fatigue over long distance's which is why it is used only on their Tourers and Sports Tourers. Regardless of the blurb on the road once used to works well for me as have always found my VFR's braking very good even when compared to modern Sports bikes, ultimately on the track where you'd like 100% control of front and rear brakes may be a different question.

In fact the only situation I have found Linked Braking to be a slight negative is while on an advanced riders course during walking pace traffic cone navigation where the throttle Vs Clutch vs rear brake balancing may have needed finer adjustments than may have been the case with a non linked system.

Have you read below online review on buying a second hand Gen 5 their conclusion as quoted says it in a Nutshell. :smile:

" These things hold their value extraordinarily well and they tend to be owned by enthusiasts rather than rev-heads. Spend your money secure in the knowledge that what you'll get is a quick, capable, quality motorcycle. "


Link to " buying a second hand " review:
http://tinyurl.com/yxbaa4

 

Thanks for your help and links for further info looks like I bought a good bike and also found a good site

Once again thanks

Barry

 

I love the linked brakes - I'm a little lazy, I almost never use the rear brake on my non-linked braked bikes, so it's perfect for me. Trail braking with the rear works fine, can't even tell the front is being applied. I will say the linked brakes were obnoxious on my sold '94 CBR1000, but I can't really understand why someone would complain about the VFR's.

 

Hey - I gotta tell you that it does not matter what year VFR you bought. If it is a VFR then it was a good purchase. Each VFR generation has its own flavor and actually the older VFRs are to soon to be classics. I have a 2k Yellow VFR that I like so much I may end up looking for a 93 - 95 VFR as a second bike when the 2k VFR is down. I have nothing bad to say about the VTEC VFR except that it is not what I want, but it does work and it is good - just not for me.

 

You made a great choice. I bought a brand new 5th Gen back in '99 and the bike was flawless. These bikes are so refined - they are an amazing ride. As far as the linked brakes go, I never would have known the bike had them if I didn't know it ahead of time. They are very unobtrusive. I tend to use both front and rear brakes at all times anyway, so it was a non-issue for me.

 

I will keep my 99 VFR just as it is, not quite stock ,nor heavily modded.

 

i have 56,00 miles on my 98. been to sanfrancisco once and been to the dragon 3 times.linked brakes are great when you are 57 and have survived 3 heart attacks and a quaddruple by pass. it is a thr best bike i have ever owned .the only one that was close was a cbr900 but you cnat put 1000 miles a day on it like you can the vfr.good luck

 

The wife and I ride all over southernIllinois/Kentucky area and after racking up 10,000 miles in a year /Trouble free miles shall I say.

I have Heli bars on my 99 and a Givi windscreen/M4 slip on can..
New chain/sprockets/oil/filter...Next is brake pads and a new front tire "conti attack"

 

Well a big thanks to all who replyed to my thread. I pick the. Bike up from the dealer this Friday. Can`t wait like a big kid with a new toy.

I think the the linked brakes will be fine from all of your comments. Will let you all know how I get on with the new toy over the next few days.

Once again thanks for taking the time to give me some pointers.

 

Barry1954

One quick note . when riding in town every once in a while you will hear a scratching noise or it will sound like an animal under your gas tank.. Its just the " Flapper Valve" doing its thing or it might need to be cleaned/oiled.

also enjoy the whine of the gear driven cams as the 5th gen is the last year for them.

 

Hi thanks nailer45 I could have been taking the bike back with a fault to the dealer

cheers

barry

 

Nailer45 - great point. The first time I heard that noise on my 5th Gen, I took it back to the dealer thinking there was something wrong. They didn't know what it was either, so they took the tank off to get to where the noise was and discovered that it was the flapper valve. I now have a 6th Gen and I can hear it every once in a while. If I wasn't aware of it, then I'd still be thinking that something was wrong with it.

 

I bet you won't even be able to tell that they're there. Enjoy the new ride.

 

I have the same bike. Congrats. I think you will love it as much as I love mine!
The linked brakes are barely noticeable to me and work well to scrub off a little speed mid-corner.