Gen 4 vs. Gen 5

Are there any good threads comparing the Gen 4 vs. Gen 5? I tried searching but was having trouble finding the right group of search terms. If there isn't anything specific or if it's been a while then maybe we can start a fresh one.

thanks

 

Ok I'll kick it off, Gen 5's are the best... opcorn:

Taken as Quoted from Hondas own advertisment of the time " The VFR (Gen 5) is Lighter Faster and prettier than ever " and " the VFR (Gen 5) delivers a more impressive combination of performance, comfort and sportiness " " Featuring a powerful lightweight ( RVF Race Bred ) engine mounted in a pivotless frame "

As Honda wouldn't lie all the above is of course true then add to that car like headlights the only thing a Gen 4 has an advantage with is its Testarossa inspired side vents. :wink:

 

Thanks for opening the door John451. :wink:

In case it matters, here's a little about my pavement motorcycling experience...

Not counting a couple of short-lived bikes that never ran correctly, I started street riding on a '90 HawkGT at around age 19. I'm 30 now. Rode the hell out of the HawkGT for a couple of years and then bought a used '96 CBR900RR when I moved to AZ. Had it a short time and before it was stolen and bought a new '98 CBR900RR. Loved both bikes but really--I mean really--liked the '98 after adding Dymag wheels, Ohlins shock, Moriwaki exhaust, and some other choice items. I still had the HawkGT and rebuilt it as a race bike. Raced two seasons in the CCS series and did well despite feeling outclassed by the then newish SV650. Still have the Hawk but it hasn't been run in 6+ years. It's modded too much to for me to consider putting it back on the street. I need to sell it, actually.

During my early 20's I started getting nutty and dumb with my street riding (stunts, no regard for speed limits, general hooliganism). Lots of trouble with the law and was forced to give up street riding until I grew up. Rode dirt bikes a little and then a couple years ago really got into dirt riding (a lot of dunes and some desert).

A few years ago I tried getting back into the street and thought a small bike would be the way to go. So I bought a grey market '93 VFR400R. Incredible bike but I had trouble with the CA title and less than 17 digit VIN here in AZ. Ended up selling it because I couldn't get it registered here. Probably rode it less than 1000 miles. The whole thing was a frustrating bust even though I really loved the little VFR.

Then bought a '02 XR650R and have been dual sporting it for the last two years or so. I also currently have a '95 CR250R, '00 CR500R (plated too!), and '85 ATC250R.


I think I'm ready to ride a full-on street bike again. Pretty sure I want a VFR for sporty comfort and sporty long-distance ability. I always liked the Gen 4 VFR's when they were current models but they weren't sporty enough for me back when I had the CBR900RR's. Now I think a VFR would be just right. I'd use it for daily transportation, the occasional longer trip, and if I dare--a quick squirt through the canyons.

I'm thinking I could spend maybe $4500. I like the looks and specs of both the Gen 4 and Gen 5. I think a Gen 6 would cost too much and they look a little funky (to my eye), big, and heavy. I imagine their great bikes in their own right but they don't call to me like the more "classic" VFR's.





Is the Gen 5 better all around then a Gen 4 or was something given up with the Gen 5? I'll sacrifice comfort and tourability for performance. I don't think I want another double R but it's tempting. I'm leaning towards a Gen 5 but I suspect I'll take whichever Gen I can find that's clean, cared for, and in my price range.

And what about the linked brakes? Was that standard or an option on the Gen 5's. I'm skeptical about having to use the rear brake to get the maximum out of the front. Maybe that's the racer in me [shrug].

For those that have ridden both, which one is the superior bike for someone wanting maximum performance (agility, handling/suspension, and weight are just as important to me as raw power) but doesn't want to go back to a supersport-type bike?

 

I'll throw my 2 cents in...........5th generation...fuel injection!

 

Plus there's an individual that's in the process of producing supercharger kits for the 5th Gens. I'm actually considering getting a 5th Gen when I get back to the States. Don't get my wrong, I love my 4th Gen, but there's not really too much more that I can do to it to improve it's performance. I would suggest trying to ride each one and make the comparison yourself. These bikes don't go up for sale too often, but you might be able to find one or two in the greater Phoenix or Tucson area if you're still in AZ. Also the bikes run rather warm in the summer, which may also be a problem if you're in AZ still, Flagstaff being the exception. The 5th Gens run a little warmer than the 4th Gens from what I've been told. I do know that when I was in Vegas for 3 years the frame would get quite warm, and the engine would be running near it's max recommended temp. I'm not trying to discourage you from getting a VFR, just trying to point out some things to consider. There isn't a huge aftermarket section for these bikes like there is for the CBR/GSXR/ZXR bikes, but they are upgradeable and quite fun to ride.

 

I own a 5th Gen and have ridden both 4th & 5th.

To me the 4th gen feels a little narrower, and handles just as well as the 5th. It may even feel a bit lighter, ( though actually heavier) due to the smaller 170 rear tyre.

The 5th generation engine is way stronger. The linked brakes are fabulous and you will use and like them. The only draw back is you will consume more rear brake pad than normal. The 4th gen are poor brakes in comparison.

The fuel injection makes the 5th gen a bit harder to ride a small throttle openings - roundabout etc (but you don't have those in the USA??)

All up the 5th gen is a superior ride.

 

LOL, do I dare say anything, sheesh!... yea yea the 5th gen engine is a take off of the RC45 platform so makes sense it would be the better of the two. But thats it. Not sold on the pivotless frame, brakes are well IMO an over kill tec-no wise, not necessary, but seem to work for those that are new to this bike. Follow Mellos brake take off. Good re-do there. Styling? that's in the eye of the beholder, I'm not a fan of the tail section or headlights. not to mention the dash. that said it really gets down to the rider, I have no trouble staying with 5th gen folks, but then I've tweaked mine. maybe it's the rider? Since a good 4th gen is hard to come by and 5ths are out there, wouldn't hurt to look for one of those. like mentioned, go find a couple and try em out for size. I too find the 5th feeling a wee bit porky, my turn in is faster but that could be 4ths have a 170 rear tire. 4th is definitely sleeker. All things being what they are, be hard for a new rider to pull out the small details, as they are both great rides, really, it gets down to personal preferences.

 

It's a good thing as it removes the slight "hinged in the middle" feeling suffered by previous VFR Gens when pushed.... :smile:

Supprised by that, mine is usually faster than similar riders on Gen 4's through a section of very tight twisties which I put down to Hondas mass centralisation placing the Gen 5's engine weight lower and further forward although the Gen 4 may initially drop faster.

Some truth there on the road you can usually throw a blanket on the fastest of the VFR riders on Gen 4,5 & 6's although track wise the 2 fastest I know are on Gen 6's.

Supprised no-one has mentioned that the Gen 4's engine is the better at tooling around town at low Rev's.

 

All good points there, But rode a friends super chicken and it felt darn right strange.. not sure there's even a comparability, but to me it set the thought process in motion. Mine rides like it's on rails, but then again I have small mods. Need to hook up with RW and really get it down now that he has pretty much the same set up. And then there's still the brakes though..

LOL know all to well about the rider thing, No bragging just comes from a lot of seat time, I'm always giving kids on their 600 something a rather making them go WTH was that? then I really throw em for a loop when i take off thy helmet. You all have seen or heard what Freddie Spencer does on a stock VFR right?

 

To quote Baron Manfred von Rischtofen: "It's not the crate, it's the man flying it that's important..." :biggrin:

 

As long as it is RED, there's no problem with your choice...

I have a 5th gen and love it...

 

You may also like to read these 2 good reviews of the time:

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/honda/1998-honda-vfr800fi-interceptor-15064.html

http://www.motorsports-network.com/HONDA/vfr8test/vfrtest.HTM

 

Thanks for all the comments.

Seems to me this is likely a case of "no wrong answer", re: Gen 4 vs. Gen 5. I imagine they are both such good bikes either will fill my requirements expertly. My current thinking is: Whatever the pluses and minuses of each generation, that collection of differences will be no greater than the differences I'll find between price, mileage, and condition of the examples on the used market. In other words, I can see myself going for a Gen 4 OR Gen 5 based on what values (price vs. condition/mileage) I can find in the used market.

Neither generation are exactly flooding the used market in my area. There's a few here in the Phoenix area but nothing that's jumping out at me as just right. There's somewhat greater selection in the LA metro area but I'm not too jazzed about having to drive 800 miles round trip. I'd do it for the right bike, no question. But it's hard to be sure something is what I think it is without seeing it first hand.

 

Geez, why don't you ask what the best oil and/or tires are while you're at it...

 

And exhaust.

Answer to the original question is easy: 4gen based on looks alone. 5gen is easily the most blandly styled VFR ever made. 3rd gen is next. Real Vifferasti won't disagree.

Just stirring the pot...... :biggrin: opcorn:

 

I think you've got it pretty much nailed. I was looking for a VFR as recently as about 6 weeks ago; I was considering everything from Gen 3 to Gen 6. These really are GREAT motorcycles; why else would so many riders be so crazy about one model of motorcycle?

Note that Honda currently has a grand total of three sportbikes in it's lineup in 2008: the two CBRs, and the VFR. And two of those are now hard-core race replicas. Consider this situation compared to just a few years ago when we had three CBRs, the VTR, the Blackbird, the RC51, the VFR, the 919, and the 599.

More importantly, the multi-V engine based series of motorcycles represents the commercial embodiment of so much of their history, both racing and on the street. All of their premier class GP bikes have been v-bikes and that incredible history continues to this day. Quite remarkable, really.

One can only hope that Honda continues to develop and produce the legendary VFR.

 

For me the engine makes the difference, I like the looks of the 4th better with the deeper red paint and the red and black fairings but a well dialed PC mapped 5th just kicks ass. Regardless of what generation you buy the one weakness the VFR has is the POS suspension, if you like a spirited blast through the twistys, upgraded suspension is a must!

 

Agreed, I just spent the last several days researching how to upgrade mine. I hope to have this done no later than the end of the month. Going to go with Dan Kyle at Kyle Engineering; revalved forks and an Ohlins shock.

FWIW, the last bike I had that had decent (and it was no more than decent) stock suspension stock was my '94 F2; things went to h*ll in a handbasket when Honda went to the stupid HMAS design.

But if you think Hondas have POS suspensions, ya don't even wanna know about R6's.