Upgrade?

I currently have a 1984 VF700F that I have been riding/ fixing up for over a year now. I like i t and enjoy it and put people on their modern sport bikes to shame on it.

but it's getting old and I fear for the Cams. Plus, if next summer is like this past summer it will probably die of heat stroke.

I have an opportunity to get a 1986 VFR for about $450. It's mostly there, just missing the seat and needs the ignition and gas cap replaced (was stolen, vacated at impound lot, bought on a Mechanics Lean)

I am wondering if anyone knows how much (if at all) better the 86'er is compared to the OG 84?

Thanks!

 

lol to shame on modern sport bikes love the delusional minds on here...oh yes the 86 is way more modern you will shame your self lmfao ....,!,,

 

Rather I should say the RIDERS of the Modern Sportbikes

 

The 1986 model was a complete redesign and marked the 2nd generation of the VFR. It was the first year for the gear driven cams and solved the top end oiling problems of the 1st generation bikes. It IS one of the best VFRs ever made.

 

Yep, a huge jump up.

 

If your are happy with something why change

Hey

Every bike has its faults.Vf700 84 has cam problem solved with oil kit (cheap if you built yourself) and heating problem just buy one switch to turn on the fans manually or a new thermostat.Honda VFR 86 there is a reason that gear driven cams are no longer in bikes today.Many have been changing the bike to put in cam chain.The best you can do is checking the faults in these bikes (internet) and see what you feel like fixing so the bike will almost be fault free.

Best regards

Gunnar

 

I feel like there is so much disinformation in this post I HAD to respond.....

there are 3 reasons that gear driven cams went "away" in VFR's
1. They are expensive to manufacture compared to chain drive ... 100 bucks less in the factory costs means 1000 less on the showroom floor ( the 10 to 1 ratio might be a bit over board but you get the point.)

2. Chain driven cams are quieter. ask anyone that has a gear driven VFR and that sound is AWESOME.. but with tighter Db Levels allowed by governments.. losing 10-20 db in sound ( again might be less but you get the point) means being able to sell the bike .

3. Center driven gear set cam drives make the motor WIDER. moving the drive to the side and going to chain means a smaller motor with less mass and less weight... this might be two reasons ( smaller AND lighter) but I'll count them as 1.

I've NEVER heard of ANYONE changing their gear driven cams to chain in their own bikes.... if you can show me a link to anyone ever doing this.. I'll take it back. but again . part of the VFR love is that gear whine... so sweet.

I also can't believe I'm the first and only ( so far ) to beat this post about like it needs to be.

 

1986 is two years closer to the current century . . . .