* Thinking About getting a 2006 VFR 800 - Tell me your impressions..

As a owner of a 03 Vtec i will say this.
I have ridden alot of bikes,Came off a suzuki marauder 800 "M50"
and compared to alot of the other bikes i have owned this one is the perfect balance between them all.Not a ton of power but plenty of torque down low.Not too tall not too short,Good wind protection but not Excelent.
Get my drift?
Its a great bike to own and commute with,Its what i do every day all weather with it.And it makes me happy to ride in the canyons.If you want more power or performance your not looking for a touring bike and if you want more comfort your looking to get a cruiser.All in all I am super happy with my 03 and since i added a power commander and New tires Im even more pleased .
I would recommend it to anyone looking for a all arround great bike.THE HONDA ACCORD OF motorcycles!

 

Porsche Bob makes an interesting point - can you elaborabte PB?

I think there are a few things you can check to get an idea on that "loose" feeling.

The obvious question is to the seller - has it ever been in an accident? Even a minor one?

Check the tires with your hands. Cup your hand over the tire and, and rub it, caress it, love it... sorry got carried away... You'll definitely be able to feel any irregularities in it, such as if its squared off. How's the air pressure? I think it should be at 36, if memory serves. As many have said, including yourself, the original tires are junk. Almost anything will be an improvement.

You can also do a simple check on the front end. Assuming the center stand is still on the bike, put in on that stand. Have someone push down on the back of the bike so the front is elevated. Now you can twist this back and forth, try to "jiggle" it, move it, whatever. If all feels good and tight, then it might just be the tires.

Lastly, take note of what Emon said. These bikes run hot - probably much hotter than your used to. 200F is not uncommon, and in traffic, you can expect to see 220F.

 

I am the type of guy that has never been really satisfied with any bike I have owned and I have had a bunch of them! The one I have now is the best of the bunch. The 5th/6th gen is about as good as it gets for an all around/ do it all street bike. I am kind of bumbed because I lov the chase of "looking" for the next and best but i do think i have found it.

 

1. How is the wind protection?

If need be I can tuck behind the fairing with and look through the windshield, like riding a CBR.

2. Could you explain the seating position and ergonomics?

Im just under 6', and shrinking, if I slide up to the tank (freezes my tiny bits in the winter) Im almost upright, but prefer to sit back a bit untill I get the least amount of stress on the arms. Even the stock seat (I have a Corbin) allows you to move a bit to your comfort. I did get Heli bars and they made a difference in the comfort, I can ride for much longer before my trapezius muscle starts to stab me in the back. Im a bit older and that would happen on any bike for me. There are lower foot pegs, but I would have to change mine to tell if they make a difference. Vicodn usually lets things slip into the right place. JK!!! All seriousness aside, I can still shift easily even with riding boots on.

3. What is your impression of the bike for commuting and trips?

Everyone has their limits, seems the younger the better, but I find it very comfortable on the freeway and never lacking for power. I live on country roads, the suspension can be a bit stiff, but I need to get it adjusted to my weight, everyone says it really makes a difference. PS, tire pressure! Make sure it is right before you test ride.

 

I have a 2007 VFR that I bought earlier this year. I wrote a 'first impressions' review for another forum that you can see here.The Rev Counter - Impressions of a Honda 800 VFR (ABS)

I loe it !

 

Nice review, Jack. You are absolutely correct about the snatchy throttle at parking-lot speeds. I found it annoying at first, but it "taught" me to modulate the throttle more smoothly. Incidentally, that minor annoyance completely disappeared with a Power Commander and custom map.

I bet the stock suspension works pretty well for a rider your size, eh?