"Best" pre-VTEC VFR for sport-touring?

I thought I would be able to find plenty of threads answering the question, "Which generation VFR is the best for sport touring?" I guess I am inept at the search function. Can anyone kick me in the right direction? By the way, I put the emphasis on the "sport" side of the equation.

 

Why the 5th Gen of course.... :biggrin:

 

Ah . . . I begin to fear a lack of consensus on the answer to my question. :smile:

 

5th all the way. Gear-driven cams, no crap VTech engine - as a matter of fact, I think i'll say that the 5th generation is the best VFR ever made!

 

I was also thinking 5th Generation, but it's good to have some confirmation. I might broaden my search to include 4th Generation as well. By the way, I already have an Interceptor - First Generation '84 VF750F - but it isn't too good for touring.

 

To replace my killed '03 6th Gen was tossing up between both the 4th & 5th Gen and settled on the 5th only when in final negociations of the low milage '97 4th Gen I spied a as " just traded " waiting for processing totally immaculate (as new) 5th Gen...My thoughts at the time were "its a VFR" so cannot go wrong either way so went for the hair splitting better condition one. :first:

If after nice new and shiny, the 6th Gen is still a worthy look with its better forks and stiffer frame the best handling and sorted VFR out of the box and besides slightly higher bars and better standard seat the 6th Gen is just as real world Sports biased as previous versions.

 

I am looking for a VFR or a Ducati ST*. I really like Hondas and the V-4 engine, so the VFR seems the better choice. The 6th generation VFR really isn't in the picture for me. First, I am on a tight budget, so I am looking for an older bike. Second, I am not sure I want to deal with the VTEC technology, although I read that the VTEC bikes have much better suspension components and brakes. Is that true? Even so, I imagine that a guy could upgrade the older VFR suspension and brakes over the course of ownership.

 

I've owned a 5th gen and currently have a 6th gen. I like the handling of my 6th better. I think it turns in better and is smoother than my 5th. After getting used to the vtec, it really is a non-issue except for maintenance. You certainly can't go wrong either way.

 

When I purchase the 5th Gen, a forced job change with less money combined with a new family addition ruled out a new 6th Gen again but I knew a VFR was first on the shopping list and the Gen 5 didn't disappoint.

Have had my Gen 5's suspension fettled to a point where I'm nearly as happy with it as I was with the 6th Gens standard even though the 6th Gen had a lot more K's on it than the 5th Gen did when purchased...

The 5th Gen gives nearly all the benefits of the Gen 6 ie brilliant through the twisties and the comfort to get there with less price and I genuinely hate to say this but without the VTec's transition messing with my fun. I like to keep the gear changes down and utilise the VFR's Linear torque curve between 5.5k and 10k, with the Gen 6 used to keep between 7k and 10k to get around the 6.8k transition which I found a distraction over the hour upon hour of long distance undulating tightly twisting slightly rough surfaced favourite back roads.

In my mind a Gen 6 bike with a enhanced/updated Gen 5 engine would have been my perfect bike, something that saddens me on the odd occasion as an opportunity lost by Honda.

 

For me it was a more sport thing I was looking for and thats what the 4th gen is. You'd have to ride a 4th back to back to a 5th to be able to figure it out, but the 4th is a bit more sporty, in addition to that I've up graded both the rear and front so it's even better than the 6th when it comes to suspension. then there's this linked brake thing ?? I myself like things simple, and that's not, I know how to brake so it really is a mute thing so depending on what you're looking for for the money you could find some good deals on the 5th g but 4th G is even better, close call, good luck oh did I mention the 4th g sounds better too IMO.

 

Have added a couple of VFR800 Review links that I found pretty much on the money, hope they help:

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

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mchonda/98vfr800.html

 

I read a recent review in an English motorbike magazine which tested a 2006 VFR800 v Ducatti ST3. Both got very good reviews, however the Honda was faster over the 1/4 mile believe it or not, and it was commented how it did everything right.

All models of VFR are very good reliable bikes and all handle really well. Later models do handle better than the earlier ones, slightly.

Gen 6 model gets a fair bit of critisism, especially from owners of older generations but it still is undeniably an excellent bike.

If you can pick up a low milage gen 5, this would have to be a good value for money choice. Money not being an issue, buy a new 2006.

What I think everyone is waiting for is a new VFR, and not simply a refinement of the old model.. Perhaps an extra 100cc, or simply an extra 30 hp, upside down front, fully adjustable suspension, lightweight 4 into 1 under seat exhaust. Drool......

 

Right now the VFR is priced only about a grand below the 1000RR, which has all the features you want Honda to put into a new VFR - don't think it's current price doesnt lose lots of customers. The VFR is a niche bike due to the v4 engine and nonaggressive riding position,and is not meant to compete with the supersports. Honda wouldnt make any money at all - price would be way too high with not enough potential buyers.

 

5th gen is the best all around bike ever.If i ever wanted another bike I would buy another bike and be stuck with 2 before I got rid of the 5th.By the way the 5th gen was voted Bike of The Year 2 years in a row 98/99.

 

Misinformation again.

The ABS gen 6 model is about 4 or 5kg heavier, the dual linked model is roughly the same weight.
Replace that big ugly stock exhaust, you loose at least another 5kg
Plus add on the fact that the Gen6 has another 5Nm of torque and another 10 hp.
Gen 6 is an improvement over Gen 5

I personally think the Vtec is fine.

I agree - for its time, Gen 5 was the best bike out there. The latest 6th gen model is an improvement, mabee not as big of an improvement as some would like. Other manufacturers have caught up.

If the noisy, dare i say it rattly gear driven cams are so good, why did Honda drop them? Why does no other manufacturer use them?

 

There are only 10lbs difference between the Gen 5 '98 and Gen 6 '02 and easily dismissed by going aftermarket end cans...The obvious difference being the '05 & '06 VFR weights include optional ABS and panniers/top box.

 

I think it mainly depends on the rider. I can throw my 6th around way better than my 5th and it feels alot better to me. I noticed it the first time I rode my 6th. The 6th may be a little heavier than the 5th, but the 6th feels lighter to me. JMO.