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

Reinventing the wheel

Ok, I know nothing about the newer model VFR's as I have never ridden one therefore I cannot pretend to know which is best, better etc. What I will comment on is this concerning VTEC. If a manufacture doesn't play with new technology to upgrade its product line eventually its product will become obsolete regardless of how good it is or was. New technology, being new technology will have quirks & bugs in it regardless of the amount of R&D. It usually takes a few years to get it right. The way engineering works with a large manufacture is each primary failed part # is assigned to the parts design group. A warranty claim/repair if valid come out of that design teams budget; if there is a rash of failures the design team basically runs out of money & the project is scrapped. Thats when they try something else, something new, different or they just let the product die & start over. New ideas will excede old technology that is pretty much a given; but every one has growing pains in an attempt to be the first to try new ideas.:focus:

VTEC, not neccarily new as Honda has been playing with it since the early 90's on the automotive side. But apparently they figured they had it down enough to try it on a smaller more performance oriented engine, right wrong or indifferent they will get it right or they'll try something else. Or just let the VFR die, as has been continually brought to light lately. Opening up the line up for something entirely different.

 

Jeez I'm everywhere defending everything VFR, but reality is Honda only dropped the Gear Driven Cams only because they cost more to manufacture but they are far more reliable than Timing Chains with adjusters and for me add Supercharger like sound and make my low speed city commutes a grin :biggrin: and since the VF1000R gave the VFR a cool uniqueness.

Top of my head the Suzuki TLR/TLS also have part GDC.

 

All those figures are wrong. I see the 05 model has over 90 ftlbs of torque
lol.

 

The only fair way to compare the Gen 5 with Gen 6 is to compare apples with apples and that is to compare their Honda published Dry weight figures and not include the Gen 6's optional ABS/ Paniers as they seem to have done.

Honda published Dry weight:

The Gen 5 dry weight is 208kgs / 459lbs.

The Gen 6 dry weight is 213kgs / 470lbs.

 

I think we can all agree on this,

Its time for honda to put some more development into the VFR and bring out a Gen7

The competition has closed, and is overtaking (Triumph)

 

I say the 5th Generation VFR hands down!!!! - There is not a bad generation for the VFR, and in my opinion the 6th generation has the better suspension. Well you can get a 5th generation and replace the suspension or just simply to go GMD CompuTrack and get the Racetech components setup and a Penske or Olin rear shock and properly adjust the suspension. Much easier and cheaper than replacing a 6th generation engine with a non-VTEC VFR engine. The 5th generation VFR is the best VFR made to date in my opinion.

 

Yes, I am kinda "stuck" with one of the older generations simply because I don't have a lot of $$$ for the initial purchase, so the 6th is probably out of my price range anyhow. The responses here have been very helpful. Thanks everybody!

BTW, I wish Honda would develop a nice V-Twin bike. The VTR1000 is kind of cool, but the riding range is very short and the suspension/brakes aren't the greatest.

 

Gen 4!!

If it's good enough for RVFR, it's good enough fo'me!:biggrin:

 

FRICKIN FRACKIN RASSin FREAKIN
It is a stupid question
these are all great bikes i love both of mine a 1 gen and a 6 gen
buy one, get a honda
my 6th gen is several orders of magnitude better than my first gen but I have had her for twenty-one years and I still love her. She's ready to go anytime she aint jealous of the other one, either. Better than a woman. I love my wife, she let me buy them both She knows I love to ride..
He who dies with the most toys wins

 

My moto also. :smile:

 

Gen 4 in the hizzy

 

1998, 5th generation! :first: Add Givi windscreen, Heli Bars and Tourmaster luggage.
You can't go wrong.

 

I own 2 VFR's, '86 RWB and a 5th GEN RED. Love them both for the same reasons we all bought 'em for..............that V-4 motor!!! Honda Motor Company.

 

5th all the way, roomier than some models but an aftermarket seat (mine's a Corbin) will definitely lengthen your saddle time. Have done 1400 km days on my 2000 VFR with no ill effects.
Also had 86 and 90 VFR's (did similar trips) and the 5th gen is defintely the most versatile and comfortable of the bunch.

Want to forget about your butt? iPOD!!!

 

Thanks Legs, Yes in this case and IMO less is better here, and the 4th gen proves that. Thou the 5th gens engine is a bit sweater, yes you heard that from me.LOL still doesn't sound as nice, as the gear drive is on the out side, but the rest of the bike took a slight step backwards IMO, as Honda was pushing towards the touring side of things. Ride a 4th back to back to a 5th and it comes apparent what the differences are. But as noted all VFR's aren't so bad.. just depends what you're looking for.

 

The 5th Gen is still my choice for best all around VFR. The suspension and brakes on a Gen 6 are better in my opinion, but the Gen 6 suspension could still use some improvement. If I got a new Gen 6, I would still be spending money on upgrading the suspension, the forks, and the tires. Not knocking the GEN 6 especially since it is a beautiful (and I mean beautiful) bike with a big butt like Tyra Banks - and I like BIG BUTTS. Another consideration would be to look for a 2006 VFR leftover at a discounted price or else get a low mileage 2000 or 2001 VFR. I am not happy at all with the VFR VTEC to the point that personally I would not buy a Gen 6 VFR (that is what i am saying now - I love the VFR all Gens). I would probable never own a new VFR with the VTEC because I do not need my bike to tell me how to ride it and also because of the increased cost of maintenance (the VFR is one of the costly bike to maintain). Why can't Honda offer a version of the Gen 6 VFR without the VTEC engine. Again Honda has killed the bikes I like - Magna v65, CBR 954 and the infamous Blackbird.

 

Whats wrong with Hondas current CBR1000RR Fireblade, it is a good looking, stonkingly fast, brilliant handling *near perfect Superbike ?

* low beam headlight is a bit average.