Why did the VFR800 stop selling?

I honestly thought long and hard as to a way to reply to this post without starting a flame war. But then came to the realization that whoever would arbitrarily post such a statement is probably just trying to get a rise out of somebody.
Really??? Where did you pull this statistic from? Currently, Honda has sold more 6th gens than any other gen VFR. ***PLEASE, at the very least, spend 1, just 1, freaking minute to run $#!+ through google (or any search engine) before you post :bs:.
:flame: I am slowly learning that there is a difference between "fact" and my opinions... lol

 

Jerry, jerry, jerry!!!:chaingun:

 

Actually your right i never found any sale figures to back up what i said. It was more written as a opinion then pure fact.

Though in my defense i like to point out that a vast majority of us brought RWB at huge discounts as left over bikes.

U can put what ever spin one wants on that

Jerry... jerry..... jerry... jerry !!!

 

I thought it was funny.....besides I don't really recall there being complaints from owners on the whole mileage thing.......shit my gen 2 gets crappy mileage any where from 150 to 170 (that"s when the light grows bright)... how is bike doing ZEN? BTW missed you at R3 you would have been the only gen 7 but then we would have been close to having all generations represented.....(just trying to get a bit of guilt going for next year)

 

I think that it goes a lot further back than that. When the CBR replaced the VFR in '87 as the racing platform, that's where I think the numbers took a nose dive. The true racers migrated to the CBR and are still there. It kind of left the VFR out in limbo. It would be nice to get actual numbers on the before and after sales.

 

Not to worry Parker. I too have an '07 and the VTEC engaging mid-corner is a non-issue. It happens to me all the time. Maybe set yourself up on a curve that you know well and ease yourself into the transition point to get used to it. You might be better off experimenting with it if you're concerned.

 

This dilema is quite simple. Honda has ZERO clue what the US market wants or needs. This is why they are playing second fiddle in every segment of said US market. Pick ANY style of bike sold in the US. The Honda bike in that segment will be inferior. It's sad since I am a life long Honda fan. As for the markets around the world, I can't comment since I don't live there. From what I can tell, in most parts of the world (with few exceptions) small bikes rule. Except for enduro's & dual-sports, they can't sell anything under 600cc in the US. When the time came to buy another bike, Honda didn't get my money and to be honest, I didn't even set foot in a Honda dealer when I did buy my latest bike. Much like HD, there is only so long you can sell based on name alone. Unfortunately for Honda, they don't seem to understand this. Their last 10 or so new bikes have sucked. So, that's the overall reason.

The reason the 7th Gen isn't selling is because it's simply not a good value when the economy and the bike market are low. Everyone can blow the 7th Gen horn all day, but the bike is not worth the $16000 they want for it STOCK. Then there's the $4000 of accessories it should have left the factory with for the $16000. There are bikes from Kawasaki, Triumph & BMW that are far better values.

For the specifics on the 5th & 6th Gen VFR, it's not a really hard problem to solve.
1) The bike wasn't marketed, AT ALL.
2) The bike was overpriced.
3) The bike is/was overweight.
4) The bike has low rent suspension.
5) The bike's plastics are way expensive. It's $1900 to fix a right hand lo-side. Yes, I know that from experience.

Now, don't take this as a sign that I hate the VFR. I don't. I love my 5th Gen & probably will never get rid of it. I will replace the rear shock soon with a better unit from some aftermarket company. I will replace the fork internals with RaceTech stuff. I will probably not do anything else to it other than ride it forever.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Oh my, Herr KC is pissed again even though Honda sells bikes to a world market that we rarely see in the "I am the fastest mofo on the planet" wannabe mags.

It must be nice to live in such a simple world where one's opinion is always right.. Sheeeit...

Anybody wanna sell me thier Honda stock for say a dime on the dollar? Best do it now according to ol KC who is predicting that Honda will go bust..

 

Across the pond for 2012 and who knows about 2013

 

^^This.

At 30 years old, I was ready for a touring bike (love longer trips) but still like to wind it up a bit in the mountains. There can't be that many people with similar needs.

I would also point to the cost. There are certainly better "Values" out there. The VFR needs to be special to a person in order to justify paying the premium.

Frankly, the fact that we got six generations of the bike still amazes me - especially considering that the bike was perfected with the fifth gen.....

 

I happen to agree with KC a whopping 99%. Honda has droped the ball, supremely, in the US. Part of that is our market is nothing compared to the rest of the world. In other places motorcycles or seen more as transportation so they don't want the big bikes. Now back to the US problem, every American Honda bike has a competitor that is arguably better (in the street category), with the exception of the cbr250 and goldwing. Their crusiers are grossly underpowered, case in point they have a 1300cc fuel injected engine barely scraping at 55 hp. This isnt a fair comparison but ducati has a 1200cc v twin producing 160 hp, over twice that of the Honda. Also Honda has no middle weight, they are losing entire market segments to every other manufacturers. The sport category is the only one that is truly competitive, but the differences in sport bikes now is entirely negligible. Honda needs to get their US ass in gear or like KCy next bike won't have a red wing on it.

 

I wouldn't even call the Goldwing competitive any longer. The BMW K1600GTL obsoleted the instant it was unveiled. 100lbs less, 60HP more, 6 speed, better MPG, more accessories, more standard equipment, better handling, better lights, etc. Why again should I pay $4000 more to get a bike that is less capable?

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

True I only included the wing cuz it's still relevant with it's huge mass of followers

 

We look foward to the reviews from the newstand peanut gallery and Boss Hog crowd.

 

Because Soichiro died, and the company lost it's soul. As I've stated before, sewing machines have more soul than modern Honda's...

 

Start with a bored/stroked RC-45 motor (get it to at LEAST 800cc and tuned for a bit more all out power....not 2 stroke powerband, but a solid 125Bhp should be easy) and frame, but with longer forks to put the clip-ons above the triple clamp. And keep the seat from the 5th gen, and maybe some lower (or adjustable) rearsets, and I'd buy it at the current price! NO linked brakes (make it an option if you must) ONE lug not for the rear wheel! LEFT side exhaust (whats the point of a single sided swing arm with the exhaust in the way?!?!?!)
Comfy for all day riding, great handleing for when you need it, power to beat the 600cc crowd with your 800. Hell, power to beat the dude who spend a few THOUSAND less on his Bandit 1200 with pipe and filters \m/

 

I beat 600's in the canyons from 10-100mph all the time. After that, bike can't keep up. -1,+2.
Sorry,:focus:

 

Honda are getting lazy

When you are re-selling the exact same engine in a new body the least you could do is come up with some new wheel rim designs. Honda you have made enough from the 5 spoke design from 2000. How bout you design something - dare I say it - NEW. I am not motivated to buy a bike that is the same platform with no significant changes to it. No significant performance increases.... To me there is no incentive to buy a $14k bike new when I can pick up an older veriosn of the bike for 4-5k with very similar performance. I can't believe they have used the same 5 spoke wheel I have on my bike on the new viffer. I want them to wow me. Too many accountants calling the shots on design I think...

 

V4 are too expensive to make on a large scale. Or maybe too many riders think inline 4 = HP ?...

 

It’s outdated, overweight, underpowered, and too expensive in today’s market.

I loved the VFR when it came out in 1998. It is the only motorcycle I have had that I will probably never sell. I’ve done 3100 mile road trips on it. It is a great bike. It is just no longer competitive in the sport bike market or the sport touring market.