2008 Can't give it away

Wow! That's a tough spot to be in, you'd think the dealer would have wanted to save face on this, Boy guess not. that being all the bikes are taking huge hits (doh!) but for a dealer not to stand behind a product what does that say. The problem with the VFR is it does things so well it's vanilla when compared with all the trick this and that the other bike have that and it's not one that the 18-26 year olds want. it's to good for em. Depending on what you're looking for, I bet you could get some one to trade (something) and take over the contract? all things being it isn't a bad bike, but like you I feel Honda took this VFR in a direction I don't care for, case in point the 1200 OML, oh well, so I get your thinking. Sorry to hear this.

 

Weight Can be helped too. There is about 20lbs on this bike that don't need to be there if your looking to put the pork chop on a diet. Ditch the CA Evap can. and get rid of the stock exhaust you will ditch about 12 lbs just on oem to aftermarket. There are many other things that can be trimmed if you wanted. Rear pass foot pegs are a quick 2 lbs.
Most of all don't fill the big ass fuel tank all the way up.


And remember to void warranty the motorcycle manufacture must prove that the after market parts were at fault.

Honda should have made this out of aluminum IMO
02 03 Honda VFR800 Interceptor Sub Frame Seat Rails | eBay

 

I thought the frame was aluminum?

 

Frame carrying the engine is, the seat sub frame no the back half is steel:frown:

 

Ignoreance has made some great suggestions in a couple of his posts. I'm assuming your issue with the bike, MiddleAge, is that its too heavy and underpowered for your liking? Maybe it was in your other thread, but you never really said "these are my complaints with it". Charles mentioned a list of things you don't like about it. If you were to provide a list of pros and cons, there are plenty of folks here who may have some suggestions (and probably costs) on how to improve it. Of course you'll get the foolish comments as well, but you can pick and choose what you like.

Obviously, and understandably, you're angry about the whole situation. So throwing more money into it becomes a bitter pill. But there are lots of relatively cheap mods - as Ig mentioned - that can change the characteristics of the bike.

Aftermarket parts for this model are everywhere. The fact that there are so many shows you that people want (need?) to make changes.

Derek/ohlrkid - The VFR is no R1. Never was, and without the A&A Supercharger, never will be. Not to sound like a dick, but if the expectations were there, you've already seen you'll be gravely disappointed as far as raw power goes. However, I will say that in the hands of a good rider, the VFR will have very few issues keeping up with the likes of the R1, and Gixxers in the twisties. Sure, they're gonna smoke you on the straights, but you'll be right back on them soon enough. Sorry it didn't work out for you either.

 

These have all been some good suggestions. I have some calls into a couple dealers but haven't got any calls back. If what I have read that 6th gear will not run out to red line is true, maybe I'll add a tooth to the rear sprocket,put a set of tires on it and just live with this thing. The last VFR I bought I probably put 200 miles on it in the first few days. What's going on here is not normal for me, like everyone here I live to ride. I think what bothers me most is that under 6400 RPM there just isn't any grunt.

The biggest problem is what would I want to replace this with if I could tomorrow? I hated the black in 92 and wound up with a ZX-11, wish I had waited till 93. Something about a white motorcycle being the antithesis of everything Harley really appeals to me. Wish I could find a dealer with a left over 06!!!

 

"too heavy and underpowered " yes that about sums it up alrighty.

Imagine what my crashed 87 could be with the money I poured into this one? Hell I might have realized my dream of an ex works 750 engine...

 

I am with you brother.

I get a boner that I can't hide with a hat when I see the 93 in Pearl White.

 

Sorry to hear about your sittuation, What color is your bike I might take over payment for you.

 

I wouldn't say it didn't work out. I know its no R1, but there are some basics I need. It needs to blip/downshift better, and this FI needs to be sorted. I think those can be addresses with some of the cheap mods and a Power Commander, so I am going to go that route.

But I will admit, its tough going from an R1 to a VFR, but I was looking for something a little more relaxed. So when I finally get relaxed, I complain! I can't make me happy.

Derek

 

Remind me not to ride near your house. However, here is some "Bike porn" to tide you over until your next viewing.

 

LOL - a man is never satisfied with his bike! Maybe I shouldn't be commenting since I don't even have a VTEC model, but after a few years on this sight I've learned the general consensus seems to be that a PC can do wonders. Of course, other guys say they're not even affected by the FI programming, so who knows.

A quick sprocket change, say up 2 in the rear (and maybe down one in front) plus a PC might give you that extra grunt you were looking for.

Keep us posted. It'll be interesting to find out if first impressions can be changed.

 

If you are going to sell it, it is better to act sooner rather than later, the further we get into the summer riding season, the harder it will be to sell. You could let the market determine the value, instead of doing Craig's list, put it on E-Bay. Start the bidding at $1 and put a reserve on it of the $5,700 you owe.

To a lot of people, the roadside assistance and extended warranty aren't worth much. Myself included, which is why I don't buy them. So unfortunately it isn't like you can add on the full price of that to a reasonable price for the bike alone. Only a certain percentage of people would pay for that stuff.

You can try and hold out for just the right buyer, who may or may not find you, but from the frustration level that comes thru in your posts it might be worth it to just cut your losses and be done with it. If you can stomach the loss, you might be happier overall to just be done with it and have it off your plate, out of your garage and not have to think about it anymore.

 

All I can say is WOW!! I can't believe you guys think this bike is heavy and lacks power!! I have an '07 that I bought new with 1 mile on it in August of 2008 and I now have over 31K miles on it. I'm just barely 5'6", 125lbs, and I ride the piss out of it with no problem!! I've done long ass road trips, short jaunts around town darting in and out of traffic and I've done track days with it! Sure, it's not as flickable as a 600 bike might be, but IMO it's WAYYYYYY smooother. Sure, it's not as fast as a liter bike might be but it's WAYYYYYY more comfortable. I've swapped bikes with guys on R6s, R1s and a ZX10. I got off their bikes thinking "Wow, this is really uncomfortable, and it's really tough to turn and lean with this bike. Sure it's got alot of power, but so what, that's all that's good about it." Not one rider has gotten off my VFR without a big ole smile. They ALL have been blown away at how comfortable it is, how much power it has compared to what they thought it had, and how smooth it is and easy to maneuver. One R1 rider even got off it and said compared to his bike my VFR felt like a dirt bike!!! The ZX-10 rider said "Wow, I have to work at turning my bike... on your VFR I just thinking about it and I'm in an awesome turn!" I can ride in a group of about 20 to 30 sport bikes... R1s, GSXRs, CBRs, ZX-whatevers, and I am consistently in the first 5 riders with the others being so far behind I can't see them. IMO, you just don't know how to ride or don't know what you want and are giving into peer pressure from people who are telling you the VFR is a whale... or some such nonsense. If your bike is stock, first thing I would do, is put on a Power Commander and get it dynotuned. You don't even have to invest in new pipes. Just do that one thing and you will see a difference. You don't really even HAVE to do that!! Get the bike up above 7K RPMS and it turns into a torquey sportbike. Below 7K, which is where I'm guessing you rode it for your measely 60 miles, and you have an economical tourer. Keep it above 7K/8K and higher and you will love the piss out of it. I've known guys that can easily pull wheelies on these, and I've pulled a few almost/mistake wheelies on mine.... in first AND second gears. Stop your whining dude... and everyone on here who is supporting the complaints about the bike. Get out there and ride it... Ride the piss out of it and you will see what an awesome bike this is and hate yourself for wasting two years letting it sit there. I seriously can NOT believe I read this thread and the "support" you got for your complaints about this bike. Is it the best sport bike out there? Hell NO!! Is it the best touring bike out there? Hell NO!!! Is the best all-around bike that can do anything that you ask it to do and do it well and with confidence and inspire confidence in the rider??? Helll YES!!!!!! I am done... that is all... thank you. And, if you don't want the bike, since it's wasting away and you're making payments anyway, tell me where you are. I will gladly come pick it up and show you how it's ridden as I peel out down your driveway with it!!! I'd love to have one in every color and since I already have red, the silver/grey that you have seems like a good one to make my second color. I'll gladly fly out and ride it home and take it off your hands for you. Thanks!!

 

Finally a voice of reason......

Thanks VFRChick,I couldn't agree more. :thumbsup:

 

Hahaha! Thanks for the porn. :wink:

 

I betcha if you told this story at a VFR event there would easily be 750 people that would take a swing at you with a sledghammer for 20 bucks...that might be a better option.



.

 

Better yet, just axe Badbilly what you should do...........ahh shit, I spoke its name.

 

I was in the same boat as you in the beginning. It had less giddy-up than my 900RR that I traded. But, it handles the corners better. I feel safer on it. From a ZX11, it is slow. It is a touring/sport bike. I will agree, I like the pearl white, that's why I got it. Make it yours. i put the saddle bags on it, changed out the exhaust, different windscreen. That's about it. It will still run fast enough to get you a ticket. There are times where the smaller bikes are better, you can play around more on the twisty roads. A buddy that I ride with, when he lived in Phoenix, had people want to trade him, even up, for his GSXR600, for a newer liter bike that couldn't run as well as that 600. It was all in the power that you could use, not what was available. The VFR is the same way. It may not be the fastest in a straight line, it may not be the best at the corners, but you can't run the twisties in a ZX11 or a busa, and you can't ride the distance on a 600, like you can the VFR. Give it the break-in time, and that VTEC kick will soon become more noise and an increase in power. I really like my VFR now, and I hope that eventually you ill as well.

Chick is right, it is all in the way you ride, not how you ride.

And, I'm 5'7 as well, and have more padding in places that I should.

 

For all of the "hell yeahs" I normally hear about our beloved viffers from nearly everybody on this site, I am truly surprised that more of you guys aren't trying to change this guy's mind. Chick and Stosh finally came along and are talking some sense. CrazyGuy, you are almost halfway done paying off a bike that is basically brand new and you have warranty coverage, you are in a great position! I really wonder what happened to make you dislike your bike so much. This situation kind of reminds me of Jesse James, cheating on Sandra Bullock with some sleazy bimbo who is way less classy. The 6th gen is like Sandra...Classy and refined, but it sounds like you are looking for the motorcycle equivalent of a prostitute.
The viffer is tough and reliable enough that if you want the "grunt" just ride the piss out of her like Chick suggested, I guarantee you will be going fast enough to give you a smile or at least get a ticket.There is a youtube vid with a racer flogging a 6th gen and you can see what this machine will do. I don't know how to add hyperlinks but its "Freddy spencer on a Honda VFR v-tec"
I understand you can get a bad first impression then go to the internet to seek out a bunch of negative comments around to reinforce your feelings, but your girl seriously deserves a second chance. Mine is stock, I am 5'8", 185lbs, and I came off of an 04 R6. I wouldn't go back. I guess I never felt like I needed a liter bike that would stand up on 1 wheel at any point, but the other side of that is that you can easy let that power get away from you and loop out in a corner or something.
I wonder if the bad experience you got at the dealership didn't leave a sour taste in your mouth that you turned around on the bike. I know I probably won't be able to change your mind, but for your sake I hope I can...try to let go any feelings about the dealership and go ride the BIKE with a clean slate. Picture Sandra Bullock if you have to. Look at the sexy single- side swing arm, the integrated signal lights, the super-bright headlights. Feel the comfort level of the seating position. Start her up and listen to the exhaust note. Ride it like you mean it (but be safe), see how much power is available above 7k and eat up some twisties, listen to her scream around redline (its heavenly) feel how well planted she is (make sure you are on newer tires than the ones that have sat on there for 2 years). Think about how she will still run that strong after 20k miles (if you maintain her).
The fact that you haven't found anyone else who wants her can give a guy a bad feeling about his bike. If you would have had the dealer call you back the day after you got the bike asking to get it back from you while your friends were telling you how bad-ass your new bike was you probably wouldn't feel the way you do.
I don't blame you but I definitely think that if you would have given her a little longer to become attached, and hadn't had such a shit experience with your dealer, you would be feeling very different right now. Do yourself a financial favor and try what I said, you can thank me later...