4th or 5th generation?

I'll be looking to upgrade to a 4th or 5th gen VFR within the year, but can't figure out which. Here are my issues:

1. I like doing short spirited rides a lot, a frequent 200-500 miler, and once or twice a season a long ride.
2. Need to find hard bags. Not sure which generation is better for this.
3. I do all my own maintanance, and I don't have a lot of cash to spend for major work. (No trips to a bike garage or anything like that!)
4. After market parts availability? I've had a real hard time finding aftermarkets for the '85 Interceptor.
5. Fuel injection vs. carburetors. How is the fuel injection system on the 5th gens?

I guess I'm looking for some opinions on the little differences between the two generations. Thanks!

 

5th gen hands down. Looks performance and did I mention the looks! Of course I'm biased.

Can anyone think of something that was not improved on the 5th gen?

 

I've ridden both. The 5th Gen is a better bike in just about every catagory that can be measured.

1. 200 miles are NO SWEAT as long as you dump the stock piece of concrete Honda refers to as a "seat". I routinely exceed 45MPG.

2. Givi makes hard bags of every concievable size from 21lt to 52lt. You pick out the case, & then the mounting kit of your choice (WingRack or Tubular Side Case Holders) & then you get the hardware kit specific for your bike to attach the mounting kit. They are fantastically expensive but are probably the best quality hard cases on the market.

3. My bike is as reliable as a ball peen hammer. I'd like to tell you that dealer trips are cheap but I need to make some trips to the dealer for repairs first before I could say it. My SINGLE ONLY issue ever was my throttle cable worked it's way loose. I made it to the nearest dealer & they charged me $75 to fix it. Is this a good price?

4. You're not going to find many for the 4th or 5th Gen's either. Mostly pipes, windscreens and some miscellaneous dress up pieces.

5. Mine has a very, very slight hiccup just off idle. I'm so used to it that it's never bothered me. FI is not tuneable like a carb but I don't care. My bike starts first try every time. No choke, just jump on bike, press start button, listen for gear driven cam V4 music, put into 1st, drive away.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

I'll be looking to upgrade to a 4th or 5th gen VFR within the year, but can't figure out which. Here are my issues:

1. I like doing short spirited rides a lot, a frequent 200-500 miler, and once or twice a season a long ride.

Some folks who have the 4th gen say it is the sportiest of them all. I think it is lighter than the 5th. Look at the specs page here:

http://www.cs.wisc.edu/~john/vfr/specs/

It is almost never the bike. It is almost always the rider.

2. Need to find hard bags. Not sure which generation is better for this.

Corbin makes them for the 5th gen. Givi makes them for the both . Hepco & Becker makes them for the 5th gen. but maybe there are mounts for the 4th. Check Twisted Throttle to make sure and to see pictures. They are not especially cheap if you buy new. The corbins show up on ebay from time to time.

3. I do all my own maintanance, and I don't have a lot of cash to spend for major work. (No trips to a bike garage or anything like that!)

This seems to apply well to both.

4. After market parts availability? I've had a real hard time finding aftermarkets for the '85 Interceptor.

Newer is almost always easier to find. The 4th gen. rear tire size may be a concern for you.

5. Fuel injection vs. carburetors. How is the fuel injection system on the 5th gens?

Some folks say the 5th gen FI is snatchy. I don't know if that is a word. But mine certainly responds quicker than bikes with carbs. You get used to it.

I guess I'm looking for some opinions on the little differences between the two generations.

Here are some of mine. I have ridden 3rd and 5th and 6th but never a 4th gen.