Hi all. I've been looking into a few bikes for some longer trips I'm likely to be doing more regularly.. Currently riding a CBF600n, and its done me very well having done two tours around England and Scotland, but I also use it to commute and go for a Sunday blast, and to be honest there is nothing wrong with it. I just want some more comfort on the long boring trips I'm likely to be doing from Doncaster to Reading in the new year. Something reliable, has a fairing so I can sit behind it and not get so tired with the motorway wind blast, but will happily go out on a Sunday and show up some of sports bikes like I currently do :wink: The options have been narrowed down to these VFR800 VTECH CBR1100 Sprint ST 1050 I'm looking at about £4k to spend and the Sprints tend to have very high mileage at that price, over 50k, and I'd prefer it to have under 30k so I pretty much ruled that out unless I find a bargain.. Maybe I should mention I do over 10k a year with mostly weekend riding, with the addition of these trips I could be looking at up to 20k miles a year.. I've been told even 10,000 miles a year is a lot for a bike? Anyway, that's enough for now I think, I've only just got here :tongue: Mark
Hi Mark. Pull up a chair and make yourself at home. Scubalong is the unofficial greeter, but who knows where he's at. - I hope he's getting laid-
Welcome MarkB! Although there is no question in your post I guess that you want more information about the VFR. I can only tell you something about my experience, which is a much older VFR750. Bet when I got it earlier this year, 20 years old, 75000km (50k miles), it still felt as new. Although it is not as nimble as a CB600, but still good. And on the motorway it really is much more comfortable. But the feeling and the sound of the V4 is simply the best!
Welcome aboard. Can't offer any advice re the Vtec but I do love my 750! From watching youtube reviews it seems the CBR1100 is a very underrated bike. Safe riding whatever you choose.
Yes, sorry, I was looking for some information and advice in terms of day to day usage with plenty of miles going on the bike. The cbr1100 seems the more sensible option for doing the long motorway stints, but I do love the sound of a V engine. Nearly bought a Vtr1000 in spring - glad I didn't, the same one is still for sale 10 months later!! I'm thinking the vfr will be a bit more nimble than the cbr1100, but might cost more to run in the long run?
I would appear that the Vtec's are inherently reliable (it's a Honda after all), I think there was a wiring harness recall that would be worth checking out on a prospective buy. One of the big expenses is the valve check, but the necessity of those is debatable. There is a guy here that goes by the name of Randy who racked up some big miles on a Vtec, he may chime in sometime.
What would you all make of this particular bike, good deal, or overpriced seeing as it's just been reduced by £500 ?Silver 25k miles, £4k
He's a dink. Just ask me. Welcome to the forum Mark. I can't offer you any advise on you other options but 50k miles is absolutely nothing on a 6th gen VFR. As far as comfort goes, I find this bike to be great but again, not much to compare it to, I have gone on some mega rides on mine, and regardless of permanent back injury from previous career, I get by just fine. I even survived a 24 hour-1000 mile Iron Butt Ride. I was a bit sore after that but hey, that was some hard riding for an old codger like me. I have over 188,000km or about 116,000 miles on mine. Only issue I have had is I have replaced two stators. The first one lasted something like 90,000 miles or something like that. Second one was after market and I burned it up on a three week, 5000 mile ride so I guess I am not surprised it went. The rest of the repairs, I consider maintenance. Things break down regardless of what you ride.
Thanks Randy, I knew of the Reg/reg failures, but that's just Honda... Stator I would say has a life span anyway? I'm trying to get an idea of servicing costs really, I think the VFR has 4k intervals? but I can't find much info on what needs doing and when, Don't really want to be servicing 3 times a year, although that's basically what I'm doing now, and it soon adds up! Especially if I start doing even more mileage, that could creep to 4 services a year.. I hate this stuff.. I really like the VFR, and I haven't even had a test ride yet, hopefully that'll make up my mind! :wink:
:welcome: to the zoo from across the pond mate :wave: I do have a Vtech and aprroaching 80k miles Replace the stators and clutch V check at 16k and have not touch it since. I am very happy with her performance :thumb:
Hi and welcome.:welcome: I have covered some huge distances on my 2006. It has been all over Europe - Spain, Norway, IOM, Scotland, Germany, Italy ... and back and forth from London to the Alps where I now live. It is now hovering at 100K and runs perfectly. Keep up with the oil and filter changes and you will find the mechanics are very sound - a perfect mile munching machine - but the electrics can have a mind of their own especially on really hot days. In that time I have replaced the stator and RR and am on the third battery. With hindsight I would opt for every second valve check as the recommended 16K frequency is insanely expensive and seems OTT assuming you know the bike has not been thrashed. The vtec went through a more than cosmetic update from 2006 on with far better vtec transition manners, also uprated electrics (but still not bullet proof) and many models feature the improved linked ABS system similar to current CBRs and matched factory luggage - hence they command a premium. Look for clear indicators - but beware of people retrofitting them to earlier models. If you browse the forum you will soon discover that the earlier NON vtec (5th Gen) 800 models are very well thought of, every bit as quick and can often be had for silly money. They too had electrical gremlins but the valve checks are way easier and cheaper. With winter around the corner you could find some real bargains so don't be rushed to go with the first you find. Oh and RED ones are always the fastestotstir:! Good luck SkiMad
I am really not a bastion of knowledge when it comes to mechanics so do place a lot of confidence in a few here, skimad4x4 being one of those people. Except he doesn't know shit when it comes to what colour is fastest. The valves, like has been said here, do not need to be adjusted as quickly and often as the manual says. Servicing schedule of 4K? Where in hell does it say that? My owner's manual says to service every 12,000 km or something like that. Oil change and from time to time, other maintenance checks. When I first bought mine new and in the crate, I did an oil change every 5,000 km. But after a couple years of that, considering the manual said 12,000 km, I began changing the oil at 10,000 km on the zeros, because that was easy to remember and I did not have to write things down. This maintenance aside, I do service and repairs mostly as and when needed. Has served me fairly well over the years. If you need on, PM me with your postal addy. I will burn you a CD of the 2002 Service Manual and 2006 Owner's Manual. For the most part, both can be used for the complete 6th gen lineup. You can search to find advice on different issues that arise from specific years such as the infamous wiring harness recall.
I know VTech needed a 16k service, but after that it's not much issue then? Guess I shouldn't race it then layful: but I'm not sure where I saw it, but I had seen servicing was 4k (miles) which is actually what my current 600 is, but as an example, the 20k service is brake pads/fluid, clutch, and crankcase breather, checks only and that's it serviced for another 4k until oil/filter needs changing again(every 8k).. well, 4k miles or 6 months in the manual... I don't know about faster, but the Red ones do look nice! The decent ones have full pannier kits, and cost more too... It all really rests on me getting this new job though, but it is nice to be prepared, and I have quite liked the VFR for a while, I just have a thing about not wanting to buy an older bike though
There out there to be found... Patience and you'll know when ya find the right one. Found my 2002 in 2010 with 1800 miles...and got it for a song...oh after looking at about 8.....funny thing is 7 where dropped at low speed or in the garage.Found mine at 3am on craiglist. It also helps when the po didn't neglect the bike either. Tires..and all fluids. ..no biggie
