Chicago girl considering a VFR800

I suppose it depends on how big the saddlebags are as well. On my F800GT I can fit my full face Shoei in the right saddlebag so I almost never have a topbox on. Does the Interceptor require an adapter to mount the Givi top box on it?

 

It's so interesting that so many love the VFR800 but the reviewers rate it after the Kawa Versys1000 or even some adventure bikes. Personally I don't like ADV bikes and Kawa's quality is just ok. I'm looking for something that has a sportier situation but not a hardcore racer. There are just so few on the market and most now are used, like the Triumph Sprint.

 

I guess we are all a little biased here. I have owned a V4 since they first came out in 83, then after many years of storage, I have "restored" it back to somewhat original shape. After my divorce and moving to CA, I decided to get back in riding. Didn't follow the current models over the years, didn't know anything about the VFRs except it was the newer model of my 83. Bought a 2003 in 2013 and started to learn everything I could about it, mostly by reading this forum. Nice bike, but I wanted something more up to date and found the VFR Deluxe at the local dealer, slightly used with the panniers and the quick shifter. Now I have both, the first and the last! Love them both. You can compare specs, weight etc. but it comes down to how a machine feels and handles. I read the reviews, but those guys ride them all. Most of us settle on what appeals to our senses, and don't worry about another bike that is a tad faster or lighter. Not many can out handle the VFR, and it is certainly well beyond my capabilities, yet I can still try!

 

The GIVI does require an adapter to mount to the VFR, any bike to be honest. GIVI supposedly make the Honda OEM luggage but it is not ineterchangable with the GIVI mounts.

 

Rebs, welcome to the site. My wife has an 2008 VFR800 with factory side and top cases. Not sure what you are looking for but for her here are a couple of things we needed to do to make her happy. Also we do mostly sport/tour riding, Seldom on the interstates mostly two lane roads.

Changed out the windscreen (GIVI) and gave her a little more wind protect. She still is not thrilled with that part. Also I put on a set of LSL super bike bars. It raised her hands up about 3 1/2" and brought them back about 1 1/2". She is definitely not a sport rider so we needed to get her up and back. I also raised the front end a bit by dropping the fork tubes down in the tree. Again this gave a bit more upright position. Did a seat mod to drop the seat about an inch. She is 5'4". For her the bike is a great bike, she has packed 2 weeks worth of stuff in the bags.

She does complain a bit about the low end torque. She came from an ST1100 with all kinds of low end torque. Like 2k in 5th gear and having throttle roll on. The VFR does not have that as others have mentioned. Here in Colorado it is 4k and higher on the revs to keep the VFR happy. She is a relatively new rider she is not big on slamming the throttle and she has averaged 50 plus mpg over 63 fill ups.

 

Thank you grabcon! Well, depending on the position I may find the air management reasonable as I LOVE the protection on my S1000RR, however that does require at least a partial tuck to attain that. I am fully comfortable there and hope if the VFR is comfortable enough I may not do anything to the windshield. I do have an aftermarket on my F800GT as it's more upright position leaves me with a lot of air on my shoulders and faceshield with a bit more turbulence than my sport bike.

I suppose I'm looking for more of a sport experience with a touring and commuting capable bike. I would commute on my sport bike but my fiance prefers I keep it on the track and honestly it's pain to constantly be taking things on and off it! lol

 

Have you looked at this bike? It is bad ass and a great all arounder.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en...otorcycles.com/us/en/bike/model_overview.html

 

Which bike are you referring to? The link just went to the basic website.

 

Sorry, the K1300S. 175 hp and 103 torque with extremely good low and mid fueling and throttle response. Just over 500lbs. Set with a bigger screen, luggage and bars it would be a great sport touring bike with the balls of of sport bike. Supposed to carve decently too with its stock suspension.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/us/en...otorcycles.com/us/en/bike/model_overview.html

 

The link keeps going to the general page, just click on the K1300s.

 

rebs, here is the latest Dynotune chart for my 2004 with PCIII. As you can see, it makes about 101 HP and 54 ft/lbs peak. That is pretty standard for the 6th Gen. I wish it had more power, but it is a great all-around sport-touring motorcycle nonetheless. It is the smoothest motorcycle I have ever owned but I can understand if you are looking for more power.

By the way, nothing fun happens on my VFR below 5000 RPM anyway . . .

.

 

I've thought about that before but it is a heavy bike at 575lbs, even though it does make a very healthy HP number. I've seen one with bags as well before so I know one can tour on it as well. However, I don't weigh that much so I'd like to stick with a lighter bike if possible, one reason I picked up the F800GT because it only weighs 470lbs wet. Guess I'll go check out the VFR800 and the Ninja at my local dealer.

 

Well, for the street my F800GT is quick enough. If I want more power I'll just get on my S1000RR instead lol. 101 HP is reasonable enough for a sports tour bike. I am really looking for something sporty and smooth, unlike sporty and buzzy like my F800GT. Of course I have yet to test ride the bike so I''ll reserve my final judgement for when I get to try it.

 

Honestly, rebs, my VFR is the smoothest motorcycle I have ever owned. No buzz, although you will feel a persistent throb if you accelerate in a high gear. But why would you? The VFR has a transmission!

And I can keep up with liter bikes in the twisty two-lane bits. More power would be great (always, right!) but the VFR package just flat out works for me. And it's good-looking too. Finally, if you enjoy modding your ride, there are ample options! Check out my photo gallery.

YMMV.


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Thank you. That's my point about the street. Today's liter super sports are simply so overpowered that they'd be nearly impossible to ride on the street without some sort of control. I know if I give it anything more than 1/4 throttle on the street I'm super-legal in the blink of an eye. Being able to go 80mph in first gear with a 114mph redline in 2nd is simply ludicrous. Lol. Don't get me wrong I love my RR but for the street even my 90hp F800GT is plenty quick.

 

How big are the saddlebags? Can you get a full face helmet in one? I'd plan on getting one regardless but it would be nice to be able to store my helmet in it.

 

I have not tried that yet with my factory bags, but from what I have read on here, I think the answer is no.

 

Rebs, My wife and I have never put our helmets in the side bags or top case of any bikes we have ridden. Other stuff goes in the bags and the helmets get locked to the bikes sometimes. If we ride with the bags empty, typically our riding gear goes in the bags and again the helmets get locked up.

 

Most that have tried, have been able to get a helmet in the factory bags. It depends on the brand, style, shape, and size, but from what I've seen, many helmets will fit. It also takes a bit of trial and error to find just the right position, due to the tight fit. My Medium HJC FS-15 Carbon would fit in my bags if I didn't have a Sena SMH10 and an Adaptiv wireless radar receiver attached to it.

Basically, I think you can plan on your helmet fitting in the factory hard bags until you find out otherwise.

Also, let me just add another plug for the 8th gen....I'm quite certain you would be happy with one.

 

Thank you! I wear a Shoei RF-1200 and I absolutely love the helmet. No buffeting, great visibility in the tuck, SNELL and DOT rated, and solid venting. On the road it's reasonably quiet and stable during head checks. On the track it works great with a sportbike windshield.

So...I finally got to test ride the new VFR800 (Deluxe) and am very impressed. The engine is smooth as silk and develops very road usable power. I only noticed a slight blip when the cams changed from 2 valves to 4 valves but mostly noticed the significantly more aggressive exhaust note. The suspension was compliant but well set up with quick turn in and a tenacious ability to hold a line through a corner. The more forward lean of the seating position but the slightly lengthened track actually felt something in between my F800GT and my S1000RR. I wasn't hanging out over the nose as one feels on a supersport but still had better feel of the front than on my F800GT. The engine being so smooth had me at 80mph without even thinking (I didn't know the area well so I asked for one of the shop guys to ride along on a Ninja 1000). Power delivery was smooth but did seem to peter out unless I revved it above 5k rpm. I can say that I agree that Honda, as it advertises, created an extremely refined and smooth ride. It does really tread the line between sport and everyday comfort and tour. Wind management was superb in regards to a complete lack of turbulence. The air hitting my shoulders and helmet was smooth and undisturbed, but there was a lot of it, of course. Getting into a full tuck did get me out of the wind but then the engine sound took over.

Overall I am seriously impressed and seriously considering trading in my F800GT for the VFR800D. I did try the Ninja 1000 as well and found it lacking in sophistication but it did have better wind protection and a ton more power. However, it also costs nearly $400/year more to insure than the F800GT or the VFR800D (they are nearly the same cost) and since the Ninja seemed rather rough, I decided it wasn't worth the jump in insurance cost. Decisions decisions...