Is the VFR800 DLX worth the extra cash?

I've never owned a bike with ABS, so I guess ignorance is bliss. I've been considering trading "up" to a newer VFR but the DLX seems to command a $3500 premium locally. I can live without all the other do dads on the DLX but the only thing I could see worth having would be ABS.

I'm looking for input on ABS from riders who've had some experience with ABS equipped bikes. I've made it 20+ years on 2 wheels with no ABS but I just may not know what I'm missing. Is the $3500 worth it for a bike with ABS? Again, not overly interested in all the other DLX add ons so they're not a factor in decision making. any input is appreciated.

 

Can't comment on the price as the rest of the world only gets the dlx version.

There are several threads on various Vfr forums (us based) about std and dlx.

Have had the misfortune to have used abs several times on a bike and think they are a good safety feature and have saved me twice on a loose surface (sand) when I have had to brake in an emergency. I recon if I had been on my Cbr I would have been down. The other bike I had with it on was a st1300.


Whilst it doesn't intrude in my daily riding it helped when it was needed.


You must also remember the cost difference includes the other things which you say you are not interested in, which I. My mind make the bike an even better all rounder.

 

I'm 30+ years on non abs bikes and this year got my first abs in the VFR.
Honestly,
I find the front end horrible, the brakes are crap, the lack of feel is appalling, & doesnt inspire confidence. Now to be fair, my last 2 bikes were a 2007 cbr600rr & a 1997 fireblade. The difference would blow your mind.

I also have 3 other bikes, all non abs, and find the braking so different on this bike - however I'm thinking it's the linked brakes.

So, in summary, get abs but with non linked brakes.

I've not used the abs yet even though I get the back chirping - might not even work lol,

 

Hmmm... $3,500? That makes it a bit tougher question but yeah I'd say it's worth it. Haven't had it kick in yet on my '14 VFR but I did have it kick in once on my old Ninja 300 when I was emergency braking for a deer.

Originally Honda had the Deluxe model MSRP only $1,000 higher than the base models which made it almost a no-brainier decision but I noticed a few months ago they've lowered the MSRP on both versions such that the Deluxe is now about $2,000 more (Ithink '14 v. '15 might be a bit different too I think). I haven't seen a $3,500 spread in my area - try checking motorcycletrader.com if you haven't already to see if you can find a cheaper deluxe somewhere - good luck in your search.

 

I have the standard. In hind site I should have paid the extra $$ for the DLX version if for no other reason(s) than the ABS and the center stand. I've already broke loose the rear tire on hard braking when a car turned left in front of me. I made it around the car but damn near high-sided into the SUV that caused the problem. I have ABS on my Road King and have had the occasion to use it twice. I loved the fact that that big aircraft carrier stopped on a dime without losing traction at all.

Also, after the first service I performed on the VFR I was cursing myself for not getting the one with the center stand.

 

ABS saved my ass when a woman stopped dead after turning a corner, (I was looking over my left shoulder as I went around) worked flawlessly.

 

First of all, there's no way there should be a $3500 difference between standard and deluxe. Even on a 2015. Secondly, get a leftover 2014 DLX...there are many still out there for well under $10k, and most dealers that have both versions are sticking to the original $1000 difference between the 2. The only reason anyone should choose the standard in the US is if they just flat out refuse to have ABS (which some do). Don't listen to the guy from London, he's got a 6th gen. The brakes on the 8th gen are quite good, and the ABS works just fine for a basic system without any modes.
Also, there is more to the DLX than just ABS. I know you said you don't care about the other stuff, but a big thing is the adjustable suspension. The forks on the standard have zero adjustment...the DLX has preload and rebound. Rear shock on standard requires tools to adjust preload...DLX has a knob.

Basically, you need to be looking hard online for a 2014 Deluxe anywhere within 500 miles of you for under $10k. Once you find one...buy it! You won't regret it....BTW, I paid $13k back in 2014 when they first came out, and still love it.

I just realized you currently have a 2007 6th gen (I traded a red 2007ABS for my 2014). If you like your 6th gen, you'll really like the 8th gen...very similar but much improved. Feels smaller and lighter, handles even better, brakes are better, VTEC is totally smooth.

 

I have a standard with a free center stand and don't regret my decision but I know I'll get slammed by someone here for owning a standard. The center stand was free because that's what I negotiated when I bought the bike.....either install a center stand with free labor and materials or I walk, was the deal. As far as ABS, I've never had it so I don't miss it. I'll get slammed for that too. As far as suspension, I have no issues at all with it, have it adjusted to fit me, and the bike is used almost 100% of the time in twisty riding and I ride them hard. The twisties start at the end of my driveway. I've never heard anything but bad about the traction control and turn signal canceling so I didn't want it on my machine. I have what I want.

So, there's another opinion. Like someone else said, a $3500 difference means you're shopping in the wrong place. You know what they say about opinions and assholes......nthego:

 

thanks for the input everyone. I'm using Cycle trader with a 400 mile search radius, that's how I get the $3500 difference. The DLX are all about MSRP even when I call the dealers. The standards are discounted so much, the difference ends up being about $3500. If the difference was the original $1000, I wouldn't even be asking, definitely a no brainer.

Driftingalong, I'm like you, don't know what I'm missing without ABS. I do have a new Daytona 675R with ABS but I only have about 400 miles on it, so pretty much no real experience. As I get older, the safety issue becomes a bigger variable in purchase options. The other thing I didn't know was that the standard doesn't have preload, I thought it was just damping adjustments that were left off.

Considering I'm getting old and lazy, I'm in the middle of cleaning house - selling off all my carbureted restoration projects to add dollars to my bike slush fund, I'm now leaning towards the DLX if the extra $$$ gets a more adjustable suspension with the ABS. once I unload my 97 VFR and my 92 GSXR and sell my 07 VFR, I should be good to go.

Thanks again. Any other input still very appreciated.

 

I searched cycletrader and this used '14 red dlx for $6,750 obo looks like the best deal in Cali to me - yeah it's used but only 1,500 miles with several tasteful mods/accessories - could be a gem!

http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/2014-Honda-INTERCEPTOR-DELUXE-(VFR800D)-119324014

 

thanks for the lead. I saw that one. was and am still tempted.

But I'm a little gun shy on buy a used bike 300+ miles from home. I did that once about 8 years ago. Flew into Las Vegas, the guy swore up and down the bike was perfect. sent pictures, receipts, etc. so I bought a one way ticket, flew in, inspected the bike, looked good. So started my ride from Vegas to Sacramento. I got to somewhere in southern California when one head light blew. it was probably 9 or 10 pm at night by the time I hit Stockton. That's where the bike went completely dead. weak crank, no lights. pushed it off the highway into a Walmart lot. went in bought basic tools and a battery that was close to OEM size, jerry rigged it. still wouldn't start. So begged various people to jump start me. finally worked, got it started. 10 miles down the road, the second headlight blew. So rode the last hour in complete darkness, praying not to get killed. The bike died again just as I rolled into my drive way.

Turns out, the charging system was shit. and as I was fixing that, noticed crash damage that was nicely concealed.

once bitten...

 

Get slammed? Let 'em slam away. I rode my '14 brand new out the door a month ago for $6800, taxes and everything lncluded. Still wish I had ABS, but not going to listen to much about grief for buying a standard. When I started riding you were lucky if the brakes worked, let alone ABS.

 

Thank you. I haven't lost any sleep. :courage:

 

For me, the deluxe has one thing going for it above the standard and that would be the adjustable suspension components. Based on the cost of having a new shock and fork internals, at least with DMr as a baseline, $3k+ would buy you a pretty nice suspension upgrade and change to spare. ABS is a nice have but not a deal breaker IMO and the heated grips and other "luxuries" are also nice to haves but nothing you can't live without.

 

What if you took that $3000 and put it solely into the suspension. Imagine the quality of the components!

 

Agreed. I have the deluxe, but at $3k you could buy a nice suspension. The center stand is nice for maintenance, I've used the heated grips once, though ABS might have saved me once too. Raining like crazy and someone cut me off and slammed on the brakes. Not sure if the ABS activated or not, but that was a close one. Pretty sure with all the road spray, the cager never saw me.

 

Jeez - that's a horrible story! I can understand why you'd be a little leery of getting a used bike, but I'm sure this one was only ridden by the seller's grandmother to church - lol

BTW, at this point with almost 700 miles on my bike, I have to say the most useful feature of the Deluxe model has to be the turn signal cancellation - seriously, I love it! I've yet to activate the ABS (knock on wood), I've yet to attempt a traction control limiting smokey burnout, I've yet to fiddle with the suspension (seems to ride great already), I'll probably never use the heated grips in Florida (maybe in January?), and I've only used the center stand once or twice just to test it out. But those damned self cancelling turn signals put a big smile on my face every time I ride - LOL.

 

You sir are a great candidate for a front end swap plus delink

 

Give me a standard plus $3k in go fast parts please.