2008 Vfr Vtec Dog!

I own an 87 VFR 700 F2H. It has 24,000 miles on it since I took delivery in July of 87. In October 2000 I hit a dog in a curve at low speed. I broke my shoulder and the bike up a bit. Over the years I have collected some parts including a fuel tank and a few odds and ends. I could never bring myself to put a wrench to the bike. I started it a few times and eventually filled it with Stabil and just parked it.

Over the years now I have really missed riding. It hurt like hell hitting that dog. I have got off a ZX11 at 120 and wasn't hurt... .

So at the end of December I heard the next day was going to be 70 degrees. So I decided that night I wanted a new Honda. The 600 looked too small for the long haul, same for the 1000. Plus I knew my insurance agent would not like it.

So I settled in on a 08 Viffer.


I rode it home and was not impressed in any way. Off the line it's a total dog in my book. I did open it up once or twice and got a few jollies at 6400 rpm.

My question is this: can the VTEC be gotten around? Modified in a way that makes it a full time 4 valve bike? Maybe a new computer chip? I need to know soon as I'M thinking of trying to take it back or just taking it back and telling them I lost my job or something. I wish to God I had done my homework. I figured it was the newest VFR and it had to be better than my 87. I don't think that's the case.

I'M not crazy about it's looks either. I think the best looking bike was the 87 and 93 models in white.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

I'll trade you my super clean 86.

Just kidding, to bad you dont like it. Maybe it will grow on you. If not the pre VTEC models seem to be pretty well liked.

Good luck

 

Think they would take it back? It had 20 miles on it new ( and it was new) I rode 17 miles home. Kicks self for not buying that clean 93 on ebay... . Ditto for the low mileage 87.

 

I am afraid what you are asking is not practically doable. If you really do not like it, now is the time for action. Good luck.

 

First, there is no practical way to get around the VTEC. Second, you should get a full liter sport bike if you want something that will thrill (or scare) you when you crack the throttle open. The 6th gen VFR's are certainly not the fastest thing out there but its still capable of an 11 second quarter mile. If you end up keeping it, drop a tooth on the front sprocket and it'll feel more gutsy off the line. Hopefully you can trade for something that you like better.

Action

 

Geez an 11 second quarter? I think my 92 ZX11 only did 10.8 ... . It was a crazy deal, I was going to put $1,000 down but the payment was only a couple bucks more with zero down, so I signed and rode off. The pricks woouldn't even give me much of a deal on a new helmet I wanted (a Shoei) so I bought an HJC and a pair of gloves and away I went.

I pulled it in the tobacco barn and put it on the center stand and put a sheet over it. I haven't looked at it since.

Recently I was told I needed cycle therapy so I thought a new VFR would be the way to go.

 

It is a heavy bike with a small displacement engine. The motor makes decent horsepower above 8500 RPM, but it is still a heavy bike. I personally would not be so enthusiastic with the throttle on a new engine and drivetrain, but to each his own.

I thought my '07 was a bit of a dog, too. Compared to a modern RR or large displacement standard, it is. It really is reasonably impressive if you keep it above 8500, it handles WAY better than it should for being so porky, even on the stock tires, and it is wonderfully smooth on the highway. But again, 100HP in a 565 pound motorcycle (without rider)... is what it is.

Funny thing, though. As much as I appreciate it for the excellent motorcycle that it is, I still haven't decided on whether or not to keep mine either, even after 15 months and about 8500 miles. I think that derstuka said it best. If you really regret getting it and you don't expect it to grow on you, bite the bullet and get something else.

 

Good advice LGN and all. Speaking of tires, it came with Dunlop SportMax's I'M not sure the size. What is the hot set up now? Back in the day I liked Michelein Radials, with as fat a rear as I could manage. If I remember right about a 150/18 and a 120/16 front.

This bike has 17's front and back of course.

My problem is though the new VFR isn't exactly what I want, current sportbikes are exactly what I don't want. Tiny seat, long reach to the bars,pegs too high... .

 

Agree 100%! When I was active duty my single friends used to leave their sport bikes at my house while they were deployed. I got to ride all the current sport bikes for months at a time while their owners were overseas. I really liked the scary power and excellent handling but would be wanting off after an hour or two (I'm 6'4" and about 250).

I ended up with the VFR by accident. I was looking for a good used bike and the street bike market here in ABQ is poor at best. The VFR just came up for sale at the right time for the right price. I felt almost the same way you did at first. It felt under powered. But after a while I got used to keeping the rev's up and went +2 on the rear sprocket. It's still doesn't jump off the line but it's better. Like Lgn001 said it handles way better than it should and its a lot of fun to catch guys on the sport bikes in the twistys.

Action

 

Figure out what YOU want and quit bitching on VFRs.4years on my gen 6 and still love it.Ridden about everything,right now... what seems better to you?VFRs are so versitile.Good luck!

 

Bitching? 21 years ago I bought by first VFR, I still love it, still have it. I just bought a new one and don't think as much of it as the old one. Dig?

Action: I lived for 15 years in NM, it is THE state to bike in IMHO. ABQ, well it's just another big city to me but the rest of the state is fantastic. The back road from Santa Fe to Taos, or Las Vegas to Taos... . OMG the memories.

 

Malcster,

You said it, Bro. I had a new 86 VFR 700, which I stopped riding when I got my 2006 VFR800 which I now have 20000 miles on.

 

Are you saying your old vfr was faster than the new one?? If so why not fix it up.

I have owned 08 busa (too uncomfortable) CBR 1100xx (great bike, had to decide between vfr).

I chose the vfr and love it, it is not slow:unsure: it came down to praticality for road use and keeping liscience. I asked my self how much power do you need, its never enough but you just can't use it on the streets. Owning those big sports bikes is like being a eunic in a harem, you just can't use it. And since i have reached that understanding i am content and really love my vfr it is FUN to ride still will do 240km/h so what is thye problem.

If you really hate it buy a CBR 1100xx BB brillant bikes, awesome engine.

Its funny how peoples opinons differ , im having a ball on my and don't miss the power one bit

good luck

 

I guess I had some kind of mental block about putting a wrench to the 87. After 13 years of accident free operation, when I crashed it, it hurt ( a lot).

I had a ZX 11 years back so I'M hip to the uber bike scene too. If I could have got a CBR 1100XX I might have considered it. I was told they aren't imported here anymore.

I hear what you are saying about being hell bent for leather on a plastic motorcycle these days. I need to admit to myself that going balls to the walls isn't that big of deal for me at my age. In fact I think if I did see the flashing blue lights these days I'D just pull her over and take my ticket.

Besides what do I know after a 17 mile ride home?

Peace,

Mike

 

I know a VFR is not the fastest bike on the street, but it is still faster than I ever need. Try a power commander, exhaust, 02 elims, K&N or BMC filter and you will notice a big difference in pull, & smoothness. My 02 VFR is the best all around bike I have ever owned, including bikes that were faster. It is comfortable, very good handling, smooth, fast enough, versatile, & reliable.

 

One hot tire set up is the multi-compound Bridgestone BT-016's released last year. They are rails for your bike. Not sure how they'll stack up with the Michelin PR2's for longevity (the B-stones are a little less expensive) , but they should outlast most traditional single compound brands. Stick to the stock 120/180 size. I think the more you ride your new viffer the more you'll grow into it, MAC. Then, there are the farkles...

 

Was a little disappointed myself when I first picked up my '04 VFR. Just did not seem to have the power I expected. I was comparing this to by 1100 V-twin Moto Guzzi, which has great low-end torque. A 700-mile plus trip home sold me on all of the other aspects of the bike (though a Sargent seat will be in the works at some stage).

As has been said in previous responses, you need to be willing to work with the engine (i.e. get the revs up), and if you do it performs well. Mine has a PCIII and the previous owner had it dynoed, and the result is a fairly smooth VTEC transition unless you really crak the throttle. Gotta tell you though, its a fun rush when it kicks in.

 

I have never found my bike to be slow.... I have an 02... I will say things drasticlly improved after I disabled the PAIR Valve.. I did it the first chance I got....20 miles after owning it...

Slow??? Meh I guess it's all a matter of perspective... It is not a GSXr 1000cc bike... It is not even a Ninja ZX6r 636... It is the best of both a Standard and Sport bike...

This past September I was late meeting the wife slightly North of the Kangamangas Highway. I pulled on to 93 onramp and let go... The feeling of VTEC kicking in at 6th geer at 95-110 MPH is simply the closest to nirvana I have ever felt...

My Boss and I traded bikes for a lunchtime ride... He has a Ducati Monster I told him how much I loved his bike. He then proceded to tell me that if he had the cash He would have my bike in his barn as well...

So I dunno what to tell you..