Hi folks well its time for another bike after selling mine 2 years ago, I passed my test and bought an FZR 600 (foxeyes model) and ran it for a year and a half right through a bad winter, so although im not an experienced rider i like a challenge lol. Sold it and not had a bike for 2 years now but decided its now time, so im looking at VFR 800's any advice on these, what to look for and avoid etc. Im 6ft and pretty chunky/stocky/fat (delete as applicable haha) Is this going to be a decent bike for me? Not interested in sports bikes due to position, i have a few lower back probs due to lifting patients in my work (Ambulance) so think a sports tourer would be better for me. Look forward to replies and advice.
Good luck in your search. There will be lots of opinions on your questions, so take them for what they are. I'd suggest a bike post 1990, aka the 4th Gen. I'm partial to bikes between 1998 and 2001, aka the 5th Gen. In 2000, the bikes went to fuel Injection, versus carb. I'm 6ft 2inches, about 240, and have a jacked up back for years. On most days I can still do 250 to 400 miles, but I will admit, after 400, I get a bit sore. Other guys on here in better shape can do 600 to 700 in a day. The biggest downfall with the VFR's are the electrical glitches. The regulator/rectifiers are notorious for burning up, and causing all sorts of problems. In the USA, about a $200 fix to be good for tens of thousands of miles. Not sure for the UK what it would cost, but you get the idea. Almost all VFRs up until about 2006 were subject to this. Do a search on this forum and you'll see what I mean. Try R/R Replacement. Other than that, most describe these bikes as bulletproof. Change the oil and fluids, and you're good to go. Don't ask what oil or tires are the best, or you get 50 lashings. Considering your bad back, there are 3 items to consider making the ride more comfortable. So if any of the bikes you're looking at have these, it may be a bonus. 1. Stock seat sucks. Go custom fit, or Corbin or Sargent. 2. Consider HeliBars. 3. Consider aftermarket footpegs that drop the originals by about an inch. Hope that helps some.
Pliskin cover pretty much everythings......Welcome to our forum enjoy your stay and good luck with ur search. My recommend for you is 2006 VFR silver......Not Yellow.....one a again.....Silver not Yellow
Hi and welcome to the madhouse from a Brit living up in the French Alps! Can you give us a price range? A lot depends on how new an 800 you could afford, and of course in the UK the latest 1200's still command quite a premium - but I have spotted a few well used examples appearing recently on Autotrader/MCN which look very tempting if the budget will stretch that far. As for a heads up on the 800's, basically with proper servicing the engines and mechanics are pretty bullet proof and can handle huge mileages. However its pretty clear that some of the earlier 800s have been rather let down by poor quality electrics - especially wiring issues resulting in dead RR's, Batteries, Stators and melted connectors. OK lots of early 800s have had not problems at all - yet. But its very clear that problems can occur with little or no warning, leaving riders stranded with a bike which won't restart. Just have a trawl through recent posts and you will quickly see that barely a day passes without someone else reporting problems with their 800. Some models were covered by recalls but the issue was not really fixed until the updated vtec models came out in 2006 (the updated models came with clear indicators) when they finally uprated bits of the loom. Just watch out as in 2006 there were still lots of the old model unsold and unregistered in UK showrooms and I have spotted a few instances where someone has fitted clear indicator lenses to an earlier model. Hence its always worth removing the seat and checking the actual year code sticker which will be right at the front by the tank. Obviously this means the 2006 onwards models attract a small premium. Fortunately there are various tried and tested fixes to the duff electrics issue (eg VFRNess) and fitting uprated RRs, which still make choosing earlier 800s a very fine idea. But obviously you need to know where to look for signs of trouble brewing. - I therefore suggest you read this whole thread which will give you plenty of hints... http://vfrworld.com/forums/5th-generation-1998-2001/38864-bike-stalled-red-light-wouldnt-start-back-up.html As for suitability, there are of course lots of very happy taller riders with 800 VFRs. A search on here will flag up a few well known tweeks to make them easy to live with- for instance fitting a taller vario or touring screen or double bubble type race screens may help redirect the airflow if you find the stock screen too low. Likewise after market pegs may allow you to stretch out more if the standard peg position leaves you too folded up. Hope that helps - let us know how you get on. Skimad4x4 Proud Member - 6th Gen Militia #218 - European 1st Division
I'm taller (6'4") and chunky/stocky/fat as well. The bike is great. There are so many little this's and that's that you could add to make it better/more comfy, etc but with all the bikes I have been on and ridden, this is DEFINITELY the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden and pretty much the nicest, sharpest one I have ever owned. You can't go wrong with the VFR...
Thanks for the assistance, im prob looking at around a 2002 model with my budget, or rather the wifes, she is the one pushing me to get another bike (wonder if she has taken out a life policy on me )so shes paying for this one haha. There seem so many probs with the VFR on sites like this but really how many post saying they havent a problem? I know from past experience with cars that forums forecast doom and gloom and im a bit handy with electrics after my vectra loom went on fire after washing the car. My biggest prob will be finding the right bike in the right colour as im after the blue similar to the imprezas, saying that any colour but white or silver be good for me lol. Will keep you posted and hopefully have something before too long,
The reason you see a lot of people posting with problems here is because 1.) it's a great community that is vocal, helpful, and hands-on, and 2.) there are TONS of people here riding 20+ year old bikes that continue to operate in near-perfect condition with high miles. The reliability of the Honda V-4 engine is legendary, and in fact the folklore about how solid these bikes are is how I was first exposed to them. That being said, I wanted to comment on your reservation about your back. I would say that we have no way of knowing how bad your back is, and if it's really bad, this might not be the bike for you. The seating position on the 5th/6th gen is fairly aggressive. I would say that if your back is jacked then heli-bars, lowered pegs, and a sargent seat are flatout mandatory. If your back is really, really jacked, this might not be your bike. It's very forgiving on the brain due to its low vibration, but not so much on the back. Could always pick one up, try it out, and sell it if need be.
Welcome. I am about 5"11, abdominally ripped deprived and have ridden 100,000 miles (160K km) on my 06. Including a 5 week 6800 mile trip this spring. I have major back issues with three surgeries and a two day stay in Emergency with no feeling below the hips a few years back. ow permanent nerve damage. I am also arthritic in the hips and knees, and degenerative discs in the neck. Tendonitis in the elbo and shit, who can remember what else. Other than a Sergent Seat, mine is stock as far as riding geometry goes. On longer rides I get sore. There is no mistaking that. But those experiences were on real hard ass rides. Recently did a 17 hour ride with the usual gas stops and my back was not really that bad. Neck was an issue but I was not taking the correct meds for that this ride. On the fifth and 6th gens, you will be fine. I cannot comment on the others as I have not ridden them. When you visit a site such as this with as many members VFRW has, the miles they ride and what ever, you are bound to find lots of complaints on them. If you think about it, that is what these forums are a lot about. Some place where people who own these bikes can find answers to their problems. If people here posted up their positive experiences with these bikes at the rame rate as the negative, you'd get sick with all the peaces and cream. Though I have no experience with other bikes, these are great.
I'd actually disagree, and I'll stick by my initial post. Since you're looking at a newer version (i.e. 2002), there are very few problems. And those problems that the bike has are well documented and easy to address. 1. There were a couple of recalls done, including a wiring harness. Any dealer worth a damn can tell you if those recalls were done simply by providing them the VIN. And if they can't I'm sure you can contact Honda directly and find out . If they weren't done, its a free repair because its a RECALL. 2. The other issue is the the regulator/rectifier. Any VFR up until 2007 had these issues. In USD$ its about $200 to replace the R/R. Even for those with no mechanical skill - such as myself - it can be done rather easily. Everything else, in my opinion, would be considered maintenance. Tires, brakes, oil, head bearings maybe around 30,000 miles, and check the valves on occasion (this one is expensive, but "most" people don't do it every 16,000 miles as the book says. Its not necessary). Seriously, I really don't know of any other major issues with these bikes.
