V-tech- Over all positive or negative?

Lifting the front wheel off the ground?? Who cares. I would have bought a Repsol if I wanted that.

I don't consider the 6th gen to be a race bike. Maybe the rest of the gens were but I really don't think it is. It does have the "spirit" of such but isn't. Just because it's labeled VFR doesn't mean it has to be the same as the rest. Some I guess are so entrenched that they are having a hard time letting go. Those of you who fit in this category, look out; cause when the 7th gen comes out you may have a heart attack. And whatever you do, don't let go of your current rides, Honda won't be making them again... :rip:

The reason I never bought a previous Gen was because I didn't like em enough. I liked the philosophy though and ultimately that held my attention until the Gen 6 was unveiled. Couldn't care less about what the previous gens have or don't and really don't care how they "stack" up to the current gen.

Now to the VTEC. It's awesome! For me it gives a sense of the bike being alive. Kinda reminds me of my 180hp 73 Volkswagen beetle. Use to take off like a rocket at about 4500 all the way to 7500. Was a real hoot. It adds so much more wow.

Can't wait till Gen 7 comes out. I think brains will be exploding.

edit: woo hoo! page 5

 

Yeah I don't think I would've bought my VFR if the VTEC switchover was known to lift the front tire... that sounds like it would be too unruly.

Maybe if the bike had shorter gearing it would do wheelies upon hitting VTEC, but as is bone-stock, the balance of power at low speed is just about perfect.

 

100% with you on that. The VFR's predictable good handling and planted stability through rough road sections are its plus points not its ability to wheelie at the drop of a hat, a 954 or Tuono might be a better choice's for being silly.

 

Dissatisfied with the '04 VFR (that is pretty well set up & still can't pull it's weight against a stock '06 ST Sprint) is a understatement:censored:
After I test road the '05 Sprint ST, I realized what Honda should of built, so I Gave Honda another year to do something, & they didn't so I bought a '06 Sprint ST & haven't looked back :biggrin:
The '04 I basically gave to my daughter & she rides that (for now).
If Honda gets off its ass & builds a sporty sport tourer with huevos & geared cams & no useless gadgetry V-tec, I'll by that bike & let my daughter have the Sprint (she even likes the Sprint better than the '04 VFR no big shock there) & I'll sell that 6th Gen POS want to be "Sport" Tourer to someone that likes a run of the mill overwt/underpowered/V-tec/PITA valve adjusting/linked braked/antique

As for a Duc, ST4 no thanks, I have a down payment on a 1098R :tongue: for my '08 race season :biggrin:

have owned many Ducs, & this was the 1st one that really knocked my socks off !

 

So ya didn't like it? Are you sure?

I can understand that you are upset with Honda. But really, obviously the current VFR is way off of what you are apparently looking for. I have a sneaky suspicion that if Honda did make your version I would hate it. The real shame is that you bought it in the first place.

In general though, there are a ton of bikes that I would like to see the manufacturer do something better (IMO) or different. There are some that have just one flaw but it's major to me. It is what it is and some of the fun is finding the best bike for you. There are maybe a total of 4 bikes in the current market that I would own. The rest don't do anything for me or I have picked them apart and didn't like em.

We have a very special thing going here with the VFR. It is that "thing" that causes all this frustration I suppose. I feel the same disappointment when I look at a few of the Porsche 911 models.

Whats funny is all the features that you hate I love. I imagine Honda was going for a different market with this bike. Possibly a future market that appreciates the gadgets and tricks.

 

Agreed. Clearly no bike is going to appeal to everyone. However this one clearly appeals to a lot of people and it does a lot of things well. If it were different, it would undoubtedly appeal to a different and perhaps smaller demographic.

 

You seem to be in need of some new GPS coordinates, please click on the link and you will find your way home: http://www.ducati.ms/forums/cmps_index.php :biggrin:

 

I can understand where Taz is coming from. We where teased with the rc45 being the direction Honda was going with the VFR and if that wasn't bad enough they didn't even bring a really simple version of the NR, other than the 4th gen being a cheap knock off, thge NR had all the goodies, they just needed to swap engines is all. that's the bike I drolled over and the one that made Ducati sit up and take notice. Wa la 916. the rest is history so they say. Anyway, know what you're saying. Honda did a 180 degree switch in the market they went after and seems to be working for em, Duh. look at this current model run. That said be nice if they made two models. LOL and it's this that keeps my VFR right where it is. It's all good just. I remember the old VFR as it was, this new VFR is a whole different animal. Now as far as 7th gen, now this could get interesting. No?

 

The thought of that day frightens me. We may need a few more mods on duty me thinking.

 

OK, RVFR is close real close & Honda Did origanally have 3 models styles, for the masses (I don't count the RC30, RC45, & NR750 as for the masses, because they weren't !) with the V4 configuration.
Remember The Magna for the cruisers, The Sabre for the "SPORT TOURERS" & the VF race Replica's = VF500, VF700, VF750, & VF1000.

Now that was Honda @ it's best & making bikes for all, but thats gone the way side.

JasonSmith thinks he likes what I don't :crazy: & I think your crazy to settle for a heavy, Expensive to have adjusted or difficult to adjust yourself valves because of a gimmick design that's no better on gas mileage than the other makes( My triumph averages 50- 55 mpg with more HP more CC's, & 1 less piston ) so the MPG gimmick is proven wrong there, but you like it, I suppose you like the car like feel of linked brakes :crazy: or you forgot you bought a M/C ?
I like a nimble comfortable Sport Tourer that Honda has gotten away from, & there being out sold 2 to 1 by the Triumphs of new bikes since '06.
85% of the people I know that bought the '05 or newer Triumph Sprints used to own a 6th gen VFR & are much happier (the other 15% have Ducs now).
I put more miles in a week than some do in a month, & mostly I put more miles than most in a month than others do in a year.
I know what I like & I know M/C's & having owned over 200 of them & riding/racing for 40 years kinda gives my opinion some weight.
The Gen 6 is for Honda Loyalists (& I'm one of them) but I'm not stupid to not get a better product when available :biggrin:

As for NorcalBoy, Dude I own 5 Honda V4's now & p/u up another this weekend, & I own 7 other Honda's, so I'm pretty sure this is the web site for me to get views/opinions, & offer mine.

Hell Freddie Spencer still loves/rides & instructs 2 up on a VFR, but it's modded/lighter/better brakes(not linked), but the students don't ride VFR's, they ride CBR600RR's.

Yea I own Duc's too, & I talk about them on there forum, as Hawk forum for Hawks, RC51 forum, & yet we all intermingle comparisons of other bikes with no "I'm ON THE WRONG SITE" comments.
In fact almost all the other sites say the VFR is a great reliable bike "BUT" is outdated,Heavy, under powered & the V-Tec has got to go.

The smaller Companies like Triumph, Ducati & others are producing bikes like the Honda of Old & won't do now.
Like I said, I'm Honda Loyal through & through, but I have common since, & as it seems more than some

p.s.

if you really like the VFR as a all around bike & because it's a Honda, How come you don't own a Honda SuperHawk instead, it's the same thing but more nimble ?????

Like I said B-4, Mr. Honda just must be turning in his grave because of the direction the M/C division has gone, it's time for Honda M/C division to be run by Mechanics/Riders/racers again than the Comp geeks/desk jockey's:help:

 

Taz pls don't be upset. We all have a mutual two wheel interest.

Didn't buy for fuel savings and couldn't care less. Don't believe I even mentioned it. Bought it to enjoy. I also don't care of "why" people think the VTEC was created (Fuel, Emissions..). All I know is that for me it adds more character to the bike. I really enjoy the transition and can't wait till hits. I also enjoy playing with it and incorporating into my fun.

Sounds like your getting upset that I don't agree with your opinion. Yes you obviously have experience and a history with bikes... should that change MY opinion? No. Should your opinion be the sole deciding factor of MC evolution... and are we (VTEC Lovers) all crazy for not sharing your beliefs...

There are many years of VFR under the Gen 6, that's natural to have opposition to change. There are also many post on those other forums that say the VTEC is better than the rest and that it is more refined....:blah: :blah: :blah: What the rider thinks is the most important. You don't like it. You have your reasons. I have mine why I like it, which just happen to be the opposite of you. Does that mean we can never sit down and enjoy a beer or three?

If the Gen 6 was made by any other of the 3 affordable Japanese manufactures I would have bought it as well. I am a great bike loyalist.

Oh this is fun :argue:


edit: 4 posts for me on this page, I need a break, see ya on page 6.

 

Thats a good one there on the Superhawk. Had it been out when I bought my 96 VFR I probably would have bought that one. As it was a friend of mine did, talk about a hoot of a ride, and I did not have a problem with fuel range either. in fact if I could find a good 99-2000 at the right price I might have one. just to bad Honda didn't see that they should have put the 51 engine it when they brought the RC out, that's a great engine. then it would have been a whole different story.

 

I agree with jasonsmith. A difference of opinion doesn't mean that one party is right and other is wrong... Seriously. It also doesn't mean that one party has better taste or is superior in some way... if you don't like the 6th gen VFR, you don't have to validate your opinion. Just have an opinion, be confident in it, then buy whatever makes you happy.

 

Well, I like my 2004 VFR and nobody can prove I am wrong!

That doesn't mean I think it's perfect, though, or wouldn't be happier with a different bike in the same vein. I really wanted a Multistrada or an ST3 or a new Tiger or a Sprint, but the VFR came along at a killer price. So it's my ride and I am pleased.

If I didn't like it I would sell it.

 

Not speaking about any specific generation of VFR, but it seems that there are two camps on this site. One that loves (and accepts) the Interceptor for what it is, and one that hates it because it is not what they want it to be.

For me, I love it because I feel that it is a bike that is built for the "Average Joe". I, like 99% of the masses, am an "Average Joe". Over the last 18 years, I've owned many CBRs. Those bikes are on the bleeding edge of performance which does NOT match my abilities. The VFR on the other hand, makes me a better rider.

For those who hate it because they want more power, less weight, etc., then maybe you bought yourself the wrong bike. Honda has what you're looking for in a different model line up.

 

Stewart...you are right on the bulls eye ! Always amazes me how people get all caught up in the horsepower of a bike,
but not realizing perhaps that the more important factor is the torque curve, especially for the real world.

Yes, a 600 sportbike has a higher power:weight ratio, but so what.

To get the same real world torque as our VFRs the 600 has to scream.

So they have bragging rights....who cares!

We have bragging rights about sport-touring and not having to visit a chiropractor after every ride.

Is the VFR a good bike...damn right, but not perfect like all bikes are not perfect. ALL bikes have their little warts.

I won't be riding mine this weekend (SF bay area) because right now (Friday)
we are getting spanked big time by a storm that equals the big one in 1995.

 

I own a 1999 and a 2006 VFR. It makes absolutely no difference which one I ride. IMHO, people that have VTEC problems don't have a smooth throttle hand or riding style.

I have VTEC engage in the middle of twisties in the Smoky Mtns. where I live and it has zero affect on my cornering or anything else. Also, if I was worried about valve adjustment, I wouldn't have bought the 2006.

Have the 5th gen. because I just ran across it with 6100 miles on it last August and just couldn't let it get away. Always nice to have a spare...:wink:

 

Please elaborate, we non V-Tec believers can hardly wait to hear how we can become smoother riders

 

Mayday, Mayday!!!! This is Planet 6th Gen VTEC, we are under attack again from what appears to be 's from the Planets 1-5 Gen, Please send reinforcements, , Please respond, our arms are getting dangerously low on power, we can't take it much longer! :biggrin: