VFR 800 - first bike and changes in generations

I'm putting this in Mechanics because it focuses on technical variations in the VFR800 line. I am an ASE Master Tech by trade, and a United States Marine by profession.

I've decided to finally purchase my first bike, knew it would be a Honda as all my cars have been. The VFR800 has the most appeal as a learner that will still be fun for me to ride and comfortable for my wife and I to tour Southern California on.

I know I want a VFR800 because it's injection. I have been reading about the differences in the years, I understand that in 2000 they introduced O2 sensors and a Cat so it can go into closed loop fuel monitoring. In 2002 they started doing VTEC, and some models offer a linked braking system. That information came from Wikipedia, all sound straight?

How's the reliability on these variations? Any pattern failures I need to be aware of? Is the 2002+ VTEC model the only way to go? I know it boosts power and efficiency in their automobiles... How about that linked braking system?

My current craigslist favorites are a cosmetic salvage title (fairings replaced already), year 2000 with 17k miles and a 2002 that appears to be in excellent condition with 42k highway miles.
Any thoughts?

Thanks for your time, and I'm looking forward to being a permanent member of this board.

-Russell

 

IMO, there's a huge difference in the character of engine sound between the gear driven cams lost by the end of the 5th generation (so sexy) and the quieter newer models (most YouBoob videos won't do justice to the aural contrast between the two cam types).

My 5th gen 1999 had LBS and I grew to really like it a lot. Kind of miss that feature in hindsight.

I rode a friends stock 6th gen 2003 for a good scoot and disliked the seemingly non-existent exhaust note and found the V-TEC amusing, but somewhat trivial.

Still a lovely bike, don't get me wrong, but it seemed to need the soul afforded by making itself more readily heard, y'know?

 

Most of the information is correct but from 99-current run that bullshit linked brakes system. Good luck in your search post some pictures up when you get one.

 

What it really boils down to is that both the 5th gen and 6th gen are fantastic bikes, but with different sets of strengths and weaknesses. As for the gear driven cams, I personally hate the noise, and really I detest any engine noise that doesn't result from fuel detonating in the cylinders. The general consensus is that the 6th gen is a bit more refined and tourified, and the 5th gen is more performance oriented. Personally I think the 5th gen styling is a little goofy, but that again is personal preference. Parts are generally easier to find for a 6th gen (colormatched hardbags can still be acquired).

Someone did a very fair and honest comparison of both on here somewhere but I can't seem to drum up the forum-fu to find it.

At any rate, if you get a good deal on either one, you won't be dissapointed.

 

5th vs 6th gen is something you will NOT get a strait answer on from anyone that I've ever talked to. Crescentius summed it up pretty nicely though. Personally I love my 6th gen but I do wish I had the gear driven cam noise, I find it rather sexy. VTEC is BS on the 6th gen IMO, done more for emmissions and noise requirements than for performance. Don't get me wrong, it's not bad or dangerous in corners just not needed or not really an upgrade from the 5th gen engine configuration. In any case :welcome: and hope you pick up one of these fine girls soon so you can appreciate her and mod her to your liking.

 

Allmost forgot, I'm also an ASE master tech if that makes any difference to you!! And thank you very much from ,me and mine, for your service. Semper Fi.

 

While the VTEC is not a performance upgrade, it IS a touring upgrade. It allows the bike to have good fuel economy and calm manners under 7000 rpm, while still retaining sportbike performance over 7000 rpm. Best of both worlds, if you will. Both these bikes really need a power commander to get really smooth throttle control though.

 

FWIW-I don't have any complaints about the linked brakes. I could easily live without them but they are not intrusive at all.

 

>Metallican525
>
> Allmost forgot, I'm also an ASE master tech if that makes any difference to you!! >And thank you very much from ,me and mine, for your service. Semper Fi.

It's our pleasure to serve and protect our country.


From what I've gathered I think I'd win with either bike if I found the right price. I pick VTEC over exhaust note...form following function. I'll put a loud can on it.

I found this craigslist app that has alerts on it. Neat stuff these smart phones.

-rp

 

2007 HONDA VFR800 INTERCEPTOR 25TH ANNIVERSARY

That's the favorite! Is that a reasonable asking price?

 

Oh dear I think you have opened a big can of worms here… What model VFR is best? I guess it really depends on what you want from the bike and what you are going to use it for, and how much cash you have to spend.

As others have already said 5th gen models have cam driven valves so are a bit more growley under accelleration - so if what a bike sounds like is important then may be 5th gen is a good choice. Major services on the cam drive model are cheaper, and lacking linked brakes etc keeps weight down so makes a good choice if you are planning track use. They and the early vtec models are prone to RR and other electrical issues, so take your time and read up on here to make sure you know where to look for fried wiring before handing over your cash!

Have no doubt a major service on the Vtec models can be painfully expensive, so worth checking the service book to see if a bike is being sold with the big service imminent or overdue. The early models quickly attained a great reputation for sports tourers. To add to your confusion there are effectively 2 generations of Vtec models as they were revised from 2006 onwards. These came with a revised vtec cut in/cut out thresholds - which basically gave the bike better in traffic manners, and uprated wiring loom and RR in response to the issues on earlier models.

The changed vtec thresholds allowed a fully laden bike to cruise in top gear at 80mph still below the vtec cut in - so only sipping fuel, which was perfect for long distance touring. Meantime you have the confidence that simply dropping a couple of gears and a blip of vtec will instantly change your sedate tourer into a sports bike with enough banzai accelleration to see you hurtle past that truck which has been holding up the traffic on single track roads.

Most 6th gen models come with some form of linked brakes which adds weight but really helps keep the bike stable under brisk decelleration. This is particularly helpful when carrying a pillion and full luggage, so once again great for tourers but I guess unnecessary if you are only really into track riding. Some models came with both the combined linked brake system and ABS system. Which I can say from personal experience can really save your skin. The difference which ABS can make, especially on damp roads is astonishing and personally is so well worth the additional cost that I would never contemplate buying a bike without ABS.

Just my 2p worth

skimad4x4 6th Gen Militia # 218

 

Looks about average for the limited searching I have done. Is it close to you? Those RWB are hard to beat in the looks department and it comes with the factory bags.

 

The linked brakes work fine as a daily commuter and mybe a spirited ride start getting aggressive with the bike and the braking she'll start fading wiggling and doing thing that will other wise make you shit pants.

 

I don't get more aggressive than the occasional spirited ride so I definitely fit in with the group that the LBS works for. There is a poll going on over at VFRD that indicates most people are happy with the LBS, but it really is an individual thing, I know.

 

WTF is VFRD?

 

I would suggest 06 or newer to avoid some of the wiring and charging issues of previous years. My two cents.

 

Before I picked up my 4th Gen I was looking at 5th gens. FI and Gear Driven Cams. Gotta love it.

Also the RWB 6th gen is a gorgeous bike. Also dig the White and Black special edition 6th gens.

Funny....my 4th gen has great fuel economy and calm manners under 7,000rpm while still retaining sportbike performance over 7,000rpm. Even without VTEC or FI.

 

OK fine then. When you were riding mine a few years back you were just hoaring around then.....slut. When I say I rider her hard and put her away wet, that is me only.

 

That would be vfrdiscussion.com. Another source of information.