RE: 2014 Honda VFR800F: PH2 Review
Discussion
conkerman said:
Lack of cash to develop a ground up new bike I imagine.
Like the VFR1200F and VFR1200X, the NC range?There's plenty of ground-up new bikes from Honda in the past few years imho, this could just be some nostalgia from people who actually like their VFR800, and don't want to replace it with anything else. I don't know, maybe there's a couple of them here and there.
graphene said:
ZesPak said:
Like the VFR1200F and VFR1200X, the NC range?
There's plenty of ground-up new bikes from Honda in the past few years imho, this could just be some nostalgia from people who actually like their VFR800, and don't want to replace it with anything else. I don't know, maybe there's a couple of them here and there.
..CB650F, CBR500/CB500F/CB500XThere's plenty of ground-up new bikes from Honda in the past few years imho, this could just be some nostalgia from people who actually like their VFR800, and don't want to replace it with anything else. I don't know, maybe there's a couple of them here and there.
Although the latter could -maybe- be considered a redesign of a Gold Wing.
But yeah, it seems they don't have the cash to design a new bike from the ground up
I like the look of this bike.
Would it be any good on a trackday? I am no track hero (average inter group) but would like a bike that I can do more road miles on in relative comfort and do the odd track day.
I also like the smaller engines, where the fun can be accessed below 100mph!
This bike seems ideal for a road trip to the Nurburgring.
Would it be any good on a trackday? I am no track hero (average inter group) but would like a bike that I can do more road miles on in relative comfort and do the odd track day.
I also like the smaller engines, where the fun can be accessed below 100mph!
This bike seems ideal for a road trip to the Nurburgring.
Took our demo bike for a few miles the other day over a familiar route I like to do on my Blade.
If you get the opportunity take one for a ride I really enjoyed it, perhaps I'm getting old. Smooth, comfy and handles well. The induction noise change with the Vtech is very noticeable at first I thought something was loose. The dash looks good apart from the T/C button which appears to be an after thought. After 90 miles I only went home as I knew dinner was on the table any time soon.
If you get the opportunity take one for a ride I really enjoyed it, perhaps I'm getting old. Smooth, comfy and handles well. The induction noise change with the Vtech is very noticeable at first I thought something was loose. The dash looks good apart from the T/C button which appears to be an after thought. After 90 miles I only went home as I knew dinner was on the table any time soon.
So how are people getting on with this bike now there's quite a few owners out there? I'm thinking this is the most likely contender if I ever sell my beloved VFR750 but a few things put me off:
1. Still pretty heavy.
2. I've heard the headlights whilst seem bright, don't actually throw that much light down the road.
3. The build quality's not as good as the 90's versions.
4. It can sound quite droney on the vtec (it sounds great to me in the videos).
5. I'll miss the sound of the gear driven cams.
Given it's a sports tourer I also wish they'd fitted cruise control which surely can't be that hard given everything's electronically controlled anyway. This point actually makes the MT10 touring edition a competitor, especially with it's even sporty chassis setup. Though the tiny tank range (<120 miles)is that bike's achilles heel so maybe not.
1. Still pretty heavy.
2. I've heard the headlights whilst seem bright, don't actually throw that much light down the road.
3. The build quality's not as good as the 90's versions.
4. It can sound quite droney on the vtec (it sounds great to me in the videos).
5. I'll miss the sound of the gear driven cams.
Given it's a sports tourer I also wish they'd fitted cruise control which surely can't be that hard given everything's electronically controlled anyway. This point actually makes the MT10 touring edition a competitor, especially with it's even sporty chassis setup. Though the tiny tank range (<120 miles)is that bike's achilles heel so maybe not.
I moved from a VFR800FiY at the beginning of last year to a Crossrunner. The VFR just wasn't comfy for the 1 hr each way commute into central London and back and it was getting on a bit.
The Crossrunner has been a revelation. Comfortable, extremely well built, very capable and gives me the best of both worlds. Has a genuine 200 mile tank range and while it is heavy (230kg I think) it's well balanced. If you're looking at alternatives and it doesn't have to be a sporty riding position then I can recommend it. The 2015-on ones are massively different from the early ones, and significantly better. Get a test ride and see what you think.
The Crossrunner has been a revelation. Comfortable, extremely well built, very capable and gives me the best of both worlds. Has a genuine 200 mile tank range and while it is heavy (230kg I think) it's well balanced. If you're looking at alternatives and it doesn't have to be a sporty riding position then I can recommend it. The 2015-on ones are massively different from the early ones, and significantly better. Get a test ride and see what you think.
I've got one, had it since November last year. I'm an inexperienced biker (it's my first "big" bike that I've owned) but have ridden a few other machines so I have some basis for comparison.
Positives for me;
-Assured handling, the bike feels very stable but is still sharp-more preload on the rear shock really does improve it massively
-Comfortable seat and riding position, I genuinely feel I could do hundreds of miles touring (which is what I plan to do!) enjoyably
-That V4 engine; the VTEC transition to 4 valve operation at around 7000rpm still isn't 100% smooth especially on partial throttle, but it proves a lovely hard edged bark and a nice surge of power to the limiter. It may not be the fastest bike around but I can't see how it can be criticised as slow.
-The official Honda luggage, while pricey, integrates very nicely
-LED headlamp is the best I've ever tried on a bike; full beam in particular is awesome
-I think it looks really smart in the pearlescent white and have had quite a few positive comments from strangers
-The fairing provides good wind protection, especially for my hands-together with the heated grips I don't suffer from cold fingers anymore even when it's really chilly
Negatives;
-Fuel economy isn't great, I average around 40-45mpg with 60mpg possible if I REALLY try to ride sedately, difficult when the engine is so keen to rev
-I've been told by the dealer the 16k service (when the valve clearances are checked) is seriously expensive due to limited access. Resolved by taking out a service plan!
-It's a hefty bike, which you certainly feel when pushing it about
I'm 29 so perhaps a little younger than most VFR owners would be (perhaps explaining why insurance for me is cheap-ish!) but it does what I want it to do perfectly; I'm not skilful or quick enough to make the most of a sports bike, and the comfort of the VFR makes it that little more useable for me.
I'm eyeing up a CB1100RS next as I love the look of them-whether it'll be as nice to ride as the VFR remains to be seen!
Positives for me;
-Assured handling, the bike feels very stable but is still sharp-more preload on the rear shock really does improve it massively
-Comfortable seat and riding position, I genuinely feel I could do hundreds of miles touring (which is what I plan to do!) enjoyably
-That V4 engine; the VTEC transition to 4 valve operation at around 7000rpm still isn't 100% smooth especially on partial throttle, but it proves a lovely hard edged bark and a nice surge of power to the limiter. It may not be the fastest bike around but I can't see how it can be criticised as slow.
-The official Honda luggage, while pricey, integrates very nicely
-LED headlamp is the best I've ever tried on a bike; full beam in particular is awesome
-I think it looks really smart in the pearlescent white and have had quite a few positive comments from strangers
-The fairing provides good wind protection, especially for my hands-together with the heated grips I don't suffer from cold fingers anymore even when it's really chilly
Negatives;
-Fuel economy isn't great, I average around 40-45mpg with 60mpg possible if I REALLY try to ride sedately, difficult when the engine is so keen to rev
-I've been told by the dealer the 16k service (when the valve clearances are checked) is seriously expensive due to limited access. Resolved by taking out a service plan!
-It's a hefty bike, which you certainly feel when pushing it about
I'm 29 so perhaps a little younger than most VFR owners would be (perhaps explaining why insurance for me is cheap-ish!) but it does what I want it to do perfectly; I'm not skilful or quick enough to make the most of a sports bike, and the comfort of the VFR makes it that little more useable for me.
I'm eyeing up a CB1100RS next as I love the look of them-whether it'll be as nice to ride as the VFR remains to be seen!
Thanks for the feedback, just need to weigh up whether the outlay will be worth it over my VFR750 which could possibly be improved massively by a better seat as I just don't find it comfortable after a few hours. The suggestion of the crossrunner is a particularly interesting one though as it seems to be just an uber comfortable VFR800. My only concern would be a sacrifice of agility and responsiveness with the higher centre of gravity and longer forks etc. How did you find your compared with your old FiY in that respect?
It took a while to get used to the feel of the bike. You're much higher and you don't have that same plugged in feeling that sportier suspension and positioning gives you.
But, surprisingly, I got used to the bike and i ride it in much the same way as the old VFR. Same frame, same engine, better brakes, much more comfortable and while longer travel i think the suspension is better too.
Have a test ride. But try and find one where they've changed the awful Pirelli Scorpion tyres. They're just about ok in the dry but a liability in anything else.
But, surprisingly, I got used to the bike and i ride it in much the same way as the old VFR. Same frame, same engine, better brakes, much more comfortable and while longer travel i think the suspension is better too.
Have a test ride. But try and find one where they've changed the awful Pirelli Scorpion tyres. They're just about ok in the dry but a liability in anything else.
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