VFR800 VTEC - your experiences
Discussion
As ULEZ is arriving and my trusty old FZS600 Fazer is being deleted (but my 2003 5.0L V8 or 2006 4.4L V8 or 2002 1.4L IL4 aren't), I'm looking to trade up for a do-it-all bike. The chap at the bike shop just received a 2008 25k VFR in part-ex and I like the sound of it.
Have you enjoyed owning/riding one in the past? What should I endure they've checked before I sign on the dotted line? It's at 25,000miles.
I won't be racking up the miles - the occasional urban run, very occasional ride-out (unless it's that fun that it forces me out of bed at stupid o'clock on a Sunday) and perhaps a future tour/camping with one of the children (I'll let them fight it out between themselves).
Why the need? The Fazer is a little tired, I fancy a bike that isn't an IL4 and I resent having to pay to ride down the Putney high street when I'm in Wimbledon.
Have you enjoyed owning/riding one in the past? What should I endure they've checked before I sign on the dotted line? It's at 25,000miles.
I won't be racking up the miles - the occasional urban run, very occasional ride-out (unless it's that fun that it forces me out of bed at stupid o'clock on a Sunday) and perhaps a future tour/camping with one of the children (I'll let them fight it out between themselves).
Why the need? The Fazer is a little tired, I fancy a bike that isn't an IL4 and I resent having to pay to ride down the Putney high street when I'm in Wimbledon.
Had one as my second bike after a VFR800 FiW older non VTEC. Really liked it. Used for 180 mile weekend trips into North of Scotland.
Slow speed stalling issue with these varies quite a bit between individual bikes. Mine wasn't too bad so didn't try to get it sorted, but apparently can be done.
Often wish I never "upgraded" to a full on touring bike.
Slow speed stalling issue with these varies quite a bit between individual bikes. Mine wasn't too bad so didn't try to get it sorted, but apparently can be done.
Often wish I never "upgraded" to a full on touring bike.
s2kjock said:
Had one as my second bike after a VFR800 FiW older non VTEC. Really liked it. Used for 180 mile weekend trips into North of Scotland.
Slow speed stalling issue with these varies quite a bit between individual bikes. Mine wasn't too bad so didn't try to get it sorted, but apparently can be done.
Often wish I never "upgraded" to a full on touring bike.
Thanks for the feedback - what's the quality that you're missing in the 'full on' tourer?Slow speed stalling issue with these varies quite a bit between individual bikes. Mine wasn't too bad so didn't try to get it sorted, but apparently can be done.
Often wish I never "upgraded" to a full on touring bike.
Krikkit said:
Not had one so not much help, but as an observer I'd say the engine sounds brilliant, and ideally it'd be red. 
I do like the 'Candy Red' ones too, most of all the 'Midnight'(?) Blue. However, I've surprised myself in that when I've browsed my phone photos since Saturday, I'm struck by how handsome it is, despite grey being potentially drab. It's also a case of purchasing upon condition and availability -- the dealer is local and strikes me as a good and accountable one, too. spareparts said:
Ironically I got a 954 to replace my Viffer. If you want an urban bike with character, get a BMW R1200/1250R.
A Guzzi Stelvio has sat on my long term bike list. I just don't think that I'm ready for opening the door to the seductive quantities of upright biking, so I know that, Tuono, Multistrada etc will be a hoot. I do prefer the profile of a sports tourer and still see myself as that kind of rider. I loved my 954 -- rode it to Mugello then onto Athens; hammer laps around the Nordschleife for years, too. I have an original manual and some spare bits and clips if you're after any.
I've had one for 8 years now and taken it from 26 - 42k miles with next to no problems.
I use mine mainly for commuting and trips around town and it's been great.
Like a previous poster, mine has the low speed stall problem but so mildly I've never bothered getting it fixed - it acts the goat maybe once a fortnight.
It's lived outside all year round and although it's looking a bit tatty these days, never seems to miss a beat
I use mine mainly for commuting and trips around town and it's been great.
Like a previous poster, mine has the low speed stall problem but so mildly I've never bothered getting it fixed - it acts the goat maybe once a fortnight.
It's lived outside all year round and although it's looking a bit tatty these days, never seems to miss a beat
bolidemichael said:
s2kjock said:
Had one as my second bike after a VFR800 FiW older non VTEC. Really liked it. Used for 180 mile weekend trips into North of Scotland.
Slow speed stalling issue with these varies quite a bit between individual bikes. Mine wasn't too bad so didn't try to get it sorted, but apparently can be done.
Often wish I never "upgraded" to a full on touring bike.
Thanks for the feedback - what's the quality that you're missing in the 'full on' tourer?Slow speed stalling issue with these varies quite a bit between individual bikes. Mine wasn't too bad so didn't try to get it sorted, but apparently can be done.
Often wish I never "upgraded" to a full on touring bike.
I discovered that the knee tuck position on the Beemer was actually not much better than the viffer in practice, and the barn door screen I still get buffeting and helmet wind noise from that is more distracting/annoying than the set up was on the Honda oddly. It is also a beast to move around my garage compared to the VFR, but obviously carries luggage more easily and the 250 mile tank range is of particular benefit to me.
I had the metallic red VTEC and as someone else noted above the quality was very high and it was a great looking bike that seemed as happy enjoying twisties as it did cruising on an A road. Never had any issues with mine in the 2-3 years I had it. Was difficult to sell, which may have been partly down to a scuff on the engine cover after a low speed drop, and at the time there were lots around and it was never as popular as the pre VTEC models.
I had one for fifteen years. Used it for commuting, weekend rides and European touring.
Very good bike.
I dropped the yokes down the forks and had bar risers fitted which gave marginally better handling combined with a slightly more upright riding position.
As others said they do run hot and not the most economical, but these are minor annoyances.
The chap who bought it from me has subsequently had a misfire problem but no problems in my ownership.
One of the common faults is a noisy cam chain tensioner, apparently not easy to get to for replacement.
The VTEC engagement seems to differ between bikes, mine was very smooth but I have ridden others where it is quite abrupt. All early bikes though and the VTEC engagement was changed on the later bikes.
Very good bike.
I dropped the yokes down the forks and had bar risers fitted which gave marginally better handling combined with a slightly more upright riding position.
As others said they do run hot and not the most economical, but these are minor annoyances.
The chap who bought it from me has subsequently had a misfire problem but no problems in my ownership.
One of the common faults is a noisy cam chain tensioner, apparently not easy to get to for replacement.
The VTEC engagement seems to differ between bikes, mine was very smooth but I have ridden others where it is quite abrupt. All early bikes though and the VTEC engagement was changed on the later bikes.
I have a 2005 VTEC which I've had for coming up to 2 years. I bought it at 32k miles and it's coming up to 35k now.
I really like it - I bought it privately having had a break from bikes for 10 years with a view to replacing it with something newer if I enjoyed it - I do enjoy it but can't think of anything to replace it with except perhaps a newer VFR.
They are notorious for charging system failures which seem to be a cascading failure that takes out the R/R, stator and intervening wiring - but it's a well trodden path and not expensive to rectify with a new stator, better MOSFET R/R that runs cooler and upgraded wiring - lots of good diagnostic and remedial advice ("The Drill") on the VFR owners forums.
Post 2006 bikes are obviously ULEZ compliant - my 2005 is compliant on account of a certificate of conformity from Honda that the previous owner obtained.
People complain that the VTEC transmission is harsh - I've never found it a problem although as above individual bikes apparently differ. As above the VTEC transition on post 2006 bikes is apparently much smoother.
Fuel economy isn't great as mentioned above - but for a bike that I ride for 2k miles a year I don't care - if I did 20k a year I might.
I've put a bar risers and a kit to lower the pegs on mine which males it all day comfy for me - but ergonomics is obviously a personal thing.
I really like it - I bought it privately having had a break from bikes for 10 years with a view to replacing it with something newer if I enjoyed it - I do enjoy it but can't think of anything to replace it with except perhaps a newer VFR.
They are notorious for charging system failures which seem to be a cascading failure that takes out the R/R, stator and intervening wiring - but it's a well trodden path and not expensive to rectify with a new stator, better MOSFET R/R that runs cooler and upgraded wiring - lots of good diagnostic and remedial advice ("The Drill") on the VFR owners forums.
Post 2006 bikes are obviously ULEZ compliant - my 2005 is compliant on account of a certificate of conformity from Honda that the previous owner obtained.
People complain that the VTEC transmission is harsh - I've never found it a problem although as above individual bikes apparently differ. As above the VTEC transition on post 2006 bikes is apparently much smoother.
Fuel economy isn't great as mentioned above - but for a bike that I ride for 2k miles a year I don't care - if I did 20k a year I might.
I've put a bar risers and a kit to lower the pegs on mine which males it all day comfy for me - but ergonomics is obviously a personal thing.
Edited by Seight_Returns on Monday 20th September 11:16
The other big thing about VTEC VFRs is the expensive valve check/re-shim service every 16k miles.
The place I take my bike for servicing won't do it and recommends only a Honda dealer do it - c£700.
Many older (and some newer) VFRs simply don't have it done as the valves are rarely out of spec and engine failure due to out of spec valves almost unheard of.
The place I take my bike for servicing won't do it and recommends only a Honda dealer do it - c£700.
Many older (and some newer) VFRs simply don't have it done as the valves are rarely out of spec and engine failure due to out of spec valves almost unheard of.
I've got a 2002 model that I have taken from 12k to 38k miles over the last 12 years, including lots of all year round commuting and a couple of European Tours.
I've got a set of Staintune pipes on it which sound lovely, they come with removable baffles so there are no noise issues at MOT time. I service it myself but I'm not the kind of person who is precious about his bikes, TBH it is a bit battle scarred and rarely gets a wash, but it just keeps plodding on.
The engine sounds lovely with an aftermarket pipe, an addictive tone when 'making progress'. It's comfy for about 100 miles of riding (I'm 6ft tall, 49yrs old) but after that my arse starts to ache and hips feel stiff. I've bought an aftermarket Airhawk saddle cushion which has been brilliant, for use on longer trips. A 'double-bubble' aftermarket front screen also gives a bit more wind clearance, and I fitted a set of bar risers last year as I was getting a bit of carpal tunnel type syndrome, but that my be related to my job at a keyboard all day. They helped immensely. Mine has the factory fitted heated grips which are decent, but I'm running some Gerbing heated gloves off the battery, they are excellent.
I don't have any issues with the VTEC 'step' that some people complain about. Just knowing it is there and riding around it is fine.
I have had the camchain follower noise issue, but it's a fairly straightforward DIY fix if you just take your time. Loads of 'how to's' online and on YouTube. That follows for all general maintenance, there is a big global community of riders of these bikes who like to help each other out, including a couple of very active Facebook groups.
Only thing I don't like about it is the linked brakes, they are a pain to bleed. I don't see them offering much in the way of advantage, I prefer a traditional unlinked set up. My charging system has been fine, but a mate with and identical age bike had a reg/rec failure on a European tour which caused us to miss out the Picos de Europa in Spain, unfortunately. We had two days of riding where we had to swap his non-charging battery into my bike every hour so that he could mine, whilst my bike charged his battery, rinse and repeat all the way back to the Santander ferry. It's a common problem on lots of Honda models of this era. A MOSFET reg/rec unit will sort it. Great memories of this trip - a friendly Spanish bike garage in the arse end of nowhere opened up especially on a Sunday afternoon and gave us a spare Fireblade battery off his shelf to help with the limp home.
Overall I have really enjoyed ownership but will probably be moving it on soon. I own three bikes, but maintenance and (lack of) garage space is proving a bit of a ball ache. Once I get back to post-Covid commuting I am going to chop all three in and replace with something like a Kawasaki GTR1400 or a Yamaha FJR1300. My riding needs have changed over the last 10-15yrs and now I'm at the stage where I want a big comfy fast bike with better weather protection.
ETA: I've never bothered with the expensive valve shim check. My local mechanic refuses to do it, and another mobile guy I spoke to (ex-Honda main dealer tech) said he rarely every found one out of spec, so advised me to save my money. I'm at the stage now where if the engine did ever go bang because of the lack of that - unlikely - then I would just get a second hand engine from a breaker.
I've got a set of Staintune pipes on it which sound lovely, they come with removable baffles so there are no noise issues at MOT time. I service it myself but I'm not the kind of person who is precious about his bikes, TBH it is a bit battle scarred and rarely gets a wash, but it just keeps plodding on.
The engine sounds lovely with an aftermarket pipe, an addictive tone when 'making progress'. It's comfy for about 100 miles of riding (I'm 6ft tall, 49yrs old) but after that my arse starts to ache and hips feel stiff. I've bought an aftermarket Airhawk saddle cushion which has been brilliant, for use on longer trips. A 'double-bubble' aftermarket front screen also gives a bit more wind clearance, and I fitted a set of bar risers last year as I was getting a bit of carpal tunnel type syndrome, but that my be related to my job at a keyboard all day. They helped immensely. Mine has the factory fitted heated grips which are decent, but I'm running some Gerbing heated gloves off the battery, they are excellent.
I don't have any issues with the VTEC 'step' that some people complain about. Just knowing it is there and riding around it is fine.
I have had the camchain follower noise issue, but it's a fairly straightforward DIY fix if you just take your time. Loads of 'how to's' online and on YouTube. That follows for all general maintenance, there is a big global community of riders of these bikes who like to help each other out, including a couple of very active Facebook groups.
Only thing I don't like about it is the linked brakes, they are a pain to bleed. I don't see them offering much in the way of advantage, I prefer a traditional unlinked set up. My charging system has been fine, but a mate with and identical age bike had a reg/rec failure on a European tour which caused us to miss out the Picos de Europa in Spain, unfortunately. We had two days of riding where we had to swap his non-charging battery into my bike every hour so that he could mine, whilst my bike charged his battery, rinse and repeat all the way back to the Santander ferry. It's a common problem on lots of Honda models of this era. A MOSFET reg/rec unit will sort it. Great memories of this trip - a friendly Spanish bike garage in the arse end of nowhere opened up especially on a Sunday afternoon and gave us a spare Fireblade battery off his shelf to help with the limp home.
Overall I have really enjoyed ownership but will probably be moving it on soon. I own three bikes, but maintenance and (lack of) garage space is proving a bit of a ball ache. Once I get back to post-Covid commuting I am going to chop all three in and replace with something like a Kawasaki GTR1400 or a Yamaha FJR1300. My riding needs have changed over the last 10-15yrs and now I'm at the stage where I want a big comfy fast bike with better weather protection.
ETA: I've never bothered with the expensive valve shim check. My local mechanic refuses to do it, and another mobile guy I spoke to (ex-Honda main dealer tech) said he rarely every found one out of spec, so advised me to save my money. I'm at the stage now where if the engine did ever go bang because of the lack of that - unlikely - then I would just get a second hand engine from a breaker.
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Monday 20th September 12:46
Thanks for all of the feedback.
I went to see the bike again and ride it.
Likes:
- Solid
- Very certain clutch action
- torquey engine like churning butter (or kneading dough)
- full Honda luggage
- rear fender
- They'll MOT it for me (it is currently SORN)
- It's only five miles from my home
- They have really positive reviews on Autotrader, esp for distance sales
Dislikes:
- Lots of understeer on right hand bends (perhaps the pre-load was jacked up to accommodate luggage and pillion by the previous owner?)
- Tingly throttle hand after just twenty minutes' riding (they said that they'd fit bar risers FOC to solve the issue)
- Some signs of neglect - the circlip and bolt for the can were rusted through (said that they'd replace) and there is a metal fascia behind the o/s peg that looks grotty too, having been repainted (he said that it would be addressed - didn't specify how)
- The rear disc is scored (waived that away as in keeping with the condition of the bike and that if it is an issue it'll appear on the MOT)
- No invoices from 2014 and no evidence of valve check being done (sounds fine to my amateur ears)
- Last service was 2017 and 21k miles - now on 25k
The deal is to p/ex my very, very careworn Fazer and take the bike for £4k with a new set of Metzeler M9RR tyres. They'll give the bike a once over in the garage and it comes with a one month warranty.
He also gave me the old 'I've had a number of enquiries' patter before dropping the price to secure my business today, which pissed me off a little and made me think a little more about the claimed condition.
I went to see the bike again and ride it.
Likes:
- Solid
- Very certain clutch action
- torquey engine like churning butter (or kneading dough)
- full Honda luggage
- rear fender
- They'll MOT it for me (it is currently SORN)
- It's only five miles from my home
- They have really positive reviews on Autotrader, esp for distance sales
Dislikes:
- Lots of understeer on right hand bends (perhaps the pre-load was jacked up to accommodate luggage and pillion by the previous owner?)
- Tingly throttle hand after just twenty minutes' riding (they said that they'd fit bar risers FOC to solve the issue)
- Some signs of neglect - the circlip and bolt for the can were rusted through (said that they'd replace) and there is a metal fascia behind the o/s peg that looks grotty too, having been repainted (he said that it would be addressed - didn't specify how)
- The rear disc is scored (waived that away as in keeping with the condition of the bike and that if it is an issue it'll appear on the MOT)
- No invoices from 2014 and no evidence of valve check being done (sounds fine to my amateur ears)
- Last service was 2017 and 21k miles - now on 25k
The deal is to p/ex my very, very careworn Fazer and take the bike for £4k with a new set of Metzeler M9RR tyres. They'll give the bike a once over in the garage and it comes with a one month warranty.
He also gave me the old 'I've had a number of enquiries' patter before dropping the price to secure my business today, which pissed me off a little and made me think a little more about the claimed condition.
Edited by bolidemichael on Monday 20th September 14:39
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