• There has been a recent cluster of spammers accessing BARFer accounts and posting spam. To safeguard your account, please consider changing your password. It would be even better to take the additional step of enabling 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) on your BARF account. Read more here.

thinking about getting a VFR

Like I said, I've owned three of them and this is the one I wish I had never sold.
This was my first street bike. I bought it and then road it to take the MSF safety course in Alameda in order to get my M class. (Never mind I'd already been riding on/off for ~ 20 years without a license.)

IMG_1151.jpg
 
PorradaVFR said:
Let's see - I had TWO of the 2001 model (loved them) and currently have a 2004.

The 2004 is a better bike. Not even close. More comfortable, better looking (IMO, natch :p) and better performing. I agree the geared cams were sweet but wind 'er up to 4-valve RPMs and the music is plenty nice too.

Not crazy about the VTEC servicing, but that's a small sacrifice for a bike that is all-day comfortable with plenty of performance. :thumbup
Click to expand...

Better comfort? THat I don't get. I've ridden my friend's 02 and it feels just like my Y2K, and felt the same on handling to boot.
 
Love my Asphalt Black 2004 w/ ABS. As far as the servicing goes, the valve adjustment which Honda says you should do every 16k is described by a lot of people as " a waste of time and money" since they are still perfectly in spec 90% of the time.
 
I loved my 04' VFR It was one of the best looking sport tourers available and didn't look clumsy with the hard bags. The only trouble I had was that I constantly dropped the poor thing. 5'2" is not a good match for this bike. once on it however I loved the V-Tech loved the brakes (not ABS) and can't say a negative thing about that bike. Too bad the bike had such a bad owner but it is in a very happy spot now with an owner that can keep it upright on an incline who rides the B-jeebus out of it.

VFR '02- one of the better deals around
 
I'm actually waiting for stock fender parts from servicehonda.com so I can install the hard bags (it mounts to the stock rear fender and the previous owner replaced it with a fender eliminator kit). Hard bags do look great on the bike, and should help me do a 2500 mile ride this fall!

5'2.. yeah.. I'm 5'9 and the bike is maybe a teensy bit taller than I'd like.. No problems though.
 
pKx said:
5'2.. yeah.. I'm 5'9 and the bike is maybe a teensy bit taller than I'd like.. No problems though.
Click to expand...
I shaved my seat and lined it with a 1/4 gel pad no compromise to comfort at all. When I sold the bike I traded the seat off to a guy that was 5'9" and he was absolutely thrilled with it.
 
The vfr is a nice bike and most owners really like them, but the fz1 is also a good choice a little simpler but not as good looking as the vfr.
 
Here's my dos centavos on the VFR.

1. VTEC sucks. I find it to be a PITA because it's not speed/throttle position sensitive. It comes on at 6800 regardless, and it is noticeable.

2. I've heard the '06 and newer bikes have the 5.5k dead spot/surging issue sorted, but older bikes require a Power Commander to sort it out. Some say disconnecting the PAIR valve, flapper valve, and re-syncing the starter valves fixes it. I've done it, it helps, but the problem is still present. And the idea of needing to spend money to fix this issues is asinine to me.

3. 16k & 32k services are big $$$. Many say you can skip the 16k service since the valves won't be out of adjustment, but that's up to you. Last I checked, the dealer wants $800+.

4. This is more an issue with me than the bike, but it's a lot more sportier than I anticipated. Don't get me wrong, it's a great bike, but it's more sport than touring, but IMO much better at touring than than the Sprint ST.

There are some good features though. It's a Honda, therefore it's relatively bulletproof. Tank range is unmatched in the ST class. I've gotten 205 miles on a tank with .8 gallons left in it (very awesome when traveling though Nevada where gas stations are spread out). Aftermarket support is good. I recommend Heli bars, Sargent seat, and a Givi screen.
 
I rode a 1999 VFR for 45K miles. I had a love/hate relationship with her at times. The regulator/rectifier was a piece of shit. The wiring had a bad ground which caused her to die every now and again. I rode her everywhere. In the beginning, lots of twisties. Then some 2-up with my lady. Then the bulk of the miles were racked-on commuting.

Don't like linked brakes that much but got used to them.
Crashed her... radiators were fine... 40mph high side.
Relatively light compared to my current bike.
2 headlights means when one goes out you have the other one.
Easy on tires.

I set mine up with foglights and heated grips and a high-mount exhaust. I felt like it didn't have enough power at times. But at other times, I just loved that motor and hearing her whine. I let her get really ratty before I sold her. I feel regret about that.

I sold her to give up motorcycling. I came back on an '02 Blackbird 1100xx. You should consider one of these bikes as they cruise much better than a VFR and I feel like the ride is smoother too. Heavier, perhaps worse in the twisties, but not by much. Haven't worked on it yet but I do appreciate the gobs of power that I now have at my disposal in 6th gear. This bike can do 100 all day.
 
What do people generally think of the linked brakes? I've come to accept ABS as a good safety tool (when it's reliable and yet fails in a way that doesn't strand the bike unlike the BMW system). But the linked brakes, I just don't quite get. At first I thought I could easily bypass it, but after reading up on how it's implemented (with some of the front pistons engaged separately), it would take a whole brake system replacement. But then I'd lose ABS if I were to buy an ABS-equipped VFR. Hm... Decisions, decisions.
 
Alexey said:
What do people generally think of the linked brakes? I've come to accept ABS as a good safety tool (when it's reliable and yet fails in a way that doesn't strand the bike unlike the BMW system). But the linked brakes, I just don't quite get. At first I thought I could easily bypass it, but after reading up on how it's implemented (with some of the front pistons engaged separately), it would take a whole brake system replacement. But then I'd lose ABS if I were to buy an ABS-equipped VFR. Hm... Decisions, decisions.
Click to expand...

Honestly I'm learning to like it. I can hit the front brake hard and the rear end settles just a teeny bit.
 
Only thing holding me back from the VFR at this point is the mileage. I'm not an inline 4 fan and love the sweet music that the V4 pours out of the VFR - but 40 mpg on the highway sucks no matter which way I look at it - even with the large tank.

But what are my other options? The Sprint ST's triple doesn't pluck heart strings like the V4 but I'm not sure there is much else out there in that category anymore.
 
Last edited:
a: Linked brakes? Don't notice em. The front brake stops the bike, like any good bike...

However, having ridden the VFR into work today instead of the connie (the GF has pretty much taken over the Viffer), I was struck just how UNCOMFORTABLE even the comfortable VFR ergonomics are compared to the flying couch of the Concours.

I'd really seriously look at the FZ-1 (if you want some handling) or the Bandit 1250 (if you just want a cheap bike with a beast of an engine) or the mighty VStrom 650 (the best all-rounder ever made for the money) if ergonomics matter to you.
 
Hmm... a Bandit you say? I think if I'm gonna get a big displacement naked four, which I don't really mind at all, I'd go the Bandit route over an FZ1.
 
Same deal for me. Wanting to replace my old K100 which is heavy so anything would be an improvement.:rolleyes

Love the v4 (race an rvf400 and love the sound and power delivery) and they are sporty enough. I have also looked at the Sprint and have thought about the new gen. Tiger which looks to be a good touring platform and I bet would hustle around corners with any of the above bikes.

My dealbreaker is hardbags. Once I've had em I can't go back as I ride all year round everyday and carry lots of crap.

Also the Duc ST2 and Aprilia Futura are cool and have a bit more soul. Maintenance shouldn't be more than a vtec VFR and can be had pretty cheap these days with goodies already on em.
 
nweaver said:
Better comfort? THat I don't get. I've ridden my friend's 02 and it feels just like my Y2K, and felt the same on handling to boot.
Click to expand...

I find my 2004 more comfortable - mostly the seat. I added a Corbin to my 2001 and never felt a need to change the factory seat on the '04. As for handling, I've resprung the 2004 and it is dramatically better than the factory stuff on the '01.

Mind you, my perfect VFR would be the 2001 engine in the 2004 bike. :thumbup
 
Kestrel said:
Only thing holding me back from the VFR at this point is the mileage. I'm not an inline 4 fan and love the sweet music that the V4 pours out of the VFR - but 40 mpg on the highway sucks no matter which way I look at it - even with the large tank.

But what are my other options? The Sprint ST's triple doesn't pluck heart strings like the V4 but I'm not sure there is much else out there in that category anymore.
Click to expand...

I went to a VFR from an F3...~130 miles per tank to ~240+ when riding sanely. :nerd
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top