All the bike you need if you're honest (Honda VFR800i)

Member Name: jimmyspeg

Product:	Honda VFR800i
Date:	06/02/07 (862 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Does it all, without fuss

Disadvantages: None actually

I bought my VFR800Fi in may 2004 after finally admitting that my SV650 was too small and too slow to satisfy my needs.

I chanced upon the whole VFR thing from a friend who picked up a H reg 750, and let me have a ride. I was impressed by the power delivery and handling and the comfort (I am 6ft 4). I subsequently sold my SV and found a 51 plate, silver (best colour in my opinion) with the silver wheels. One previous owner, no marks, scratches etc and fell in love. All I can say about owners not wanted to part with them was true in my experience. I just kept upping my offer, because the guy just couldn't make his mind up to sell it to me. Obviously he did in the end and I managed to get a Kappa rack and paniers into the deal.

Anyway onto the bike. It had just under 12000 miles when I bought it and I've done about 14000 miles on it since. All totally reliable, including a trip to the south of France, daily commutes of 20 miles, and 4 outings to the Isle of Man.

The bike is simply the best at all things thrown at it. It rewards when pushed hard, it commutes without fault, it goes on the Thursday hacks to Bassetts Pole, and wife permitting it goes out on a warm Sunday with a pillion and never complains.

Service costs are £100-250 depending on work done, I usually get the dealer to do it, but I do my own brake servicing every 12 months. I had a chain and sprocket done last May prior to France and it cost 350 including the parts and the annual service.

I have had a few hiccups however and did find the limit of the Bridgestones (wont deviate from the trouble free 020's again). The resulting accident cost circa £500 and a new set of leather bottoms to put right.

Also, I had a clutch failure (so the dealer said, but strange it only started to slip after the 16000 mile service). A battle with the dealer and Honda UK resulted in the clutch being put right FOC in the end. It wasn't a fault of the machine.

In general terms, removing my clear love for the bike, my honest good and bad points are as follows:

-Original screen too low to be of use to someone my height, therefore I can recommend Zero Gravity double bubble, it looks the best.
-The linked brakes are not the problem people make out. The rear brake however is completely useless and needs the front applied before anything happens. I have changed pads, fluids all to no avail. Trying braided hoses this year.
-Headlights are fine in the dark and the wet when on my own.
-Bike is solid as a rock in the wet, but I would recommend that owners stick to BT020's for complete confidence.
-Mirrors never vibrate
-Stock can is great for having a rack fitted, but for playing I have fitted a Staintune high level can. Sounds fantastic, but spoils fueling at low revs.
-Clutch slip from first is mandatory. It's a V-four thing I beleive.
-Gearbox is notchy compared to a suzuki, but hey its a Honda, it wont corrode before your eyes.
-Bar risers would help commuting, but for B roads and motorways, the bar comfort is just right.
-rear tyres last no longer than 4500 (BT020) and 4000 (BT012 - which do not inspire as much confidence). Front BT010 lasted 7500, BT 014 lasted 6500 miles.
-Sounds like a trumpet on the move, but chain driven cams whine. You either get use to it or fit a louder can.
-Max Rear preload does not give me enough if I have a pillion on. (I am 16 stone, the wife is 9). The headlights go skywards.

Thats it I think. Oh it does about 130 miles before the last few fuel bars flash.

I won't sell mine - I can't find anything good enough to replace it. - The V-tech 800 is missing the whole point of a VFR.

Summary: Buy one, if someone will sell it to you

Processing/Quality:
Reliability:
Driving comfort:
on skiddy terrain:
on dry terrain: