What Year/model/generation Is My Vfr800?

Thanks for the update. How long have you been there? And may we assume you are from AUS? I've been to Spain several times, but I could never get myself to eat the sausage Murcia is famous for. Eeew.

I'll try to answer a couple of your questions:

You definitely have what we refer to as a 5th gen, and like Misspent Youth said, it was released in 1997 in Europe (and maybe other areas), and 1998 in the US.

4. The 6th gen 2002-current, is the first model with VTEC. They all have a V-4 engine since the VF/VFR/Interceptor was "born". When this series of bike was first made, they were called Interceptors. They changed to VFR, and are now back to Interceptor.

5. Givi bags seem to be the most popular for the 5th gen, as Honda did not offer factory bags until the 6th gen. Depending on the rack set you get, you may not need the original grab handles, because the rack may have something integrated.

6. That whining sound is the prized, loved, sound of gear-driven cams, which Honda has done away with since the introduction of the 6th gen. Honda says it was for noise reasons, but the realistic (sane) know it was for cost reasons. Many people seek out the older VFR's to get the gear-driven cams for the noise and reliability, and also to get away from VTEC.

There are many threads here about why the gear drive is better, and why VTEC is good/bad. You can see for yourself, though. I am personally very happy with my 4th gen (1994-1997).

Edit: Yes, it is gorgeous! I like the silver. We didn't get that choice here.

And because I took too long to type:
Many parts are interchangeable from 1997 (EUR or 1998 US) to 2001. In 2000, the mirrors were changed to a new "condom-less" style without the rubber boot. The choke lever was removed. The headers gained a catalytic converter. Many people here with VFR's from 2000-now look to buy the headers from the 1998-1999 (US) VFR 800 for those catless headers. In Europe, though they may have always had the cat.

The responses are impressive!! I figure by the time difference that you should all be at work!! Unless this is your job (i.e. you work for this website) you're a lucky bunch with fairly cushy jobs!! LOL

jstanwood, yeah, you guessed it, I am of Aussie stock. Went on a 2-year global walkabout 10 years ago and never went back!! Well, went back for some holidays once!! hahahaha. Been in Spain for 7 years. As far as sausages go, Murcian or otherwise, there are sooo many varieties. I imagine you're refering to "Morcilla" or blood-sausage, which has onion and pine-nuts. I love it!! Although even some Spaniards turn their noses up at it. Have friends with a hobby farm and a yearly slaughter of two or three pigs from which the entire animal is utilized (no-wastage here, they say that the pig is appreciate, even down to the way it walks!! Yes, the conotations are intended!!), produces everything from Serrano ham to another sausage called "Cabeza" which = Head!! No connotations this time hahahaha.

Getting off the tangent, i figured the whirring had to do with the cams, but as I have experienced the gear jamming in neutral just wanted to be sure to be sure. Good to know it's "prized", I feel I've made an even wiser choice now. No idea about the Cats, but I should be able to suss that out from the dealers at least.

I do prefer metallic colours for bikes (i.e. gold silver bronze copper). My previous Kwaka GT750 was sonic gold. ??Mola!! It had a universal joint transmision to the real wheel, no chain. That together with the left-hand side mono-swing arm, finds me having to adjust my curve-taking technique a little, but no drama.


Tinyminds: Thanks, the only number long enough to be the one you refer to has 8 digits and ends in a 7, (don't know why it came up as Xs in my earlier entry). This would appear to confirm suspicions.

To all and sundry, I can see this site is going to be a goldmine of enlightenment.
Cheers