Gone Away

I have a friend that is a Honda dealer here in Alabama. He says this is it, that 08 is the last year for the VFR. Is this true? Has any one else heard this? He said they are slowly letting it go without any updates, just like they did the Blackbird. Just wondering if there was any truth to this. <_<

We dont know for sure. It has been a conversation for a while. 2006 should have been an all new model, following tradition. It will be dropped or be everyones dream bike.

IIRC, there was some info from Honda last year that the VFR was finished.

[image: View Post]jeremy556, on Feb 19 2008, 12:59 PM, said:

IIRC, there was some info from Honda last year that the VFR was finished.



Well, here's to hopeing we are wrong.

But it sure does seem to be following the same path as the Blackbird.

Guys, what in th' blue blazin' heck is going on with Honda. All they have in the sport segment for 08 IS the VFR, and CBR's 600, and 1000. To many good Machines have been killed instead of updated.

CBR 1100
VTR 996
RC 51
CB919
And there were a couple of bikes from the 90's that should still be around and updated...Hawk,Magna.



Looks like I'm gonna have to start looking at BMW, Triumph, or Ducati for a good all arounder.



Breaks my winged heart. :unsure:

Maybe it's just the return of the Interceptor! :unsure:

[image: Posted Image][image: Posted Image][image: Posted Image][image: Posted Image]

Yeah...trust me, I know how you feel, plus I'm a little :pissed:

I'm going with the Speed Triple next bike, but I'll keep the VFR and keep riding it. Don't think I'll ever sell it. It's an icon afterall. B)

My dealer thinks it's the last year for sure in the USA. He said "show orders" for the 08 was dismal from the dealers attending................ :unsure:

[image: View Post]Knife, on Feb 19 2008, 01:26 PM, said:

I'm going with the Speed Triple next bike, but I'll keep the VFR and keep riding it. Don't think I'll ever sell it. It's an icon afterall. B)


I'm gonna look at the BMW K-bikes, and the Ducati ST and Multistrada first. But the Sprint really seems to be the way I'm leaning right now. I'm really prone to Sticker Shock, if you know what I mean. :rolleyes:

But I will never sell my 99 800. :thumbsup:

I was havin a good day :( :(

If it is true, then they've lost their heads

As according to Honda Spain's "upcoming model" page they are launching this:

[image: Posted Image]

and have some strange looking hyperhybrid crud prototypes on the burner:

[image: Posted Image]

Which you can see here:

Click here

[image: View Post]Auspa�ol, on Feb 19 2008, 01:58 PM, said:

If it is true, then they've lost their heads

As according to Honda Spain's "upcoming model" page they are launching this:

[image: Posted Image]

and have some strange looking hyperhybrid crud prototypes on the burner:

[image: Posted Image]

Which you can see here:

Click here




WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Why doesn't Honda love me anymore? :unsure:

Honda is going to mess around and loose it's following. If there is no new vfr and we want a new bike we will be buying bmw's, ducatis, etc. What a shame. I 'll believe it when I dont see it. Until then all I can do is hope and pray.

I donot care, I own all the VFR I will ever want...... :P

[image: View Post]Dutchy, on Feb 19 2008, 03:14 PM, said:

I donot care, I own all the VFR I will ever want...... :P
:+1:
Same here.
I'm not planning on upgrading mine any time soon.

I'm sure I have the minority opinion here, but i'm almost hoping they do away with the VFR. It's nice having that extra exclusivity. Im a 3x Toyota MR2 owner, and when they gave the ax to the last of the 3rd gen's, it was kinda nice having a car that just became that much more rare. I'd feel the same about the VFR. I like being the only VFR i'll see for weeks at a time. :rolleyes:

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on Feb 19 2008, 02:26 PM, said:

My dealer thinks it's the last year for sure in the USA. He said "show orders" for the 08 was dismal from the dealers attending................ :unsure:
Might have something to do with the fact you can buy the same bike from 2002 for 1/4 the cost of a "new" one.

I see at least as many VFRs as I do GSXRs around here, so there is obivously demand for them. Between the lower rate of crashing, being stolen, and no updates for 6+ years new sales numbers are going to suck.

I was talking to my local dealer and they have a couple new 2006 models on the way. If the vfr goes away, one should be able buy a new LEFT OVER for at least a few more years or more......LOL.

[image: View Post]jeremy556, on Feb 19 2008, 05:19 PM, said:

[image: View Post]skuuter trash, on Feb 19 2008, 02:26 PM, said:

My dealer thinks it's the last year for sure in the USA. He said "show orders" for the 08 was dismal from the dealers attending................ :unsure:
Might have something to do with the fact you can buy the same bike from 2002 for 1/4 the cost of a "new" one.

I see at least as many VFRs as I do GSXRs around here, so there is obivously demand for them. Between the lower rate of crashing, being stolen, and no updates for 6+ years new sales numbers are going to suck.


Even "body work changes" would probably draw some new buyers in (the ones that have no VFR savvy at all), but Honda doesn't even seem to want to re-wrap the same bike to generate new sales........ridiculous marketing department........... <_<

Resale on the VFR's seem to be awfully bad here in SoCal... I highly doubt I will buy another Honda in the future. Other than the VFR, they currently do not make a bike I am interested in purchasing... and considering rescent trends they won't in the near future either. Honda just isn't the company it used to be... and it shows.

Honda needs to get their head in the game. I've been very happy with my Honda but if Honda didn't have what I wanted I would have no reservations buying a Yamaha, Kawasaki, or even a Suzuki. Kinda makes me glad I didn't get that Honda wing tattoo that my buddy wanted me to get with him.

Ducati are apparently doing away with their S/T range; perhaps the next trend for all manufacturers is to produce only dedicated sport and tour models, with nothing in between?

[image: View Post]The Phantom, on Feb 20 2008, 03:24 AM, said:

Ducati are apparently doing away with their S/T range; perhaps the next trend for all manufacturers is to produce only dedicated sport and tour models, with nothing in between?
I guess you will have two buy two bikes a sports bike for the twistis,and goldwing for trips.The vfr will have to reinvent or die.
Mike

I don't worry about whether there will be a new VFR, or good ST bikes like the VFR, in the future. Unless you HAVE to buy a brand new bike, there are always going to be good late model/low miles bikes for sale out there.

As for Honda being behind the times and slow to update many bikes or their whole line-up, that's the way their auto division is also going. They aren't taking huge risks, and the risks they do take are calculated.

Honda , the fading , has been M'cycle company.

It's U.S.A. importers are total bozos - they have the new Hornet 600 and 1000 in Euro , good, modern bikes. are they bringing them over ? No. Do they actually think decade old VFR's are gonna bring showroom traffic, ??? A small , fairly new company in England is killin honda, makin em look sad, really.

[image: View Post]Rice, on Feb 19 2008, 02:32 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Dutchy, on Feb 19 2008, 03:14 PM, said:

I donot care, I own all the VFR I will ever want...... :P
:+1:
Same here.
I'm not planning on upgrading mine any time soon.


Posted Image

Exactly, I already own the "Best Street Bike in the World" winner of 2002, why would I need an upgrade? :rolleyes:
You guys that are willing to sell your soon to be unavailable and higher demand VFR's will be making a mistake! :P
A few suspension upgrades and if needed a ToroCharger and you'ed have a world SuperBike! :goofy:

[image: Posted Image]

[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Feb 20 2008, 12:01 PM, said:

Exactly, I already own the "Best Street Bike in the World" winner of 2002, why would I need an upgrade? :rolleyes:
You guys that are willing to sell your soon to be unavailable and higher demand VFR's will be making a mistake! :P
A few suspension upgrades and if neede a ToroCharger and you'ed have a world SuperBike! :goofy:

Listen to this man. He knows what he's talking about.


:D

[image: View Post]toro1, on Feb 20 2008, 10:08 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Baileyrock, on Feb 20 2008, 12:01 PM, said:

Exactly, I already own the "Best Street Bike in the World" winner of 2002, why would I need an upgrade? :rolleyes:
You guys that are willing to sell your soon to be unavailable and higher demand VFR's will be making a mistake! :P
A few suspension upgrades and if neede a ToroCharger and you'ed have a world SuperBike! :goofy:

Listen to this man. He knows what he's talking about.


:D


Quit posting and get that 6th gen SC unit developed. :goofy:

I am keeping my low mile, stock, chery, yellow VFR until they pry my cold dead fingers off it. :P

Right before I got my bike I asked some buddies who are in the know if the V5, 100lbs lighter monster VFR was coming and they simply said if you want a VFR I would get one now. So I did. And the 25th was kind of special to me.

I have been a fan of older Hondas all along. All of my Honda cars have been old, my current one is my favorite-93 Accord. I think Honda got too crazy with the newer body styles. I think the same applies to bikes. My 3 Honda cars have gotten over 230,000 miles each. I plan on getting close to that on the VFR.
I have never been one to chase the brand new vehicle continuously.

40 years ago Honda was a small, highly motivated company, light on its feet and looking to increase market share. Now they're a bloated manufacturing behemoth with no tolerance for out-of-the-box thinking among engineers or marketing staff. In that regard, I suppose Ducati is the new Honda.