I've always loved these bikes and thinking of getting one. In the wayback machine I had a VF500 Intercepter and a Magna 30. Both had cam issues and very noisy tappets that could not adjusted away. I want to get a 700 or 750 and I know there are many iterations. I like the '87 VFR700 and the '93 VFR, maybe becaue of the color. Appreciate some good advice on which years generations are best buys - budget limitied buyer.
Which VFR or Which VFR to avoid
11 posts Started 20 Mar 2011 Last recovered post 22 Mar 2011 Wayback Machine snapshot 4 Jun 2011
I don't have a VF model, but I do have an '86 VFR700 and a '91 VFR750, so here are my thoughts.
On the VF's my buddy who worked at a Honda Dealer back in the day and now owns a KTM dealership says there is a way to adjust the valves on the VF models and get it pretty good, so I don't think that should worry you, just need to learn to do it right.
The down side of the early VFR is lack of parts, specifically tires, you don't get very good or many options on tires for the stock wheels, but for $ you can do the F2 wheel conversion and get a lot more options. The suspension is not as updated as the '90 and later VFR's, but once again that can be sorted for $. The other would be exhaust options. The bike itself is great, I have spent the money on mine, I have the F2 wheels and Fox shock, gold valves in the forks, progressive springs, fork brace. Even though I am not the fastest rider in the world, the bike is great both in attacking the curves and sport touring. You sit a little more on top of the bike than in the bike like the early '90's VFR. I love my '86, I have done a cross country ride on it, very dependable and a very fun bike.
The down side of the 90's VFR is that even though it has great aftermarket options compared to the early version, it is not great compared to new sport bikes or sport touring bikes. That aside, this version is pretty good right out of the box. Almost all the latest tires offer the sizes that fit, suspension is good, they may cost a little more, but you might find that it is worth it if you just plan to ride and not really do too much to the bike. No matter which way you go, get a good one and have fun!
On the VF's my buddy who worked at a Honda Dealer back in the day and now owns a KTM dealership says there is a way to adjust the valves on the VF models and get it pretty good, so I don't think that should worry you, just need to learn to do it right.
The down side of the early VFR is lack of parts, specifically tires, you don't get very good or many options on tires for the stock wheels, but for $ you can do the F2 wheel conversion and get a lot more options. The suspension is not as updated as the '90 and later VFR's, but once again that can be sorted for $. The other would be exhaust options. The bike itself is great, I have spent the money on mine, I have the F2 wheels and Fox shock, gold valves in the forks, progressive springs, fork brace. Even though I am not the fastest rider in the world, the bike is great both in attacking the curves and sport touring. You sit a little more on top of the bike than in the bike like the early '90's VFR. I love my '86, I have done a cross country ride on it, very dependable and a very fun bike.
The down side of the 90's VFR is that even though it has great aftermarket options compared to the early version, it is not great compared to new sport bikes or sport touring bikes. That aside, this version is pretty good right out of the box. Almost all the latest tires offer the sizes that fit, suspension is good, they may cost a little more, but you might find that it is worth it if you just plan to ride and not really do too much to the bike. No matter which way you go, get a good one and have fun!
[image: View Post]gentlemanjim, on 20 March 2011 - 08:10 AM, said:
I've always loved these bikes and thinking of getting one. In the wayback machine I had a VF500 Intercepter and a Magna 30. Both had cam issues and very noisy tappets that could not adjusted away. I want to get a 700 or 750 and I know there are many iterations. I like the '87 VFR700 and the '93 VFR, maybe becaue of the color. Appreciate some good advice on which years generations are best buys - budget limitied buyer.I,'m partial to the fifth generation VFRs with the gear driven cams.They are dead reliable other than the fact some owners have had problems with thevoltage regulator/rectifier.I've owned two and never had a single problem with either.
The newer the better...preferably anything 1990 and up
avoid the ones with glossy, colourful paint jobs.
[image: View Post]bobo, on 20 March 2011 - 08:31 AM, said:
I,'m partial to the fifth generation VFRs with the gear driven cams.They are dead reliable other than the fact some owners have had problems with thevoltage regulator/rectifier.I've owned two and never had a single problem with either.Almost all of them have the same problem. I had it on my 4th gen as well.
Any generation is a great VFR. 4th gen is still my favorite, but I do love the engine on the 5th. Gear driven cams are great.
5th gens between 00-01 are the best of the breed (I've had a few different models) or perhaps 6th gens 06+
the " tire size problem" is gone now.. thanks to harley.. get any vfr from 86 and up.. beef up the charging system and ride. :fing02:
I have a 3rd Gen and a 6th Gen and my advice would be to get a 5th Gen! Parts are much more readily available for them and you get fuel injection, gear driven cams, linked braking, and with some year models you get catless headers (1998 / 1999) Older VFR's are great but finding parts for them can be a real pain in the arse!! BTW......Anyone got a spare 3rd Gen starter clutch for sale LOL ???
Rollin
Rollin
Other than the R/R issue described above, 5th gen's('98-'01) are notoriously reliable. 6th gen's ('02-'09) are, too, for the most part. If you're looking for a sport-tourer, I'd advise going with either a 5th or 6th gen.
What I've read many times is that the 6th gen has a more refined ride than the 5th gen, plus of course you can get matching hard bags for the 6th gen. The big plus for the 5th gen, however, is the gear-driven cams, which sound great and never need work.
I love my 6th gen. I've done everything from short commutes to mutli-day tours, and long freeway runs to serious corner carving on this bike. Mine has 56k mi. on the odometer and it's still going strong. :fing02:
Edit: I just noticed this thread is in the 'Earlier VFRs' section. While I stand by what I said above, if you're interested in an older VFR I wouldn't go any older than a 4th gen ('94-'97). Any older than that and I think you start to run into parts availability issues, plus maybe even some age/high mileage issues mechanically.
What I've read many times is that the 6th gen has a more refined ride than the 5th gen, plus of course you can get matching hard bags for the 6th gen. The big plus for the 5th gen, however, is the gear-driven cams, which sound great and never need work.
I love my 6th gen. I've done everything from short commutes to mutli-day tours, and long freeway runs to serious corner carving on this bike. Mine has 56k mi. on the odometer and it's still going strong. :fing02:
Edit: I just noticed this thread is in the 'Earlier VFRs' section. While I stand by what I said above, if you're interested in an older VFR I wouldn't go any older than a 4th gen ('94-'97). Any older than that and I think you start to run into parts availability issues, plus maybe even some age/high mileage issues mechanically.
Great information thanks all - now to just find the right one.
End of thread · 11 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 4 Jun 2011