I got the call from Shawnee Honda and DFW Honda on the 4th stating that the new VFR 800 was in stock and ready to go. From there I made arrangements with Shawnee Honda to test drive the bike with the stipulation that I would be able to put at least 50 miles on the bike during the test drive. After an hour or so I got the call back from my sales person that the General Manager agreed to that. I showed up at the dealership at approximately 10 AM on the 5th to look over the bike. They had a red deluxe and a white standard version on the showroom floor. Initial inspection revealed quite a few differences between the 2. Deluxe model has an adjustable rear pre-load knob, adjustable pre-load and re-bound on the front forks, self cancelling turn signals, which suck imo, heated grips, ABS/traction control, and centerstand. The standard version has none of the options. My only concern was that Honda had rushed to get the bikes to the showrooms, and it showed. When I had the dealer pull the seat to lower it, way cool feature btw, the rubber cushion grommets for the seat were laying in the seat tray on the white bike instead of plugged into the holes on the bottom of the seat. Not a good start. I also noticed that the plastic tabs for the upper cowl where it goes around the instrument cluster and meets the middle cowl were overlapped on the outside of the mid cowl instead of inserted in the mid cowl like they should be. Both right and left tabs were like that on the red deluxe and the left hand side was like that on the white standard bike. I pointed this out to the dealer and they stated they would take care of it. Not something that should be noticed after they are sitting on the showroom floor in my opinion. Be that as it was I still got geared up to go for my test drive after the seat was lowered. Initial reviews on that option was spot on, it makes a huge difference and the bike truly is quite a bit narrower. So, off I go with my wife and in-laws in tow. We have a new VFR, an FZ6, and a Goldwing in a group. Quite a sight I know. Right off I noticed a slight surge at parking lot speeds. At around 10 mph in 1st gear if you hold the throttle dead still it will speed up and slow down. Hey, I thought that Honda had fixed the low speed fueling issues of years past, same problem I had on the 1200 until I spent a bit of time and money on it to fix that problem. I guess not. Oh well, I got an open ended time and mileage test drive so I continued on. In 90 degree weather the bike never got over 180 degress while moving, no matter how slow I was going. I can say the v-tech transition was almost un-noticeable. Trip computer showed 46.5 mpg by the time I returned to the dealer. It would probably still go up the longer it was ridden. The main thing I can say is this, OMG, OMG, OMG. This thing handles and balances 10 time better that I can manage on the 1200. Oklahoma is not known for it's curvy roads but if you know where to go you can still find a few good turns. Turn in is so quick and effortless that I went back to the same curves more times that I can count, I will say that I did not like the self cancelling turn signals, they turned off a couple of times before I entered the turn somehow. I still have a ton of thoughts in my head about the bike, just not sure I can get them all down on paper. But, if someone is interested in riding one in the states, they are finally here. Take my experience for what it is worth, you may have a different opinion.
I keep reading this reviews where professionals and everyday people love the bike. I'm glad they do, but I seriously don't see what is so different about the bike. The geometry, frame, and motor are all unchanged. There must be something going on with the suspension to make such a noticeable impression on people.
Since I already have a 6th gen I won't be making the plunge, even though i do like the bike, but I can say they changed something on the chassis. I just don't want to have to go through the whole "smoothing" out process again after I just got the 1200 finished. Who knows, maybe in a few years, but for now I will finish tweaking the big 12. I did not comment on horsepower btw as the 1200 does put it to shame. But, it does get up and scoot.
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I'm sure it's a great bike and will do ok for Honda, but it still misses the mark for me. IMO, it's a sightly restyled Gen5...without the secret ingredient every VFR fan has asked for since, well, the Gen4...a big motor.
How'd you get the dealer to let you put 50 miles on a new bike? Around here they barely let you sit on them, much less ride 'em.
I keep reading this reviews where professionals and everyday people love the bike. I'm glad they do, but I seriously don't see what is so different about the bike. The geometry, frame, and motor are all unchanged. There must be something going on with the suspension to make such a noticeable impression on people.
It is probably loosing the 20 lbs of weight carried high in the tail (alloy rear subframe and no heavy stock undertail exhaust) that make the biggest difference.
Interesting. Thanks for the report. Was the suspension ok? Adjustable, right? Too close to my 6th gen to get one right now. However, anything about hard cases to go with it??
I'm sure it's a great bike and will do ok for Honda, but it still misses the mark for me. IMO, it's a sightly restyled Gen5...without the secret ingredient every VFR fan has asked for since, well, the Gen4...a big motor.
How'd you get the dealer to let you put 50 miles on a new bike? Around here they barely let you sit on them, much less ride 'em.
Not all of us. I prefer the 750cc size. The 782cc just bumps it into the litre class insurance rate for us in BC. Anyway, I do like the new bike but finances mean it, or any new bike, will be replacing my 95 anytime soon.
I agree with CC, I think it the handling is affected with how the weight was distributed with the low mount exhaust and radiator. The deluxe model has adjustable preload and rebound, the standard doesn't even have preload. It does handle like a dream. I figure when someone gets around to taking one to dyno jet or Don Guhl and the mapping is sorted for the low speed fueling, it will be a truly great bike. Also when the qc folks at Honda gets their act together so the plastic is assembled right I will look at it again. It really is a nice bike and I enjoyed putting some miles on it. Show the dealer all the threads on VFRD and tell them you will post up your thoughts and they will probably let you test drive one, a good relationship with your local dealer also helps.
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Honda dropped the ball on this bike and that is really sad. I forgot to mention that the dealers don't have the accessory catalogs yet. I called Keith at Mason City and he called Honda US and they don't even have access to them.
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I asked the dealer if they assembled any of the bike, they stated no, just the battery. When you get a chance to ride one, look at the fairings around the cluster. I'm interested to see how many are like that. I have been told by more than 1 person that I would be crazy to loose 50 horsepower coming off a 7th gen. It is a big difference but the new bike is pretty quick. If the fueling and plastic was right, I would make the swap just for the weight difference and handling. Just my preference, but I will wait until all the bugs are worked out and there are aftermarket parts available.
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It would be strange indeed if these bikes do not need any dealer prep apart from fitting the battery! They just don't come completely asssembled from the factory. Maybe the dealer meant that the bikes had been removed from the crate and prepped by the local distributor?
I asked the dealer if they assembled any of the bike, they stated no, just the battery.
Well hell, that could just be the dealer not wanting to look like and idiot. I would be very surprised if they didn't have to assemble more of the bike at the dealership.
mello dude
-- btw - Paul, sold the '99? :beer:
Yup, sold it on Wednesday. I wasn't as sad as I thought I would be though. This young man was so excited and happy about the whole thing, he wanted to hug me. Literally. I felt really good that I held it for him as long as I did. He is in a Christian rock band and was on the road a lot. He drove 5.5 hours up here to buy the bike. He only trailered it because I gave so much stuff to him in the sale that it would all fit on the bike.
Even his wife was happy about the bike. Now you know it's going to a good home when it has two parents!
It would be strange indeed if these bikes do not need any dealer prep apart from fitting the battery! They just don't come completely asssembled from the factory. Maybe the dealer meant that the bikes had been removed from the crate and prepped by the local distributor?
Ciao,
Yeah, most sportbikes come mostly assembled except usually the windscreen, mirrors and sometimes you have to move the clip ons to their proper place. On almost all bikes with fairings they are pretty much assembled. There are exceptions when it comes to bikes like the fjr or gold wing.
The 7th gen is completely assembled except for the battery. I have pictures of mine when it was taken out of the crate. Service department hooks up the battery, checks the fluids, and starts it up. Nothing else. Not sure if the new 800 is the same, but it sounds like it.
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The 7th gen is completely assembled except for the battery. I have pictures of mine when it was taken out of the crate. Service department hooks up the battery, checks the fluids, and starts it up. Nothing else. Not sure if the new 800 is the same, but it sounds like it.
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Well, okay then. Must have been too many dealership prep errors... :wacko:
I'm sure it's a great bike and will do ok for Honda, but it still misses the mark for me. IMO, it's a sightly restyled Gen5...without the secret ingredient every VFR fan has asked for since, well, the Gen4...a big motor.
How'd you get the dealer to let you put 50 miles on a new bike? Around here they barely let you sit on them, much less ride 'em.
Team ECC allows test rides, but they didn't even order one. Thought there would be no interest. (I'm in San Marcos.)
I'm sure it's a great bike and will do ok for Honda, but it still misses the mark for me. IMO, it's a sightly restyled Gen5...without the secret ingredient every VFR fan has asked for since, well, the Gen4...a big motor.
How'd you get the dealer to let you put 50 miles on a new bike? Around here they barely let you sit on them, much less ride 'em.
Team ECC allows test rides, but they didn't even order one. Thought there would be no interest. (I'm in San Marcos.)
Hey ridered, we're a few miles apart...I'm in Escondido. Yeah, ECC got burned on the Gen7. Bought one and it sat for years. Must have made 'em shy about taking on the next version. I'll have to ask Brian about test rides.
the new bikes are on the floor today at my local dealer. They wont have a demo available until Saturday, so a fellow OzVifferian and I are going along to kick the tyes...
That's $452 for each of the two front rotors. Not regularly checking front pad wear could potentially be a $900 mistake.
The LED unit is some sort of control module, not the actual bulb. I don't see a separate part number for the LED bulbs. Unless I'm missing something, this suggests if an LED bulb fails, it will require replacement of the entire headlight unit at $1320.
That's $452 for each of the two front rotors. Not regularly checking front pad wear could potentially be a $900 mistake.
The LED unit is some sort of control module, not the actual bulb. I don't see a separate part number for the LED bulbs. Unless I'm missing something, this suggests if an LED bulb fails, it will require replacement of the entire headlight unit at $1320.
I did finally was able to lay eyes on the 8th at a local dealer. I must say, it is quite an attractive bike. And compared to my 5th gen it is noticably narrower. The tail is very nicely done. I did sit on it. Ergos do come out as the VFR template. --- As a design, I like it. Now I gotta get a ride.
-- I spent some time looking at various bits just to see what would go well on my 5th. The owner came over was curious what was going on, and the inevitable BS session ensued.....
That's $452 for each of the two front rotors. Not regularly checking front pad wear could potentially be a $900 mistake.
The LED unit is some sort of control module, not the actual bulb. I don't see a separate part number for the LED bulbs. Unless I'm missing something, this suggests if an LED bulb fails, it will require replacement of the entire headlight unit at $1320.
I seriously doubt Honda would make you replace the whole painted headlight assembly for $925 due to a burnt bulb. Can anyone check their bike for the LED bulb assembly? Just wondering if this can be adapted to a 5G? Depending on the bulbs it may be comparable to aftermarket prices with some DIY installation.
That $148 part is the control box that operates the LEDs, the LED headlight assembly would be the $925.64 item. Thats minus alot of fasteners, a mounting bracket, control unit, etc. Nothing on that assembly is painted, its the fairing around the assembly thats painted.
I saw a similar question on another forum once about someone wanting the Ducati panigale S LED light assembly for their much cheaper standard panigale (which has light bulbs), they couldnt believe the LED assembly alone would cost $1100 plus.
LEDs typically last 50,000 plus hours of use or more, I doubt one would go bad any time soon. Either way warranties are a good thing, my last bike and this one each got a total of 5 years, the last bike it saved me some money unexpectedly, also Hondas good customer service helps.
Some of these prices make me ill. First, consider if you buy panniers it's $950 and you're done.
If you want a top case you're in for $375+$370+$400 = $1145. For one friggin' case. Not including the cylinder set if you want the key to match up.
The good news is that base can be had for around $125 plus the cost of off-shore shipping if you look around the web for that Honda P/N. But that's still a big chunk o' change.
And $100 for a liner or a pad? Really?
End of thread · 45 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 12 Sep 2017