I have been following the VFR forums for about 6 months (including Adventure Rider Road Warriors) and decided that the 8th gen bike looked pretty good to me. Test rode a VFR 750 back in 1998 when I was getting back into riding, but ended up with a BMW K75S (and a few more BMW's since).
Wanted to try something different and always thought the Honda V-4 bikes to be interesting (yes, I have read all the reasons inline 4's are better than V-4's). Came real close to buying an Aprilia Caponord TP, but after 3 test rides, concluded the heat management is terrible. I have not read every post, but I have yet to see anyone complain about heat issues on the VFR 800's. Seems like a good warm weather bike.
Looked at buying new and started out that way (preferred to find a low mileage used one) and came across a used 1,700 mile red deluxe in Maryland. Bought it and got to ride it back home to Kansas through the Virginia and West Virginia mountains.
This bike is kind of a replacement for my previously owned BMW R1100S. They have very similar performance numbers, the edge going to the VFR800.
I now have just over 3,200 miles on the bike and it seems like it is starting to loosen up and feels better each time I ride it.
Likes:
- The looks. But I have liked the looks of all the generations. (I think the 1200 only looks odd in photos. When it is parked around other bikes, it looks more normal to me)
- V-4 engine and sounds
- Quality of fit and finish
- Fun factor
- I think handling, but I am a newbie with this bike, and still learning how to ride it efficiently.
- Tank capacity and range.
- Heated grips work great (5 adjustments!)
- Most accurate speedometer on any bike I have ever owned
Modifications made so far or will in the future:
- Knight Design lowered footpegs
- Will be wrapping the handgrips with grip puppies or something similar. The heated grips are way too hard for my hands and prefer a fatter grip.
- Stock windshield is working Ok for me, as long as I am not on a long tour encountering a lot of rain.
- Stock seat Ok for now, but may eventually replace.
- Front suspension seems Ok, but I suspect I will eventually replace the rear with an Ohlin. Put Ohlins on the R1100S and it was so much better.
- Will add a Bagster tank cover (and maybe a tank bag)
- Akrapovic exhaust was added by previous owner. I would like to find an original exhaust as I like the looks of it, but have become used to the Akrapovic
Hoping Honda will consider these points in future models:
- This bike could really use cruise control. Sport touring many times requires some distance of steady state throttle, or to stay under a speed limit. Not really a fan of fly by wire throttle, but that is usually what it takes for cruise control. I own a late model water cooled BMW, and it has a very good implementation of cruise control.
- Also, Honda should look at BMW's switch gear. Everything on my BMW is within thumbs reach. No reaching out into the dash to change functions. Some of the switches on the VFR look like an afterthought.
- Honda can go back to the under seat exhaust system of earlier gens IMO. My R1100S had under seat exhaust which allowed for full luggage capacity for both bags, a full view of the rear wheel, and easier access to removal of the rear wheel.
Do not recommend the Bags Connection bag in my photo below for the VFR800. I bought it for a different bike a few years ago, but it does not fit my VFR as well as I would like. The rear turn signals cause the bag to be mounted too far forward and that puts it too close to the rider.
While it wraps nicely around the seat, it comes down too low and will rub on the painted side panels and scuff the paint. I tried putting a towel in between the bag and the bike, but that did not work very well.
(It is a well made piece of luggage and can hold a lot. If the bag had 1 inch less of a cut out for the seat, and the depth from front to back was maybe 2 inches narrower, it would work fine)
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