Honda VFR750F (1995-1998)

Bought my 1996 Viffer a couple years ago with about 9800 miles on her. The regulator/rectifer is shite but everything else on the 4th generation is near bullet-proof. Changing the exhaust to a D&D; immediate sound change and it seems quicker as well when rolling on the throttle. Ripping through the curvy country roads here in the hilly confines of Southern Indiana/Kentucky, the bike handles confidently and inspires you to hit the corners faster. I do like the single-sided swingarm. Yes, most gixxers and ninja liter bikes would thrash it. But that's not the point. From touring to corner carver, the VFR 750 is a do-it-all bike. And comfortable, too. The V4 sound with the aftermarket exhaust really does make it sound like a Chevy V6 small block, as some have described it. Deep and a bit nasty...people have to turn their heads when they hear it coming and going. It's a bit heavy at slow speeds but it's very stable at higher speeds. I probably won't sell it as it pretty much is as fun to hit the twisties on it as well as commute. And people still comment on what a nice bike it is...not that it's a deal seller but the bike doesn't look very dated compared to others of the same era. To me, the 4th generation is best of the VFR's; too bad the newer 1200 isn't like the 750.

Living in rural Sweden means a season only April-October so something reliable and with a descent fairing that protects you from the cold wind is a necessaty. While wife and I enjoy touring in Scandinavia and rest of Europe VFR seems like the sensible choice when I enjoy a bike that can turn in a better way than for ex a Pan or a big BMW. Its also a great way to stay out of the GS-armada that has reached our shores as well. I just bought a blue VFR -97 with roughly 30000 km on it because my old red VFR -90 needs a new and friendlier home. I bought her 2003 with 43000 km on the clock and now more than 7 years later you can read +150000 km on the clock. The only thing I have swopped is of course the rectifier but also the petrol pump. A friend welded the exhaust some years ago and the Hagon shock I bought 2 years ago is the worst of crap coming from England, never again. 150000 km is what I think you should expect from a VFR but what impresses is that she is in such good condition even though I haven´t paid much attention to her except riding. Cleaning once a year and many nights out in the cold rain and too long between services. She has taken me and wife to many parts of Europe incl Italy, Ukraine and 2010 on honeymoon to Dubrovnik in Croatia. The honeymoon turned out to be her probably last trip abroad. Probably because of too many nights out in the rain the keylock gave up near Dubrovnik so a local mechanic fixed a switch from a lamp for on/off. Also on our way home on autobahn we had a long quee (stauh in german). Bike fully loaded +30 hot and upphill the clutch began to fail. No problems to get home but when giving full throttle the clutch slips. I´m 46 tomorrow and hope to enjoy VFR:s for more years until I will retire on a GS.

I bought my 97 vfr750 about a year ago with 50,000 miles on the clock and a full main-dealer service history . I only bought it because i was a bit skint and it was a good price . I also remembered a despatch rider i used to work with that owned an older one and had covered 170.000 miles on and swore he had only ever spent on service parts . 1 year and 6,000 miles on i just cant fault it .I did my first ever track day last week at Snetterton and i love the bike even more now !.....obviously fireblades etc came flying past on the straights but nothing pulled away on the bends....wet or dry track . I have a bit more money now and have been looking around for something newer to buy but i just cant see what i will be gaining apart from a different number plate . Pound for pound it the best bike i have ever owned.

I bought mine in November 09, an FT with 21k miles. Paid £1850, so top whack, but it is near mint with service history and old MOTs to back it all up. In our 3 months together so far (through a very cold and icy winter) I have covered 3000 miles and finally, just about, got to grips with it. The paintwork is deep and still polishes up to a nice shine. The original exhaust is rotten and will fall off soon. There is a lot of plastic to take off to do any servicing, and balancing the carbs will result in much swearing and burning of hands. Chain adjustment is literally a 5 minute job if you have the original Honda spanner. The engine is torquey, and burbles satisfyingly at tickover. Rev it hard and it unleashes super acceleration over 6k revs, accompanied by a snarling, growling exhaust note. I had problems getting it to handle right. The front end felt wallowy and oddly detached. I spent a couple of days playing with the suspension and it feels a lot more nimble and planted now. The front is only preload adjustable, so fork oil changes are a must. The problem is that you lose some of that armchair comfort by winding up the preload to make it handle, but it is still all-day comfortable (400 miles in a day is easy with no real comfort issues). My first tank of fuel, when I was tickling the throttle, lasted me over 200 miles before the reserve light came on. Now I get no more than 150, but nearly all of my riding is round town and on twisty roads. Front brake pads wear quickly, as it is a heavy bike to stop. Make sure you use the front and rear brakes together to keep it balanced, or you will find the back end skipping all over the place under heavy braking. The weight means you have to get your bum off the seat to make it handle on twisty roads. With the weight it is prone to falling into corners, but the power available means getting it back upright is easy enough. I am running Michelin Road Pilot 2 tyres, and have had no grip issues as yet, no squaring off and little to no wear after 3000 miles. If you are buying look for rotten exhausts (replacements are not cheap), knackered and rusty rear shocks, as they don't come with a hugger as standard and the shock collects a lot of crap. The front spark plugs are a bitch to get at (you have to remove the fairing and the radiator) so make sure these have been changed recently, and are not 16 years old and seized in place. I know I have only done 3k miles but there is nothing to suggest it will give me any problems. It feels like a new bike, it is built like a tank, and still looks relevant when you pull up in the car park on a Sunday rideout.

Beautiful, powerful, unique! I've had my '97 VFR750 since April this year. It's done 28k altogether so far. I have no intentions of changing it for another bike until it hits 100k, at the very least. It is all the bike a passionate motorcyclist will ever need. Just a shame that Honda charge £3.50 for one fairing bolt. Otherwise it is uncomplicated and cheaper to service (but also thirstier) than later VFR's. I prefer the individual brakes.

bought my 1995 VFR in 2005. its been 4 years with her and she is just stunning although the clock shows 53k miles. this is the most comfortable bike i ever own, passenger love it :) the engine perform more then your expectation. it last like a beemer boxer. for 53k miles on the bike, all i have done is just normal service.. no major service done before but the engine still run strong and smooth. i put my finger and rub at the exhaust and its clean!! the engine does not produce high BHP but the torque is brilliant! this bike could handle properly, very stable in freeway and twisties road, its easy to handle to town as well.. don't let the weight fool around, its light when the bikes goes. many beginner tried my bike and their feedback is easy to ride and friendly. she is so proud, everybody love her! i have change a braided hose and sintered pads and the brakes are just astonishing! ground clearance is good but if getting the bike lower, you'll scratch the center stand with the ground. rear suspension is weak now, properly its time to replace a new rear spring.. some said the rectifier will not last, been use more than 3 years now and it still working :) some people offer me with great value but i'll still keep this until i got a V5 VFR in 2009? :)

Having just sold my V-Strom I bought my 1995 VFR in June 08 with a mere 21k on the clock for commuting and the odd bit of fun. My idea being - smaller engine better fuel return. How wrong I was, with a mere 19 - 21mpg the VFR drinks like a fish and giving me only 95-100 miles to the red fuel light. At first I thought in town, be better on a run... Quick blast on the motorway later and I still only got 100-110 to a tank pathetic for the "best Bike Ever" Besides the fuel non economy it is a nice bike but was draughty on a run until I fitted a double bubble screen. The riding position is quite comfortable and at 6 foot I dont feel cramped at all on it. The rear passenger seat is more than big enough for a pillion with pegs placed so their knees are not up around their ears. Handling is good even when 2 up on it. Brakes are excellent and pull up the mass of bike and rider very quickly even when on the motorways. The rear shock does feel a bit soft but that is probably down to it being 13 years old and it may be changed if I keep the bike. I'm still not sure I like the single sided swinging arm or to be more accurate the adjusting of the chain. Which reminds me I have to adjust the chain, now where did I put that spanner.....?

I haven't been riding to long but I bought an 1999 R6 and got so into riding wanted to ride through winter not wanting to ruin my R6 as it is immaculate I started looking for a winter commuter. I came accross a 1989 VFR FK. What a bike been riding it to work and back for around 3 months now and it is brilliant. Easy to ride very comfortable and still has plenty of power and speed when needed. I had heard reliability was excellent on these and through all weathers has made my 40 mile round trip to work everyday no problem. My bike has 37K on the clock but still is as smooth as anything can't think of a better everyday bike. You can ride as quick or as slow as you like. Only fault suspension slightly spongy but my other bike is a R6 so most bikes ride feels spongy.

I have just bought my first vfr I bought it for £900 with 2 spare screens a wheel hugger and a brand new rear wheel and new tyre. it came with a part service history as well, well i think the bloke I bought it off has fiddled himself out of some of my hard earned money. Well anyway what a comfortable bike and its quick off the mark and riding along at 85/90 mph seems like your not moving very fast at all, so I will have to be carefull otherwise my licence will go up in smoke. I'm really happy with this bike and I would buy another one anyday. HAppy safe riding everyone.

Bought my 97 after researching for 6 months. I wanted something that wouldn't break the bank was comfortable enough to ride all day without destroying my spine, fast enough to ride freeways and get out of danger but not so I'm popping wheelies, and nimble enough for fast rides through twisties on the weekends with some inline 4 friends. Extremely tall order for all this and after looking at all the reviews there was only 1 obvious choice. The Honda reliability makes this bike a steal with all the good deals to be had buying a used in great condition VFR.