Honda VFR800 V-Tec (2001-current)

Done a weekend trip,about 800miles in all,2 up,to Lands end a few months ago on 2002 800 vtec, average 45mpg, one stage between fill ups was 49mpg, speed around 80mph most of the way with an 8 stone pillion,12 stone me and a bag each. not bad I thought...

I have owned my 2003 VFR-Vtec ABS for more than a year and have done 5,000 miles on it. When bought it all recall work had been done on it and it had full service history with 3 previous owners and 8,500 miles on the clock. Still very tight, sharp, and clean. It is a beautiful bike (apart from the head lights), gorgeous end cans, single sided swingarm (that has added unnecessary weight ), sharp lines and because of its size it certainly has presence on the road and mine is in fire engine Red colour that has added more presence to it. Handling Compared to my other bikes (Hayabusa & ZZR600) handling was a big disappointment, because other two are much lower than VFR. VFR is higher and heavier, so centre of gravity is higher and changing direction is not very sharp, so it is not very sporty. Ride is very comfortable but handling, Disappointed. Vtec and MPG Whole point of Vtec engine was lower petrol consumption when you don’t need the full power, it does 38 to 41 MPG in town. Not great but not bad either, but when you don’t have the full power why petrol consumption is high like a 750 supersport bike? When the Vtec kicks in, it is a different bike. Very fast and beautiful sounding, but I would prefer full power to be available in lower revs too. They have made it safe I guess. Engine Torque is spread out through revs, enough torque. EXTREMELLY reliable engine, absolutely bullet proof. Last winter Dec 2008-Jan 2009 temperature dropped to Minus -12 Centigrade, bike started by first touch of the button on every single day. I test rode a vfr vtec with 46,000 miles on the clock and it felt very tight and healthy. Goods: Good mirrors, very very stable bike in high speeds I have done top speed run on it reaching 157 MPH, very stable, combined breaking system is a plus and with ABS you don’t need to worry about locking the back wheel but breaking will not be as sharp as none-ABS ones. Good screen, panel has nearly everything displaying on it, like ambient temperature, 2 trip metres, fuel gauge, option of KilometrePH or MilePH, coolant temperature. Very comfy bike, it is a true tourer and the last breed of under 1000cc sportstourers in UK. Fully adjustable suspension (ABS version only). Very good all rounder, Jack of all trades really. This bike has sold in millions. Most reliable bike I have ever owned and I have owned quiet a few bikes. Bads: Heavy bike, Handling that if combined tires you on the twisty roads, Vtec (which I am not fan of it) kicks in too late (6800/ 11000 RPM), tricky to strap a cargo net, a bit boring on the sporty side, Jack of all trades but master of none. Honda’s hard luggage set is very expensive.

Great bike,I`ve not been riding long(2 yrs)3rd bike,reckon I`ll keep it for a while,great for distance.Got a 2001 v-tec model done almost 10000miles on it,had it a year now,OK I dont ride it hard(my licence is quite important to me!)also on same tyres still,metzeler roadtec z6,rear still has about 1000miles left.Got big service coming up so better start saving aint I...!!

Great bike does everything i want of a bike bought it new 2005 no problems no more to be said.

I Bought it over a month and a half ago. What a mistake to make! I have owned other japanese & fuel injected bikes ranging between 650 & 1300cc with no problems. But this is just awful. Unfortunately i'm 19 & not allowed to test ride bikes before i purchase them, which is lucky for honda in the short-term as i've bought what i must admit is potentially a fantastic bike, but honda have made a real mess of it, I'm sure it should have "not for road use" stamped in the frame or bodywork somewhere - i still haven't found where yet. Had i have been allowed a test ride, i would never have bought it. I have since been told (by the dealer itself) they're not made for using in town's or cities - then what the hell are they made for, i know they're sports tourers & my commute does involve open roads as well as the city, but they're not much of a bike if i can't actually use the thing for commuting!? But in the long-term Honda have now lost a young customer for life for not just the awful bike, but for how i have since been treated, as Honda obviously doesn't like it when people complain! They may well all be like it, but that doesn't make them right. I challenge Honda to start making bikes with square wheels & then tell their customers it's fine because they're all like it!

Just bought my 2nd vfr after a few years off bikes and i must say it's a great improvement from my 89 fj model. I've only done about 1700 miles so far but getting more confident in removing that last 1/2 inch of shiny rubber still around the rear bridgstone! Just removed the genuine rear luggage box and carrier that came with it and fitted a single seat cowl. Does anyone know what the best type of cans to put on as the standard ones are too quiet for my liking. Heated grips (oxford) work well as long as you only put them to half way, if not it'l grill ya fingers like a gorge forman grill. Anyone out there recomend a good set or tyres ? Currently on BT020'S Cheers and enjoy the summer. Keep it fun, keep alive !

Recently purchased a black VFR, not a bad bike quite boring, had a few problems buying it badly let down by Honda HQ and also dealership where I bought it. Petrol consumption is high but haven't run it in yet, 3 things have gone wrong with it the 2 weeks I have owned it. Needless to say well disappointed and can't wait to bin it and get a decent bike..

One of the dullest & overpriced bikes ever built! They corrode like sparrow shit! I think most of these reviews are written by Honda marketing people!

Got my '03 new and have only needed to replace the tyres. I am sure that if you could fit knobblies it would have been a Dakar winner. ;-)

Having had to make the difficult choice of giving up my much be-loved cbr600 i had to look for something that could eat up the miles yet still be fun on the back roads. Ive had my Vfr 08 for about 9months now and loved every mile on it,the v-tec is alittle strange at first but once you get used to it the extra power is a welcome boost. Fuel wise ive managed over 200miles from a tank on the motorway but ive been ready to stop before the fuel has ran out. Its been fantastic so far and easy to live with,you can still throw it about once you get used to the weight and has a smooth throttle to blast out of corners. And on the flip side if you just want to cruise along on that nice sunday lunch it'll take you where ever you need to go without the fuss or drama.