HONDA VFR800 (1998 - 2001) Review

Version: Repsol edition

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £125

A repsol edition of the vfr800fi, unknown model edition until meeting a French couple at the TT one year, most people think its a cbr, I bought it after being suggested by a person at work, had it more years than I can recall, friends ride it and want to buy it off me, they'd never considered one before and the fact that they don't get a bad report some think they are boring, until they've ridden it.

Buying experience: Privately on ebay without seeing it, it needed new clutch plates not mentioned by the seller but considering how much it was and the pleasure of owning has given me I really didn't care.

Version: FI-X

Year: 1999

Annual servicing cost: £300

I've been riding for 20 years and have tried all sorts of bikes, but this viffer is by far the nicest bike I have ever owned, ridden, seen, heard or otherwise dealt with. I bought my first one just after breaking my arm in an accident (before the bones had knitted, yeah, I know) because I just could not pass it up, and I was never disappointed -- until it was stolen; I was then very disappointed and had to deal with the lackluster handling, comfort and performance of a CBR600F until I bought another one.The bike really will do anything - I'm not a track junkie so perhaps it's not for you if you plan to race, but it holds up well enough riding with any other big bikes I've seen. Two up performance is effortless, as is distance riding. The bike handles perfectly, especially as I'm on the shorter side for a male rider; I feel more at one with the road aboard this steed than any other bike - the only bike I've found better in the Twisties is it's little brother (vfr400) and that's no-where near as practical as an every day bike.Commuting wise this bike is so effortless I always arrive at work grinning (even when I have a hard day ahead).I've done some distance runs, but didn't manage to try a proper European tour as it got nicked just before I planned to go - add some givi luggage and I don't think I'll have any trouble at all with doing a nice euro tour with my better half.I know some people just don't get this bike, but they tend to either be the kind of people who are better off riding one of those BMW bikes that look like a lanky fish, or the poser types who ride a hayabusa once every other Sunday in the months of July and August - for everyone else, this bike is perfect and I can't recommend it highly enough.

Version: Fi-X

Year: 1999

Bloody thing never goes wrong, never unreliable, never uncomfortable, that’s why I’ve had it 17 years. Gagging for an excuse to buy a new bike but there just isn’t one. (Well I did get a VF750C as a summer poser for a while, fun, but was too low for me.)

Buying experience: Paid £4450 for a 5000 miler in 2003. Some 17 years and 35000 miles later, with a FSH and garaged or covered since new, must still be worth a grand. What could be better?

Year: 1998

Had the bike since new, Pirelli Diablo Rosso II, Max Torque End can makes it sound great, power commander and K N air filter, upgraded the reg/rectifier ( only time the bike ever let me down) still puts a smile on my face.

Buying experience: Bought it new from a dealer, all went well.

Version: FiY

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £100

Fitting Maxton suspension front and rear made the bike more like it should have been from the factory. A couple of hundred more cc and more torque would have been nice too. I’ve had the VFR for 13 years and will never part with it. It’s such a brilliantly capable machine that, even now, I find much more recent models a bit disappointing one way or another. I know many think of it as an old man’s bike, but how come I frequently find myself showing a clean pair of heels to litre plus sportsbikes and other flavour of the month models? And others are to be heard telling of its lack of character... A fine handling V4 with direct racing heritage... Characterless? I reckon anyone who moans about any motorcycle being bland is probably saying much more about them than the machine! I certainly would recommend a VFR800 to a friend. A few mods make it a hell of a bike.

Buying experience: I bought from a local Honda dealer 13 years ago. Price seems irrelevant due to the time since. Knowing what I now know about the VFR, I wouldn’t have any qualms about buying privately, or buying a high mileage bike once it had clearly been treated well and serviced correctly. These days, they can be had for little money and, in decent condition, are a steal.

Version: The best one.

Year: 1999

I have owned over 30 bikes and been riding for 50 years. Apart from my VFR I have an MV and an 1999 Fireblade. Every time I ride the VFR i am amazed at how great it rides for a 20 year old machine. The engine is fantastic, I wish I could have afforded one when they were new. In the end lots of bikes have come and gone but the VFR is still in the garage.

Buying experience: Brought privately from the original owner. Turned up to look at it, his wife was holding their first baby. I said I would have it and take it now, I thought he was going to cry, and I don’t mean the baby. It was a reasonably low mileage one around 10 years ago, but would have been happy to buy with higher mileage if there was a service history.

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £200

Smallish fuel tank, forks could be inverted forks like 1000rr and separate braking. Love the reliability. Never had the regulator issue, love the sound with SC Project can on the exhaust. Side radiators must go.

Buying experience: Private. Deal of the year. 62K on it. $1500 Canadian dollars not abused. Definitely had previous drop, but little to no damage.

Year: 2000

After 50000ish miles, most of them 2 up with luggage it remains the perfect touring machine. WE have probably visited 12 countries, furthest probably Morocco. Perfect for me all day, pillion probably about 4-5 hours. Have thought about a replacement for many years, but nothing in my view is as good an all rounder as the VFR. Downpipes now looking a little tired, but otherwise very good condition.

Buying experience: Bought new from Redline in Colchester. It was either the Honda or a GS. Could not get GS on time so went with the Honda. So glad I did. It was also offered at a discount.

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £200

A truly reliable and fun machine, not the most exciting ride out there, but for £1,500 it’s about as good as you can get. I use it for commuting and it does exactly what I ask of it. With a Delkevic exhaust it sounds great, especially higher up the rev range.

Buying experience: Private sale. £1,500 with 44k in the clock. Good cosmetic and mechanical condition. Don’t expect to lose any money on it if I ever come to sell her...

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £180

4.5 would be a better rating as it ain't perfect (what is?), and it's not the best at anything. Glorious, elastic, flexible engine.Even after 10k miles (I bought it at 19k about 18 months ago) I never get tired of that hard knuckle of midrange that starts around 6k and only tails off just before the rev limiter. And the sound? Oh my. With full stainless system with carbon end can, it starts as a lovely lumpy tickover, to a general burbly loveliness when doddering about, to a hard, even, purposeful moan. Just wish it had the adjustability and quality of my old CBR600F's suspension, and was a bit less lardy, and a bit less serious. The CBR was a rock at any speed, despite being lighter. You can tour on it, but I haven't, and it hasn't made me want to. I'm 41, and after 60-70 miles my legs are complaining to the point where I'm taking my feet off the pegs and stretching them out, but that's probably just me. Main problem with it is that it's nigh on 20 years old, and after so much searching I can't find anything to replace it. I think it's exceedingly handsome from any angle, and even with the miles and the age, its detail is a testament to the the fact that when Honda built it, they were not trying to balance the books to a tiny price. I still I ride it every day in all weathers and all seasons, and there is no visible corrosion anywhere, save for a bit of aluminium whitening on some barely visible areas.

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £500

While tending more to sport than touring per se, this bike does a wonderful job of both. Raised the bars slightly to achieve a more upright position. Helps alot on longer hauls. Why Honda chose to adopt VTEC and drop gear driven cams is frankly incomprehensible. The 2001 was the last of their fifth Gen VFR'S, and is the best bike they've ever made in this man's opinion.

Buying experience: Purchased privately. Was originally bought by a Navy man who passed it on to his son, who sold it to me. Had 6,000 miles on it when I bought it from him in 2016.

Version: Fi1

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £1,400

The sound.Lovely off beat burble. Scorpion end can fitted, OE was a bit flat. Downside is those linked brakes,work perfectly but in long term ownership they require the dedication of an amphetamine fed cat to change fluid and bleed properly. Just far too complicated a system for long term/high mile use.

Buying experience: Private sale,paid £1700 and it was a fair sale. The bike was near mint when i bought it with 30k, now 77k and cough cough, well used.

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £400

Finest Sport-Touring bike ever conceived. It's V45 based motor is excellent. Would I recommend? A friend reported finding a low mileage, excellent condition example for sale at an astounding price; I told him run-not-walk to buy it.

Buying experience: It was a leftover in 2000; the price was good. Sad that more riders could not recognize the value of this terrific machine.

Year: 2000

comfortable, powerfull enough, excellent sound with aftermarket can, brilliant brakes when bled correctly, good vision at night and decent tank range also handling very good.

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £200

I've had all types of bikes ranging from sports, big sports touring, modern retro etc but keep coming back to the old faithful 5th generation and best model Honda VFR made.

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £100

does everything well enough. smooth, quiet, yet great V4 hum as the rpms rides. i have three givi bags and a custom windscreen. two HIDs, and two HPLEDs. Handles very well in wet and windy weather. Styling is still appealing. i have had it since 2003. i road test bikes, but this is still the only one in my garage. I do get 49 mpg on regular. AMSOIL makes it run smooth. Worst feature: center stand hard to get on when you have givi bags with stuff in them.

Buying experience: i was renting bikes, and this was one of the rentals they were selling. i rode this one and a VTEC and chose this one, 13 years ago. still the only bike in my garage.

Version: VFR 800 fi

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £150

Never had a problem, performs well in every category

Buying experience: I found it the best VFR

Year: 2001

Annual servicing cost: £100

Been riding 40+ years, the 5th Gen VFR is the best all-around motorcycle I've ever owned or ridden. I've nothing negative to say about it.

Buying experience: Bought my first VFR in 2001, sold it to a friend after 26K miles. Bought my second 2001 VFR in 2012 with 1245 miles on it. Currently about 6K miles.

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £200

Where else can you find a bike capable of 140 mph, 50 mpg, and a 250 mile range? There is a reason for all the five star ratings, the 5th gen VFRs are that good. I put 70,000 miles on two 5th gens in 66 months. My 98 had 117,000 miles on the odo when I sold it last year, and was running strong. I sold it to get a low mile Y2K bike for $2,400. These bikes run great, don't burn oil even at high mileage, and are solid, all around motorcycles. I am 6' tall with a 32 inch inseam, and have logged several 13 hour/500 mile days on the stock seat. Leg position gets a little cramped after 3 or 4 hours in the saddle, but by that time I'm ready for a pit stop anyway. If the ergonomics fit you, the 5th gen VFR is hard to beat.

Buying experience: Purchased used from a private party. 1998: 58,000 miles, paid $2,400 for it in 2010 2000: 24,900 miles, paid $2.400 for it in 2015

Version: 2000 VFR800Fi-x

Year: 2000

Annual servicing cost: £50

Excellent all rounder that is top quality and engineered to last. If the VFR800 were a fine wine the 5th gen from 98 to 02 would be the vintage years. Look at the quality and standard of engineering. Get a good unmolested, well cared for bike and get better rate of return than you will get in a bank account.

Year: 2000

fantastic bike which sums up this bike altogether

Year: 2000

Best sports tourer ever........

Buying experience: Purchased new in July 2000 from local Honda dealer. Only modification to extend the mirrors. Replacement tyres, chain and cogs are the only costs incurred apart from service costs. It is in showroom condition and when parked up draws attention from other bikers. In 2000 it was viewed as the best sports tourer, in 2015 nothing has changed, in my opinion.

Version: Fi W

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £100

Used all year round but does have a few gremlins such as the electrics can let you down on high mileage bikes.

Buying experience: bought in 2008 with 18000 miles for £2600 at the asking price

Year: 2001

Phenomenal overall bike. I doubt I will part with her easily.

Buying experience: Purchased privately from original owner with only 1800 miles on the clock and 8 oil changes over the lifetime of the motorcycle. Yes 8 changes in 8 years and only 1800 miles.

Version: Fi

Year: 2001

Perfect!!! :-)

Buying experience: Perfect !!! :-)

Version: VFR800FiW

Year: 1998

Annual servicing cost: £150

Never had less than 52mpg! So have no idea what they did to get 38 mpg....must have had a fuel leak.

Buying experience: Buy one that has just been serviced and had the valve clearances checked as doing properly costs a packet.

Version: FI

Year: 2001

It's still a good bike.

Version: FI

Year: 2001

Perfect!

Version: Pre vtech, 5th generation

Year: 1998

A relatively light and compact sports tourer with a glorious v4 engine. The riding position is a oerfect compromise between long distance comfort and short blast sporty crouch. I admit that I've neglected maintenance on mine for two years as its getting long in the tooth, has a high milage and is getting a bit tatty to look at; the bike has coped perectly well and hasn't (yet) complained. (Reg/rec issues mentioned below have nothing to do with servicing).

Year: 1998

Had a 750 vfr many years ago pleased with it.Now in my seventies and feel 800vfr a little crampted.Could do with lower footrests and higher bars.

Year: 1998

After many years of only buying the latest machines,this bike has opened my eyes to the wonderfully rich world of older machines.the last two bikes i owned were a 2008 mt03 and a 2012 fz1n. The Vfr is way more practical than the fz1 and I genuinely don't notice the reduced displacement at all and nearly as much fun as the mt03 (itself a seriously underated machine which I still sometimes miss). The overriding impression on the Vfr is one of pure quality with a truly sublime engine.I had to replace the reg/rec after 1300 miles of ownership (no surprises there) but other than that (and 4000 miles later) it has run sweetly and trouble free. The sound is exquisite (fuel can and snorkel removed); the control are creamy smooth and the riding position is perfect. And I think it looks really stunning (red). Mines in good nick but as soon as I'm able I'm gna treat her to a full respray and bring her back to showroom condition. A truly magnificent motorcycle.

This bike epitomises what bikes should be like. No nonsense, pure fan in any road (or track), either solo or two up with full travelig paraphernalia. Great engine, great brakes, great chassis, buit quality out of this world, could do with a better shock. Mine is 14 Y.O. and still looks like new.

I had a 2001 model I did 39,000k on it. The exhaust rotted away at 30k and was one of the most difficult jobs I have ever had to do. The valve clearances were hard to do. As for the riding the fuel economy was poor and the range limited the rear shock needs uprating if you carry a passenger and luggage. The regulator rectifier let me down on a country lane at 1am on the isle of man. I de linked the brakes but it did not really work well after that the calipers need changing if you do. After 39k I failed to see the point it was not as well built as it should be, the chain needs carefull adjustment if it is to last mine had a scott oiler. I brought a 2003 fazer 600 and that did everything the VFR800 could but was cheaper to run easier to maintain had better brakes more comfortable and the performance is not far behind. As for the VTECH VFR800 that's a ridiculous waste of cash. My advice buy a Blackbird or a z750

I bought a 1998 model in 2009. It was not my first choice of bike to return me to biking after a very long break. It was bought at a bar-b-q at a friends and I fell in love with the look of it. After renewing the exhaust system, getting hold of a Fuel end can off e-bay, putting some bar risers and an MRA touring screen on it, I cannot think of any reason why I would want to go out and buy any other bike. I would not want to go any faster, would not want to accelerate any quicker and I think you would be hard pushed to find anything more reliable. I have not rode the latest R1 or GTR 1400 because this bike does everything and more I could possible want from it. I love the way it looks, love the sound, great headlights, beautiful at motorway speeds and easy around town. I still look in showrooms and other bikes at bike meets due to my passion for all bikes but I am so glad that I get on my VFR to ride back home. Perhaps one I ill get something newer but I know the VFR wil always be my favourite.

We'll thats what it said in a Mag review I read back in 2000 which sold me on my '99 50th Anniversary which I purchased in '05 with 2000miles after totalling my previous '03 VFR Vtec. 32000 mainly fun Sport touring miles on must say besides replacing the original SH579A11 R/R with Honda Upgraded SH689DA R/R in '08 has been 100% reliable. Good points brilliant Sound both from GDCs and Arrow end can enjoyed both through twisties and city commuting, great tank range, comfort for up to 750mile days, competent handling everywhere enough to stay with sainly ridden Superbikes especially good on iffy surfaced unknown back roads. Absolute contentment after 6 years with the expectation I'll remain contented for another Six. Negatives only the thought it may not last me forever which only surfaces in my minds background whenever a mate trades their Gixer/blade in on yet another new model.

As the review says, this is the best version of the VFR and the RC45 derived V4 gives this bike some soul! And lovely strong strong torque through the rev-range. Handling is very decent for a heavy(ish) bike and the linked brakes are up to the job. I bought mine 99' model earlier in 2010 and have already added 8'000 miles having toured through Ireland, the UK and Europe, the bike has been a complete joy. All-day comfort, good instruments and not such a stretch to the bars making a good first sportsbike as well as a decent tourer. The only problem i've experienced with the bike is a blown rectifier which ruined the battery. Luckily i was close to home as the bike completely died! So make sure you check this if looking at a pre-2000 model as the rectifiers are made of chocolate. These bikes are becoming pretty cheap now and parts are not a problem. High miles aren't an issue with these bikes either. Buy a clean one, fit a decent exhaust and look after it. You won't regret it! :)

Of all the bikes I have owned this stands out as a brilliant machine. I own a '98 VFR800 and it still gets regular use even though I also have an '05 FZS1000 in my garage. The V4 engine is like no other and an absolute joy to ride. The fact that the bike carries a bit of extra weight compared to a full-on sportsbike gives it an advantage both in terms of road holding and comfort. Despite being 11 years old mine is still used for touring and this year covered over 2000 miles in two weeks of riding around Spain. A lot of bikes get a lot of hype and this is one of the few machines about which it is all true! Other bikes will come and go but this will always have a place in my garage.

A fantastic bike for long distance commuting on motorways and cross country for a bit of fun. This is my first big bike and I am really happy with it.

I had an evening swap from my Yamaha FZ6 fazer to a VFR800. Riding position takes a bit of getting used to after the wide handlebars on my FZ, and it's a while since I've leaned on the bars as well so that was a bit odd. Also, that one's done 34k, not too much for a VFR but I think they've been hard miles so it feels a bit tired, but still rampant. So, what are the plusses? Well, it goes like a scalded cat. My god, the torque is fabulous. It snaps away from lights, really, like it's trying to get away from me. It is super comfortable, especially for a "sports" riding position. The noise, well, what can I say about the harmonising of the gear cams and the V4 burble. Do you know what? It reminds me of the V8 cars I've driven - Rover V8, BMW X5, Bentley Arnage - it sounds like them and, strangely, it feels like them too. It's so smooth. The instrument panel is very good, scary how high the numbers go on the MPH bit. Maneuvrability is surpisingly good for such a big, heavy machine, but then Honda's have always impressed me with their ergonomics. What are the minuses? Well, the main ones have to be that it is a smidge high. I didn't have any problems with it, but if it were mine I'd fit a new rear shock and lower it by 15 or 20mm. The engine braking is REALLY noticable. After an inline-4 it is shocking how it snaps you forward when you let off the throttle. I do miss the big whack of power that comes in on my FZ6 around 6k though. All the oomph lives up the dusty end of the rev counter and I did think that the VFR had all of it's party tricks at the lower end of the rev counter. I have to confess (and I know you'll not be too harsh on me when I say this) that the VFR did make me behave a bit like a hooligan. I found my self gunning for gaps I'd not attempt in the FZ as that whack of low-end torque really makes you feel nimble and I rode in a much more positive way. There was no need for the constant dancing on the gears. I really, really want to try one of the newer VFR800s now to see what they are like with variable valves. I'd also like to see what a fresh one feels like. What's more I can really see my self moving up to one of these towards the end of the summer.

This is my first bike and so I can't speak yet with years of experience, however, if you're looking for a bike (like I was) that handles like a dream, eats motorway miles, has a great level of performance, is comfortable and is good on insurance too - then the VFR800i is the one for you! ..I read tons of reviews about the VFR800i before buying and after finding the 'one' I made the leap of faith.. no regrets! If you have found 'the one', then don't hesitate. Have fun and be safe!

35,000 miles and the only non wear and tear problem was a broken LCD circuit board, which cost about £200 to fix. The linked brakes were a bit crap, but braided hoses sorted this out. It does 180 miles to the tank, and is comfy for the pillion as well. The wife has done over 10000 miles. What can I say - It's more reliable than any car I've owned, and sounds better too. The only other thing it really neeeds is a remote adjustable pre-load for the rear suspension if you plan to tour with luggage and/or pillion.

Wanna keep up with the Blades (only .2 sec slower to sixty if you can keep the front down...) Fancy a relaxed semi-touring riding position which isnn't cranking your neck all day? Don't want to spend half your life refuelling? (180-200 mile tank range). Fancy a forgiving ride that won't try to chuck you off every time you overcook the breaking into corners? Desire something even the Mrs. doesn't mind riding pillion on for a few hundred miles? (Saves leaving your ear plugs in!) This is the Bike... It will do anything, good communter, scratching, touring, fun on the lanes, loves the big sweeping corners, anything... (OK I'll draw the line a MX!) Awesome Bike, older pre-Vtecs getting cheap now, find a low miler and your laughing... Enjoy :o)