HONDA VFR800 VTEC (2014 - on) Review

It's a V4

It's a Honda

Would have liked cruise control

The seat is very comfortable, and gives hours of comfort. The bars would benefit from being slightly higher, and I recommend fitting bar risers and a double bubble screen. The bike handles well in the twisties and around town. This bike can do it all well.

You cannot beat the V4 and VTEC bark as the revs pass 7000 is excellent.

Typical Honda, fantastic build quality.

The heated grips are great, the traction control is functional, albeit basic, and seems an after thought. The ABS is reassuring and works. The lack of0000 ride modes, and cruise control let the bike down. The VFR is a sports Tourer, so why Honda did not fit cruise control is beyond me, and a missed opportunity.

Stable, comfortable, and pretty sporty - Its a bike that is all bikes, the swiss army knife of bikes.

More HP's would be nice and if it had 120-130 I'm sure it would sell more. Economy is excellent - over 250 miles on a tank. VTEC Bark gives character in spades

Feels built to last, faultless

14,000 miles valve inspection costly and could possibly be recommended at a higher mileage . Dealer said they rarely need shimming... But thats the only negative. Apart from that self-servicing is easy, centre stand and single sided swing are makes chain maintenance easy.... Decent room under the seat for a motion-pro tool kit, circle chain brush and Motul chain paste.

5 out of 5 if it had cruise control

Not the most supple suspension, but quick adjustments when my wife is riding pillion are a big plus.

Feels almost as torquey off-idle as my old R1150GS. Super smooth and linear to redline, with that amazing V4 growl and howl.

Problem-free.

At CDN $15k, there are some serious competitors. But at the price I paid ($10k), a flat-out steal.

All the electronic doodads you could ask for, but cruise control. $1500 for side cases is a bit rich.

Once set up, which is easy to do with all the adjustment available the bike hugs the road like its on rails, factory set up was a bit bouncy at the front and hard at the rear Brakes are superb, ABS is the best I've tried and is smooth in action As a trail braker I find the rear to be just how I like it

Beautifully designed and built the engine is a gem, nice a docile, with bags of torque up to 6,500 after which the VTEC delivers a boost of power that makes the intake roar drown out the exhaust and the bike just takes off It's not sudden or likely to take you by surprise but when you need it there's some real acceleration there

Typical Honda build quality, everything works as it should, impressive fairing mouldings As long as it gets regular attention the bike is faultless, I do a lot of mileage and this is always ready for more

I have mine dealer serviced so not the cheapest, plus loan bike for the day Tyres lasted until 5k then I changed the OEM Dunlops for Bridgestone B23s, the Dunlops were fine, can't understand why "Ian" I confines his whole report to them Cost per mile is less than the CBR or BMW its replaced

Only extras I've fitted was a hugger and double bubble screen, I had a power outlet fitted when I bought the bike Other than that there's nothing I want or need The 5 stage heated grips are a real upgrade from the crude BMW on/off grips, I now use them most of the time through the year on different settings Paintwork is first class, I've got the Darkness Black model and the tank looks like a custom job, stunning

Absolutely fantastic

For those that think it needs more power then take a good look in the mirror and watch out for your license. (This is real world performance and for UK roads is more than enough). After owning many different bikes over a period of over 35 years this has to be one of the most engaging engines I have ever ridden, yes its Honda boring in terms of character! (I think NOT).

Overall it is typical Honda quality which I firmly believe is still better than most else out there but is still not what it used to be in our throw away world. This was demonstrated within 3 months of ownership through paint flaking on engine casing and mirrors showing early signs of wear! Both were sorted by Honda under warranty but demonstrates that things aren't what they used to be.

Yes that V4 is expensive to service when you start to love that engine its worth every penny. The initial purchase is indeed expensive when compared to other brands but ownership will help convince you the true reasons why that is and in a word it is QUALITY or another would be ABILITY.

Take a close look at the standard spec and try to find another bike that gives you this much at initial purchase. The panniers are however expensive at £500 a pair but are very good despite being a little small they are very waterproof and extremely easy to live with in terms of removal and adding to the bike.

Stonking engine. Sounds magical with the Akrapovic on. However, it's probably lacking 20-30bhp

Excellent build quality

A little too expensive for what it is compared to the competition

The competition have different rider modes, cruise control etc. Sort it out Honda

Super smooth when you want to cruise but easy to flick side to side when you want some fun. I can only sing the praises of the brakes. ABS works extremely well as I found out when a car drifted into my lane on the motorway. Grabbed the brakes and felt the bike 'vibrate' as the ABS done its thing. Bike quickly lost speed in a controlled but fast manner.

Awesome engine - once warmed up. All reviewers have commented how good the new VTEC is. I mostly agree, although my bike 'sticks' on the first time it activates after starting, causing a bit of a kick. After that first go it is as smooth as the reviewers say.

Aside from the niggle of the self-cancelling indicators no issues with the bike thus far.

Getting good MPG, 55 on average with my commute to work. That is sitting at 70mph on dual carrigeway.

Traction control, ABS, heated grips, LED headlights and tail lights, single swingarm (even if you cant see it behind the HUGE exhaust), self-cancelling indicators (not LED unfortunately).

Good feel from the brakes, only use back break occasionally, fit for purpose.

Good update of engine, really smooth, in today's traffic, motorway, by lanes and town no problem.

Quality Finnish all round.

Bike came with touring panniers, fitted Honda 45litre top box data tool kit etc, quick shifter (great for effortless no clutch lever up changes) no problem with tyres, but Will change to Bridgestone when worn out (always liked them)

Again crap Dunlop 222 tyres

On - off throttle response at low rpm in towns.

Dunlop 222's are very uncomfortable. Going to swap to Bridgestone.

The ride quality is great, I have absolutely no complaints about it. I don't know if I would say it is all day comfortable, because I have only really gone about 4 hours without stopping. My passenger said it was comfortable, but was nice to have a break then too. The brakes are absolutely spectacular. The front brake is especially strong, but the rear is also good. You have good feel with both of them in every situation.

What more can you say about this engine besides that it is absolutely wonderful! I loved the old engine in the 1999 version, and I love the new engine even more. It is calmer and easier to ride at low revs but when you spin it up it is intoxicating! It is not the fastest engine by by far, but it has a lot of character and it is so smooth. Power delivery is wonderful.

Quality is top notch. Everything is very nicely done, all of the fairings fit together very nicely with perfect gaps between every one. All of the controls are of high quality, and the dashboard is absolutely wonderful. I cannot really comment on reliability, because mine only has 7500 kilometers on the odometer. I can say that I have had exactly zero problems.

I can only give 4 stars for this because I believe the value is great, but the services are very expensive. Be prepared to spend around €400 every 24,000 kilometers. That is what it cost for the older versions of the VFR.

For the price of this bike, the equipment is sufficient. I love the heated grips on cold days. The adjustable suspension is definitely nice to have. You could never complain about having traction control and anti lock brakes. I purchased the side cases from Honda, and they are very nice and easy to use but a little small. A helmet only fits in the left hand side and it is a very tight fit.