Honda VFR800 Bike Overview
The Honda VFR800 is an upgrade on the former VFR750 and is a fantastic all-rounder bike which receives plenty of praise from the biking community.
It might be coming up to 20 years old but it is still a bike which can hold its own amongst the newer additions to the market and with the added benefit of the Honda name you know you are investing a bike which will be sturdily and solidly built, and designed to last for many years.
The V-four engine gives a smooth power delivery, even in low gear and although it isn’t as powerful as a dedicated sports bike, for an all-rounder it is pretty impressive.
This is a bike which works well for commuting, taking out on the track or for a longer touring holiday. The riding position has been designed well and the seat is comfortable enough, for both primary rider and pillion.
This is a middle-weight bike so does feel heavy when it isn’t running but once you have the bike warmed up the handling Is light and smooth with a low-centre of gravity which allows for riders to turn with ease.
Although it is a bike which can perform well alongside sports bikes it has also been designed to bear up well with extra weight making it a good choice if you like to mix things up and occasionally take your bike on a longer tour too.
It is perhaps let down by its fuel economy which is surprising for a Honda bike as their bikes are generally designed to be as cheap and economic to ride as possible but with so many other benefits this does seem like a small price to pay.
Take a quick look at the Honda VFR800 in action…
Honda VFR800 Bike Spec
- Top speed155mph
- Weight208kg
- Average fuel consumption38mpg
- Capacity781cc
- Seat height805mm
- EngineFour stroke, DOHC, liquid cooled
Honda VFR800 Bike Insurance
Honda VFR800 Bike Gallery
Owner Reviews
Pros
Comfy and fun to ride
Cons
Cant think of nothing
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Comfortable
Solid
Sharp
More light weight than think
Pretty fast
Cheaper than a car
Pros
Great all-rounder, can keep with a sports bike or can relax in a slow ride with a cruiser. Can also take the wife away for weekend trips and she is still comfy an hour into the ride.
Cons
Brake system, I purchased my bike with upgraded suspension so I don't no if it made much difference.
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Big upright riding position, gives plenty of comfort for both me an my pillion. Used as a daily rider I never have any issues with confront in all weather conditions. Perfect for me at 5'10 but I imagine much over 6 foot and you may find your knees start to get a little to close to your elbows
Never have issues with it, rode daily and kept outside she keeps going on and on. Serviced regularly the engine feels indestructible
This is where I feel it let's me down a bit. The front brakes are solid enough having a double disc system but I don't have the best confidence in a sudden stop on this bike
Smoth through the gears, rides nice. Can't say it corners the best but for a big upright bike its a pretty solid bike in the corners generally. Happy on bendy backroads or cruising along the motorways.
Its 100bhp so its not going to give you the acceleration of a car or a gear but it keeps a smile on your face and still leaves most other road users sitting at the lights
Average 48mph which is pretty solid, I do about 200 miles a week and use just over 1 tank a week on average. It costs around the £20 mark to fuel up. Its not the best but its a sold confident mpg no matter how I feel like riding it hovers around the same point
Pros
The engine is the best feature and the only thing I'd change is to replace the pillion grab handles with a proper grabrail and the original exhaust downpipes rotted prematurely. I've also had the seat recovered with a more grippy material.
Cons
The suspension could do with an overhaul of the front forks and a better rear shock would improve it no end.
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Really comfortable riding position though I have considered buying a kit to raise the handlebars slightly but it's not THAT uncomfortable
The only issue I've ever had in almost ten years of ownerships is the well known rectifier problem that also took the battery with it. Replaced both three years ago and not had any issues since.
It has Honda's linked braking system but it's almost unnoticeable in use.
I've not ridden an out and out sports 750 so I can't make comparisons but to someone who was riding in the 1970's on Kawasaki Z900's and a Suzuki GS1000 and also owns a GoldWing Aspencade the ride and handling are excellent.
The engine is superb - lots of mid range and howls beautifully at the top end. Is more than fast enough for me
It averages around 40mpg which considering the performance available is perfectly acceptable. Tyre wear isn't excessive either and insurance is c£150 which includes breakdown cover (one advantage of being an "older" rider.
Pros
Comfortable reliable pretty
Cons
Weight
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Excellent
Its Honda…
No abs but good
Great little bit twitchy
Great performance
Good on fuel
Pros
I don't dislike anything about it.
Cons
The clocks could be better but don’t dislike them, the ones that are used serve there purpose.
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Awesome to ride on long journeys due to how comfy the seat is and riding position. I’ve not had a pillion on the back but has large grab handles
I’ve had it just over a year and never broke down, these engines well maintained go on for a very long time.
Brakes are great has a dual braking system.
It’s a tourer so quite a big 800cc but you wouldn’t notice when riding, very smooth, handles brilliantly.
I have the vtech model and boy do you feel it, it puts a smile on your face when you ride, also very good at manoeuvring at low revs.
Depends how you ride of course, a full tank £17 normally lasts me 180 miles or so over a mixed style of riding.
Pros
Rides really nice, easy to ride with good power.
Cons
Wrist ache.
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Wrist ache.
Pros
Build quality. expensive servicing. Still find it hard to replace.
Cons
Easier access to the engine
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Slow to change direction
Lazy power
Easier access to the engine
It's a Honda
Would like ABS
Pros
The engine . Powerful if in the correct gear responsive . Chain easy to adjust. With the bike tool kit . Build Quality fantastic. Still looks very good . No oil leaks engine casings good very little corrosion. But that may be down to the dry storage . Swine to change the plugs . Nightmare to remove and replace the fairing . VFR Honda build Quality Does everything it was designed to do well . Still on all bearings from factory. Chain and sprockets good . Rides well . Great engine. Looks good . But personally I’d like a blue one , not red .
Cons
Could do with a dip stick . The oil is a real pain To check. Hands and knees job . Had to buy a led ultra bright torch as can’t see the oil , in the window . Especially when just changed. And it’s still golden . Not too bad when it’s up for a change and a bit dirty. The standard screen pants .will be getting a MRA one.
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Love the ride . Handing so good . Nice and predictable. Nice and stable at speed . Throw it into corners like I did on my Yamaha RD 350 YPVS . Tho the VFR goes in and out faster . And is predictable, stable and soakes up the poor roads with out any problems.
Awesome….. Does the job … Massive power .. Pulls like a train . Very liner . Tho you do have to be in the right gear at the right time to accelerate quickly. Otherwise it bogs down quickly. Love the sound .
More mpg than my Triumph 1200 1994 Trophy. Have a cobrra chain oiler fitted . Cost £120 ish used 250 ml of oil over the 7000 miles I have done . Think the liter of heavy gear oil was about £9 . I don’t hang about . I ride with sprit and my VFR with a tank of premium unleaded does 230/240 to the tank . £22/23 a tank 3 oil filters £7 each . And the oil semisynthetic £21 a gallon . Changed all the fluids . The weekend of purchase. But can’t count that as I have all the fluids for my car and my Triumph. Which I have now sold as I love the Honda more .came with a pair of Road pilot tyres . Which I replaced with Bridgestones after 6900 miles . Front still fine but I like Bridgestones For me it’s a rear a year and a front after 10k . I don’t think the tyre cost is excessive. About £200/£210 a pair from my local bike shop .
Love the build Quality . Still looks good after all theses years . I purchased it with only 6700 miles from new . Had old mots to prove the mileage . Engine, frame , fairing ,swinging arm , very good condition. Not show room . But very close . Seat is a aftermarket comfort jel one. I replaced the mirrors as they had lost the reflective coating and where useless. All the fairing fasteners I replaced as I service it my self and the old ones where rubbish and I want the quick release ones . All the engine bolts replaced with high quality stainless steel . In the 7000 miles I have covered all I have done is 3 oil and filter changes . And all the fluids . Put modern pads all around . And new plugs . Which she did not need . It always starts even in all the rain on the IOM TT we had this year . Stops . Nothing has broken . And I can’t find much rust . Except the two down exhaust pipes . She had never missed a beat and not let me down .
New fluid new pads stops well . Tho the linked brakes can take getting used to . But no problems braking .
Pros
A true all rounder of a machine
Cons
I can’t think of anything off hand, could maybe say it doesn’t excel at any category however it is very good at all
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Pros
Sound. For a 20 year old bike I can’t fault anything, rides better than some new models at 10 x the price.
Cons
Could be slightly more upright.
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Heavy to push round but disappears once riding. Drops nicely into corners Gearbox smooth like butter but can get notchy after a years ride without oil change
V4 pulls like a train very smooth through all the gears
Good fuel range if you ride sensibly. Parts cheap
A1 faultless
Dual linked brakes work very well. Brakes a lot better than most new bikes
Pros
The ride comfort and position.. And in my mind, it looks well cool, even 13years on
Cons
The seat height is lower for my short 30" leg range, although I know the adjustable seat on newer models covers this
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Great on the corners.... Top end and revs amazingly smooth... Mid range has the valve transaction stage and can be fun... Low lrange revs are jerky below 3000... Bike is heavy, but has a great centre of gravity for corners.
As mentioned early, it's a good fun sturdy bike, but it doesn't like low revs, a nd tends to be jerky in first gear unless you clutch it and use the revs at a higher rate. Overall engine size equals my needs of a 15mile each way twisty road daily commute and the occasional trip
Quite sure there are more economical bikes out there... Had a suzuki gsxf 750 and an FI vfr before this... Same economy overall with the vfrs, but the 750 was definately better, but not as robust or fun to ride
Exhaust system and heat deflectors like a bit of rust and require replacing, but a major issue is the oil coolant pipes which corodded and burst on me, not cheap to replace for 2 x thin pipes... Was a recall problem and according to Honda records mine were replaced, but I'm not convinced... They have been replaced now
Linked brakes take a bit of getting used to.. And when they kick in on a full tight grab... The bike slows down quick
Pros
The VFR800 is a great allrounder, in fact it so good I won't buy a new one...
Cons
Fuel economy
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V4 grunt all the way through the Rev range
Fuel economy
It's a Honda
Bit dated now but it is 17 and it does still stop quick enough
Pros
I would be hard pressed to find a better bike.
Cons
More comfort
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Numb bum after 300 miles a day
Checking and adjusting valves is very difficult.
More comfort
Am airhawk seat and Laminar Lip screen makes a marked improvement
Handles well with two obese adults, overloaded panniers and a top box
Pros
I have had my vfr for a long time now and I still get a buzz from riding it. Apart from routine maintenance I haven't had any repairs done so reliability is great. Smooth power delivery, comfortable on longer journeys. Also comfortable for a pillion.
Cons
A bigger tank would be nice and slightly higher handlebars.
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A bigger tank would be nice and slightly higher handlebars.
Pros
For all the negative things I have listed I can't think of a bike I would swap it for
Cons
Accesability to exhaust and all parts for servicing
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Heavy in town
A good balance
Accesability to exhaust and all parts for servicing
Wash and it looks new again
It's got linked brakes, why?
Pros
Maybe needs a bit more of an 'edge' to it rather being pretty good at everything
Cons
Maybe needs a bit more of an 'edge' to it rather being pretty good at everything
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rides very well, and being a middleweight is easy to handle allowing for fast, smooth progress to be maintained
obviously not as powerful as current sports bikes but certainly powerful enough for it's roll as a genuine all-rounder.
Maybe needs a bit more of an 'edge' to it rather being pretty good at everything
excellent build quality, Honda put a lot of effort and thought into the VFR
linked brakes work very well
Pros
Comfortable ride, gutless two up, stylish swingarm
Cons
Better performance for two up touring
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Little bit sluggish low in the revs, handles smooth and feels light
Bit gutless two up
Better performance for two up touring
Pros
For an 18 year old bike, it can still stay with the newer bikes when out for a ride. It still looks good all these years later. There's a big following for these as well. Secondhand part are freely available and cheap as well. The VFR800 is the perfect all rounder. Bags of power, great looks, easy to ride, perfect on the twisty roads, perfect to for touring, amazing sound from the V4 engine. When fully loaded with luggage it still rides brilliantly. The rear view mirrors actually do what they are designed to do! Yes, I can see perfectly behind me!
Cons
Maybe a thicker foam on the seat as I can get a bit of a numb arse when on long rides.
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It's not the lightest bike around. But it handles so well. Centre of gravity is low down so it rides the twisty roads very well. Acceleration is nice and smooth.
Smooth power. Lovely V4 grunt. Loads of power throughout the range. Excellent to be able to pull out and overtake on motorways.
Maybe a thicker foam on the seat as I can get a bit of a numb arse when on long rides.
Typical old school Honda build quality. The only thing I've had to replace is the Regulator/Rectifier. This is common and about the only thing that goes wrong on these bikes.
Linked brakes work really well. Previously I've used mainly front brake. I use the rear a lot, as it's linked to front. This gives me much more confidence.
One comment on “Honda VFR800 Bike”
19 years old, I’ve had it 12, incredibly reliable, easy to ride, decent sports bike with no panniers, brilliant long distance tourer for 2 with the luggage. Good range with over 20 litre fuel tank, never given me any concerns, very comfortable. Tried the new one a couple of years ago, hardly any difference, so no need to change.