Honda VFR800 VTEC Bike Overview
The Honda VF800 VTEC has long been described as a sports bike for tourers and a tourer for sports bike riders and this certainly does seem to capture all that the VFR800 VTEC has to offer. Whether you want to invest in a bike for commuting or take it out on longer distances, the VF800 VTEC handles itself well.
The engine has enough grunt and torque that you can comfortably overtake on a motorway and is sporty enough that you can acquit yourself well on track day especially when it comes to the way that this bike handles corners. It turns sharply and fairly lightly which is again, where it can be used both on the track and on those windier country roads.
For a sporty tourer, the bike is also pretty comfortable to ride with only a few riders suggesting that it leaves them with a numb bum after a couple of hundred miles or so. The riding position is adjustable with the option for handlebar risers and although it is slightly canted forward, it seems to be just the right amount. The main complaint with the VFR800 VTEC seems to be with the level of suspension but you should find that as long as you don’t take the bike off-road or end up on any particularly bumpy sections of road that you shouldn’t have too much trouble with this.
There are two different versions of the VFR800 VTEC on the market with earlier bikes being available for a great bargain. The newer models do tend to hold their value as you would expect from a quality Honda.
Take a look at this quick review of the Honda VFR800 VTEC…
Honda VFR800 VTEC Bike Spec
- Top speed155mph
- Weight218kg
- Average fuel consumption38mpg
- Capacity781cc
- Seat height805mm
- EngineV-four, 16v, DOHC, liquid cooled
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Owner Reviews
Pros
Either you like it or you dont
Cons
Not so top heavy
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Smooth easy ride
Battery
Abs braking
Can be top heavy
Steady take off with a great power thrust when requested
For 800cc not bad
Pros
Reliability.
Cons
More power would be nice.
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Comfortable for about 4-6 hours before you need break. About a tankful.
Its a Honda. They have been doing this for a long time and they know how to make bikes.
This one has the linked brakes, which means even if someone pulls out on you, touching front of back in a panic gives you brake force to both wheels. Great stopping power that’s never had me worried in any way.
Tyre choose is generally the only thing that can mess things up. The suspension is simple so cant be played around with too much, so its hard to get it wrong.
It sometimes fells like a 2 stroke when the extra set of valves kick in. Great fun on the move, and good in town.
Like any bike its how you ride it. I can easily get over 50 to the gallon, but i can get it down as low as 18 when im having a ball. ? insurance is low and maintenance is ok if you do as much as you can yourself. Only expensive garage coat is having the valve clearances checked.
Pros
The bike is fantastic for those long distance commutes and still looks okay with luggage strapped to it if you go touring. The length of it makes it stable at speed. It feels planted at 100+ on motorways.
Cons
6th gear is a little long so can't be used bellow 65.
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The ride is buttery smooth and it's sporty enough that it can take the corners on a track day with the sports bikes
Not quite as powerful as a 600cc sports bike. But it pulls none the less
6th gear is a little long so can't be used bellow 65.
15 years old and only consumable parts replaced. Need I say no more.
Combined brakes so can end up braking harder than intended if not careful
Pros
Looks amazing, doesn't look dated even though its 14 years old
Cons
Spare parts are expensive and service costs can be extreme, DIY if you can and buy the best oil.
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Heavier than similar sports tourers, without luggage and a pillion its very good
Solid V4, bullet proof, people say valve clearances are an issue
Spare parts are expensive and service costs can be extreme, DIY if you can and buy the best oil.
It's a Honda!! Enough said
Mine has no ABS but has the combined brake system so donuts are a no no.
Pros
Since upgrading to the VFR 800 I've really enjoyed going out on rides further afield than I used to. Good comfortable ride position, with plenty of UMPHH when called upon. I would recommend this bike but not as a first one…
Cons
The data on the dials could do with having more detail available, no Ave MPG, Range, gear detail as o other bikes.
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Nice and responsive ride, but it is a heavy bike to manoeuvre
For an 800 it is powerful and as a sports tourer good for days out cruising
The data on the dials could do with having more detail available, no Ave MPG, Range, gear detail as o other bikes.
Good quality, robust build
Cracking braking system with dual ABS
Pros
Perfect package. Owned from new and still love it.
Cons
Exhaust note.
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Exhaust note.
Pros
Wonderful engine makes it a real and visceral riding experience – this is NOT a Pan-European or CBF! Great 'sporty tourer' riding position – fills that role perfectly. Looks fantastic. Really well built. Feels like a premium product. Quickshifter is fun and really does help offset slight top end power deficiency. Weaknesses are: weight, perhaps a bit 'vibey' (although that really does add to the character), very slightly 'choppy' front end (although it is very stable in corners), and more power would be welcome (wouldn't it always!); it does have enough but an extra 15% / 20% would cater for those 'moments of madness'! I once heard this described as "a tourer's sports bike and a sportsbike rider's tourer". This sums it up perfectly. It is definitely on the sporty side but not too sporty for touring. Engine is a soul and characterful experience. I love the way it looks and feel pride every time I catch sight of it. Overall, I am very pleased with it.
Cons
Fully adjustable suspension all round would be good. A bit more power would be nice (but not absolutely critical). A bit less weight would be good – you don't feel it on the move or at slow speed but it is fairly heavy to push and paddle.
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Very comfortable ride, again on the sporty side of its sport touring role. Plush and comfortable but still stiff enough for the twisty bits. Very well planted in corners, select a line and it will just stick to it. Turns in sharply and accurately although not with quite the speed and lightness of the CBR600 I had previously. Rear suspension is fine. Forks could do with compression damping adjustment to really fine tune the ride; front can sometimes feel a little 'choppy' over successive small bumps (but not when leaning?!)
Maybe 3.5 out of 5 here. The V4 makes a wonderful noise, particularly with the optional Akrapovic end can, and makes riding thus bike a real event and a thrill. Compared to my 600cc inline 4 previously, there is bags more torque and mid range grunt, although there is not nearly so much 'shove' at the top end. Probably faster in real world riding conditions but it doesn't have the 'mad top end' rush for 11k to 14k as an 600cc inline 4. Overall, it is certainly fast enough for road riding but more power, say another 20-30hp would not go amiss. It has very smooth power delivery with great fuelling throughout the rev range (VTEC 'blip' really has gone) although it is more like a v-twin (though not as pronounced) in terms of vibrations than I was expecting!
Fully adjustable suspension all round would be good. A bit more power would be nice (but not absolutely critical). A bit less weight would be good – you don't feel it on the move or at slow speed but it is fairly heavy to push and paddle.
5 star Honda quality here. Everything feel very premium and very well made.
Easy 4 / 5. Great brakes. Very confidence inspiring. Very easy to modulate but with decent stopping power (without too much fork dive) when needed. Nice to know there is ABS as a back up.
Pros
Reliable fast dreat brakes
Cons
Petrol consumption
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Petrol consumption
No probs ever 5 years
Best brakes ever used
Pros
The shape of the vtec is timeless in my eyes. The engine is different and love the v4 sound through unbaffled scorpion exhaust. VTEC VFR. Marmite sports tourer to some, certainly not this callsign. Love her to bits and not looking to change her for a long while yet. Plenty more life in those foot pegs!
Cons
Taller screen will be my next purchase. Already fitted braided lines and scorpion exhaust. There's nothing else I'd change in all honesty.
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I can only compare this to a 125 varadero which was my first. But I've owned her for just over 5 years but about 35,000 miles on the clock. She's more than capable of scrapping by foot pegs whilst wearing Pilot Road 3's.
Again can only compare to a 125. I love it, knowing the vtec kick is coming helps. i can be harsh and a bit vibey if you hover around the acutation rpm.
Taller screen will be my next purchase. Already fitted braided lines and scorpion exhaust. There's nothing else I'd change in all honesty.
Bullet proof Honda, valve clearance servicing a pain.
Strong brakes. I've heard linked brakes split opinion! The rear wheel will still lift under hard braking
Pros
Ease of use
Cons
Could do with a little more power
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The VFR is an easy bike to ride it does everything you could ask of it, it does lack a certain amount of excitement though
Not the fastest thing on two wheels but fast enough to keep up with most bikes The engine has great power and drive due to being a V4 could do with another 20 hp just to make it a 5 star engine The Vtec takes a little getting used to but once you know where it’s going to cut in it really adds to the ride
Vigorous riding will empty the tank in about 100 miles the most I’ve seen is 160 Servicing can be expensive due to the engine layout Tyres last pretty well as the bike is quite light and delivers its power smoothly 8-10k for the front and 5-7k for the rear
I’ve owned the VFR for 4 years and although it’s still in good condition compared to other machines of the same age the build quality is not the same as it used to be from Honda I owned a 2002 900 Hornet for 6 years and that was still as immaculate the day I sold it as when I picked it up It’s nothing major on the VFR just odd bits like the abs ring on the front wheel is corroding and various nuts and bolts etc
Stops well, never had to really put the brakes to the ultimate test of a real life emergency stop
Pros
I have a Micron exhaust can and the sound of the V4 is fantastic.
Cons
I can't think of anything
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The V4 engine is very smooth and tractable so you can go touring or go on a track day and have loads of fun. The handling is light and chuckable and confidence inspiring.
The engine is exceptionally well built. It has nice low down grunt and enough power to have fun without scaring yourself.
The running cost is low. The insurance is around £100. VED is around £80. MOT £25. Oil and filter change is around £50. No matter how I ride is does around 45mpg so gets over 200 miles per tank.
The build quality is good. None of the plastics have broken or snapped off. The electrics are reliable.
The brakes are very good and the bike is stable under braking. It has the Combined Braking System which means using the front brake applies a little to the rear as well and vice versa. It uses Nissin calipers like many Hondas.
Pros
Limited edition pearl white.. and rides likd a dream
Cons
Nothing.. more power maybe... but then it wouldnt be what it is.
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Can tell why it won so many awards. Can do so much with it.. eats up the miles on long journeys.. and also is fun on twisty roads. Have friends on litre sports bikes and they are amazed by how it keeps up with them!
Like I said.. can keep up with litre sports bikes.. but can do better fuel economy and range!! Double win!
Really good on fuel.. have had 230 milesnout of a full fill up. Amazing as no one enjoys petrol stations and filling up every 100 miles like most other bikes. Tpuring is a breeze
Bullet proof engine. Had two over the years.. never a problem...
Brakes work really well. The linked breaking works a treat. If you apply the front it puts a bit to the rear and if you apply the rear it adds a little front breaking.. can lose with it!
Pros
Rideability, for a first bike it's perfect.
Cons
Handle bar height could be higher.
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Smooth ride yes it's a heavy bike but when you get going you dont notice the weight. It also corners like a dream.
With the VTEC after 6500 revs it opens up what feels like a whole other engine.
Only when you give it the beans will it drink like a thirsty camel in the desert. Apart from that it's quite economical.
It's a Honda so no need to go any further build quality is amazing.
Again I was unsure of the duel breaking system on this bike at first but now I have been using it for a while now I find its excellent as when using your back break only it still applies your front break slightly so you dont have to think about doing it your self