2000 Honda VFR800FI

The subject of my test drive was a 1998 Honda VFR800 as I preferred to ride an older bike instead of the latest appearance which takes everyone’s eyes. Also, the review includes all the VFR’s out there and I have to recognize that this model year attracts me the most.

Before I begin writing about my latest riding experience, I would like to confess that the VFR has a special feel which addresses to a certain kind of rider. This motorcycle can get you very fast from point A to point B and fast corners are no problem as you can lean more and more and feel the bike’s sportive touch but in the seat of the VFR you feel like a calm person who transports himself in comfort, with the ability to reach high speeds, while maintaining alive the passion for motorcycles.

The first thing that you notice when you ride a VFR is not the engine’s power but the ability to be revved and although it has plenty of midrange torque, the real fun begins once high rpm is reached. The broad, smooth power delivery has enough range to please everyone, be bike not being a peaky sport bike power curve but rather a friendly rush from one end of the range to the other.

The sit-up riding position offers all the comfort that VFR owners have long appreciated, while not distracting from the sporting potential of this machine. Compared with the latest sport bikes, it actually feels sportier because it is easy to tuck in behind the windscreen and hide from the wind.

Handling doesn’t seem to be very difficult even for beginners, although you have to get used to the bike’s friendly behavior and then the fun will begin. The 1998 VFR800 that I’ve ridden handles more like a sport bike should and I was very pleased. The suspension offers adjustability to allow the rider to stiffen it up for hard riding (exactly what I did) yet it is soft enough for lumbering around town over speed bumps all day. Reducing speed before the speed bumps involves some hard braking sometimes but the linked braking didn’t scare me like I had expected, especially since some of the old systems had. The use of the hand leaver doesn’t involve much rear braking, and the threat of the bike swapping ends when braking hard for tight turns eventually became nonexistent. When using only the foot lever, hard braking resulted in hard slowing with little thread of rear brake lock-up. This results into a strangely balanced motorcycle but again, you have to get used to it and it will become very enjoyable.
Price

In 2007 the VFR800 is known under the name of Interceptor, a motorcycle offered for a MSRP of $10,599, but if you are willing to pay $1000 more you will receive the Interceptor ABS which obviously features Antilock Brake System.

I didn’t focused on the Interceptor so I went looking for a 1998-1999 Honda VFR800, a motorcycle which has pretty much the same technical features but a earlier, simple design and guess what? If you are low on the budget but still longing for a sports bike with service record, low miles and perfect appearance, finding it at the reasonable price of $5000 won’t be a problem.
Conclusion

The VFR became very popular by offering a seamless package of sport-touring qualities (comfort, great riding position) combined with a high revving motor which supplies all the power needed.

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SPECIFICATIONS


Engine

Type: 781 cc, liquid-cooled, 90-degree V4, 4-stroke
Bore x Stroke: 72 mm x 48 mm
Compression Ratio: 11.6:1
Valves: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel System: PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorized with electronic advance
Power: 109.6 hp (81.7 KW) @ 10500 rpm
Torque: 80 Nm (59 ft. lbs) @ 8750 rpm
Transmission

Gearbox: 6 speed
Final drive: chain
Chassis and Dimensions

Front Suspension: 43 mm H.M.A.S. cartridge-type telescopic fork with stepless preload adjustment, 109 mm travel
Rear Suspension: Pro-Link with gas-charged H.M.A.S. damper, 7-step preload and stepless rebound damping adjustment, 120 mm travel
Overall length: 2120 mm (83.5 inches)
Overall width: 735 mm (28.9 inches)
Overall height: 1195 mm (47 inches)
Seat height: 805 mm (31.7 inches)
Wheelbase: 1460 mm (57.5 inches)
Ground clearance: 130 mm (5.1 inches)
Fuel capacity-reserve: 22 l (5.8 gallon US) – 4 l (1.1 gallons US)
Dry weight: 213 kg (469.6 pounds)
Front tyre: 120/70-17
Back tyre: 180/55-17
Front brakes: dual 296 mm discs with 3-piston calipers
Rear brakes: single256 mm disc with 3-piston calipers