A little about VFR. Four whole seasons have already passed in the saddle of this wonderful motorcycle. A little more than 30,000 km have been covered, and while thinking about buying another new one, I suddenly realized that there is no alternative to the Honda VFR :)) why did you like this motorcycle so much?
VFR and its alternatives. Four years ago, when choosing a new device, I primarily counted on its versatility and the ability to use it both in the city and on mini-distance trips and festivals, while the price of the motorcycle should not exceed 250,000 rubles. (This year, VFR 98-01 can be bought for 170-230 tr.) BMW F 800 GS, CBF 1000, XJR 1300, SV 1300, FJR 1300 and Drozd were considered. In the process, we had to abandon Fyzher and Drozd due to weight-dimensional characteristics and Goose, because Finding one in more or less acceptable condition for an adequate price tag turned out to be a difficult task. Large classics do not have the necessary wind protection, so they were also considered in the background. Unexpectedly, during the inspection of the XJR, I noticed two 5th generation Vyfers - red and yellow. It was love at first sight :) The unexpectedly comfortable fit was combined with adequate weight and aesthetic beauty. I was also pleased with the technical condition. A few days later I became the owner of a yellow VFR 800 '98. Update 2021. +1 to alternatives. We are considering the BMW 800 GT. IMHO the closest alternative to VFR. Pros: economy, belt, better layout of the motorcycle. Minus - the engine is rather weak, a possible solution is chip tuning. The fit is absolutely the same. To summarize, the VFR 800 is a station wagon with a bias for the highway, and the BMW 800 GT is a station wagon with a bias for the city.
First kilometers. Landing. After the chopper it turned out to be unusual, but quite comfortable - legs down and slightly back, a slight tilt of the body forward. You can ride either with a straight landing, or with a slight tilt forward, or lying on the tank. As it later turned out, by changing these three landings you can easily get to Rostov-on-Don or the Polish border. Vyfer and the city. The dimensions allow you to maintain a normal speed in the aisle, however, it cannot compare with traffic jam piercers; in a very narrow aisle it is better to keep an eye on your mirrors and car mirrors. Carrying a motorcycle on your hands, if you are not a “boar”, also does not bring much pleasure - it is quite heavy. Just for fun, I tried to make a standard figure eight on the VFR - it didn’t work, there wasn’t enough steering radius. I see two options - either replace the clip-ons on the handlebars, or lay the motorcycle down to the pegs and go through the figure at speed. But I don’t want to try the latter without a cage :) Vyfer and track. It seems that the motorcycle was created for driving on highways - excellent wind protection allows you to comfortably overcome wind-unprotected sections of the road without significant effort. The fairly high weight, which can create a problem in a standing traffic jam, plays in our favor here - wind blows in open areas are practically not scary. Comfortable cruising speed on the highway is 120-160 km/h. In this mode you can travel approximately 250 km. from refueling to refueling. In economy mode you can travel 50-100 km. more. Off-road and light off-road. Often we want to get out of the city, swim, dive, barbecue in the forest - in this case, we usually need to drive about 5 kilometers on light off-road, grass, Christmas tree roads, forest, gravel. We can say for sure that the Vyfer is not fully adapted for these conditions, although it drives :) serious weight, low ground clearance and overheating take its toll. The temperature when trying to surf in 30 degree heat can cross the mark of 120 degrees Celsius. I do not recommend using the motorcycle in such conditions all the time, or spare regulator relays under the seat will help you. Update 2015: easy off-roading - no problems :)) We maintain a low speed and are not afraid. The experience of driving through forests and quarries takes its toll. And here the vyfer rules, although the damage is not comparable to the tourendurs, but you can go!
Main problems. There are two of them - overheating and a constantly dying abnormal regulator relay; you can try to solve the latter problem by replacing it with the original one. A lot has been written about overheating of the Vyfer, but I can add the following from myself - the temperature of the Vyfer with a normal air filter, without air pockets in the cooling system and with a good and fresh (not older than two years) coolant does not exceed 110 degrees even with minimal movement in a traffic jam. If you visited a place like Dzhubka in the summer at a temperature of about 30 degrees in the shade, then overheating is unfortunately inevitable. There is only one salvation - movement.
Self-service Vyfer. In principle, there is nothing complicated about changing the oil, oil filter, air filter, brake pads, coolant, replacing spark plugs and bleeding the brakes. Detailed instructions are provided below. I would like to draw your attention to some nuances. To replace the oil filter, a ratchet with a small handle is very convenient - the filter is much easier to dismantle. When replacing the coolant, you should carefully ensure that there are no air pockets in the system - this leads to overheating. It can be solved by kinking the system hoses. If the rear brake is not hard enough and falls down too much, you can only bleed the “nipple” circuit of which is located under the saddle.
Long-range body kit First of all, this is a pannier system. For three years, the GIVI carpet system and saddlebags have proven themselves to be excellent. I draw your attention to the possibility of overloading the rear case! The fastener may burst, but it can be easily welded. Saddlebags - rear GIVI maxia 53 liters, side GIVI E 41 - 41 liters. Everything you need fits in. The only downside is that if you attach side panniers, it becomes really sad in the aisles. A very convenient feature of the E 41 case is additional access to the case through the top lid with combination locks. This allows you to get a bottle of water, food or raincoat without completely opening the case. Heated grips. I use Daytona grips. A very useful thing at the beginning and end of the season, at temperatures +3 +5 Navigation. I used two navigators: Chinese Neoline Moto. Pros: cheap and cheerful. Disadvantages - it slows down, special attention should be paid to the fastening, there were cases when the standard one burst due to vibration. There were cases of spontaneous startup and freezing. Cost approximately 9000 Garmin motorcycle navigator. Pros: perfect navigator. Cons: price. Bought on sale in Lewes. Taking into account taxes, free cost 12,000. A map of Central Europe was installed. Additionally, a topographical updated map of Russia was purchased. Cost 4000. In Moscow, the cost of a navigator with an installed map of the Russian Federation is approximately 43,000. Arcs. I installed excellent arches for myself at Vilar.
Wing extension Unfortunately, it is impossible to buy a wing extension for our modification in Russian stores. There are two options - order in foreign stores or from our craftsmen. My extension cord was made by forum member Alex Rentor, VFR Club. Attached to the wing with epoxy glue. The test was successful, there was actually less dirt under the plastic. Cruise control. I use a CRAMPBUSTER petal. On the highway during long hauls it is very convenient, relieves the hand. The problem can arise when driving in a convoy, in the city, between rows, in a traffic jam - you can simply forget about the petal and fly into a car that is suddenly decelerating. Use with great care and only petals without a retainer!
In the future I plan to install MRA touring glass, a voltmeter and a tuning saddle.
Sincerely, Dima "Lazy"
Honda VFR800: test drive from Motorreview. Author: Anton Permyakov
Honda VFR800
Having ridden the Yamaha Tenere for a season, I realized that for confident and comfortable movement of 300 km to a bike show, the 50 horsepower of my universal “conic” is clearly not enough. A replacement was found unexpectedly - at the end of the season I came across an advertisement on the Internet for the sale of VFR800. An 800 cc sports tourer from 1998 in excellent condition and at a reasonable price - just what you need!
Delivering Yamaha by rail from Moscow to Tyumen a year earlier had caused a lot of trouble. What to do? The answer is obvious: a sports tourist can get to Tyumen himself! A good opportunity to check what “Vyfer” is capable of. The previous Honda owner was slightly puzzled: “On it to Tyumen?” - “Well, yes, but what’s stopping you, this is a sports tourist?” - “Actually, yes” - “Maybe something is wrong with him? Won't it arrive? - “No, I’m completely fine. It’ll get there!” I pick up the motorcycle from the garage and head out into the city. Mom, give birth to me back! After the usual enduronic landing here, I’m practically hanging by my hands; How to steer with the same hands is generally incomprehensible; the device is evil, there is a traffic jam all around, I don’t know the city, on top of everything it was still dark and the rain was pouring down. Then I decided: if I get to the hotel alive, and then to Tyumen, I’ll sell it! I got to the hotel by midnight, then the motorcycle was parked, a flask of cognac and a restless sleep. And then…
Then there were three days of flight! The motorcycle turned out to be easy to move and control, surprisingly obedient and predictable. I got used to the semi-sports landing in the first hours, by the middle of the second day I allowed myself to maintain a cruising speed of 160–180 km/h, and by the end of the third, “Vyfer” and I arrived at our destination as twin brothers who understood each other perfectly (so then it seemed to me). These 2300 km of travel were, perhaps, one of the most vivid impressions of my life: September sun, comfortable temperature +7°... +15° C, ancient cities of the European part of Russia, unforgettable landscapes of Bashkiria, colorful passes of the Urals and the pleasure of a confident “flight” at an insane speed for a beginner!
The 2004 season was closed with a fall (the gasket between the handlebars and the seat failed), repair of the frame with its complete dismantling and painstaking assembly of the motorcycle for the 2005 season using a 600-page manual downloaded from the Internet. To my surprise, for my by no means technical nature, I discovered that the process of repairing and maintaining a motorcycle is not a garage chore, but a kind of cult: the soul begins to sing at the thought that now I’ll take a can of beer, tie a bandana, plug my favorite music into the cassette player and play a shamanic dance around your beauty.
Honda VFR800
During the 2005 season, I realized that the capabilities of the motorcycle would exceed my abilities for a long time. I began to master the basics of proper and safe driving. And then it was discovered: “Vyfer” can turn every trip to work into a pleasure! Enter your favorite turn even more accurately, find the apex on an unfamiliar arc, shift the motorcycle sharply. An unhealthy envy has appeared towards residents of megacities: they can travel a long time from work - how happy they are! My hometown, which I never considered small, has turned into a small patch, which is 10 minutes in any direction.
Of course, in winter it became big and sleepy again, but I know for sure that at the beginning of April I will go to the garage, grab a couple of beers, put on a bandana, and in just two weeks the city will again shrink to the size of a playground, and the spring sun will squint in mirrors of my Honda, seeing us off on a new flight.
Buying a used Honda VFR800 FI motorcycle
I have been using the first generation VFR800 for many years and know all its components and assemblies in sufficient detail. I can confidently help beginners in purchasing a used Honda VFR800 FI motorcycle, what to pay special attention to.
The motorcycle is equipped with a four-cylinder v-shaped engine, liquid cooling, gas distribution system - DOHC, driven by gears. The engine has been proven for decades, even being the closest ancestor of the VFR750. The reliability of the unit is very high; there are cases when motorcycles traveled more than 200 thousand km without major repairs! The chassis is quite successful, the frame is rigid and does not cause any complaints. Brakes and gearbox are top notch.
Possible malfunctions, look carefully when purchasing.
One of the chronic diseases of many Hondas, and this model is no exception, is a malfunction of the voltage regulator. The problem is not serious; the replacement will not take more than 15 minutes, but still, you need to ask the owner of the motorcycle if the battery is draining. Of course, the worst thing is overcharging; in this case, electrical appliances may fail, which will cause a lot of trouble. But recharging is much less common.
Pay attention to the fork legs, are there any oil marks in the seal area? Rock the motorcycle while holding the front brake; if you see an oil trail, you will have to change the seals in the fork, and with them the fork oil.
Ride a motorcycle and pay attention to its behavior. Braking should occur smoothly, without jerking or vibration. Make sure that when driving straight the steering wheel is not turned to the side; if it is, the motorcycle was involved in an accident.
On this model, the water cooling radiators are located on the sides, and if they fall, there is a high probability that they will be damaged. To eliminate the leak, substances injected directly into the coolant could be used, this in turn worsens heat transfer and clogs the channels.
Look in the inspection window at the color of the oil, is there any white sediment? A white deposit in the oil may appear after a breakdown of the gasket under the cylinder head and coolant entering the oil. The first sign of such a malfunction is a drop in the coolant level. Although a white precipitate may appear even after the motorcycle is started at low ambient temperatures, in this case it is not a problem.
It would be a good idea to check the condition of the monopendulum bearings by shaking the wheel from side to side; there should be no play. The unit is reliable, but after a trip along our roads...
Check the condition of the consumables, find out when the oil was last changed.
In general, the motorcycle is good, if everything is in order it will serve you for many years.
