VFR 800
Ever since a VFR800 showed up in the 3rd party rental service I use, I’ve been itching to rent it. I’m about to move to Europe and there are flocks of these used bikes available for great prices. They have the V4 personality that I love and last over 50,000 miles. Affordability plus reliability plus a playful engine makes for a great bike for touring around Europe. They even have a great aesthetic too. Let me tell you about my experience on this bike.
After picking up this bike at the metro stop, I wanted to make a quick espresso break before embarking on my travels. Maybe it was because my expectations were so high, but it was quite disappointing on the twenty-minute ride from the metro to the café. To make matters worse, the bike still had its stock exhaust. The beautiful soundtrack that v4 engines produce was restricted to a uninspiring, dull reverberations. But a stop and go transit through the middle of city isn’t what this bike was created for, so the trip got a lot better after my latte.
The caffeine jolt gave me a clarity of mind that allowed me to immerse myself in this motorcycle experience. Similar to the inline-4 CBR F4I I had just ridden, the power was in the high rpms. This bike is equipped with VTEC, which is Honda’s version of forced induction. Valves open after 6600 rpm to maximize power output in the higher RPMs. There is a distinct difference in the noise between valves open and valves closed, which I first noticed on the freeway. It wasn’t as beautiful as the v4 symphony of the RSV4 I rode, but it was better than the pathetic rumble produced as I commuted to the coffee shop. With the VTEC open, the riding experience is much more enjoyable.
I found the sweet spot on the back roads to southern coastal Virginia. I was in 4th gear, riding about 85 – 115 mph. I don’t normally ride these speeds and I’m not proud that I was so far over the speed limit. But the motorcycle felt very restricted in the first three gears. The restriction from the computer incentivizes riding in this zone because the subjective experience is lackluster below this threshold. I ended up having a grand old time because I didn’t get a speeding ticket, but I would much prefer a bike that was fun at the legal speed limit. I had a few good pulls out of stop lights, but most of the thrill was up high.
Outside of thrill, this bike scores high in some other areas. The seat was thick and cushy, the aftermarket windscreen was tall, and the seating position was upright. This all made for a comfortable ride. However, the stock foot pegs were too high for my above-average height and my knees got cramped from the long ride. This is a simple fix, but I thought it would be worth mentioning. Out of all the bikes I have ridden, I think this is the only one that would accommodate two passengers comfortably for a long ride.
It is hard to describe the handling of this bike. It definitely does not have the stability of the CBR F4i I rode previously, but I think it would still be enjoyable in the twisties. It steers similar to the naked and standard bikes I have ridden, relatively easy to move in and out of a lean but doesn’t seem to want to stay there. For general street riding this bike, this bike rides well. I have no complaints.
I am so glad I got to rent this specific model because I am considering purchasing one. The cheap impression it gives doesn’t bother me because it was made to be more affordable. Not everyone can afford a Ducati. The touring capacity of this bike is phenomenal, especially if you want to bring luggage and another person. My chief complaint is that it is a sport touring bike that is a little lacking in on the sport side. This wouldn’t stop me from buying one though. I think it would be an easy fix by derestricting the ECU. It can also go to 100mph in 3rd gear, so there is room to adjust the gearing. But I feel confident that the subjective experience would be improved just with an ECU flash. Overall, I consider this a great all-around bike with some flaws that are easily fixed. It is definitely worth owning. Maybe you can find one with the amazing paint job pictured below!