The truth about the VFR legend
Written: Dec 29 '00 (Updated Mar 08 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: see critic
Cons: see critic
The Bottom Line: The VFR is a terrific motorcycle, but it does has it's querks. In my opinion V4 engines with fuel injection aren't as good as a 4-in-line with carbs.
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| jptoo's Full Review: 2000 Honda Interceptor |
Me: 29 year old male, married, 1 kid, account executive, 6 years biking experience, no track racing (only commute).
My previous bikes: Suzuki GS550, YZF600R, YZF1000R, Honda VFR800 '2000.
Actual bike: Yamaha R6 '2001.
My critic of the VFR800 moto:
Good bicycle.
Very good.
Not perfect though, as claimed in most magazines.
Lets start with the good:
1-Chassis: good, light enough and quick responding, although not as light as a 2001 600cc. Good road feel. Easy to ride bike. Robust, strong, not quite as strong as a Yamaha YZF1000 though. Well, almost as strong, but lighter and quicker feel.
2-Suspension: excellent. Very comfortable. Softer than a YZF1000, yet just as responsive.
3-Riding position: more than excellent. Better in fact than ANY other bike I've tried so far, and I've tried many (at least 14-15!!!). No pressure on arms, no pressure on back: perfect compromise. Passenger is rather comfy too.
4-Equipment: Incredible. I have more engine info on the VFR than in my VW Golf!!!! Nice to look at. Nice looking night driving lights also.
5-Engine: Fuel Injection is great. In fact I don't think I could go with a bike with carbs now. Starting the bike on cold mornings is so much fun: NO choke!
6-Looks: got me many many compliments.
7-Very good brakes. Being used to the best brakes in the industry with the YZF1000, I'm not displeased with the VFR Dual Braking System. Easy to dose, and very powerful.
The less good:
1-Stock muffler: Terrible sound. Awful sound. What sound???!?? It's sooooo quite. It produces a deep muted snarl. Worst sounding pipe I've heard since I had the old Suzuki in '95. Honda engineers really don't know nothing about motorcycle sounds: it's what constitutes about 50% of riding pleasure!!!! Kawa guys already know that.
MUST REPLACE STOCK MUFFLER WITH GOOD QUALITY SLIP-ON!!!! My choice is Two Brothers C4 aluminum canister. Very satisfied!
2-Engine: not as powerful as anticipated. Obviously not the same powersurge that was to be found on the YZF1000. Not as torkey ether. Slip-on does not help, eventually a K&N air filter would.
3-V4 Engine vibrates more than a 4-in-line. But it's not always unpleasant to feel the engine vibrate.
4-Very poor storage space under seat. A small pack of Camels is the maximum load under the seat, which is also hard to tug back in.
5-Can't see gas level when you fill her up because of "safety hole".
6-Left foot rubs on swing arm when she hits various road hazards. A fair amount of WD-40 helps to clean this up.
7-Side mounted radiators produce lots of heat for legs in city traffic on hot summer days.
8-Fuel Injection system not optimised. I thought I'd get used to it, but I didn't. It has a off/on throttle abruptness that's very nasty at some times, especially with a passenger. Last summer, turning left from stop at an intersection with a passenger on board, I've weelied a few inches unexpectedly. Not good. Scared the xxxx out of the passenger...
Why am I exchanging it for an R6? Go try one and you'll see for yourself, or read my personal R6 critic on this site!
PS: Please don't forget to rate my opinion!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jptoo
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Member: Yanick
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Loves life and everything it has to offer.
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