VFR800 vs CBR1000RR

[mark123]

If you like going to the chiropractor after an all day ride then get the CBR. If you like riding all day and then coming home and giving your wife or girlfriend a good pounding then get the VFR. Any other questions??

Regards,
Rollin

+1

[Deadsmiley]

I don't mind the riding position of the CBR at all, but it does have a sucky seat.

The stock seat is really hard on passengers. I think this mostly due to the rather stiff suspension compared to the VFR.

[34468 Randy]

Start saving. You might as well get both. My next one will be a CBR but I am keeping the VFR. You just can't beat the reliability of the VFR. I am coming up on 87,000km on my 06. It runs great and I have had some long rides on it. I mean long. But I need more power too. Just cause. "need" in my case has a similar meaning as "want"

[TimRav]

Lots of good points above. (And some heat, too. )

As others said, it comes down to how you plan to ride it, plus a few other factors that might matter to you. Both bikes have won 'Motorcycle of the Year' honors, and are well-regarded by knowledgeable riders everywhere.

Factor - Winner (in no particular order):
Handling - CBR
Braking - CBR
Weight - CBR
Comfort - VFR
Fuel economy - VFR should be better by 3-5 mpg
Insurance cost - VFR
Theft target - CBR (much more desirable bike for thieves, especially pros)
Modification possibilities - unsure, but I know VFRs have some nice mods available
Touring capability - VFR, especially w/the OEM hard bags attached
Stability - VFR
2-up riding - VFR
Power - CBR
Ease of maintenance - VFR, by virtue of centerstand and single-sided swingarm
Parts availability - VFR, since the 6th gen. has been made since '02
Sexiness - purely subjective, but overall I'd say CBR
Overall looks - again it's subjective, but VFR w/it's SSSA and underseat exhausts
Long 1-day rides - VFR
Tire tread life - VFR (100 hp make for slower wear-and-tear on rear tire)
Likelihood of attracting LEOs' attention - CBR
Accessories - VFR
Tank capacity/range - VFR (5.8 gal. vs. CBR's 4.7. gal tank)
Reliability - they're both Hondas, but VFRs are known to last forever
Versatility - VFR
All-around streetbike - VFR
Fuel octane/cost - VFR takes 87 octane (US) and I think the CBR takes 91 or 92

[Meatloaf]

As others have stated, it all comes down to what you want and need out of a bike. The VFR is simply a more practical bike for everyday riding that offers sport capabilities and will get you anywhere quickly, reliably, and comfortably.

I faced a tough decision when I picked up my VFR this year. I knew that I wanted something more sporty than the cruiser that I had and the only reason I had the cruiser was to be a starter bike. When I started searching it came down to two bikes. I had a choice between a beautiful 2003 Aprilia Mille RSVR for $3500, or the 2004 VFR for $5300. I was torn. I'd been on the Aprilia, knew what it was capable of... the feel, the sound, the thrill. It also came with the benefit of a 2300 mile ride home to get very very acquainted with her.

But I also knew that I needed some touring capabilities. I ride my bike everywhere. And I do mean everywhere. When I had a job, I would tote computers around strapped to the pillion or backpack, various items in the saddlebags, and the laptop in the backpack. Eventually it came down to the fact that a full sport bike just wasn't practical for everyday use. I don't have the money at this point in my life to have two bikes, but it will come. Then I will get the full sport bike. Until then, my VFR does me very well. I hang with anyone in the twisties, I cruise comfortably, and now that I have my hard bags I have plenty of storage. Its super reliable, beautiful, and cheap to drive (maintenance and insurance).

I'm happy I chose the VFR and don't think I would have had it any other way since I'm limited to one bike for the time being and I don't look back leaving the Aprilia behind (it helps I can hop on one any time I want to lol). The time will come when the stable can grow. Even after it does, the VFR will continue to be the prime steed and will probably exist in the stable long after many others have come and gone.

I don't think I'm being biased here either. I've ridden more that my fair share of bikes in the few years I've been riding. From the lowly 39HP Shadow VLX to the 178RWHP Ducati 999r with the Harley's, Triumphs, Suzuki's, Yamaha's, and Honda's all in the mix, I can honestly say that I've been on about every type of road bike out there and all of them do their one thing exceptionally to very well. However none of them that I've been on do EVERYTHING very well as the VFR does. It's nice to be able to go out, twist the throttle all the way, and have the front wheel come up almost as fast as you can think. Its nice to be able to go out and twist the throttle all the way and have a rumble as the bike takes off comfortably as you enjoy the scenery. Its nice to be able to go out and drag pieces of the bike on the ground or reach out and drag your hand going around a corner at 70MPH. It is nice to be able to do this on different types of bikes. Its even better to do it all on the same bike and not have to spend a fortune on different toys to do different tasks. It is wonderful to own a VFR.

[mark123]

Start saving. You might as well get both. My next one will be a CBR but I am keeping the VFR. You just can't beat the reliability of the VFR. I am coming up on 87,000km on my 06. It runs great and I have had some long rides on it. I mean long. But I need more power too. Just cause. "need" in my case has a similar meaning as "want"

Randy WOW thats some serious KM's for a 06

[VFRMike]

I'd go with the VFR because I have seen excellent riders on VFR's ride MUCH faster than good riders on hyper-bikes. The VFR has so many hats it is comfortable wearing. I had a VFR, then it was totalled, then purchased an RC-51. While the RC was certainly fun, and sounded better than the VFR IMO, it got real old going up HWY 1 to Monterey (~100 miles) when you knew you had to drag yourself back after being so darn tired. With the VFR, it's up to Monterey, a nice lunch, then enough energy to tear up the road coming back. 200 + miles is very doable on the VFR, but can be a LONG day on a hyper-bike, like the CBR1000RR. BTW, on the VFR I have put in multiple 800+ mile days across the country. I would never try this on a CBR1000RR.

Either way you're in for lots of fun!!

VFRMike.

[chomper]

Start saving. You might as well get both. My next one will be a CBR but I am keeping the VFR. You just can't beat the reliability of the VFR. I am coming up on 87,000km on my 06. It runs great and I have had some long rides on it. I mean long. But I need more power too. Just cause. "need" in my case has a similar meaning as "want"

OMG , your not a youngster any more!! you don't need that kind of power for an old buzzard.

i may have to get some advice from Dear randy on this one

[VFRBenny]

Ok Benny I might have been a little harsh. JIM

[Maggot]

Hi:

I'm trying to choose between a new '08 CBR1000RR and a '08 VFR800. Both are new left overs and are priced similarly. I've been riding since 1970 and the hottest bike I own is a '95 CB1000 (the monster). I want the CBR but think the VFR would fit my needs better. Why do you ride a VFR? Pro's and con's?

Two things to look at. How do you picture yourself as a rider? Fast, sporty, always sunny and warm? Now be honest with yourself, how do you really ride? Mostly to and from work, get caught in the rain, short trips, long trips, canyon carving, track days etc.

If you drop the fantasy of how you think you will ride and really focus on the reality of how you really ride you can't help but make the right decision. If you are honest with yourself you will pick the right bike.

Good luck with you new bike whichever it may be!

Maggot

[emon07]

I like both the CBR and VFR. If I had answered this question a week ago I may have been a little more prone to say check the CBR and look for mods that can make the bike more comfortable for longer rides. I got hit by a Van last week while on my VFR. I was on a three lane road going approx 40 - 45mph. I was in the middle lane when a Van moved into the lane from the right. Yeah I have some skills from time on the road, but I was lucky and the VFR is a tough bike. I was able to avoid hitting the van broadside, but did get clipped and did a slide (no matter what the situation is I always feel safe when I tuck in on the VFR). I suffered no major injuries (banged up my foot a little, but my AlpineStars boots served me well). and the bike was not badly damaged (luckily I have sliders that are drilled into the frame). I usually ride my little Yamaha YZF 600R for daily commutes and had I been on that little light bike when the van hit me I would be really hurt and the bike would have suffered major damage. No disrespect to Yamaha or anyone - I do not have to dislike or hate anything to appreciate what I like. I enjoy having more than one bike (especially if I have to put my bike in the shop), so I would suggest getting the VFR and the save some cash (or find a rich woman who likes you lmao) for a 3 - 4 year old 600cc CBR for fun rides and track days. just my two cents

[rufussrgnt]

Thanks for the input. As regards finding a rich woman, my wife says you should mind your own business!

[emon07]

I like both the CBR and VFR. If I had answered this question a week ago I may have been a little more prone to say check the CBR and look for mods that can make the bike more comfortable for longer rides. I got hit by a Van last week while on my VFR. I was on a three lane road going approx 40 - 45mph. I was in the middle lane when a Van moved into the lane from the right. Yeah I have some skills from time on the road, but I was lucky and the VFR is a tough bike. I was able to avoid hitting the van broadside, but did get clipped and did a slide (no matter what the situation is I always feel safe when I tuck in on the VFR). I suffered no major injuries (banged up my foot a little, but my AlpineStars boots served me well). and the bike was not badly damaged (luckily I have sliders that are drilled into the frame). I usually ride my little Yamaha YZF 600R for daily commutes and had I been on that little light bike when the van hit me I would be really hurt and the bike would have suffered major damage. No disrespect to Yamaha or anyone - I do not have to dislike or hate anything to appreciate what I like. I enjoy having more than one bike (especially if I have to put my bike in the shop), so I would suggest getting the VFR and the save some cash (or find a rich woman who likes you lmao) for a 3 - 4 year old 600cc CBR for fun rides and track days. just my two cents

Thanks for the input. As regards finding a rich woman, my wife says you should mind your own business!

WTF ignorance is bliss

[34468 Randy]

(or find a rich woman who likes you lmao) for a 3 - 4 year old 600cc CBR for fun rides and track days. just my two cents

First of all, glad you are OK after the crash. Secondly I tried your advice.....25 years ago.... I married my wife for her money. She still has it and we are still married. Happily I might add.

[emon07]

First of all, glad you are OK after the crash. Secondly I tried your advice.....25 years ago.... I married my wife for her money. She still has it and we are still married. Happily I might add.

Thanks!!! appreciate you!!!!

[Pliskin]

Yes, glad to see you are OK Emon. I'm from Jersey myself. Although I've never rode my bike in NYC or any boroughs, I think about all the time I spent there and it seems nothing short of miraculous that you fared as well as you did, considering the habits of some of the drivers in our area. Visions of the FDR, Belt, and West Side come to mind!

Sorry for the temporary hijack, and now back to your regularly scheduled program...

[sparky750]

just don't buy new ones. i'm not sure what price you're looking at, but for 8k, you could get a 5th or 6th gen and a supersport for those special occasions (track days). nothing wrong with more than 1. remember...n=the number of bikes you have and n+1=the number of bikes you should have!

[skivfr1]

Wow, sorry I didn't see this thread sooner! I own BOTH because I NEED both! 2 different styles of riding........... Do I want to just go out for a couple hours and carve turns like a pair of slalom skis, get off on mind numbing acceleration, pass cars at will and short of meeting up with a half million dollar exotic sports car (or another liter bike!) know that I OWN the road?.........OR........ Do I want to be able to knock off 500 plus mile days and be able to still walk vertical, roll on the throttle in pretty much any gear and feel magical V4 torque, enjoy sport touring at it's finest balance between comfort and performance? Tough question! Only YOU can answer that..............!! Good luck!

[Deadsmiley]

just don't buy new ones. i'm not sure what price you're looking at, but for 8k, you could get a 5th or 6th gen and a supersport for those special occasions (track days). nothing wrong with more than 1. remember...n=the number of bikes you have and n+1=the number of bikes you should have!

This is exactly what I did. I paid $4000 for the CBR 954 and $3800 for the VFR. Got a hell of a good deal on the CBR. The VFR was on the high side.

[runnerhiker]

Thanks for all of your input. Frankly, I am really surprised that so many of you liked the CBR. Most model specific forum participants are really prejudiced. Not you folks. Despite all the great suggestions, I'm still in a quandary as to what to buy. Too bad I can't ride each for a week or two. Great forum by the way. Thanks again.

You are coming back and tell us what you got, right? Specially if you pick the CBR since if you pick the VFR you have a good excuse to come back.

BTW, I used to own one of these.


Ron

[rufussrgnt]

I wish my SR looked that good. I'm rebuilding the carb right now.

[HondaTech]

Maybe I have a crappy frame of reference because i have never ridden a liter bike, but all the statements people are making about a CBR being able to pass at will or being dramatically faster don't make sense to me. I mean the VFR seems awful fast on it's own if you know how to open the throttle to the lock. Also,we do have speed limits in this country so really at best a person might be able to utilize 50% of a CBR's capabilities, and on a vfr maybe like 65%? I guess I just don't get 1000cc sportbikes on the street- if you do regular track days they make sense I guess. I don't know, I guess to me it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than to have a ridiculously fast bike and always ride it slow. That said- neither bike you are considering is slow. I love my VFR and while I may own other bikes in my lifetime, they will be in addition to my VFR not a replacement of. The Viffer does too many things really well and the only real negative is the weight, and for me it largely disappears when riding, and honestly with the wind we have been having here of late I appreciate not getting blown all over the road like my last bike did (Suzuki GS500) I guess my point is the VFR is plenty quick to go illegal, but it's also more comfy- you won't be able to approach either bike's limits so why make compromises on something like comfort?

[cebuVFR]

..... I suffered no major injuries (banged up my foot a little, but my AlpineStars boots served me well)....

glad you ok bro.

[jaimev34]

Maybe I have a crappy frame of reference because i have never ridden a liter bike, but all the statements people are making about a CBR being able to pass at will or being dramatically faster don't make sense to me. I mean the VFR seems awful fast on it's own if you know how to open the throttle to the lock. Also,we do have speed limits in this country so really at best a person might be able to utilize 50% of a CBR's capabilities, and on a vfr maybe like 65%? I guess I just don't get 1000cc sportbikes on the street- if you do regular track days they make sense I guess. I don't know, I guess to me it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than to have a ridiculously fast bike and always ride it slow. That said- neither bike you are considering is slow. I love my VFR and while I may own other bikes in my lifetime, they will be in addition to my VFR not a replacement of. The Viffer does too many things really well and the only real negative is the weight, and for me it largely disappears when riding, and honestly with the wind we have been having here of late I appreciate not getting blown all over the road like my last bike did (Suzuki GS500) I guess my point is the VFR is plenty quick to go illegal, but it's also more comfy- you won't be able to approach either bike's limits so why make compromises on something like comfort?

+1

100 Hp is enough for me.

[tinkerinWstuff]

hell with it and just get a multipurpose Triumph

[Bubba Zanetti]

Maybe I have a crappy frame of reference because i have never ridden a liter bike, but all the statements people are making about a CBR being able to pass at will or being dramatically faster don't make sense to me. I mean the VFR seems awful fast on it's own if you know how to open the throttle to the lock. Also,we do have speed limits in this country so really at best a person might be able to utilize 50% of a CBR's capabilities, and on a vfr maybe like 65%? I guess I just don't get 1000cc sportbikes on the street- if you do regular track days they make sense I guess. I don't know, I guess to me it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than to have a ridiculously fast bike and always ride it slow. That said- neither bike you are considering is slow. I love my VFR and while I may own other bikes in my lifetime, they will be in addition to my VFR not a replacement of. The Viffer does too many things really well and the only real negative is the weight, and for me it largely disappears when riding, and honestly with the wind we have been having here of late I appreciate not getting blown all over the road like my last bike did (Suzuki GS500) I guess my point is the VFR is plenty quick to go illegal, but it's also more comfy- you won't be able to approach either bike's limits so why make compromises on something like comfort?

Actually, even on the track, during track days, modern liter bikes don't make sence, unless you are some kind of phenom.

BZ

[havcar]

Actually, even on the track, during track days, modern liter bikes don't make sence, unless you are some kind of phenom.

BZ

I would agree, I enjoy the rush of the new liter bikes, but I also understand the unpracticality in their nature. I think that sometimes people forget, especially the inexperienced, that todays VFRs have very similar HP to what the 1000's were producing just 7 or 8 years ago. Back then I never heard anyone say that a CBR 1000 was a slow bike the way that I hear people today say that the VFR is slow. In fact a friend and I had our bikes dynoed togather 18 months ago. With all the toys on his '03 Aprilia RSV, he dynoed 114 RWHP. The VFR was just short of 101 RWHP. Now 160 RWHP is common on the Japanese bikes and the Italians produce more than that. As Bubba said, you had better have your sh!t togather if you plan on giving one of those bikes all it can take.

What good are the 50 extra horses if you are unable or incapable of using them?

[CandyRedRC46]

I would agree, I enjoy the rush of the new liter bikes, but I also understand the unpracticality in their nature. I think that sometimes people forget, especially the inexperienced, that todays VFRs have very similar HP to what the 1000's were producing just 7 or 8 years ago. Back then I never heard anyone say that a CBR 1000 was a slow bike the way that I hear people today say that the VFR is slow. In fact a friend and I had our bikes dynoed togather 18 months ago. With all the toys on his '03 Aprilia RSV, he dynoed 114 RWHP. The VFR was just short of 101 RWHP. Now 160 RWHP is common on the Japanese bikes and the Italians produce more than that. As Bubba said, you had better have your sh!t togather if you plan on giving one of those bikes all it can take.

What good are the 50 extra horses if you are unable or incapable of using them?

+1 excellent points!
ive got a buddy with a hayabusa.
we can line up from a standstill. ill put a couple car lengths on him and he doesnt pass me till about 110 mph. basically unless we are doing a highspeed roll on there is no point to his 170 something horses. throw in some tight curve and he gets smaller and smaller in the mirrors, though that is more of a driver vs driver thing...

[matt1986vf500f]

your comparing two total different bikes! on one hand you got the VFR which is a sport-touring bike then on the other hand you have the more hardcore CBR 1000RR, thats like comparing grandma to megan fox

[CandyRedRC46]

your comparing two total different bikes! on one hand you got the VFR which is a sport-touring bike then on the other hand you have the more hardcore CBR 1000RR, thats like comparing grandma to megan fox

lol gross... hopefully thats a comparo that never gets posted... lol