Honda's VFR

I rode a VFR for the 1st time this spring, for about 20 miles. It was a 93. I was enamored of its handling, power braking and compactness. I have been a rider all my life. I am just turning 60. That does not mean I like tepid machinery. What I don't need is a machine that is twitchy with power making stop and go city driving difficult. John Johnson's post tells it like it is.

Honda did lose a good part of the market share to HD, Suzuki, and some others about 6 or 7 yrs back and vowed they were intent on reclaiming it by bringing out hardware that riders would want to get their hands on. I haven't really seen much to back that up but there has been some good feedback on the ST1300.The 919 also got some high marks in the latest Cycle World comparo. Honda does things conservatively and they will always provide more civility in their machines rather than just speed.
Back to the VFR....
I just now purchased a 95 VFR in Raleigh. I flew down there from Pittsburgh on Wednesday and checked out the bike. It had a badly adjusted chain, and some plastic tabs broken on the inside of the fairing where the dzus fasteners locked. Fortunately I checked there before losing anything on the 600 mile trip back to Pgh. The gas gauge was inoperative.
Nothing really terrible. I repaired the gas gauge problem, cleaned and lubed the chain and readjusted it. ...while my brother repaired the plastic with PLASTEX. I installed straps for my tank bag (non magnetic) and checked the oil...clean and fresh.
She was ready.

Power? There was plenty even in the carbureted 750 flavor. She would put the muscle to the highway readily. If you needed more accellleration, a simple downshift fixed that. The windscreen did a good job with a Shoei helmet for a skid lid. The low bars did indeed create wrist cramps, especially the throttle arm. The stock bar grips are worthless. Some gel grips and a throttle lock would have made a huge difference along with some bar risers. I say this because I have made these mods on a 93 GTS 1000 Yamaha and the comfort level is greatly increased. The GTS is a dynamite machine with a stellar 20 valve motor packed with punch. Rock solid stability at any speed. A superb sport tourer, a bit heavier than the VFR and longer. It is a machine I would not quickly rid myself of.

Where the VFR has its kudos is in compactness, and agility. Its brakes are excellent! I truly love the single sided swing arm and the way you adjust chain tension. Utterly simplistic. The body panels come off simply as well. Almost without a thought. What's not to like?
If I had the money to spend, I would have bought the 98 fuel injected version in the 800 size. The styling is clean compared to the classic look of the 95. If you have a fuel injected 800 and are carping about needing a different engine, a 1000, well I doubt it is that great an idea. First, there is an insurance break at the 800cc level. That is a plus. There are any number of 1000's and larger out there that will do as a sport machine. Read the latest comparo in Cycle World. They give it a go with a wide spectrum of sporty machines. ABS is always a good thing on a motorcycle.

I think Honda knows it has a winner with the Interceptor. The Vtec thing was the answer to a question it seemed no one asked. Honda seems it just isn't listening to the owners and buyers in the market. Extra complexity is not an endearing trait in an already good machine. If Honda upgrades the suspension, it will also upgrade the price considerably. What they should do is offer it as an option or as an add on, and the same with windscreens and bar risers. They are busy like the other companies focusing on the bottom line...$$$$$. That extra enterprise obviously has little $$$ incentive for them to give it a go.Today they want the product out the door and the and the money a quick turn around.
The ride? a 600 mile trip back to Pgh from the Tarheel. A little rough on the wrist muscles, but the VFR was a pleaser. Great weather and 12 hrs in the saddle. Loved the Mountains along I-77 in Va, 52 in NC and the high speed smooth superslab roads in the Hillbilly (affectionately). You'd go a long way to beat the West by God Virginia folks!

The tomato man in Pgh
95 VFR
93 GTS 1000 Yamaha
850 Norton Commando






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Nice to hear about your new purchase Ed. You should hook up with Denny
Fair and go for a ride sometime. I may/or may not be able to attend,
but we go out every now and then. Even Greg Verderber likes to ride his
VFR when he's not on his SV. When you get sitchiated, drop a line on
the list and try to plan a nice Sunday afternoon. I'll probably be
coming from Viriginia and have to meet you guys later, but at least the
new rubber will be on the VFR (if I can get the handling issues with the
F3 internals worked out)..

Matt Roth

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