Why do you still have your old VF’s?

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by Cyclone, Jun 17, 2010.

  1. Cyclone

    Cyclone New Member

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    Was thinking about this a while back.
    Bought mine in 97 as a student, it’s all I could afford. I didn’t want an inline 4, too common, or an NC30, too small and VFR750 were outa my price range. So I got the VF500.
    I’m not a rich man, but I’m not scrapping the pennies either. I’ve had plenty of chances to get a newer bigger faster bike but each time something happened. Lost my job - twice, bought a house - twice, married the wife - once, bought some cars (I know, I know, they were for work), etc..
    But I still have this VF500 for the last 13 years.
    Why…?

    I can think of two big reasons that have lots of little reasons in them.
    Each time I ride a newer bigger faster bike, apart from the awesome acceleration brakes and stability, they don’t turn as fast as the VF and despite their lack of weight I’m always hauling them over into bends. The 16’ wheel makes a big difference along with the slimness of the VF, I can slip thru gaps commuting that others struggle with. I live in the real world and use my bike for transport and fun.

    Secondly. 20 odd years ago I’d hop on a bike and whizz through the streets of London, just keeping an eye out for the rozzers. In the countryside or on the m-ways same thing. Now there are so many speed cameras, cars, people, road restrictions mixed in with an horrendous drop in driving standards/attitude by all, including bikers. You just can’t ride like this anymore and get away with it. So having all that awesome acceleration and brakes is just wasted. I struggle now using all that my VF500’s got, wasn’t a problem 15 years ago.
    Now, I could move to continental Europe or some other less populated part of the planet but I like where I live.

    Plus the VF500 is such a good looking, rare bike and the engine sounds great.

    What are forum members take on this?
    Cyclone
     
  2. sherkanner

    sherkanner New Member

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    Hi,

    I bought mine 2 years ago, also all I could aford, after 2 months of work.
    Wasn't especially looking for a honda, only for an old one in a correct runing state, which isn't a common inline 4 or 2.
    But the sound did it, and the ride test before purchase finished my decision.
    One small backdrow to this bike for me is I have my legs too high on it which make the position uncomfortable after 200km.

    Looking to buy a newer one, like only 10yo instead of 20 ^^, but actually can't find anything interesting in my price range (looking at some 2000 triumph though for long rides over 400km)

    Plus I really enjoy riding it, really soft when I want and some power reserve when I choose, super easy to handle, forgives a lot of mistakes
     
  3. Cyclone

    Cyclone New Member

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    They are a bit cramped on the legs.
    My bros Firestorm had more leg room than the VF.

    Good luck looking. Old carbureted VFR's are excellent steeds to.
    Trumpets, particularily the Sprint, very comfortable though some quality issues.
    All sortable though.

    Cyclone
     
  4. blitzas

    blitzas New Member

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    Started as a tax compromise as 500cc was my margin back in 95, but the VF500F has a lot of gifts and kept me with it's great look.
    Now I can have any bike I like but instead I started it's restoration which is not easy so I hope I won't run out of energy.
     
  5. MiddleTBabb

    MiddleTBabb New Member

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    They are definitely a unique bike with a lot of potential in the twisties. I know that a buddy of mine, user name Matt1986vf500f loves his 500. He has put a lot into that bike, and probably got a lot in return
     
  6. Cyclone

    Cyclone New Member

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    Gaskets

    I've just been to my Honda dealer to pick up some parts. They ordered the cam cover gaskets, but supplied the earlier ones (VF500F2E) don't fit the F2F. He then told me the ones for the F2F are marked as obsolete by Honda.

    I hope this isn't the start of parts becoming scarce.

    Cyclone
     
  7. Cyclone

    Cyclone New Member

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    Used to take mine to the continent quite regular to see the Le Mans 24hr car race.
    My Bros would go on his Fire Storm and was always amazed that even at 130-135 I was still right behind him.
    He completely out accelerated me though.

    Cyclone
     
  8. slowbird

    slowbird Member

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    I bought mine almost 3 years ago. Wanted a good starter bike.....was looking around at 500cc bikes and came across the VF500. I liked the look and style and the rest is history.

    When I do have the cash I WILL buy a VFR750F. I need a bike that is a bit more comfortable on touring trips and is a bit more reliable.
     
  9. alex5160

    alex5160 New Member

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    I owned one back in 83 (750) and was near and dear to my heart... then a female enterted my life! Well, ended up buying one again a few years ago and will never ever let it go again! The female ended up becoming my wife. She can leave anytime she wants, but my Ceptor stays!!
     
  10. repair

    repair New Member

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    I owned a 1985 VF700 new and I still had it when I met my wife, I always wanted the VF750 so a couple of months ago when I found one that was in good shape and only 6 hours away I bought it.

    I could buy a new bike if I wanted one but I haven't found one that ignites the passon that my old and slow VF does.
     
  11. revengel

    revengel New Member

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    As you can see in my sig, my 1986 Interceptor was the first bike I ever bought. Here's more detail (and why I still have her)

    I originally wanted my first bike to be a U.S. product. But when I looked in the classifieds & saw an AMF Sportster w/o engine, front wheel, handlebars and a bunch of other stuff for $2,300 I decided to junk that. Eventually I ran across an ad for the following: 1986 500 Interceptor, Helmet, Disk Lock & Cover - $1.000. Right in my price range (that's the best I could afford at the time.

    Skipping ahead (I can talk about her name another time) I found out just how fast, quick, reliable, comfortable & fun Charlotte could be. Those last two in particular were key because I would both commute & pleasure ride; she had 6 days off in the first two years of ownership. She's the best dance partner I've ever had.

    So my plan is to keep her - no matter what her condition ever is (we've been hit twice) for the rest of my life. I owe her that.
    The difference between me before Charlotte and the man I am today is more than just significant - it's an evolution.


    Just my personal (greatly abridged) story...
     
  12. vfkev

    vfkev New Member

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    I got mine because the guy didnt know he had a gem under the crud, got it for $400.00. After a good clean and tune (only 11000 miles) the thing runs and looks great
     
  13. emon07

    emon07 New Member

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    I bought my 2k VFR used and in good shape. I am the third owner. Since I have had my VFR I have add a 03 Yamaha 600R and 03 Yamaha R1 to my stable. I am selling everything and keeping my VFR and R1. The VFR is a great bike, but that aside the main point is I know the bike and how to maintain the bike. Also, the VFR is a do evrything bike and it is a all season ride. I do not own or drive a car so I like haveing a second bike if my daily ride is in the shop. My VFR is my winter bike and if I sell it I am gonna get another 5th gen VFR with less miles.
     
  14. GreyVF750F

    GreyVF750F Member

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    Mines just dear and near to me and here's why:

    When I road raced Penton Honda was our sponsor. I was working there under the table temporarily. The new 83 Interceptor came out and they got one of the first and I got to help put it together. The bike sold and the new owner wrecked it at the end of summer. Bike was totaled and Penton bought it for us as a 24hr bike. We raced a different one that year. I bought the bike at the end of 84. I rebuilt the bike totally with my own paint scheme. The bike only had 4250 miles on it and I had a total of $1800 in it. It now has over 59k. I've been from Key west to Vermont to Montana and all thru most of the southern states. Also did 1000+miles in 18 hours once. Penton had a poker run.

    It's been a great one up sport touring machine, can still flat out run with bags on. It satisfies my needs. Runs fast, handles, semi comfortable, good low torque and has NEVER let me down on any of my trips! Which range up to 3800 miles. When I have something good I tend to take care of it and keep it. I think though a 5th gen is in my future. I'll keep the 1st gen though.
     
  15. hopit88

    hopit88 New Member

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    When I bought my R, 25 years ago this month, I had no idea I was going to keep it this long. I figured I would keep it a few years till Honda came out with the next show stopper. Well, the Hurricane came out in '87, and to be honest, was certainly not much to look at. '90 arrived with the CBR1000F, another lump of clay with wheels. The 900rr was a potent sport bike but was an inline and looked like most other bikes of the day,FZR,GSXR? Same for the 929 and the 954 and the 1000RR and so on. Some might think I'm still waiting but actually, now that she just turned 25, and with a face lift and tummy tuck in full swing, she looks better than ever and nothing on the showroom floor now or in the foreseeable future will get my wallet open. Long live Honda. Long live the V4. Long live my kR.
     
  16. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

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    My first bike was an 84 750......gen 1 will have a place in my heart until I am dead and will work on them for free just to see another on the road. Please do not tell Squirrel.
     
  17. Michael E

    Michael E New Member

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    I had a new 1984 VF500 back in the day. I have not had a road bike since and recently go the urge, but I did not want to spend a lot of cash. I cam across a VF500 that needed work but cost me little relative to any other bike out there. Three months later it's running and I am enjoying it.

    Simple answer: I believe that the VF500 is one of the best looking bikes ever, they handle light and they sound cool, not quite V-twin cool, but better that a high revving inline four.
     
  18. stewartj239

    stewartj239 Member

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    I have my '86 collection because it represents a point in time where Honda was the dominant force is super bike racing and the Interceptor was the bike to have. Even today, I get all kinds of comments when I have any one of them out and about. These bikes also represent the "glory days" of my youth that I am now reliving every day. These bikes will always have a place in history and in many people's hearts.
     
  19. 05 silvervfr

    05 silvervfr New Member

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    Recently added a 86 vf500 to my toys, ok more for my other half.It was basically a barn find without the barn but after a little work i got it running and all cleaned up it is quite the little sports bike .You can throw it around quite easily and is pretty peppy for its size and age.Now it doesn't compare to my 05 but there is 19 years difference and 300 cc's.When my girfriend went for her licence i didn't want her to get what every newbie around her is getting, a ninja 250 . I wanted her to get a v4 so i started looking and eventualy found what i was looking for.As of today she started driving it and loves it . We have the only v4's in our area and no other bikes sound like them. The only thing she wants me to change is the exhaust to a 2 Bros so it sounds like my 05.I don't see any changes happening soon to our bike inventory were going to stick to what we have as long as i can keep them running. Did i mention that the 500 only has 28000 kms and i have a complete parts bike so it should be on the road for still a few years.
     
  20. lsc86

    lsc86 New Member

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    How true! [my wife accuses me quite often of trying to relive the days of my youth!]

    Always been partial to Honda's more than any other brand [although a close second is Suzuki's GSXR, anyway] and as the only bike shop close enough to ride my bicycle to was a Honda shop, spent a lot of days wondering the isles looking at all those wonderful V-4 machines: Magnas, Sabres, and Interceptors. Had my heart set on a VF-500, but when the time came I couldn't find one for sale and ended up putting a deposit on a Yamaha Radian. Fate was on my side though because the next day in the front window of the Honda shop sat a shiny brand new '86 VF-500 and so long Radian, hello Interceptor!:biggrin: The rest is history...

    Had many bikes over the years, but still a huge spot in my heart for Honda and the V-4 line, which is why I'm on the search once again for an '86 VF-500. Wouldn't mind picking up an '86 VF1000R or even an all white '86 VFR-700 [although I do like the '87 VFR-F2 dash a bit better] some day too. Just something magical about these V-4s...
     
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