Gen 5 - many regard as the best example of the breed ?

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by John451, Oct 3, 2016.

  1. Sniper

    Sniper New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 7, 2016
    Messages:
    320
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    18
    I remember motorcycle shopping back in 01. There was a VFR, and a 929RR on the floor. The VFR weighed more, had a smaller engine, and was $1000 more! With the 929 you got a beautiful titanium exhaust that the heat would turn pretty colors, and never rust. And then theres the VFR..... it got soft, painted steel, that was guarenteed to look like junk by the time you got home with it. I never under stood why the VFR was always considered the superior quality motorcycle.
     
  2. John451

    John451 Member

    Country:
    Australia
    Joined:
    May 21, 2004
    Messages:
    2,859
    Likes Received:
    50
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Sydneys South, 8 minutes from the RNP
    Was a hard choice to go for a VFR over a Blade especially the 954 which is still my favourite Blade, thing is my current regular riding buddies have changed their Blades, Gixxers, R1s etc at least 3 times to new or different models in the last 15 years I've been riding with them yet I still have a VFR and on the road 99% of the time not slower then them despite usually carrying at least 50% more on tour.

    My 17yro Gen5 has been rock solid for reliability and although its got 55,000miles still feels very good on the road needing only normal servicing and this year treated it to a full suspension rebuild, disks are still the original though pads just replaced for the 3rd time, clutch pack is still original and good, head bearings replaced twice and just started on my 3rd chain.

    Don't get me wrong I enjoy riding other friends bikes especially for extended miles between fuel stops, gotta love that S1000rr as the best of the current Superbikes but I'm always satisfied when swapping back to my VFR mind my riding mates think I'm a bit crazy for saying when my gen 5 finally wears out my wish would be to buy one brand new again.
     
  3. CandyRedRC46

    CandyRedRC46 Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2009
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    66
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Orlando Florida
    Map
    Lol I am sure 6th gen clutches will out last 4th gens. The sixth gen is set up for touring and reliability. I am sure the fourth gen feels better, but the sixth gens can last for 100,000 miles and cope with 200 whp and get all the feel back with just a simple spring upgrade.

    Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
     
  4. Sniper

    Sniper New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 7, 2016
    Messages:
    320
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    18
    I often critize the VFR, so its only fair to do a few compliments, once on a while.

    The wheels on the Interceptor are much nicer than on the CBR. I always say that current technology, to measure the thinness of paint on CBR wheels, does not exist. If you look at them too hard, you're down to bare metal. The paint, everywhere on the VFR, seem thicker.

    The hydraulic clutch on the Interceptor is a nice touch. For me, the stock suspention is a lot closer to bein correct.

    The CBR is faster. But its faster than i can use. When the VFR is maxed out, so am I.
     
  5. slowbird

    slowbird Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2008
    Messages:
    2,439
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    51
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario.
    Map
    haha! Well, you're a strong supporter of the 6th gens (or so I gathered from my thread where I owned one and hated it) so I won't get into a 4th gen vs 6th gen debate with you, especially since it's off topic as this thread is about the 5th gen VFR's....which I think are much better than the 6th gen. *insert cat face here*
     
  6. slowbird

    slowbird Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2008
    Messages:
    2,439
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    51
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario.
    Map
    I find I get the crazy looks too from people when they see how much I prefer the VFR.

    Wow, can you imagine being able to buy your preffered generation VFR brand new? :drool: That'd be something.
     
  7. CandyRedRC46

    CandyRedRC46 Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2009
    Messages:
    3,503
    Likes Received:
    66
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Orlando Florida
    Map
    My preferred generation doesn't exist yet lol

    Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
     
  8. slowbird

    slowbird Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2008
    Messages:
    2,439
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    51
    Location:
    Toronto, Ontario.
    Map
    We're still talking about bikes, right? :wink:
     
  9. StriderArrow

    StriderArrow New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
  10. StriderArrow

    StriderArrow New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 30, 2009
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Please tell me you have a sounds clip of this Sato pipe!!!!
     
  11. Sniper

    Sniper New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 7, 2016
    Messages:
    320
    Likes Received:
    12
    Trophy Points:
    18
    My motorcycle sounds just like every other VFR. I like to think mine is a little cleaner than most, but other than that, its just an average, run of the mill VFR.
     
  12. James Bond

    James Bond Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2006
    Messages:
    1,313
    Likes Received:
    155
    Trophy Points:
    63
    Location:
    Dixie
    Map
    After intense thought, scientific research, and contemplation, perhaps the best VFR is the one you have. It is in my case.
     
  13. dABIT

    dABIT New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2014
    Messages:
    106
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    43
    Location:
    Jacksonville, FL.
    Map
    driftingalong +1
     
  14. sfdownhill

    sfdownhill New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2016
    Messages:
    276
    Likes Received:
    72
    Trophy Points:
    28
    Location:
    Vista, CA
    Map
    driftingalong +2
     
  15. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2011
    Messages:
    6,479
    Likes Received:
    949
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    Anaheim, Ca.
    I guess it also means the one that your riding, as I have a 5 Gen and a 6 Gen! I love them both and both have their intended purpose and both fill their role just fine.
     
  16. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

    Country:
    Kuwait
    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    2,727
    Likes Received:
    625
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Auckland, New Zealand
    Map
    I've owned a 1st, 2nd and 5th gen, and have ridden the 6th and 8th. I agree that they all have their pros and cons. If they were all stock, the 8th is probably the best of the bunch, with modern brakes and suspension. However if we are allowed some modifications, then a 5G with suitably tailored CBR600F4 forks, brakes and shock is my preference as I think it strikes the best balance.

    If I were Mr Honda rummaging in the parts bin, then I would be making a sport-tourer from an RC51 engine/chassis but with sensible suspension and ride position, and tuned more for fuel use than out and out performance. My VTR1000F comes pretty close barring the ride position and thirst, the 1000cc v-twin puts out no more power than the VFR but does so with oodles of torque. However I'd guess that making the emissions compliant would be very costly, and the market for such a bike is probably small (or would cannabalise sales of VFRs...)
     
  17. RVFR

    RVFR Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2006
    Messages:
    8,006
    Likes Received:
    265
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Olympia Wa.
    Map
    Yea Terry, I agree with your second paragraph. Honda should have made a sport tour using the RC51 platform or at the least used that engine over the one in the Super hawk . I get the cost, vs demographics may have been small, but most that where in the know wanted just a bit more here, and add the SSSA too. One of my thoughts was to see if a 6th gen rear sub frame could be attached to the RC51 then add some bar risers.
     
Related Topics

Share This Page