Another New Member Thinking about a VFR800 5th Gen vs Newer Model

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by JimV4R, Nov 17, 2020.

  1. JimV4R

    JimV4R New Member

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    Hi Folks

    I'm new to the forum but have been thinking about buying a VFR for about a year now. I've been riding for about 45 years starting out with dirt bikes. Went across country to California and back, even stopped in at Sturgis in 1981, on a 1978 400 Honda Hawk.

    I currently have a 1985 Honda Magna V700 that I've owned for about 10 years and I love the V4 engine. I'm going to sell some stuff over the winter and pool together maybe $4K ish to buy a VFR800. I'm really smitten by the lore of the 5th Gen engine. I wouldn't mind VTEC if it had the gear driven cams, but I have a cam chain now so I could be convinced.

    I mostly ride up and down the Connecticut shoreline back roads on the weekends. I would only commute if my car was out of commission for a while. I want something a little bit more sporty. But I also have plans to go back down to the Blue Ridge Parkway next summer and spend a couple of weeks riding down and back. So the VFR800 seems like a fabulous choice for my riding wants/needs. I'll still keep the Magna or maybe sell it and get an 1100 Magna.

    Given the choice between a 5th Gen VFR800 or a newer VTEC VFR800 what would you recommend. I could go up on the budget or buy a newer bike that needs work since I used to be an auto mechanic I'm not afraid of a fixer upper. The $4K budget could be bumped up for something special. I do see many newer bikes that sell for what looks like great deals so....

    Whada ya think?

    Jim
     
  2. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    98 - 01 sounds like the next logical step to me.
    Fuel Injection
    Gear Driven Cams
    Linked Brake System (a minus for me, but the system works great)

    The VTECs are fabulous machines, but definitely are more complicated. I have recently worked on and ridden one. Hated working on it, liked riding it. Much rather have a de-linked 98 or 99.

    My Old School $.02
     
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  3. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    My 5th gen... full suspension upgrade and delinked upgraded brakes.... the way to go...........
     
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  4. JimV4R

    JimV4R New Member

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    So two votes for a Gen 5 machine.

    Are there many little niceties on the newest machines to make them more desirable other than just being newer?

    How does the gas mileage compare between the Gen 5 and newer rides? More of a concern for range then fuel cost to me.
     
  5. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    They just get heavier and more complicated to me. A fuckin' gazixillion relays, controllers, proportioning valves, secondary master cylinders, two thousand miles of hoses and splitters. That's not even the ABS model. Spend the day taking the bodywork off and you can see. Now spend the next day putting it back together.

    I kept calling my friend's VTEC that I worked on and rode "The Stupid Fucking Spaceship". Repeatedly. But they are awesome at the same time. Stupid Fucking Spaceship. It cemented the notion that I don't want one. This is the bike. 2003 ABS, $1000. It is nice to ride tho after we dialed the PCIII.
    [​IMG]
     
  6. JimV4R

    JimV4R New Member

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    Boy the bodywork really hides all that complexity. I figured that going from the 4 carburetor Magna to fuel injection would simplify things a bunch. But my 85 doesn't have any emissions or computer or electronic controls. So does that mean the Gen 5 is not as complicated as the Gen 6 and beyond?

    I do wish that the VFRs used a shaft drive. I really don't notice any torque steer on mine.
     
  7. Captain 80s

    Captain 80s Member

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    No VTEC and the associated electronic wizardry. No ABS and the associated pumps, valves, hoses, controllers, etc.

    If you want FI the 98-99 are the simplest VFRs. 00-01 gained a catalytic converter and lost the high idle lever ("choke" lever).
    The Linked Brakes are somewhat complex and add weight. And bleeding can be harder if any disassembly is done.
    But the system does work good.

    If you don't mind carbs, a 90-97 VFR is magic. No linked brakes, no abs, no vtec. Just gear driven bliss.

    The VFR1200 is shaft drive.
     
  8. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Stupid Fucking Spaceship -- :Pound::Pound:
     
  9. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    I can go 175 - 200 miles if I want on the 5th gen.... less if you are hammering it in the twists...

    Its been more than a few years since I been on a 6th... but the VTEC put me off, I understand the later models are supposed to be better..
    The 5th to me feels more raw.. hornier if you will. 6th is a bit more refined. Both have the linked brakes of which I am NOT a fan of.
    I stripped the OEM brakes out on mine, and went to a RC51 setup that works well. I did change the front forks to Super hawk lowers.
    (My original roots are from motocross, so I am hardwired for standard separate brakes...)
    Lots of guys have done the delink conversion on either bikes.....

    Before I bought my 5th gen, I owned a 4th for 7 years. The 4th was a sweet ride, and engine butter smooth with separate brakes, so I was predispositioned
    from that when I was doing a comparison between the 5th and 6th....

    Really in the scheme of things.... if you find a deal..... 4th/5th/6th/8th.. .all are awesome bikes, you cant go wrong if the bikes in good condition.

    Cheers dude.. :bruce2:
     
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2020
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  10. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Gen5 for sure, not early V-TEC. Fastest colour is below.... it needs linked brakes to stop, I happen to like them.

    20200425_130000.jpg
     
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  11. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Some people like the linked brakes, some people hate them..... but noooo.. red is the fastest color.... :)

    ---

    Dude... next summer if this COVID shit calms down enuff to open the border, I would like to visit and :drink:is on me... :cool:
     
  12. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    Another vote here for a 5th gen, I confess I like the styling of the 6th more but I wasn't a fan of the VTEC. The linked brakes are great when they are working correctly (have them on my ST1300 too) and not a big deal if you wanted to delink them.
     
  13. Jelorian

    Jelorian New Member

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    I have an 01 5th gen and an 02 6th gen. Love them both but my 5th gen stole my heart. Some people don't like the VTEC boost but I don't really mind it. I might get a PC to smooth that out though. You really cannot go wrong with a 5th or 6th gen. It might come down to looks but personally the 5th gen is my favorite.
     
  14. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    Better we meet in SE Ohio somewhere. Way better roads and try to keep up in your slower red, eh!
     
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  15. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Hee hee.... :Bounce:




    And we cant forget Straycats summer barbecue party...
     
  16. raYzerman

    raYzerman Member

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    The question really is, can I keep up with you and the beer afterward..... I'll wait for you to catch up at the next turn, lol.
     
  17. mello dude

    mello dude Administrator

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    Ha ha , you funny..... I live for the twistys......you better keep up....


    -------
    Look up Stockport Mill, as a potential meeting spot......
     
  18. JimV4R

    JimV4R New Member

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    I hadn't thought about the Gen 4 VFR750 but they seem to be well thought of here. My 85 Magna has carbs and I just figured it was time to get a fuel injected bike and move on from having to care for 4 hard to get to and service carburetors. But I suppose there are good deals on the late model VRF750s.
     
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  19. Cogswell

    Cogswell New Member

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    Congrats on your Y2K - you're going to love it. (Has some tasteful mods BTW). Now just for better weather.

    As for the never ending debate about which is the fastest color, the real answer is "none of the above". The color that is hands down the fastest is an ultra rare edition available only on 5th and 6th gens and is spelled "Toro" . . . :)
    :Jaw:
     
    Last edited: Nov 22, 2020
  20. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    5th, 6th, or 8th gen bikes are all great but slightly different.
    If you have the cash a 8th gen is excellent, slightly cheaper the later 6th gens are impressive (07 on), or the later 5th gens (00-01).

    Whats the budget and what are you using it for?
    They will all go 200m to a tank - not if you do it at 11k rpm though..
    They will are be robust.
    They will all be able to do anything you can.

    The later versions come with combined brakes / ABS.
     
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