Why did the VFR800 stop selling?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by CharlesW, May 20, 2011.

  1. vfr2k2

    vfr2k2 New Member

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    It is interesting that the 6th Gen is still produced and delivered to countries where the appreciative public buys them in sufficient quantities to make export from Japan worth the effort. The North American public voted with their wallets what was reasonable for Honda to market here. Live with it.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2013
  2. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    The VFR came out in 1998? Who knew!
     
  3. JJFlash7

    JJFlash7 New Member

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    Well, we are talking about the VFR800...I should have been more specific.
     
  4. rmiller

    rmiller New Member

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    Perhaps another way to think of this is to ask - if Honda were to put out a redesigned VFR-800, what would it look like?

    1. 50 lbs Lighter.
    2. More horsepower. 115+
    3. Drop the v-tec. (too costly).
    4. Tighten up the suspension.
    5. ABS Standard.
    6. Keep the sporting, but relatively neutral ergonomics.
    7. Keep the ability to run factory hard luggage.
    8. Keep the graphics simple. (no racer-boy BS that goes out of style in 6 months).
    9. Keep the cost below that of the BMW competition.
    10. Create a liter class or larger chain driven version on the same rolling chassis - keeping it light - but making it more powerful than the 800. (think SV650s & SV1000s as an example)

    That is my take on the problem. The VFR established itself as a gentleman's sportbike - that had real world ergonomics and comfort. They need to sharpen up the sportbike component and bring it back.

    0.02.
    Rick
     
  5. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    Just teasing.
     
  6. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    I can hardly wait until the new VFR designed and built by the dudes here hits the market. I want to be the first to warm the seat, pump the levers and make the appropriate grumbling sounds.
     
  7. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    I can hardly wait until the new VFR designed and built by the dudes here hits the market. I want to be the first to warm the seat, pump the levers and make the appropriate grumbling sounds.
     
  8. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    Don't forget to make "VROOOM! VROOOM!" noises, Billy!
     
  9. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    :sorry:
    Would you accept "Vroomish"?

    One has to be very careful about what one says. I saw some dudes at the CW Show sitting on Harleys, pumping the levers and making potato-potato sounds. It made me want to swear off jo-jo's.
     
  10. azi

    azi New Member

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    I think the sport-sport tourer market died sometime in the mid noughties, as reflected in the dropping of the Ducati ST and Aprilia Futura / Falco series. Looks like the industry is moving towards heavier sport tourer-tourers and adventure tourers to fill the tiny gap. I think the only current bike that comes close to the 5th gen weight and riding position is the BMW F800GT. The Triumph Sprint GT is now around 260kg, give or take a few.

    The VfR800 has always been a middle of the road bike that never excelled at anything but was never terrible at anything either. I just think the sport and touring goalposts have moved, with 'adventure' thrown in (thanks Ewan and Charlie), and Honda just had to decide where to spend their development money. I would say that the VFR1200 is simply a product of this market, with a brand new 800 probably sitting in identity limbo in its current range.

    PS. I also remember reading somewhere that the VTEC was used in the 6th gen solely for achieving Euro3 emissions compliance and not for improving performance, although marketed as such. A very odd and roundabout way of achieving this if true.
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2013
  11. rmiller

    rmiller New Member

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    Yeah, I realized the "adventure tourer" had really taken over the market segment when I was shopping for bikes recently. It is a trend that I am not getting.

    Coming from a background riding BMW boxers - years ago - airheads - I had ridden the old BMW GS models - and they were bulky, heavy, and just weird. I never rode a new one, but every time I stand next to one, I simply cannot understand why anyone would want a motorcycle that is that big. I have a 32" inseam, and I know I could ride one, but still, why? It just looks like a pain. And anyone who tells me that a 600 lb EXPENSIVE bike like that is an ideal dual purpose rig is simply lying. If that were a real goal, everyone would be riding KLRs. This seems to me a rather odd styling exercise and a bid to sell really expensive replacement parts to guys that dump these rigs on the first pothole they hit - or the first time they cannot find footing at a stoplight.

    It is as though the motorcycle industry is lagging behind the SUV craze in the automotive industry - and thinking everyone wants to drive a two wheeled Escalade. They are not Jeeps, or Hummers, they are shiny 2 wheeled Escalades.

    Sorry for the rant.......
     
  12. azi

    azi New Member

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    I had a little browse on the web after reading this thread and discovered that there really isn't anything left on the market that closely matches the VFR800's 200kg / 100hp / fully faired /4 cylinder / roadbike spec. The closest I could find is the Suzuki GSX650F - a nice package at a good price, but weighs the same as a VFR800 and has 15hp less.

    In my opinion, 2000 and 2001 were the best years for sporty sport tourers - VFR800Fi, CBR600F4, ZX9R, YZF1000R, CBR1100X, ZZR1200, GSX750F, ST3/ST4, RST1000 Futura, Sprint ST. All gone now, R.I.P.! :(

    (I predict that the infants of today will be scouring craigslist for vintage 90s sportbikes in 20 years' time, just like the hipsters are currently drooling over badly engineered cafe racers.)
     
  13. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    Yep, those Big Airheads are kinda clumsy and what is amazing is that for a POS they did pretty well in Paris/Dakar. Talking about weight in sport/tourers my 79 R100RS according to most comes in at a curb weight less than any of the 750-800cc VFRs.

    1979 BMW R100RS Specifications - Mbike.com
     
  14. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    I miss my 1953 Velocette 350. Does that count?
     
  15. rmiller

    rmiller New Member

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    Yes, I would not mind having my 1972 r60/5 back again, though the thing had its shortcomings. I owned this bike for several years in the early 90's before getting an r100.
    17683_10200148498172489_227041118_n.jpg

    Seriously though, the motorcycle industry is in a funny place. The sportbike offerings tend to be pretty cutting edge right now, with little compromise and pretty aggressive ergonomics. There are a bunch of nice naked bikes - (if you do not want any wind protection). There are the crop of adventure tourers. Then, you have the full-on touring bikes. None seemed to fit.

    I did not have too much trouble convincing myself that a used VFR would be a better bet than most of the current showroom offerings - and much less expensive. We will see if that works out.
     
  16. warbirds

    warbirds New Member

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    Even the might Chevy Camaro stopped production for a few years- When it came back the market was ready and it is selling like mad.

    Technology marches on. Some things end up museum pieces, some things end up in junk yards- and some legends get reborn when the time is right.
     
  17. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    I hope someday they bring back Edsels and Yugos.
     
  18. Fazer1Sniper

    Fazer1Sniper New Member

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    BB's little pearl of wisdom there brought me out of posting retirement.
     
  19. motorhead1977

    motorhead1977 New Member

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    FWIW: Actually, in a heads up testing/comparison session (in CW I think it was) of the GL1800/K1600GTL the end result based on the was that the GL1800 was still the best tourer bike. And for those who think a GL1800 can't handle, take a look at this often seen video. In spending some time talking with the owner, one of the things he said was "A Goldwing is an "old mans bike" only if you ride it like an old man.
     
  20. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    We could probably have a meaningful prayer session for the return of Lucas electrics, Knucklehead HD's and Evel Knevel riding costumes.
     
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