2002 VFR 800 to 2013 VFR 1200 ?

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by Rubicon1, Jan 19, 2014.

  1. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    I am considering trading in my 2002 VFR 800 for a new 2013 VFR 1200. Any thoughts?
    My 800 is kind of a strain to ride at low or normal speeds. My wrist gets cramped from constantly controlling the throttle because it seems very sensitive. The engine breaking is very different to get used to. A lot of times in traffic, I pull in the clutch so I can coast to a stop since the engine will stop me short of the light. I have experienced it shut off too. It starts right up but I have to give it throttle to keep it running. Any ideas what causes this? I love the looks of this bike but want to enjoy riding it more. I've heard od potential drive shaft failure on the 1200 and want to know if anyone has experience with this. Thanks for reading.
     
  2. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Hi and welcome to the MadHouse:welcome:

    If you don't want people ragging on you - then post up some pictures of the 800 soon (click the icon two to the right of the envelope and follow the prompts) - Many folks on here won't believe you have a VFR without pictures...

    :focus:

    As for your question - both bikes are very strong sport tourers so if that is your typical use then either should be fine.

    Like the early vtecs, the very earliest 1200s had issues (swarf) which were quickly recalled/replaced. By the 2013 models those issues were long sorted and the general lack of tales of woe on here shows that they do what they were designed to do very well indeed. Magazines will tell you the fuel range is poor - but its not much worse than my street triple, and on long runs across a continent you will welcome the break from the saddle!

    As for the 800vtec - that wrist cramp is inherently linked to the "sport" orientated bars. You will be astonished how much more comfortable these bikes are to ride if you install Helibars which allow a more upright/touring focused position. Although it does not sound much the one inch up and one and a quarter inches nearer to you position makes a huge difference on the load on your wrists, and does not involve extending brake lines etc. As for the low speed manners - I think even Honda accepted there was an issue and models from 2006 came with revised vtec engagement settings which removed much of the on-off behaviour. For earlier vtecs many riders found installing a power commander unit smoothed things out and made the bike far more user friendly especially when riding in traffic.

    Before trading in the 800 you might want to try Helibars/and Power Commander as you will have a very different bike.:vtr2:

    Take care and post up some photos soooooon!




    SkiMad
     
  3. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    I agree with skimad4x4. I have had my 2003 almost 2 months and had all the same complaints. I read through a lot of the posts and followed the recommendations. The Power Commander with the O2 mod (resistors tor replace sensors, real easy) evened out the low end RPM. I installed HeliBars with anti-buzz dampers called Vibranators (not for the ladies) with foam grips. Big, big difference. Then I bought lowering blocks and new foot pegs to improve posture, at my age that was a big help. I also got a HealTech gear indicator to keep an eye on which gear I am in as get near stopping. As soon as you pull in clutch, indicator stops, but I have gotten used to that. Maybe about a $1k worth of improvements have made the bike much more enjoyable. I am getting used to the engine breaking, total different from my old 83 VF750F, learn to use it to your advantage. My parts guy at the local Honda dealer is heavy into VFRs and older VFs, when I asked him if Honda was going to bring in the new 800, he said they didn't know anything yet, but made a real funny face when I asked about the 1200.
     
  4. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    Welcome aboard, Rubicon.

    Am I following your post correctly - you said sometimes when you pull in the clutch the bike is stalling? That ain't right. I'd start with the easiest "fix" - and that's what is your idle set at? I think the book calls for somewhere around 1100-1200. Several folks including myself like to set it a bit higher, say 1200 to 1400. There's no reason for it to be stalling. If its not the idle, then we'd need to dig into other potential causes.

    Not sure how long you've had the 2002, but did you have the wiring harness recall done on it?

    Other than that, I think SkiMad and Ally have some good suggestion. With a few alterations (Heli Bar, softer grips, different pegs, maybe a power commander), you might find the bike is transformed. And that's a whole lot cheaper than a new VFR1200. Of course, if you want a new bike, hell yea go for it!
     
  5. nih

    nih New Member

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    have 2003 and last summer mine died 2x like you explain, both rolling to stop lights ~20 mph w/ clutch in after downshifting, started right up, read allot and never found an answer besides "it does that", replacing plugs and doing pcv this spring. recalls done. pretty sure i was 0% throttle so it's either no fuel, no spark or no O2, no idea which.
     
  6. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Hey ho - looks like I spoke to soon about the 1200 reliability - as I have just seen the post today by Berliner5000 which you may want to keep an eye on.

    http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthread.php/44379-VFR1200F-Engine-death

    As his post relates to one of the earlier 1200s in Europe - it may however be something which has already been spotted and addressed by Honda - and may not be relevant if you are thinking of buying a brand new model.



    SkiMad
     
  7. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Yea and I saw post yesterday of the K1600 BMW forum where some poor guy had 4 cracked pistons after 25K miles.

    I think Honda must have the problems sorted out on the new ones.
     
  8. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    2012-06-13 19.45.46.jpg

    Thanks to everyone for the information. I am new to this forum and am still learning how it all works. I've attached a photo of my 2002 Interceptor. I test rode a 2013 VFR 1200F yesterday and absolutely loved it. The only thing I noticed was some slight low speed vibration associated with the drive shaft. The power and handling is phenomenal. When people describe the new VFR as pulling like a freight train, they weren't kidding. The new bike doesn't feel as heavy as it's weight would suggest. However, I love the look of my 02 VFR and would hate to part with it. I am at a crossroads. I can either try the upgrades that everyone suggested or pony up for the new one. I'll keep you posted and post some more pictures when I figure out how to post more pics. Keep the rubber side down!!
     
  9. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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  10. nih

    nih New Member

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  11. Porkchop

    Porkchop New Member

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  12. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Hey Rubicon, when I got my 2002 it stalled exactly like you described. I was reading a thread somewhere here or maybe Tink told me to bump up the idle a bit---it never did it again now going on 4 years. Looks like your brake lever is a little tweaked. Rock on:rockon:
     
  13. OCLandspeeder

    OCLandspeeder New Member

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    Rubicon1, I'm guessing your issues with your '02 are the following.

    When was the last time you tuned up the bike?

    How fresh are the following:
    Chain and sprockets
    Control adjustments/lubing
    Tires

    Remember that your bike is 12 years old!

    If none of the above have been done, then these are the first action items you need to cover. Have a competent mechanic synchronize your Starter Valves. That alone makes a noticeable difference in throttle response, idle, and ease of starting. Adjust and lubricate all your controls. Get rid of the throttle cable slop to almost nothing. If your chain and sprockets are old then replace them. Do the full tune up. The final thing your bike SHOULD really get is the Powercomander III with the proper tune. This final thing will get rid of 100% of the surging from the bike's overly lean mixture from the factory to meet exhaust emissions. This includes the elimination of that blasted O2 sensor that runs the bike at part throttle and causes a lot of the surging.

    These sportbikes are incredible machines. As long as you maintain a VFR properly, keep it in tip-top shape, it will run and feel like new even after 20 years! But doing so involves some $$, time, and knowledge of how to do this right. But you don't have to spend $16k to get that same feeling of a brand new bike! The reason why a new VFR1200 feels incredible is because EVERYTHING on it is fresh and adjusted right. I guarantee you that after 5 years it's not going to feel like that unless it's also maintained properly. I've taken a few well used bikes, including one VFR800 that was beaten since new, and nursed them all back to like-new and running like a top. I've found that many of these bikes can be made to run like new simply by replacing worn parts and doing the tune ups right.
     
  14. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    I didn't care for it much either when it came out but it has grown on me.
     
  15. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    every day I have the 1200 I like it a little bit more.
     
  16. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    I'm the third owner of the 800. The original owner is claimed to have let the bike fall over on the porch rail. That would explain the lever. I have heard that a power commander would help and I saw another mod where the PVC line going to the air box was lengthened to reduce the hot air returning to the air box. This supposedly is a cheap quick fix for the bike shutting off. However, I have taken the plunge and got the 2013 VFR 1200F. The new bike is awesome so far. Thanks for the reply, keep the rubber side down!
     
  17. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    yeah I like it more every day, too. I came pretty close to pulling the trigger on a blue one. I'm in a bike freeze right now, though. I made a deal that if I bought the BMW I'd stop buying bikes until I pay it off. :)
     
  18. Rubicon1

    Rubicon1 New Member

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    Thanks for the reply, I'm weighing out the pros and cons of each. Maybe I can keep the 02 and get the 1200 as long as I don't mind sleeping in the garage for a few weeks.
     
  19. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Justify, justify, justify!
     
  20. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    It's just money, or lack of it, for me. I too have feelings for the VFR1200. I think it's a great bike, looks good (to me) and there is one on the showroom floor for 13K and some change. I got my 5th gen for $3000. I can do lots of upgrades and take lots of trips for the $10,000 difference. That said, if I win the lottery I am getting one.

    My wife says if i win the lottery I'll just piss it away on a garage full of bikes. She is probably right.
     
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