6th Gen vs 8th Gen VFR800: worth the switch?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by svtkarma, Aug 23, 2017.

  1. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Can't really disagree. Few people actually NEED a VFR. In my case, it's recreation only so I'm doing what you stated. Riding what I want....right now.
     
  2. Hannarexic

    Hannarexic New Member

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    I personally think the 6th gen's a better looking bike, but new is nice.
     
  3. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    I traded in my 2003 6th gen in Dec 2014 for a slightly used 8th gen and have no regrets, nothing about the 6th gen was better.
     
  4. svtkarma

    svtkarma New Member

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    Did you consider any other bikes/sport tourers (BMW, Sprint GT, Ninja 1000, etc.) before purchasing the 8th Gen?
     
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  5. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Have you been able to test ride one yet? FWIW, Cycle World says the 8th gen is "better than ever". So if you've been a fan of VFRs since 1993 I think you will probably like it. You would have to lose the cool RWB paint scheme obviously :(

    LINK: http://www.cycleworld.com/2014/07/1...iew-photos-specifications-performance-numbers
     
  6. thtanner

    thtanner New Member

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    They were considered as much as they could be. They would have had to shine my shoes weekly to really stand out from the VFR, for me. I do not buy motorcycles based on who has the biggest numbers in the shootout articles.

    I also sold a 2014 Street Triple R less than a year ago and picked up a 2002 VFR, as I missed riding VFRs that much. I didn't get on with the 6th as much as I did my 5th. Fueling was really bad on the 02-05 models (comparatively to my 98 and other FI bikes I have rode.) I haven't rode an 06+ but owners kept telling me it was better. I'll take their word for it. Sold the 6th and popped over to the dealer the next day and picked up our pair of 2014s. Every time I get home from a ride (which was just now,) I am left with the feeling "that is a GREAT, well built, motorbike that brings a smile to my face."
    • Sprint ST was out since we don't even have them new here. Decent bike, too. I looked at them in the past. They had some issues with oiling/cooling on pre 2006 (or was it 08?) models. I wasn't unhappy with my Triumph, but these items kept me from taking the plunge on a used model.
    • BMW - There isn't any BMWs that interest me. They also cost too much vs their value, imo. S1000RR is an amazing track machine, though. 10/10
    • Ninja 1000 - Not interested in owning another Kawi, really. Also not a fan of the I4 in general. Yes it has more power, but I would not have any pride of ownership.
    I'm a big lad, 6'3 and at least 250 I'm sure. The extra 'weight' of the VFR vs some of the other bikes doesn't bother me. It's a very comfortable weight for me. The power is also more than adequate. It moves, quickly, but if it doesn't climb past 120mph so quickly, I'm sure I can survive.
     
  7. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    I just bought a R1200RS. Fantastic sport-touring motorcycle! That said, it IS an expensive purchase.

    I also considered a new Ducati Supersport, but landed on the BMW.

    Frankly I don't see the sense in replacing a 6th Gen with a 8th Gen, but that's just me.










    .
     
  8. DriverDave

    DriverDave New Member

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    What about the desire to have a brand new bike, when no new 6th gens exist? People trade in their 10 year old Honda Accord for a brand new Honda Accord all the time. How is that any different.

    And with the prices so low that you can have a brand new VFR for nearly half price...There really is no valid argument against someone that wants to upgrade their aging 6th gen to a new bike.
     
  9. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    In my view, there is unsufficient difference between the 6th and the 8th to justify paying $$$ to trade-in a perfectly good 6th Generation just to have "a new motorcycle" with the same powerplant and almost the same chassis. But as I said, that's just me. I have no loyalty to any particular manufacturer. I happen to own a Ducati, a Honda, and a BMW. I like them all!
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2017
  10. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    I was looking at the long term and wanted to have a relatively new bike vs one that was 12 years old with warts and scratches.
     
  11. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    And it is a very good-looking motorcycle too! And the best color as well (see my avatar!).
     
  12. svtkarma

    svtkarma New Member

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    Curious--what Ducati and what Honda do you own?
     
  13. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    I have to say that I was tempted to trade in my 6 Gen for an 8 Gen but after the amount of extras I had already put on it and the fact that it's primarily my commuter I decided against it. I was also tempted to trade in my old '95 Ducati Super Sport for the new 2017 SS but after test riding the new one, I realize that I just can't let my '95 go!

    I will add that after a few other mods to my 6 Gen, Rapid Bike EVO, Pipercross Air filter, PAIR removal, fuel injector cleaning (not technically a mod but one of the best "upgrades" I've done IMO) it's been running the best it ever has, so now I really feel fine with not trading it in. I have a set of '98 Cat-less headers that I just had ceramic coated and they'll be going on soon, so most likely the 6 Gen will be with me for some time too. I've had the Duc since I bought it new back in '95. I guess part of my decisions to keep both my Duc and 6 Gen, could be an emotional attachment to them but hey, if they both make me happy, I think I'll hang on to them.

    Here are my 6 Gen mods for those who are curious.
    DMr suspension front and rear (I say upgraded suspension is a must for any serious VFR owner)
    HEL steel braided lines (clutch and brakes)
    EBC HH brake pads
    Sargent Seat
    MRA windscreen
    GIVI top case
    GIVI tank lock tank bags (Small and large)
    8 Spoke rear wheel
    Two Brothers exhaust (Not the full system, just the can was on the bike when I bought it.)
    Rapid Bike EVO
    Pipercross air filter
    PAIR valve removal.
     
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  14. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Maybe one day a nice 5 th gen will accompany my 02 which I absolutely love everything about, with all the mods and for what I picked it up for, I'd be insane to dump it.
    DMr front and rear
    ABS rear shock
    K&N air filter
    Leo's
    PCV & Dyno
    Lustracing triangles
    Heli bars
    Hel lines
    Double bubble
    8 spoke
    Givi topbox
    Yup it's a keeper


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  15. svtkarma

    svtkarma New Member

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    Thanks--great insights on the mods. I've heard the Two Brothers pipe, and I have a full Leo Vince system on another bike. Both are awesome. Does anyone have a recommendation, pro or con, about speed control devices? I have a Throttlemeister on my 6th Gen, but never have really gotten good at using it. On the other hand, I have never found anything else that would work better.
     
  16. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    2004 VFR (with suspension and fueling mods)

    1998 Ducati 748
     
  17. Alaskan

    Alaskan Member

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    I always wondered how a Throttlemeister would work in practice. Does you have to keep making micro-adjustments constantly to avoid gaining/losing speed?
     
  18. Getn off

    Getn off New Member

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    I have a throttlemeister on my Busa and love it. It aint electric cruise control, but it works very well. You need to remember that it is simply a friction lock. Works awesome on level roads, but needs tweeking on hills.
    I was going to get one for my vfr, but I used a simple throttle lock that I had for some other bikes for my Den-Mco trip and I was suprised how well that worked...even on slight hills. I am thinking about just using this when I go on a road trip.
    If this is ur main road bike, I would highly recommend a Throttlemeister.
    Troy
     
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