VFR 800F vs Supersport

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by viffviff, Nov 4, 2017.

  1. TexArmageddon

    TexArmageddon New Member

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    Yes, I am an 8th gen hater coming from the 6th and 7th gen. I have no loyalties to any brand, but as I already said, I will straight tell it like it is when it comes down to bikes I own or have ridden a fair amount of times on test rides.

    Yes, they are dirt cheap here now, but that's because no one wanted them and trying to base a decision off how good they are for the money now is pointless. Had the VFR800 been priced around 10.5k for the Deluxe version you wouldn't have heard a lip from me. The 8th gen has amazing attention to detail that I have to admit no other bike does and has decent Fuel range/ MPG that most other bikes don't achieve, but after that... there are just other sport touring bikes that does the performance and touring side better.

    Just tired of people making excuses for the bike... The VFR800 could have been light and still have reached that 900lb total weight allowance.
     
  2. 2027Matt

    2027Matt New Member

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    I also own a 2004 Ducati monster, which I bought new. I have put over 40,000 mi and zero problems. It has been very reliable. I don't think you will have problems with the Supersport. More maintenance than a Honda, but a well made, well engineered machine (my experience anyway).
     
  3. TexArmageddon

    TexArmageddon New Member

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    But the VFR800 is heavier than the majority of Sport touring bikes in it's class. The bike is 10lbs lighter than the 1200GS ADV bike. Second, the F800 GT is 470lbs and has around an allotted 926lb of total weight. The 6th gen VFR800 was allotted around 940ish. I highly doubt the 8th Gen is pulling off something entirely different. Regardless, if you're loading down a bike of this caliber with that kind of weight. You're into the wrong kind of bike IMO and let's not forget the Load Rating on your tires at that. I just personally feel that middle weight bikes such as the VFR800 doesn't have to be 530lbs and there are plenty of other new Sport Touring bikes that even suggest manufacturers ( Except Honda) feel the same.

    Again, I don't hate the VFR800, but it has a lot of short comings that will make me pass one up.
     
  4. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Just as I suspected :D You should contact all the riders who were passed by Smoke4ndmears and his 8th gen deluxe (complete with center stand aattached!) in his vid below and ask them if they think the 8th gen's weight was a hindrance to getting their butts kicked :D The fact is the 8th gen is capable of delivering far more performance than your (or my) riding skill will likely ever allow - your constant complaints about its weight notwithstanding.

     
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  5. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    I really guess you don't ride or understand these bikes.
    If you think that a sports bike is the only way to go fast then you are missing the real trick of the VFR.
    This is a bike on a Friday night you can ride across continent with the wife on the back, with more luggage than you need, drop her at the shops, go to the race track, remove the luggage, do a few quick laps & surprise a fair amount of people, then put the luggage back on, collect the wife and ride back home - all in the space of a weekend if you wish...
    Then,
    As has been proven, you can do this year after year... all with the famed Honda reliability, it's that well over engineered.

    And I promise you at no point will you notice the weight.
     
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  6. OCLandspeeder

    OCLandspeeder New Member

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    This class is made up of three bikes: The Kawasaki Ninja 1000, and the BMW F800 GT. Let's just eliminate the F800 from the running because this bike, as good as it is on the surface, is completely outclassed in this segment. The F800GT is a bargain basement BMW with a tractor of an engine. I think the SV650 will outperform the F800. I test rode one. It's ok in and of itself. But it looks and feels like a $6k motorcycle and BMW wants $11k for it. They don't sell any F800's...they only use it for rental fodder because every test rider walks away from this bike completely underwhelmed. It's reliability is also marginal. Check out the F800 forums. Finally, it puts out 70 rwhp at 8k RPM so it runs out of steam quickly. Again, an SV650 will walk away from the F800.

    As for weight, I also have a CBR600rr. The CBR weighs a mere 410 lbs. full of fuel per Cycle World. This bike also puts out 100 rwhp. My VFR weighs 537 lbs. soaking wet. That's a full on 127 lbs. of over weight on the VFR. I can feel all of that when pushing my VFR around the garage. I can also feel it when I'm back pedaling the bike from a parking spot. Once up to speed, I can tell the CBR flicks into corners much quicker and transitions from side to side easier. So the CBR is less work to ride in anger in the twisties. But I honestly do NOT enjoy the VFR less because of this. I don't even slow down any either because it's heavier...doesn't even cross my mind. So.....if you're comparing the Ninja 1000's weight, is it 10 lbs. lighter? Maybe 12 lbs. lighter? You won't feel that difference. You will feel the power difference in the midrange for sure. Finally, I ride pretty fast and I've rarely ever asked for more power than my 100rwhp.

    However, I'm sure if I dwell on the weight and horsepower analysis, then that might slow me down some because I'm thinking I've got an inferior machine. But I've proven that it isn't many times before so I just don't worry about it. If it feels fast and handles great, then it probably does.
     
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  7. JIMLARCH

    JIMLARCH New Member

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    Having both a 1000 sport bike and a vfr, I have to agree with most of what you say. A vfr is designed to do pretty much 90% of anything you'll encounter. Weight is a problem in a vfr, but in reality I'll put up with it because it is a well engineered sturdy bike and it's weight is a byproduct of that.
     
  8. TexArmageddon

    TexArmageddon New Member

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    No, you guys are totally missing the point here. The point wasn't that the bike surpasses my skill level. I'm sure you could have taken the same rider and put him on a ninja 1000 or gsx-s1000f he would have turned faster times on those bikes and still rode home comfortably( Minus the Suzuki having small soft luggage). Hell, he probably could have done the same on my VFR 800 so what's the point here?

    I'm no speed freak, I'm just simply stating for what you received at the price they were asking... you got far less Performance AND touring wise. That is all this is about. I'm on my second VFR 800 and my first 1200 and I have no plans on upgrading soon. All I'm saying is that at the price they were asking, adjustable suspension should have been standard for the basic model for a TOURING bike and even more so for a sport touring bike. If I'm paying liter bike sport touring pricing why am I not getting that performance? If I'm paying liter bike sport touring prices... Where's my 12V socket, Adjustable windscreen, and bigger cases. In addition, when will you look at your owners manual and tell me the maximum allotted weight allowed? If you say anywhere in the ballpark 900lb area... You're in the same range as some of these 470lb touring/sport touring bikes. I know it sounds like I'm doing an unreasonable amount of whining... but I was and still am more PO'd about it's price, it's more aggressive riding stance, weight, and lack of basic touring amenities available w/o coughing up more cash. I don't honestly care about power... I just refuse to accept this bike needed to be 530 lbs ... 470-480lbs would have made it a lot easier to handle for day to day life, maintaining, and if you were really up to hitting twisties hard. Yet, I guess my center stand/ SSSA makes up for some of that.

    If the bike can't hold 1,000lbs I'm calling bull on it needing to be 530lbs. Regardless, I still crank up my 800 and 1200 ride as fast as I can on them when I want, and when they day calls for it... Attach my hard cases and roll out in reasonable comfort.
     
  9. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    LMAO - you're whining about the price and weight of the 8th gen and yet you bought a freakin' 7th gen?!? :D The 7th gen had an MSRP in 2010 of $16K and weighed 591 pounds! The DCT version was $17.5K and weighed 657 pounds! Ironically, despite its cost and weight the 7th gen still lacked "basic touring amenities....w/o coughing up more cash" :D Saddle bags were an extra $1,400! A trunk cost an extra $600 and the adjustable windscreen an extra $250! Heated grips and a center stand (both standard equipment on my 8th gen deluxe) cost an extra $350 and $250 on the 7th gen! And the 7th gen's GVWR is also LESS than your arbitrary 1,000 pound litmus test! So I'm "calling bull" on the 7th gen needing to be 591/657 pounds :D

     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2017
  10. Nelix

    Nelix New Member

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    Just don't get this whining about weight at all. A pic of me on my 8th gen, I'm 54 years old, 5'5 and weigh 60kg and I can manage it, even two up with the top box filled. The weight is of no consequence once moving and is perfectly manageable when moving around the garage, putting on the centre stand etc.
    Honda did not add weight for no reason. I traded in a ZX10R for the VFR as I wanted something that would do 2 up, weekends and longer away, be far less extreme but would still put a smile on my face. Does it all. Looked at the ducati supersport a few months back in the showroom and was so underwhelmed I never even put a leg over it.
    We get you don't like the 8th gen, however as you don't own one, those of us that do pay scant regard to your opinion off it.
    fullsizeoutput_13d8.jpeg
     
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  11. Nelix

    Nelix New Member

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    Got to admit, bike looks far better with she who must be obeyed on it. fullsizeoutput_13e1.jpeg
     
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  12. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Smoke4ndmears did some serious spankin— awesome ya watch
    Hey everyone’s got an opinion just like assholes—
    to each his own


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  13. TexArmageddon

    TexArmageddon New Member

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    LMFAO you didn't think I had the same quibbles about the VFR1200? * News Flash* I bought mines for 6k with 6k miles and a 2 year warranty OTD YEARS ago. It fell into the large category of "good enough". lol
     
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  14. TexArmageddon

    TexArmageddon New Member

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    Didn't know objective criticism came in as I didn't like something, but I can live with that.
     
  15. OCLandspeeder

    OCLandspeeder New Member

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    TexArmageddon, the Ninja 1000 weighs 518 lbs. That's described as "wet" but not sure how much gas is in it. Let's just say it does have at least half a tank. The VFR800 weighs 536lbs. for the Deluxe and topped up with gas per Motorcyclist. So the difference is approx 10-15 lbs. That's not even something you will feel.

    You WILL feel the power difference though: 95 rwhp for the VFR800; 123 rwhp for the Ninja1k. That right there should be the deal breaker for many people.

    That makes the Honda a harder sell to first time buyers of this breed. For ex-VFR owners they're more than likely going to let it go because they're familiar with the VFR's goodness that transcends horsepower numbers. Because like I said before, the VFR feels fast enough, and if you're looking to be the fastest then this is the wrong class of bike.

    I'll be honest, I was disappointed that Honda took horsepower away on the 8th gen versus the 6th Gen, and vice versa going from the 5th to the 6th Gen. The first generation of the 800 had it generating 101-102 rwhp back in 1998. Why Honda keeps creeping backwards I don't really know. My only guess is emissions compliance. I had hoped the 8th Gen would bring it up to 105 rwhp at least. I would wager this is one reason buyers were put off to some degree.

    It does appear that what your carping about regarding the VFR is mostly answered by the '17 Ducati SS. This is THE bike that is sportbike first, ST/street bike second. It's light at under 500 lbs. wet. I'm going to guess 490 lbs. full of fuel. Got $13k?
     
  16. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    Are you a female? I only ask because I feel like I'm debating one! :D You literally just got done telling me (see quote below) that it was "pointless" to bring up current real world prices of the 8th gen when I commented that the OP wouldn't be spending anything close to the MSRP you keep harping about on an 8th gen in today's market - especially since he's shopping for a used one! Yet when I bring up the bloated MSRP of the 7th gen that you bought you are quick to point out what you actually paid for it! I give up - you win! :D
     
  17. TexArmageddon

    TexArmageddon New Member

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    LOL quite frankly mate... You're sounding like the woman.I didn't even address you in my initial comment so now that things aren't going your way.. I'm the woman? Mr. I got nothing else better to do so let's bring out the completely irrelevant 1200 for ol times sake.
    I was just simply stating I bought the bike cheap, which reinforces the thought of it not being worth it. All I did was give my humble unbiased opinion ... If you're looking for something a little more sporty than what you had to the OP... Chances are the VFR isn't for you. What better way to do that than to lay out the Cons of the bike and why.

    I'm sorry VFR knights excuse for me being negative about our bikes... Can we get back to just riding or talking about other bikes? I'm exhausted from this... OP is probably out riding the bike of his life now.
     
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  18. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    That's a pretty poor attempt at revisionist history there Tex :D Your very first post in this thread (see excerpt below) was addressed to "you guys". So yeah, you were in fact addressing me along with everyone else who had already posted a response to the OP. In addition, you also gave the false impression that you were an 8th gen owner by stating you hated to say something negative about "my VFR". I felt it was important to correct that false impression so the OP could take your opinion (that of a non-8th gen owner) for what it was really worth. And finally, your whining about the cost of purchasing one "new... for 13K" was completely irrelevant to the OP's question because he stated from the get go that he was looking for a used one.
    [​IMG]
    :D
     
    Last edited: Nov 8, 2017
  19. TexArmageddon

    TexArmageddon New Member

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    LMFAO I'll let you have that.
     
  20. Nelix

    Nelix New Member

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    In my opinion Princess Leia in a gold bikini would be a terrible ride. Of course I have never actually ridden Princess Leia, either in or out of a gold bikini, but I have ridden Solo which is close enough for me to be able to spout my opinion of the Princess.
     
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