Any ideas: why did Honda discontinue the VFR800?

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by svtkarma, Oct 3, 2017.

  1. adamj

    adamj New Member

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    Oh wow... just found this threat. This is the reason I'm struggling to find information on 2018 model VFR800's. They don't exist... :'(

    The only other bike I've known as a near-equal was the ST Triumph Sprint, which was discontinued years ago too...

    What options are available that closely resemble what the VFR800 used to be. I see a reference to the Ninja 1000. Having never rode one - I thought it was more of a sports bike than a ST. Is the Ninja 1000 closer to the VFR but with some extra cc's?

    More importantly - does anyone know what Kawasaki's reliability reputation is like compared to Honda? (I don't mind paying extra for quality built gear - which is one of the reasons I've been a fan of the VFR - I know Honda have a reputation that is well deserved).

    Likewise has anyone compared handling. The VFR just sat in the corners - it is so easy to ride. Can anyone comment on the Ninja there too please?

    Although in this instance, it seems like the sports touring market is getting smaller, so I may not have many options...
     
  2. GatorGreg

    GatorGreg Honda Fanboy/LitiGator

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    The VFR800 was offered as a 2017 model in Australia so you should be able to find one. But the Ninja 1000 would be a fine choice - it's actually a bit more upright seating position than the 8th gen VFR. It's often compared to the VFR in the sports-touring category, for example see videos below. Some say the Ducati SuperSport compares favorably to the VFR but I disagree. There's a couple of threads here devoted to that subject. If you do decide to go that route be sure to check the "Problems" subforum on the Ducati SuperSport forum first :D As far as reliability, according to Consumer Reports Kawasaki is the 4th most reliable manufacturer, just behind Yamaha, Honda, and Suzuki, see link:

    https://www.consumerreports.org/cro...iable-motorcycle/index.htm?userWantsFull=true





     
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  3. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    In every one of these type of threads I always say Aprillia Tuono. Lol
     
  4. fink

    fink Member

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    Don’t have £16k for one.
     
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  5. adamj

    adamj New Member

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    Strewth, you're not wrong on that:


    VFRLean.png

    vs

    Ninja1000Lean.png

    It almost halves the lean on the bike. I don't mind being a little more upright, but it looks like the ninja would feel more like riding an MT-09 than it does a VFR?

    Unless the 2018 Ninja is any different. (The site didn't have the option for a 2018 model, just the 2014).
     
  6. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    Friend of mine has the ninja, he’s done a lot of long distance on it and has tracked it. He loves it. I have not rode it but I should for a good comparison to the VFR. the ninja seems to be very well-built, it is slightly less weight and has about 30 more horsepower.
     
  7. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    in 2016 I was going to buy one before the VFR. Price and insurance made the deal for me (I have owned more Kawi's and love the inline power) . I really was out of the loop looking and saw a VFR1200 at the dealer and thought it was new and was syched, but used obviously. I wanted a new bike so I passed.
     
  8. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    The North American market stands apart from the rest of the world where there was only one version of VFR800F. For some reason (presumably the desire to offer some of the new model at a lower price point) the american market got base and deluxe models - which with hindsight seems a massive mistake. The deluxe models sold well hence dealers now have very very few left in inventory. Meantime if you really want to buy the base model (but who really wants that base model tag?) there are still hundreds around expensively collecting dust in North America warehouses - hence the massive discounts to get them gone.

    Inherently if you really want a "new" (well at least not yet registered) VFR800F in Australia - then you will have to find a list of dealers and ring around to find one still on showroom display as after the Japan earthquake there are no new ones coming off the production line. At least in Europe the adventure variants are still available and provided you don't mind the taller more upright design they are very competent bike well liked by taller riders.

    If media rumours are correct Triumph has not given up on the sports touring market. The brilliant 765 street triple engine has been spotted being tested in what seems likely to become the new Daytona model. Most recent Triumph models have been offered with a bewildering array of factory/dealer fit options. Triumph may well offer OEM panniers and top box options for the new bike rather than leave that to GIVI.
     
  9. svtkarma

    svtkarma New Member

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    FYI: I own a 2007 VFR800 (pictured) and a 2015 Ninja 1000 with hard bags. I also owned a Triumph ST (red with bags) and two Ducati ST's (red and yellow). I'm not a racer, but I do appreciate speed, power, and cornering. That said, the VFR and the Ninja are just different in form and style, although application may be the same--sport touring. I like them both, . . . a lot. Kudos to the VFR for build-quality, style, engine, cornering. I think it is more a satisfying bike visually and in terms of parts and assembly. The Ninja is different, in that it has more power at all ranges, and the seating is more erect with adjustable screen. If I was going to go 1000 miles over the next two days, I would probably fire up the Ninja. If I wanted a 200 mile loop with some canyons mixed in, I might go VFR. I think the VFR is more planted in corners than the Ninja, and cornering "wiggle" is a common complaint of the Ninja. May be the tires, but I don't know. Bottom line: both bikes are satisfying, . . . maybe (IMO) an edge to the Ninja for long-distance trips. Also, the hard bags on the Ninja are by far the best factory set I have had on any of the Sport-tourers mentioned above. But, the VFR bags are very good, also, and work great. Good luck with your decision.
     
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  10. Viffer J

    Viffer J New Member

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    +1 on the insurance, I looked at the Ninja 1000, the insurance cost was 4x the Gen8 VFR, I was told it's because of the Ninja name...
     
  11. Nelix

    Nelix New Member

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    My ZX10R Ninja was less to insure than my VFR, probably as the VFR was new and the Ninja was an 07.
     
  12. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Insurance. Shit!. Why don't the just call it what it is. Private enterprise tax!
     
  13. RedMenace

    RedMenace New Member

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    Can I just offer an observation I heard about hockey fans?

    Hockey fans like being the number 4 sport in U.S.! It gives them cache. The sport is for the cognoscenti. They like watching it in the basement, and seething about how dumb baseball fans are; how uninformed NBA fans are; how mercurial NFL fans are......

    VFR's are kinda the same. It is exclusive. It is cool, in its own way. I like it when people don't know what I'm on. I like explaining what a V-4 can do, and where it all started.

    This is no help to the Honda Motor Corp. or their marketing arm. Euro market is utterly and completely different from NA market.

    I am no help to them, either. For 20 years I have bought odd-ball and interesting cycles over anything else. When I hit a dealership, I ONLY look at leftovers from 2 model years ago. But, I do buy 50% Honda, and 50% everything else. And, I tell everyone that will listen, "I am a Honda Man".

    If Sport/Touring segment disappeared, would that be the end of the world? What did we all do before they invented it? ADV is cool with me.
     
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  14. Gator

    Gator Insider

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    I use to sport tour on a RD 350! lol Had to carry fuel and oil.
     
  15. anthonygg13

    anthonygg13 New Member

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    My guess is there're expensive to build especially considering how well they are making them. At the end of the Day Americans love Harley's and high performance street bikes. I know I do!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  16. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    Wow. I didn't think it would work to say Harley and high performance on the same sentence. :D
     
  17. Vulcanator

    Vulcanator New Member

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    You can but them in the same sentence, but they are mutually exclusive. :Lol::Lol::Lol:
     
  18. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Some people simply can't drop the resentment caused by the fact that The United States of America has, at least twice, kicked England's ass over monarchy greed. Canada is virtually irrelevant as a power today and is led by an uber liberal pussy. Anyone that revels in burning the White House forgets that the act was very costly and stupid. Much of England, or whatever the name of the place is (it seems to change often depending on what is PC at the time), is populated and "led" by muslims today. The U. S. is armed to the teeth by it's citizens purposefully in order to deal with tyrannical government among other reasons. If you don't believe it, come onto my property and threaten me today.

    Some people need to go ride a VFR and drop their unfounded superiority complexes. I'm sick and tired of people slamming my country that live in places that have a history of greed and losing. Now just suck it up and have a nicer day for a change.
     
  19. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Wow. Since I posted that, this thread has been read by over a dozen Americans and I assume they all took those comments as intended. As have they on other threads where I have said similar. I use that line fairly often in humour. If that line offends you, then that is unfortunate. But I make no apologies for humour. I get quite a few jabs at me from a few friends who live down there directed at Canada or Canadians. I get a charge out of that and know these friends are not serious.

    And yes, we have a asinine liberal leader who is am embarrassment to our country right now. But hey. You should not throw stones at the moment.

    If your post was in jest, I misunderstood. Comes from drinking too much swill I guess.
     
  20. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    A popular saying in Canada when I lived there was: For Canada, the USA it is like sleeping next to an elephant, you never know when it going roll over! There was always an air of competitiveness.
     
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