So I haven't had a motorcycle for quite a while now. My last bike I owned was an 83 KZ1000J, I rode the heck out of that until I sold it in 95. Longest I rode that Kaw was a just over 1000 miles, straight through only stopped to get gas and bathroom and one food stop. I was a lot younger then, pretty sure if I tried that now I might not be able to walk right for a day or two. Then got married had kids, and all that so a motorcycle was an impracticality I couldn't swing. Well I'm getting a motorcycle now. I've settled on a 5th gen VFR as the bike I just must have. I want something that is fine to drive around on short trips, but that I can also just head for the horizon on. One thing that is on my bucket list that I plan on using the bike for is a cross country trip. So it has to be reliable, and has to be something that I like pushing through the twisties, not make me beg for mercy after a few hours in the saddle. So I have a bunch of questions, but first off am I right that for a VFR that the 5th gen (98-01) is where I want to be. The Vtech kinda is off putting for me, mainly because I don't need a surge of HP when I'm accelerating through a turn. That and I really love the sound of those gear driven cams Anyhoo i'll be asking questions as I go through my quest for a new steed. thx all..
Hi and welcome to the MadHouse I am sure there will be plenty of support for buying a 5th Gen, and just as many who own and really enjoy vtec models. By the time they came to 2006+ vtec models initial concerns over any mid turn power lurch were largely resolved by changes to the vtec engagement and disengagement RPMs. In short all 800 VFRs are pretty decent bikes. However it is worth stressing that the older the bike, the greater issues you may encounter finding parts to keep it on the road. The newest 5th Gens are already 18 years old so for anything beyond wear and tear stuff, like finding a complete fairing panel set, for a 5th gens is already unobtanium. With the 5th gen you will get a different sound - due to the gear driven cams and a slightly higher top speed in exchange for lower MPG - sadly nothing is ever free. The 6th Gens offered slightly better MPG and a lot better emissions and perhaps more importantly were still on sale through dealers in Europe until 2013. This means most parts for them are still widely available, even if you need to hunt around to find them. Sadly both 5th and 6th gens models suffered from awful charging systems which were only resolved in 7th and 8th gen models - so if you want a reliable bullet proof VFR those are the ones to go with. Anyway good luck with the search and post up some photos if you add a VFR to your domestic vehicle fleet. Take care ATGATT SkiMad
