Possible VFR 800 Deluxe Purchase

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by JEFF WISHES, Mar 28, 2019.

  1. JEFF WISHES

    JEFF WISHES New Member

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    Hallo VFR Experts,

    Back riding after 20yrs. Experience is on crotch rockets back in day.

    Bought a 2010 BMW F800 ST recently. In the short time, decided to upgrade to something newer. Looking for a Sport Touring style. Like the upright riding of the BMW but wish I had more power without increasing bike size.

    Researching VFR800 gew things came up

    1. I see NEW 2015 VFR800 Deluxe on the market. How can there be new 2015's on market in 2019. List price in 2015 was $12,999 but now selling for $7,999.

    2. I dont see too many newer used on market
    Most I see on cycletrader and CL are 10+ yrs old. Why is that?

    3. With bar risers can I get a good upright position on a VFR800? I dont want a bike I have to lay on top of like the good old days. I dont scrape knees in corners like I used to.

    Your feedback and advise is greatly appreciated.

    Jeff
     
  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    HI & Welcome,

    1. They stopped importing them into the US - it seems that people think they are expensive..
    2. They are so reliable & capable that they are generally kept until they die.
    3. Its position can be adjusted - but some people require risers to make it easier. You will not get it to be like an adventure bike...
     
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  3. saceur

    saceur New Member

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    Jeff, welcome to the board.

    1. You will see many new 2014/15 because the VFR is a niche market. She's been so for a long time. The 800s ruled for a long time (2000-09) and then honda tried that monstrosity 1200 from 2010 until 2013. They went the basics for 14/15 and it did well for those who wanted it so there's been no 16s/17/18 because there's plenty of stock.

    2. You want see many used 14/15 because we tend to ride them 4EVER and the above mentioned niche.

    3. The 14/15 has Honda's riser options but dont get them because they are junk. There's some floating around this board that work way better (I'll find the link). Also the seat can be raised and lowered for those that are taller in the saddle.

    Enjoy the fact that you can get a brand new bike for under $6k.

    Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk
     
  4. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Welcome to the World. I am really looking for a 2016 Deluxe model myself. Preferably new but near new is fine for me. But it has to be white. Its a thing. But I am not dead set on new. I will take near new. I have absolute confidence in the bike so any mileage I find on a 2015 would likely be not worth even mentioning.

    I say all this because, first of all, I think the 2015 is like a very high classed hooker. Something that will just get your rocks off just looking at it. The 2015 has to be the sweetest thing I have ever seen.

    Secondly, if you are not hard set on a 2014-15, look at the tonnes of 6th gens out there (02-09 in Canada USA). Look at the mileage racked up on then then basically forget that aspect of it. I bought mine in the crate, in 2006. White of course. It now has 219,000 km (about 135,000 miles giver or take). Other than a problem that has developed two years ago or so, that I can't seem to figure out, the engine on this thing is running good and strong. As a matter of fact, this past October, I was on a Baja ride for a few days and the bike ran just great. The 8th gens are running the same power plant with some improvements. The more technically knowledgeable here can expand on that if they will.

    As far as the riding position, that is really a an issue that depends on the person and his/her stature. I am about 5'10" - 5'11" and am built with a nice six pack. But it is covered with a layer of fat. I have had three surgeries to the lower back and am unfortunate enough to be saddled with chronic lower back issues, as well as newer neck issues as well. I have run several very long rides. Including a couple 1000 and more miles in 24 hours. So, the short of it is, the bike should be right up your alley. Maybe a little conditioning might be in order but I am sure you would be fine on a 6th or 8th gen.

    BTW. I am old enough that I spoke to God a while back and gave him the recipe for dirt.
     
  5. Motokitty

    Motokitty New Member

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    I actually bought a brand new 2015 VFR800Deluxe in the beginning of this month and put about 1200miles so far.

    I'd been looking to buy a new bike for a while and my first choice was actually Suzuki GSXR 750. However, I wasn't totally sold on that idea myself because I commute about 80miles a day on my bike (hence the milage on my new Interceptor). I understand that most of modern bikes's engines can last 100k miles if you take care of it. But the frequency on maintenance was an issue even though I can do minor stuff like oil change myself, and GSXR got almost no storage space.
    Fast forward, when I brought my old bike for a service, dealer recommended Interceptor to me. To be honest, I really didn't know anything about Interceptor or VFR. I always thought it was some high-end bike that I didn't need like Busa. Anyway he told me to do some research on VFR and the rest is history.
    As for the original questions:
    1. It is totally a bargain for the quality of the bike. Center stand, heated grips, traction control, ABS etc...what else can I ask? (Maybe cruise control...)
    2. I don't see myself letting go of this bike anytime soon.
    3. I don't have bar risers and riding position is relatively sporty but not aggressive. I lowered seat height because I like to flat foot especially this bike is significantly heavier than my old bike.


    In short, I love this bike.
     
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  6. Igrok

    Igrok New Member

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    Other's have said it well, I will 2nd, 3rd, and 4th the comments above.
     
  7. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Hi Jeff and welcome to the Madhouse

    Regarding your first point you may not be aware that production of 1200 and 800 VFRs ceased very abruptly in mid April 2016 after two massive earthquakes (6.4 & 7.3 Richter) pretty much wrecked the single Honda factory responsible for assembling all their larger motorbikes and destroyed much of the production equipment and tooling. However in 2015 and up to the quakes the factory had been churning out a vast inventory of US market VFRs, which allowed the US market to continue to be supplied with new bikes from inventory.

    That is why 2016 models will be the newest production (as opposed to registration) you are likely to find in North America.

    It took months just to clear a tiny bit of the factory site sufficiently to restart some big bike production. However most of the site would need to be flattened and rebuilt over several years, hence bean counters dictated that the available factory space was allocated to resuming production of their most in demand/profitable models (which was neither VFR model). Sadly some websites wrongly suggest these bikes were dropped because they did not meet emission standards, however 7th and 8th gen VFRs were both already certified as Euro 4 compliant and could be sold in the EU through until December 2020 and would need minimal alteration to meet Euro 5 standard

    I was talking to a Honda dealer at a recent moto show in Switzerland who confirmed the factory rebuild was complete and the huge backlog of orders largely cleared. He also mentioned that they had heard rumours the VFR would be back in the European model line-up in late 2021 (so 2022 model year).
     
  8. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Wonderful news. But I could be dead by that time. Either natural causes or with a smile on my face from...well...you know
     
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  9. OCLandspeeder

    OCLandspeeder New Member

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    The 8th Gen VFR800 is a great bike when taken on its own merits. There are still a few 2015 models in my area selling for $7k-$8k depending on dealer and whether it's a standard or deluxe model. I think it's a lot of bike for $7k but I would absolutely NOT pay more than $7k for a NEW Deluxe VFR800. The reason for that is the presence of other bikes that are much, much faster, more nimble, and just as modern as the VFR800 that are only slightly used or even new.

    For example, local Suzuki dealers are selling NEW 2018 GSXS 750's for $6k. This bike is superior to the VFR800 as a sportbike. Maybe not as long distance tourer but certainly will be way, WAY more fun to ride. You can also find 2018 Kawasaki Z900's for similar prices. There are also slightly used GSXS1000's in the 2015-2018 years, as well as slightly used Kawasaki Ninja 1000's from 2014-2016 for around the same price as the new 2015 VFR800. All these bikes will be way more fun to ride, and none of them will have the VTEC valvetrain adjustment requirements. Just like cars, bikes, even entry level ones have become really good, improved performance, and higher level of standard content than just 5 years ago.

    Only my opinion here but I feel that the 2015 VFR800 is a great motorcycle and would have had the market cornered in 2008. But it is competing in the world of 2019 where an out of the box 750 cc - 900 cc bike will easily show its tailights to it. But that's just me because I like to have a bike that gives me a bit more of a raw passion when I'm riding it. Test ride any of the bikes in my list above then test ride that VFR800, then ask yourself which bike you would rather ride regularly!
     
  10. Igrok

    Igrok New Member

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    Yeeahhh. If you're looking at a VFR for speed, you're looking at the wrong motorcycle. I'll take a Kawasaki inline 4 all day long for speed. BUT, the VFR is SO MUCH more!

    1. It's not a slug by any means, if you have a 'need for speed' it will comply
    2. It's looks are timeless. Even the 5th gen bikes look "modern"
    3. It's hands down one of the most comfortable sport bikes on the market, which lends to it's tourability
    4. I honestly cannot think of a more reliable engine, and that sound!!!

    If you want a pure sportbike, look at a GSXR or a Kawi. If you want pur comfort, look at a GoldWing or an FJR, or a Harley even. But if you want a "Swiss Army Knife" of motorcycles, the VFR is your ride.

    I LOVE the tag line floating around, "It's not a sportbike, its a sport tourer. Just don't get in the way of my touring."
     
  11. OCLandspeeder

    OCLandspeeder New Member

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    Well if you don't evaluate a bike like the VFR for speed then why get one? Would it make more sense to get a Silver Wing then? You said so yourself the VFR "is the most comfortable sportbike"! And lest you forget that the VFR was born as a sportbike, which I fully understand (I'm on my third VFR). That's why I personally MUST compare it to other "comfortable" sportbikes. Since we're discussing the 8th Gen, then it should be compared to others of its kind within the context of current pricing. I did this not long ago. Compare it to its closest competitors: The Ducati SS, the Suzuki GSXS 1000F, and the Kawasaki Ninja 1000.
     
  12. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Were it me, I'd keep the BMW. VFR's aren't fast either and they're obsolete in the U. S. Just another point of view.
     
  13. scottbott

    scottbott Member

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    how fast is fast?, my VFR is plenty fast enough for me but I will be 66 this week and not a teararse and it really is academic as you can only ride to the roads you have around you,I went to see friends in Oxfordshire just before Christmas and could not believe how bad the roads were around Bicester and surrounding areas, the general state of British roads are shite, imho
     
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  14. 2027Matt

    2027Matt New Member

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    The 2015 VFR is a much nicer and faster bike than the 2010 BMW F800 ST. For a sport touring bike at the current prices it is a good deal. No resale value but thats not why I would buy a bike.
     
  15. OCLandspeeder

    OCLandspeeder New Member

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    The BMW F800ST was a cheaply made, unreliable, overpriced, under powered bike that won't hold a candle to 20+ year old VFR750 or newer. I test drove this bike years ago before I bought my 2007 VFR800 and it sucked. Engine vibrated too much and lacked top end power. Ran out of steam way too soon. Cheap components for its price range too. And at the time the bike had reliability issues all over the internet. It was lightweight and had belt drive, and those were it's only saving grace. Otherwise, it felt more like a big Scooter to me. Back then Triumph had the only viable alternative to the VFR800.
     
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