Positive Review - The Gen6 in retrospect

Honda's VFR800 is truly one of the great stayers of the modern motorcycle world. The VFR750 hit its mark when first launched in 1986, but that model can trace its origins even further back, to the VF750 of 1982. In the mid-to-late '80s the first VFRs were seen as sports machines, although with time and progress they slipped comfortably into the sportstourer role.

The VFR750 made way for the VFR800 in late 1997, the ground-up revision breathing new life into the VFR name. Now unashamedly a dedicated sportstourer, the VFR800 copped its next decent revision in 2002, when Honda introduced VTEC to the VFR's 90-degree V-four engine, along with chain-driven cams to replace the old gear-driven set-up, plus new styling.

Since then Honda has left the VFR800 pretty well alone, save for a couple of minor tweaks here and there, such as refining the VTEC system (for more on the VFR's VTEC, see 'Price and Equipment', below).

With the impending introduction of the all-new VFR1200, the VFR name looks set to live on well into the future. Will the VFR1200 spell the demise of the VFR800? We imagine so. Honda is remaining tight-lipped - but with continuing steady sales (in recent times well in excess of 200 new VFR800s have been sold each year), the VFR800 is likely to be available for a little while yet.

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Another area where the VFR scores highly is practicality. The ergonomics are perfect - good legroom, a slight forward incline for the rider and a comfy seat. Ditto for the pillion. It comes with a centrestand (hallelujah!), and the 22lt tank is big enough to cover the distances afforded by the bike's general level of comfort. I got about 17km/lt out of the VFR on general duties (commuting and highways), which is good for about 340km before you hunt down a servo - good going. Hard charging, however, saw this drop to around 14.5km/lt.

For the long haul, there's a 50mm higher windscreen available as an option for taller types, plus factory panniers and topbox. Throw these on and the VFR really is a capable interstate blaster, with the benefit of good sporting ability should you reach any twisty bits along the way.

That really is the key to the VFR's status as a perennial favourite. Purists may see a sportstourer as nothing more than a compromise - the 'master of none', rather than the 'Jack of all trades'. The VFR, however, really does do an excellent job of just about anything you throw at it. I can't wait to see what the VFR1200 will be like, but in the meantime - and probably for a good while yet - the VFR800 will continue to hide its age well.


Full Review Linky:
Honda VFR800 - Motorbikes Reviews