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It's Baaack ...

SDNerd

SDNerd

2013-11-07 01:01:00 UTC

A long time favorite "sport tourer" for those who appreciate a little more "sport" and a lot less mass:

http://www.eicma.it/en/2013/11/honda-vfr800f-2014/

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DribbleDuke

DribbleDuke

2013-11-07 01:48:00 UTC

I had an original, first year 750. The ninety and two thousand bikes were well liked , then came the v-tec and things got complicated. It will not fare well in my opinion. Now stick that motor in a naked and dun it against the Yamaha triple, you'd have a bit of fun competition.
I wonder if it has male slider forks. It seems Honda is a hold out to female sliders.

Lowrance

Lowrance

2013-11-07 02:21:00 UTC

New one appears to be same as the old one...very uninspiring in every external way. I'm sure Honda have their usual wizardry in the motor but to be honest, don't know why you'd go to all the trouble for mediocre performance from an exotic motor design when you could get equal or better perfomance from an IL4 while spending substntially less on design and manufacturing costs.

81forest

81forest

2013-11-07 04:11:00 UTC

I had the 1990 model 750 as well, with the white wheels and single sided swing arm, it was fun but kind of a heavy little pig. Sounded neat when it was all wound out. It was the only bike that I have rattle-canned with some success. Here it is in "machinery grey" paint that I bought at Ace. A $40 paint job! Didn't do so well at the DIY seat re-cover, but check out the kickstand fairing!

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Aphex

Aphex

2013-11-07 05:39:00 UTC

Too bad this is another bike the US doesn't get. Weird too since they have a cult following here.

bic_bicknell

bic_bicknell

2013-11-07 09:25:00 UTC

I had this 1999 model. The engine was quite good and even sounded loud with an Akra exhaust fitted but the overall bike was really boring and it wasn't sporty enough for me. Felt soggy and I absolutely hated the linked brakes. It got stolen and I was quite relieved. Used the insurance money to fund the purchase of my current SD.

Blackduke77

Blackduke77

2013-11-07 18:55:00 UTC

I was a Honda guy of many years, my first four bikes were Hondas with the last one being an SP1. I personally don't know what the hell Honda is up to these days. They are such an innovative team on the GP side of things but on the consumer side of things, especially here in North America has been weird at best. The "new" VFR as well as the 1000 SP are just slight tweaks on aged designs. Both used to be great bikes, but they are stale, they don't even have the most current technology that the competitors come with.

SDNerd

SDNerd

2013-11-07 19:20:00 UTC

I've never owned one, but have logged a few thousand miles on them. At first blush, I have to agree with most of the remarks here about the bike's milquetoast performance.

I do have to say, that after some miles - particularly those in New Zealand - its seemed well suited for all-day spirited riding in some fairly twisty bits, where one had some freight to haul. The ones I've rented have never had the linked brakes (or were disabled), and my brief stints with that "feature" on others' bikes, left me with a poor impression. The V-Tec on some was a bit weird on the first few model years with it, but fairly refined on the last versions.

The bikes were absolutely stable in all conditions (you can call that boring), but could turn well, easily enough. And I'm talking rock stable rolling triple digits in the rain, and other stupidity. Even in crazy gusty winds, it never reacted abruptly. Like anything, if the suspension was completely sorted to my liking, I'm certain it would have been even more pleasurable.

For what it is (and isn't: a Hooligan's tool), my overall impression was it was a civilized way to haul ass in a way that not only allowed me to enjoy the scenery and views, but also didn't leave me exhausted and immobile at the end of 500 mile days.

TBD on whether we eventually get it, and same with what other refinements Honda may have injected.