2014 - 2021 Honda VFR 800 VTEC Review | New VFR is classy, uniquely able, invigorating and truly rekindles the pleasure of the old

The seat is very comfortable, including for a pillion, and the suspension is nice. There is quite a lot of weight on the wrists, however, and the wind noise is horrific. It has a hole at the bottom of the screen which makes it useless. I tried three different screens and for all the noise was deafening; ducking behind the screen makes it worse. Online, people recommend riding with no screen! The bike is very heavy, and very top heavy, especially when filled with fuel which, coupled with the heavy clutch, makes it a nightmare around town or in traffic.

The engine has nice torque but quite low horsepower considering how heavy the bike is, but it is geared to be happy at motorway speeds. The VTEC is noticeable but not amazing, especially with the large mass it has to pull.

There are screw covers over where the handlebars connect to the frame. These fall off if you brush them, e.g. when putting the key in or taking it out. I bought replacements but they kept falling out too.

I had it such a short time I never had it serviced.

Nice instrument set. Would recommend the bar risers. Centre stand is very handy. The official panniers are nice in the sense that they lock with the bike's key and are easy to remove or attach. However the space inside is very small and irregularly shaped to the extent that they are almost useless, while still making filtering impossible.

They are smooth mostly two finger and no longer linked.

I added a nice pipe and the engine sounds sweet when accelerating especially when the v-tec kicks in, I do miss the whine of the gear driven cams from the earlier models though.

I have not spent much money on any of these bikes in the 30 years that I have ridden them, I usually put around 100,00 kilometers on them then retire or sell them.

Getting 450 Kilometers to a tank when highway cruising and still a couple of liters of fuel left no problem. On my second 2014 the first saw 6500 km's with no repairs until it got hit. this one just turned 50,000 km's and so far only tires and brakes the usual maintenance stuff no breakdowns.

They should have added cruise control for the few bucks it costs nobody would have complained. I added a Corbin gunfighter and lady saddle and backrest, It makes those 450 km's between gas stops much more comfortable especially for the pinion. I also put a pipe on just to get rid of the ugly stock Honda pipe.

You really can enjoy long ride on the saddle wich is good. The longest i did was 500 miles. The ground clearence is good you can trash the bike it the twisties with confidence. The steering is perfect, light in carving almost no pressure with the hands, just by holding the bike with your legs ont the fuel tank. Stability at all speed is perfect. I add 0.6 " bar riser for better confort for day to day use and it makes a huge difference. I add a power bronze double bubble windscreen for better head protection. The fairing protection is perfect, it keeps the cold weather away from you. I always used michelin pilot roads 5 for the bike. Front brake perform really well but the rear one is average. With the single swingharm and maintenance stand it makes chain adjustment really fast !

Here is the love and hate about the bike... the VTEC engine is boring under fast pace. The should a least remove the VTEC from it to make it more torquey. With a pillion the power is on the limit when you are passing cars. Its a good bike for biginners its easy to ride. The VFR have an undestructible engine. I use to have mileage around 230 on a fuel tank on touring days and around 190 miles on fast runs. The engine makes almost no vibration at any revs throught the pegs and the seat for a quiet ride.

I bought the white color. Really good looking in real. No breakdown in 38 000 miles of ownership. Just gaz fuel up and oil change. Perfect reliability !! The quality of the entire bike is incredible, its the kind of bike you can keep 20 years and it will still look good. The powder coat on wheel and triple clamp is good quality paint. The suspension and the front fork is perfect ! your body feel brand new after crasy long rides days after days thank you honda !

Really cheap cost running. At 38 000 miles the valve clearence was all within specs, probably a 120 000 miles it would be still perfect. The bike is the perfect exemple of Honda reliability. I change the air filter, flush the coolant, change tires normal servising. Recommemd Using octane 87 in owner manual witch is cheap to run.

Heated grips work really wheel ! Abs as standard. Traction control standard, Do you really need a traction control on a 800 bike lol. Trip meter fuel consomption

Easy 150 miles between stops. Can get a little bit buzzy through your right hand after a couple of hours on the motorway. Brakes are superb in all conditions.

Not as much torque as I’d like. Need to make sure you get your gear selection right.

Level of finish is excellent. Had a long ride in torrential rain where my mates on Ducati’s used more WD40 than fuel. VFR didn’t miss a beat and cleaned up like new when we got home.

Good fuel economy even when fully loaded.

Everything you need.

Michelin road 5 tyres mirrors boss at any speed heated grips spot on

The vfr800 is the perfect all round motorcycle in my opinion handling and brakes are excellent .comfort wise for a pillion is good my son has 200 miles with no issues myself ridden 400 miles in the day on a lot of trips with no problem still feeling fresh after the ride.

Love it bottom end power is like a v twin loads of punch when coming out of corners then at 6800 rpm when v tec kicks in you have the power of a in line 4 cylinder machine .The current model is a lot smoother than the previous vtec one when vtec kicks there is no sudden jurk in power just a smooth drive .

Brilliantly put together and very high build quality not had a moment's bother.I am a massive vfr fan got 2 750 models as well a 1988 fj model and a 94 fr model both of them well built only trouble I have had with them is the normal rectifier issue. Found with them to hard wire the rectifier with a fused link directly to the battery and fitted a bigger rectifier and you wont have any more issues . The current 800 model has no issues with the rectifier or anything else that I am aware of.

Do my own servicing as iam a hgv mechanic.use mogul 5100 engine oil change it every 4 thousand miles do it once a year.

Would definitely recommend changing the original screen as it's very loud from the wind blast .I have fitted a Puig touring one find it perfect for me also have a tutoro automatic chain oiler these are excellent have them on the 2 750 models as well . Tyres at the moment have metzeler on the latest sport touring ones would recommend those aswell. Got the usual r&g crash protection bungs got them just incase I have a incident mine came with a scropion race end can it sounds beautiful when v tec kicks in highly addictive .

The ride is firm but reasonably compliant and it is a delight on smooth, twisty pavement. Absolutely stable. Brakes are excellent.

The intake howl is addicting. Bike doesn't care whether you short shift it and surf the torque wave or wring it out to 12,000 shifting with the quick shifter. I could actually go on a long trip and never touch the 6800 rpm VTEC four-valve parlor trick and have a thoroughly enjoyable ride. I don't, but I could!

I've only got 6500 miles on mine and have done two oil and filter changes. Still on the original tires and the rear still has at least another 1,000 miles left in it (and I always change my tires before they get down to the wear bars.) I'm pretty sure I'll never really have the valve lash checked because everyone says, "Leave 'em alone." So I only plan to change fluids and filters which I can do myself. (Richy Vida on YouTube has logged well over 85,000 miles and says the valves/lash have never been touched.) Quality is absolutely impeccable. Some of the plastic fairing pieces are delicate and fragile so take your time when doing an oil change.

Oil and filter changes which I can do myself. I'll probably have a professional mechanic handle air filter and fork oil changes.

I agree that the traction control device looks tacked on but everything else is so excellent, I"m not taking off points for the traction control button.

I find abs and tc Spot on. Helping improve riding technique with good feedback. I’m a tall chap and the riding position was ok trying bar risers and it’s now great.

Vtec noise novelty hasn’t worn off yet. makes me smile every time i activate it.

Excellent quality for money. No reliability issues.

Servicing done myself high mileage user. Purchase servicing kit from a reputable retailer.

Everything you need is included love the dash everything just works as it should. I don’t have panniers. Believe it or not I like the space under the seat. I’ve fitted a stop n go puncture repair kit with the compressor, original tool kit, Oxford disk lock, rock straps and scottoiler.

Ride quality excellent , every fuel stop sufficient .

V, TEC at 7 thousand rpm seems to get confused if you need to roll off the throttle giving a surging effect ..

Self seviced , price for parts only .

Heated grips excellent , tyre's as factory fitted poor choice . Dunlop 222 .

Brakes are really strong and ABS not too intrusive. Good all rounder. Although clip on style bars I find still very neutral and no wrist ache before risers were added. Fitted factory risers make even more comfortable but at 5’7 my arms probably not the longest! Above 60 mph the wind takes all the weight off your wrists and you can ride as long as your bladder permits! Even on Slower B roads you don’t notice any shoulder strain except perhaps after several hours on this type of road. 5 hours plus north to south trips on motorway and A roads achievable easily with sensible breaks. Fast motorway and A roads are effortless and you just settle in and enjoy that engine.

Exceptional. This engine puts the engine in engineered.The vtech step is now more of an assertive pull around 6.5k and boy does she pull. Hold the gears and pull through the twisties on a positive throttle and you will be dancing through 2nd, 3rd and 4th all in the vtech power band accompanied by that beautiful engine howl. Or you can Miss Daisy it if you want to without ever getting into that area - save your money and get a 500 twin if that’s what you want.

No issues whatsoever. Typical Honda quality. Some inevitable deterioration on exhaust parts but otherwise as new. I don’t ride in salt to be fair but that’s a challenge for any bike whatever the marque

OEM tyres are a joke. Barely got over 4K on rear. Seems to suit Michelin Pilot which have given me 6k on the rear and just starting to flatten off

Standard heated grips are 5 stage and you can solder with them on setting 5. Headlight is amazing, self cancelling indicators are brill and LED running lights in vibe free mirrors that also accommodate the indicators are also quality touches. Good underseat storage. Standard USB port. No modes other than your right hand but better for it . Dealer fit Akropovic and up change only shifter that always works on positive throttle are great and add a lot of enjoyment.Went for the three boxes with the smaller top box that suits the bike better- plus with the top box you get a beautifully engineered rack and hand rails that looks really smart without the top box on and takes the pillions arms substantially forward and more relaxed rather than pinched in behind.

Good all round. No more connected brakes.

The vtec now starts smoothly and fuel rating is good

Honda quality

Honda servicing is pricey

No cruise control! Has nice heated grips and QS option. TC seems like an afterthought.

It's a V4

It's a Honda

Would have liked cruise control

The seat is very comfortable, and gives hours of comfort. The bars would benefit from being slightly higher, and I recommend fitting bar risers and a double bubble screen. The bike handles well in the twisties and around town. This bike can do it all well.

You cannot beat the V4 and VTEC bark as the revs pass 7000 is excellent.

Typical Honda, fantastic build quality.

The heated grips are great, the traction control is functional, albeit basic, and seems an after thought. The ABS is reassuring and works. The lack of0000 ride modes, and cruise control let the bike down. The VFR is a sports Tourer, so why Honda did not fit cruise control is beyond me, and a missed opportunity.

Stable, comfortable, and pretty sporty - Its a bike that is all bikes, the swiss army knife of bikes.

More HP's would be nice and if it had 120-130 I'm sure it would sell more. Economy is excellent - over 250 miles on a tank. VTEC Bark gives character in spades

Feels built to last, faultless

14,000 miles valve inspection costly and could possibly be recommended at a higher mileage . Dealer said they rarely need shimming... But thats the only negative. Apart from that self-servicing is easy, centre stand and single sided swing are makes chain maintenance easy.... Decent room under the seat for a motion-pro tool kit, circle chain brush and Motul chain paste.

5 out of 5 if it had cruise control

Not the most supple suspension, but quick adjustments when my wife is riding pillion are a big plus.

Feels almost as torquey off-idle as my old R1150GS. Super smooth and linear to redline, with that amazing V4 growl and howl.

Problem-free.

At CDN $15k, there are some serious competitors. But at the price I paid ($10k), a flat-out steal.

All the electronic doodads you could ask for, but cruise control. $1500 for side cases is a bit rich.

Once set up, which is easy to do with all the adjustment available the bike hugs the road like its on rails, factory set up was a bit bouncy at the front and hard at the rear Brakes are superb, ABS is the best I've tried and is smooth in action As a trail braker I find the rear to be just how I like it

Beautifully designed and built the engine is a gem, nice a docile, with bags of torque up to 6,500 after which the VTEC delivers a boost of power that makes the intake roar drown out the exhaust and the bike just takes off It's not sudden or likely to take you by surprise but when you need it there's some real acceleration there

Typical Honda build quality, everything works as it should, impressive fairing mouldings As long as it gets regular attention the bike is faultless, I do a lot of mileage and this is always ready for more

I have mine dealer serviced so not the cheapest, plus loan bike for the day Tyres lasted until 5k then I changed the OEM Dunlops for Bridgestone B23s, the Dunlops were fine, can't understand why "Ian" I confines his whole report to them Cost per mile is less than the CBR or BMW its replaced

Only extras I've fitted was a hugger and double bubble screen, I had a power outlet fitted when I bought the bike Other than that there's nothing I want or need The 5 stage heated grips are a real upgrade from the crude BMW on/off grips, I now use them most of the time through the year on different settings Paintwork is first class, I've got the Darkness Black model and the tank looks like a custom job, stunning

Absolutely fantastic

For those that think it needs more power then take a good look in the mirror and watch out for your license. (This is real world performance and for UK roads is more than enough). After owning many different bikes over a period of over 35 years this has to be one of the most engaging engines I have ever ridden, yes its Honda boring in terms of character! (I think NOT).

Overall it is typical Honda quality which I firmly believe is still better than most else out there but is still not what it used to be in our throw away world. This was demonstrated within 3 months of ownership through paint flaking on engine casing and mirrors showing early signs of wear! Both were sorted by Honda under warranty but demonstrates that things aren't what they used to be.

Yes that V4 is expensive to service when you start to love that engine its worth every penny. The initial purchase is indeed expensive when compared to other brands but ownership will help convince you the true reasons why that is and in a word it is QUALITY or another would be ABILITY.

Take a close look at the standard spec and try to find another bike that gives you this much at initial purchase. The panniers are however expensive at £500 a pair but are very good despite being a little small they are very waterproof and extremely easy to live with in terms of removal and adding to the bike.

Stonking engine. Sounds magical with the Akrapovic on. However, it's probably lacking 20-30bhp

Excellent build quality

A little too expensive for what it is compared to the competition

The competition have different rider modes, cruise control etc. Sort it out Honda

Super smooth when you want to cruise but easy to flick side to side when you want some fun. I can only sing the praises of the brakes. ABS works extremely well as I found out when a car drifted into my lane on the motorway. Grabbed the brakes and felt the bike 'vibrate' as the ABS done its thing. Bike quickly lost speed in a controlled but fast manner.

Awesome engine - once warmed up. All reviewers have commented how good the new VTEC is. I mostly agree, although my bike 'sticks' on the first time it activates after starting, causing a bit of a kick. After that first go it is as smooth as the reviewers say.

Aside from the niggle of the self-cancelling indicators no issues with the bike thus far.

Getting good MPG, 55 on average with my commute to work. That is sitting at 70mph on dual carrigeway.

Traction control, ABS, heated grips, LED headlights and tail lights, single swingarm (even if you cant see it behind the HUGE exhaust), self-cancelling indicators (not LED unfortunately).

Good feel from the brakes, only use back break occasionally, fit for purpose.

Good update of engine, really smooth, in today's traffic, motorway, by lanes and town no problem.

Quality Finnish all round.

Bike came with touring panniers, fitted Honda 45litre top box data tool kit etc, quick shifter (great for effortless no clutch lever up changes) no problem with tyres, but Will change to Bridgestone when worn out (always liked them)

Again crap Dunlop 222 tyres

On - off throttle response at low rpm in towns.

Dunlop 222's are very uncomfortable. Going to swap to Bridgestone.

The ride quality is great, I have absolutely no complaints about it. I don't know if I would say it is all day comfortable, because I have only really gone about 4 hours without stopping. My passenger said it was comfortable, but was nice to have a break then too. The brakes are absolutely spectacular. The front brake is especially strong, but the rear is also good. You have good feel with both of them in every situation.

What more can you say about this engine besides that it is absolutely wonderful! I loved the old engine in the 1999 version, and I love the new engine even more. It is calmer and easier to ride at low revs but when you spin it up it is intoxicating! It is not the fastest engine by by far, but it has a lot of character and it is so smooth. Power delivery is wonderful.

Quality is top notch. Everything is very nicely done, all of the fairings fit together very nicely with perfect gaps between every one. All of the controls are of high quality, and the dashboard is absolutely wonderful. I cannot really comment on reliability, because mine only has 7500 kilometers on the odometer. I can say that I have had exactly zero problems.

I can only give 4 stars for this because I believe the value is great, but the services are very expensive. Be prepared to spend around €400 every 24,000 kilometers. That is what it cost for the older versions of the VFR.

For the price of this bike, the equipment is sufficient. I love the heated grips on cold days. The adjustable suspension is definitely nice to have. You could never complain about having traction control and anti lock brakes. I purchased the side cases from Honda, and they are very nice and easy to use but a little small. A helmet only fits in the left hand side and it is a very tight fit.