Honda VFR800 - Roadtest

Performance

Handling

Comfort

Looks

Equipment

Value

Overall

Technical summary

List Price:

£8,571

Insurance:

Group 14

Engine:

782cc V4

Performance:

155mph, 12.0 secs standi

Power:

107 bhp @ 10

Weight:

218kg

MPG:

38mpg

Range:

170 miles

Review

The previous VFR, which ran from 1998-2001, was a peach. It was the kind of bike your dad had, but made you jealous too. It is rightly hailed as one of the best sports tourers ever made - its confident handling and comfy dimensions were set off by a V4 engine that oozed with woofly torque. They are highly coveted on the second-hand market, which is hardly surprising when the model that replaced it, was heavier, no more powerful, and, well, worse.

Notably, the beating heart of the VFR, its 800cc engine, found itself fitted with variable valve technology. The V-Tec system works well in Honda's cars and in effect gives you two engines for the price of one. At low revs all that matters is saving fuel and driving sensibly, but at a certain rpm extra valves open for business and the engine takes on an aggressive, free-revving character. It gives you a kick like a turbo but with none of the lag, and is addictive stuff. Unfortunately, the system isn't so effective on the bike. In early models there was a noticeable step between the low and high rev states which seemed rather clunky compared to its predecessor's seamless, linear way of surging forward. Latterly the system was revised to smooth out the extra valves opening, with the bike's ECU referring to the throttle position and gear position to see whether you were on a mission or not, but this still didn't make the bike perfect - even a recent ride on a VFR V-Tec showed a worrying amount of vibration coming through the seat, pegs and bars at higher revs. That's hardly conducive to the sort of long-distance motorway mileage the old VFR would forge through with ease.

It does however make a wicked wail when all the V-Tecness is happening, and nerds still find 4 cylinders laid out in a V absolutely irresistible. You're basically running the same engine configuration as the Ducati Moto GP bike, the astonishing new Aprilia RSV-4, and legendary Honda RC30. There's also a lot to be said for that typical Honda trait of making a bike that just seems to fit. Any useful rider could jump on one cold and shame a chancer on his legit sportsbike.

It's hard to recommend the bike though, and not just because it's an 8 year old design. Honda's next wave of sports tourers have already been spotted on secret tests and promise next-gen V-Tec. We can but hope that they recapture the qualities of the old VFR.

Verdict

Average. All-rounder that isn't as all-rounded as its lauded predecessor