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Satisfaction Rating of 8th Gen.


jimbob

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I am on the fence here. I have a perfectly good 6th gen with hard bags. But I am smitten with the younger faster  lass.. help me out....

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Another user here was excited to see mine (8th), but after some recent, easy mods to refresh his (6th), I'd bet that he has a better handling, more fun bike that is no less functional in any capacity. Mine just looks better.

 

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Hey jimbob, younger?  Yeah.  Faster?  Dunno about that!  IMO, either bike, stock, will outperform 98-99% of riders...  ;)  How much faster do you want to go (and how much money do you mind spending!)?  A relatively simple and cheap mod like going up 2-3 teeth on the rear sprocket will make your bike feel more lively (although it will also rev higher while freeway cruising and your speedo/odo will likely be off and if you have a chain wear gauge on your swingarm you won't be able to use that anymore + any/all other pros/cons that come with changing sprocket sizes).  Maybe hunt down that elusive supercharger kit?  Maybe go for a 1200 or a different bike altogether?

 

I told my wife that when she hit 42, I was gonna trade her in for two 21 year olds...  Well, it didn't happen.  I guess when she hits 50, I could go for two 25 year olds but realistically, she's fast enough for me and I don't think I could handle two 25 year olds...  Plus, I have no game, so...   haha

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6 hours ago, jimbob said:

I am on the fence here. I have a perfectly good 6th gen with hard bags. But I am smitten with the younger faster  lass.. help me out....

 

That itch is a difficult one to scratch and only you have the answer.

 

Spending $$ on the right mods on a 6th Gen will re-invigorate your love for the bike, though maybe you don't need to as you say it is "perfectly good". Spending $$$ on a new VFR800F will reward your investment.

 

Your choice.

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keep the 6 gen with JDm front and rear it handles as good maybe better its set up for you. do a 8 gen wheel and sebspeed cover and now it looks better IMO than a 8 gen, my insurance is way cheaper than a 8 gen and I have about 6k in it and it only has 4600 miles or so.

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/uploads/monthly_2017_03/IMG_0132.JPG.961126b72611061578a687c464acf98d.JPG

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I've never been too fast to purchase the latest and greatest.  I would say that the 8th gen is worth it.  I realize it's not a significant departure from previous generations but it's a very well rounded package and looks fantastic.  You only live once.

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3 hours ago, MaxSwell said:

Porn indeed! Now my pants don't fit as well. Thanks, I needed that.

 

Don't jizz your pants - LOL

 

 

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I honestly think the most you will gain from the 8th gen will be things like cooler running, better mileage (fuel economy) and less critical crispy stator failure.

Faster?

Not really. Some of the fastest VFRs I know are the 3rd and 4th gens, and it's not the bike, it's the rider. Most all gen VFRs are much of a muchness in overall performance... (1200 aside which is way more powerful but its extra weight is noted in the tighter twisties)

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2 hours ago, Auspanglish said:

I honestly think the most you will gain from the 8th gen will be things like cooler running, better mileage (fuel economy) and less critical crispy stator failure.

Faster?

Not really. Some of the fastest VFRs I know are the 3rd and 4th gens, and it's not the bike, it's the rider. Most all gen VFRs are much of a muchness in overall performance... (1200 aside which is way more powerful but its extra weight is noted in the tighter twisties)

 

I tend to agree with you.  According to zeroto60times.com the 5th, 6th, and 8th gens are all roughly the same from 0-60 and in the 1/4 mile - here are their times FWIW:

 

1998 VFR800 3.4 sec 0-60, 11.2 sec 1/4 mile

2002 VFR800 3.4 sec 0-60, 11.3 sec 1/4 mile

2014 VFR800  3.0 sec 0-60, 11.4 sec 1/4 mile

2011 VFR1200 2.7 sec 0-60, 10.2 sec 1/4 mile

 

It would seem the 8th gen is a bit quicker from 0-60 than the earlier gens, but at the expense of being a tad slower in the 1/4 mile.  This would make sense given Honda's claim of having supposedly improved low to mid range power for the 8th gen.  I don't see how any of them would be much different in the twisties.  Given equal riders though it seems clear that the 7th gen VFR1200 would kick any of the 800s butts in a straight line.

IMG_1109.PNG

IMG_1110.PNG

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Somebody has to be politically incorrect, but is the 7th gen. really a VFR?  Not an insult because there are plenty of good bikes out there that aren't VFR's.  Could be a compliment to them, they just didn't sell though.  The 8th gen. does have significant improvements over other generations in engine performance.  Put a slip on, on it, ride it, and it's obvious having owned a 5th, 6th, and 8th gen.  No, I wouldn't, however, trade any gen. for an 8th gen. unless money wasn't a factor in my life.  It's obvious that motorcycles aren't selling as well as they once did.  Partly generational, and partly "the new economy that too many people just roll over and accept.  Corruption sucks.  

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Kind of related maybe oxymoronic question but is there really a ST tire with really good "turn in" and long life out there?  

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Wow, thanks for a whole bunch of great replies! I know for a fact that buying the 8th Gen is mostly a question of economics and not one of practicality, as the 6th gen is serviceable, etc etc...

 

So taking $$ off the table, and notwithstanding making mods to an existing bike...... I was also hoping to hear from a few current 8th Gen owners their opinion of / satisfaction with their experience with the bike so far.......  improved cooling system, narrower profile, better brakes (de-linked), and on the Deluxe model traction control, heated grips, remote pre-load on the rear, adjustability on front forks... and yes in my opinion a pretty bitchin' new appearance.. how does that stuff rate in the calculus of bike value?? Sheesh! Now i need drink!  Ok there, now you can all unload on me!

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16 minutes ago, jimbob said:

So taking $$ off the table, and notwithstanding making mods to an existing bike...... I was also hoping to hear from a few current 8th Gen owners their opinion of / satisfaction with their experience with the bike so far.......  improved cooling system, narrower profile, better brakes (de-linked), and on the Deluxe model traction control, heated grips, remote pre-load on the rear, adjustability on front forks... and yes in my opinion a pretty bitchin' new appearance.. how does that stuff rate in the calculus of bike value??

 

I'm very happy with mine, though I did need to add Motopump's 1.25" bar risers to put my old frame in a comfortable state.  Heated grips are great, and a heated seat would be nice - though there's a Corbin option for that and better comfort as well.  On longer (2+ hours) freeway drones, I find my neck getting a little sore from having to angle my neck up so I have a straight sight of the road.  I think something like a Laminar Lip addition to the windscreen might help with that though.  Also for longer freeway drones I needed to get an AirHawk for the seat, as without it some serious monkey butt would set in.  That's about it for ergonomics.  I have not yet had a situation where the ABS or TC kicked in.  The adjustable shocks, center stand and heated grips are worth the price of admission for the Deluxe model.

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I have sat on an 8th at the dealer, and I like that it felt slimmer - a bit of reminder of my old 4th gen. Gotta ride one at some point to make a decision if I am crazy to want to do a  5/8ths model......

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8 hours ago, jimbob said:

Wow, thanks for a whole bunch of great replies! I know for a fact that buying the 8th Gen is mostly a question of economics and not one of practicality, as the 6th gen is serviceable, etc etc...

 

So taking $$ off the table, and notwithstanding making mods to an existing bike...... I was also hoping to hear from a few current 8th Gen owners their opinion of / satisfaction with their experience with the bike so far.......  improved cooling system, narrower profile, better brakes (de-linked), and on the Deluxe model traction control, heated grips, remote pre-load on the rear, adjustability on front forks... and yes in my opinion a pretty bitchin' new appearance.. how does that stuff rate in the calculus of bike value?? Sheesh! Now i need drink!  Ok there, now you can all unload on me!

Here's my opinions after my first 1000 kms on my 2015 (going from a 6th gen, to an RC51 and now to the 8th gen):

 

 

 

 

improved cooling system :no problems in this weather so far :)

narrower profile : yes, a perfect width 

better brakes (de-linked): yes, love the front radial mount and the ABS!

and on the Deluxe model traction control, heated grips, remote pre-load on the rear, adjustability on front forks... : all great features, been using the heated grips every-time out so far!

and yes in my opinion a pretty bitchin' new appearance.. : I love the looks, get lots of compliments..most probably think it's a Ducati lol

how does that stuff rate in the calculus of bike value?? :got mine with the $3000 off / off season special..couldn't pass that dealio up!

 

only things I would still ask for: 25-50 hp more and 50-75 lbs less weight :), otherwise, near perfect!

 
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I'd agree with that ^^

 

The ABS is the best I've used, over the past year Ive had several BMWs and Triumph triples for 2 weeks at a time, so I've got a broad taste of what is on offer outside Japan and Honda have got it perfect, the Triumphs I can make the front wheel squeal 

 

The TC gets a lot of flack but I have nothing but praise for it, saved my hide a couple of times on gravel ... it also gets it for looking tacked on, I prefer that rather than mixed in with the other switches

 

I don't want more power, if I want this to go fast then drop a gear and get the revs up above 7500, then crack the throttle open ... I can get my VFR from 30-90 faster than I can my CBR600 

 

Once you get used to it the indicator switch is actually easier to use with thick gloves on

 

As for comfort, I'm 6'2" and with a double bubble screen find the standard controls/seat height just fine for up to 4 hrs non stop

 

 

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Before I bought my 8th gen, I was in the market for a 6th gen and that's pretty much all I was looking for.  Over time, I started looking at the 8th gen in cycle trader and the week I bought, it had come down to a really nice silver 2008 with low miles and Honda luggage and the white 2015 deluxe (more $$) - both were out of state and would have to be shipped. 

 

In the end, I chose the 2015 because I'm only going to be riding for 10 more years (long story) and this will probably be my last bike.  My brother in law helped sway my decision - he said something to the effect that if it's going to be your last one, it might as well be the one you really want.  I figured that the 2015 would stay "new" longer and most of the mods I was going to "have" to do to the 6th gen had already been done or addressed on the 8th gen.  I wasn't crazy about the 8th gen's 138 mph top speed but since I've only topped out a bike twice (my modded 87) in all my years of riding, I figured that probably wasn't going to be an issue any more (older, wiser, slower, more fragile, etc - talking about me, not the bike  lol).  Neither the 6th nor the 8th has the gear driven cams sound so I was SOL there anyway. 

 

All that being said, this choice was because I was going from no bike to a bike.  My previous bike was the aforementioned modded 87 that I had from about 1990 or so to about 2004 or so.  Had plenty of opportunities to ride a variety of newer VFRs along the way but never did (partially because people kept telling me that if I did, I wouldn't want to get back on my old VFR again - and since I was pretty happy with mine, I took that advice).  I was pretty connected to that bike.  So, the reason I mention that is because if I already had a 6th gen, I would imagine that it would be pretty modded and personalized and, for me, chances are that I wouldn't feel the need or desire to get rid of it for an 8th gen.  But, because of my own situation/circumstances, I chose the 8th over a 6th. 

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After trying to do some touring with a supermoto (kind of, that is: Husqvarna Nuda) last year, I figured that I needed a bike that would not only perform in the Alps, but also on the way there and back. This thought was lingering in the back of my head for some time until I saw a white 8G VFR for the first time. I admit, I was sold on looks alone and had to get that bike.

 

Now that reality kicks in after six months, I can say it was a good decision. The VFR does not only travel well, it also works quite well when pushed hard on the typical small roads in the Bavarian mountains. Chassis stability is something VFR owners take for granted, but not having ridden a VFR for some time, the feeling of confidence that comes from it, is absolutely remarkable (German moto journos call the VR an ICE on two wheels - ICE being the german bullet train).

 

Brakes are good, suspension is very good (unexpectedly so, given its limited adjustability). On top of that, the bike travels well. Having done my recent Dolomites adventures with a backpack only (no place for luggage on my restomodded Speed Triple T509), I enjoy the fact that I now have two well-integrated panniers that hold more stuff than I would want to bring along with me.

 

In my humble opinion, having owned not a 6G, but a RC36/2, the 8G is one of the best all-around bikes there is. Disclaimer: From this verdict, I exclude: Adventure bikes (too little feel for the front end for sports riding), all BMWs (not a fan of boxer engines or inline fours) and Ducatis (torn cam belts, thank you very much). 

 

Some of what I wrote in favour of the 8G might apply to a 6G as well, but overall, the 8G is a much more refined and well thought-out package imho.

 

 

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Thanks for all this input. While I love my fifths esp the cam drive, if I had the money, I'd have an eight gen in a Minnesota Minute.

In white if you please.

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On 3/19/2017 at 10:00 AM, MaxSwell said:

Thanks for all this input. While I love my fifths esp the cam drive, if I had the money, I'd have an eight gen in a Minnesota Minute.

In white if you please.

 

Doesn't a "Minnesota Minute" pretty much last all winter... like 9 months?? :)

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Thanks to all for the thoughtful replies.................

 

Practicality be damned... I am still pretty hot on the 8th Gen...... and those who already have them seem pretty satisfied...........

 

Dang it!

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