It’s 2024 - is a VFR750F G (1986 model) a good daily ride

[bob38]

I have found one of the iconic bikes, low mileage (20,000), good condition with upgraded brakes. I want to use it to commute year round - this may be sacreligeous but if I ‘m buying something I like it to be good to ride.

 

I have had more recent 800 vtec and 1200 VFRs and they are excellent at everything, the latter of course high and heavy- I m attracted to this first model as the specs indicate it is both lighter and more powerful than later models - is this true in fact?

 

Also the 750 has the gear driven cams which would be a first for me. I am not practical so won’t be working on it myself so will use a local old school bike shop (he has some 70’s and 80’s Honda s and British bikes in his showroom seemingly not for sale).

 

Is there any reason why you think this is a bad choice? 

[Thumbs]

No 

[rc24dk]

Only things I can think of:

1. If you need the winter emergency brake (drop her) it may cost some plastic which may be difficult to source replacements for.

2. If winter implies salt, clean her well and often and grease all exposed bolted connections and preserve locks, switches and plugs.

3. I don't know if there are specific winter tyres in the relevant sizes.

- but these thoughts are generic 😁

[rc24dk]

... Maybe look for one with stainless steel exhaust tubes and silencers.

[Thumbs]

The Micron exhaust system is stainless steel and is a tuned unit as well, they were fitted to many bikes when the OEM rotted out

 

I'm running BT22’s on mine, but I’ve got the FK with 17” wheels but it seems Bridgestone do a BT46 in 16&18”

 

GT85 the whole bike for winter protection 

 

[bob38]

Thank you, it looks like it’s a good idea then 😀 

[Terry]

The 86 will make a great daily ride. Compared to a later 800, the 86 has a bit more pep at low revs and makes more mechanical noise, but that would be where the performance comparison ends, otherwise they will be pretty similar. With some decent maintenance, the brakes are more than up to the task and there are some decent tyres available in stock sizes e.g. Bridgestone BT46. IIRC the headers are stainless (I know the front ones are anyway) but the collector/mufflers are mild-steel. Here's one I prepared earlier. The bodywork is very weak where the rear light sits and they are known to crack there, so preventative fibreglass would not be a bad move. 

[Captain 80s]

I would daily ride the S out of an 86...

 

But I am Captain 80s...

 

Over a VTECH... Every day of the week.  "Light", peppy and great sounds...  Not cam chain tensioners going bad sounds.

 

Yes...  Spend ANY dollars left over on the suspension that still needs any love.  Consider a wheel swap later to gain access to modern redials.

 

 

[Fastdruid]

Sort the suspension out and 100% yes. 

On 9/8/2024 at 9:58 AM, bob38 said:

I have found one of the iconic bikes, low mileage (20,000), good condition with upgraded brakes. I want to use it to commute year round - this may be sacrilegious but if I ‘m buying something I like it to be good to ride.

 

I have had more recent 800 vtec and 1200 VFRs and they are excellent at everything, the latter of course high and heavy- I m attracted to this first model as the specs indicate it is both lighter and more powerful than later models - is this true in fact?

 

Also the 750 has the gear driven cams which would be a first for me. I am not practical so won’t be working on it myself so will use a local old school bike shop (he has some 70’s and 80’s Honda s and British bikes in his showroom seemingly not for sale).

 

Is there any reason why you think this is a bad choice? 

 

So, I used to commute all year round on my 88 (between15-20 years ago now) and I'm going to say I wouldn't do the same again now. I'd take it occasionally when its nice but not day in, day out.  

 

Yes they are lighter and quicker than the later 750 models, I've been on a trackday with a number of other VFRs and my 88 breezed past the RC36's on the straight. No difference with the 800 VTEC though, absolutely level pegging, maybe he had a tiny bit more right at the top but it was negligible. 

 

It is however *still* heavy. 229Kg fully wet. I really feel it manoeuvring round the garage etc vs the other bikes. 

 

Onto why not, firstly tyres. The older bikes have a 16/18 front in narrow sizes, while this makes them more nimble than the later bikes it means limited availability of decent tyres and they wear more rapidly. If you're commuting expect to get through a *LOT* of tyres. 

 

Secondly, maintenance. They're meant to be serviced every ~3750miles. Earlier bikes need every 7.5k the following:

Valve clearances

Carb balancing 

Spark plugs

Oil/Filter

 

Thirdly, spares. Routine parts are getting scarcer, when I ran mine you could still get pretty much everything from Honda but now you can't. While you can get parts it means many are aftermarket, no guarantee they're any good and for OEM parts no longer here in a day or two, you could potentially be off the road for some time while waiting for a mundane part. 

 

Fourthly, fuel consumption. IMO they're pretty poor! I got roughly 34mpg at best and low 20's at worst. Other newer bikes I've ridden have been substantially better (I ran a TDM850 for a while to commute on, that got 45mpg! While nailing it everywhere...it was slow though)

 

Finally, corrosion. If it's a nice bike it's going to be scabby in no time if you're riding it through winter. 

 

Here was mine mid winter! 

 

 

[vfrpilot28]

Life is short, do what makes you happy!  Full SEND!