TimC

Congrats on your VFR!! Obviously there is tons of great information here, plus great people. Enjoy and ride safe! 🙂

Honda makes a nice looking parallel twin 650 now, too, both in fully faired and naked versions. If Aprilia is jumping in, maybe this segment is more popular than I thought. It's funny you mention the F4i. I also considered that bike when I was bike shopping in 2006. Of course, I ended up with my 2004 VFR, but I really liked the F4i, however I bet the annual insurance premium would have been 2-3x higher since the F4i seems like more of a sportbike than a sport-tourer. Thinking about it now, you hardly ever see those bikes (and the earlier models), despite their relative popularity back then. I don't think these were throw-away bikes, so I bet many were crashed by squids, or tucked away and forgotten over the years.

Nice looking bike, but it looks way more sportbike than sport-tourer. The clip-ons are below the top of the tank and the footpegs look pretty high. I'm unsure what market Aprilia is going for with a parallel twin, but it's an intriguing design, especially loaded with all that tech.

After 14 terrific years with my 6th gen, it's time to let her go. Here are all the details I can think of at the moment. For sale in Ravenna, OH, is my 2004 Honda VFR 800, aka Interceptor, non-ABS, in Italian Red, with 100,007 miles on the odometer. No, that's not a typo. 100,007 miles. I bought the bike in August 2004 from its original owner, bone stock and spotless, with about 4,225 miles on it. I've modded it to my liking, but it remains mostly stock. Asking price $2,000 US or best offer. Mechanically the bike is in good condition. It's been taken care of since new. I have all service records for the buyer, but in the interest of full disclosure here are some notes: Front Metzeler Z6 Roadtec tire is okay but has over 5,000 miles on it Rear Metzeler Z6 Roadtec tire has less than 2,000 miles on it Oil and filter was last changed at 98,711 miles on 8/20/2020, using Mobil 1 10W-40 and a Mobil 1 Extended Performance filter All other fluids are due to be changed Chain and sprocket set are okay but I would have replaced them in another couple thousand miles Steering head bearings need to be replaced (you can feel a notch at dead center) Front wheel bearings need to be replaced There is a very slight dent in the edge of the front wheel rim One of the CCTs seems to be chattering a bit, but it doesn't affect the bike's operation The suspension on this bike was modified for my weight, as I'm a big guy. The fork springs are Race Tech 1.00 and the rear shock was modded with a heavier spring by Jamie Daugherty. I have the original OEM fork springs on hand. I also have a rear shock with remote, though if I remember correctly it's an OEM Honda CBR 600 F4i shock, which I bought with the intention of having it modified for me and swapped out for my VFR's OEM shock, but ended up just storing it in the garage. The OEM springs and F4i shock will be given to the buyer. The bike is in fair condition except for the right front, which was damaged in a collision with a deer in West Virginia last month. I haven't taken it apart to inspect the damage, but here is what I can see: Upper cowl is cracked where it meets the right side fairing Lower cowl is cracked near its right top edge Inner right side trim cover is broken with a piece missing Right front turn signal/marker light is sitting low, so I'm unsure whether the light housing itself is damaged or if the a piece is broken inside the upper cowl Right R&G frame slider is bent backward about half an inch The damage is not extensive, but replacing the damaged parts with OEM would be expensive. I think most of the damage is repairable if you're talented enough with plastic-weld and/or strong tape. 😉 Anyway, it's taped up for now and would easily survive the ride back to your house if you were to buy the bike and ride it home. (It was fine during my home from West Virginia after that glancing blow with the stupid deer.) Cosmetically, the bike is decent given its age and mileage. There is a blemish on the fuel tank between its front lip and the fuel cap, touched up but the color doesn't really match. There are other flaws to be certain, but other than the damage described above it's mostly relegated to minor scratches and scuff marks, plus a small spot where the paint rubbed through on one fairing (while using a Dremel to install the frame sliders) and a spot or two on the tail section (from using bungee cords). Also, the top of the right fairing underneath the right handlebar has a bit of streaked paint fade, the result of a minor brake fluid spill this year. The windshield is a little rough, as it's developing a crack on the left side and has a bunch of tiny cracks in it, the result of cool fuel accidentally spraying on it during a hot day. Both saddlebags are scratched, the left from a tipover on gravel and the right from an interstate guardrail outside Detroit. (Yes, I remember that well.) The bike could use a really good bath, too, but once cleaned up it looks good. Modifications: Sargent seat with red welt Power Commander III (under the seat) Oxygen sensor eliminators R&G frame sliders OEM saddlebags (Note: these are from a 2005, so the color is Honda's "Winning Red," not Italian Red) Mirror extenders Sale includes: OEM seat and rear seat cover/cowl Rider footpeg rubber inserts (bought new a few months ago but never installed) Both original ignition keys and two OEM saddlebag keys Some extra bolts, fairing clips, and other bits Owner's manual and factory toolkit under the seat Factory service manual Full service history Overall, this VFR still looks pretty good but runs even better. It needs some routine maintenance, plus the obvious repairs to the right front. But the bike has tons of life left in it. For a good DIY mechanic, it won't take much out-of-pocket to get up to snuff. I still love this VFR. It's been around all the Great Lakes, ridden the Dragon several times, done many SE Ohio days, and seen 15 US states and Ontario several times. I'm only selling it because I bought a new motorcycle a few weeks ago. Instead of putting time and money into the VFR at this point, however, I'll use the proceeds from its sale for mods to my new bike. 🙂 I've included a single photo here, but an album of 15 photos is linked below. Please PM me with any questions or to set up a time to see the bike in person. I'm okay with shipping the bike at the buyer's expense, but the buyer is responsible for setting everything up for shipper pick-up at my house. Link to photo album: 2004 Honda VFR

Congrats on scoring a free VFR and welcome to the forum!! 🙂 Tons of great information and people here, many with a passion for working on their machines. You might even find folks willing to give you a hand or send you something you need to complete your VFR. Have fun and good luck with it!

Congrats on the sale, and good luck finding the next bike! 🙂

Great write-up and pix. Thanks for sharing them! 👍 I completely agree, it's about the ride. Even when I ride to or through some scenic destination I rarely spend much time off the bike taking photos. And like you I prefer secondary roads. I'll take interstates when necessary to make time, but usually forgo them in favor of 2-lane highways. I don't blame you for not completing the Saddle Sore 1,000. I haven't yet done one myself, but it's on my list of things to do. In fact, I'm hoping to get at least one more day this fall where it's warm enough to leave early in the morning that I'm not dressed in three layers so I can finish the thousand miles in the early evening. I probably won't bother with the official Iron Butt Association thing. Just knowing I did it will be enough for me.

Hit this a couple weeks ago on my '04. Bought the bike from its first owner with 4,225 miles on it in August 2006. My goal for 2020 was to see this number on my VFR.

I think that's impressive mileage on a VFR for just six years. Well done! 🙂

Great story and pix so far, thanks for sharing! My wife and I have visited Niagara Falls a couple times the last few years, and this summer I thought about doing a solo ride up there one weekend, but never got around to it. Maybe next year.

Welcome to VFRD, Matt! As you're already found, this site has a wealth of great information on VFRs. I agree with everything Marooncobra said. I have the same setup on my 6th gen. I don't know why anyone would mount a PCIII anywhere else. But since it sounds like oxygen eliminators are installed, I would figure there has to be a Power Commander installed somewhere. If I remember correctly if a bike only had the O2 eliminators installed and not a PCIII, it would run very badly. But it's been so long since I researched this I really can't remember for sure. I will tell you that even without a PCIII, the bike's VTEC transition should have smoothed out over time, especially as the mileage increased. Again, if I remember correctly, around 10,000 miles things just smooth out in general. The only times I've felt a jumpy transition over the last 10+ years has been after I've ridden the bike through rain. For some reason it makes the next VTEC transition kind of rough, but I learned to anticipate this and live with it for many years, so it doesn't bother me. Have fun riding your VFR and stay safe! 🙂

Very similar to my own experience. Bought my '04 that month from its first owner, 4,225 miles on the clock, and I think we agreed on $6,800. Bone stock and in like-new condition. I'd wanted an ABS-equipped bike but settled for the perfect bike without it. It was even the fast color! 😉

One of the things I've loved about my VFR is the range of fore/aft seating position. I generally ride in the middle, but in the twisties I'll scoot forward to put more weight on the front wheel - both to make the bike a bit more balanced and to add weight to the front end for grip. I'll scoot forward and sit up sometimes in the city. And on the freeway I usually do what you do, and scoot backwards, allowing me to duck down a little more. I looked at some older BMW R1200R bikes while shopping the last couple years. That bike had a couple different seat options when new, but many were outfitted with this terrible U-shaped saddle that allowed zero flexibility in your seating position. It was known as a "comfort seat," and while it is indeed comfortable, I can't imagine being locked into that one position 100% of the time every ride. That bad saddle was reason enough for me to skip most of those bikes, because replacing it (OEM or Sargent) would have cost $500-600.

Do my eyes deceive me, or has the tank retained its original color compared to the faded plastics? I can see why this would bug you. 😕

Nice write-up, maps, and pix. Thanks for sharing! 30 degrees is pretty cold for camping IMO, though I'm not a camper. Is it better or worse to be in a hammock vs. in a tent on the ground?

Welcome back, ShipFixer, and congrats on getting your old VFR back! I remember you from "the old days." I wasn't on the forum much for a few years because I wasn't riding very much. Really got back into it last year, and this year even more. Anyway, it's always good to see a familiar fellow VFRD member. Good luck sorting out the bike. I'm sure it won't be too tough. And at this point, even if you ride sparingly, you know the bike will hold up and be ready to ride when you want, so hang onto it as long as you can!

Congrats on that great looking (if not yet great running) 5th gen, and welcome to VFRD! 🙂 As you're already seeing, this forum is a terrific source of information - and people. Good luck fully sorting the bike out and ride safe!

Great pix from your trip! I used to be more willing to ride in hot temps, but age (and being out of shape) has dampened my enthusiasm for riding in temps above 90, or maybe the mid-90s. I can't even imagine riding when it's over 100. When I was bike shopping earlier this year I did consider a couple adventure style bikes, and specifically the BMW F750GS, which is really more street oriented. I think if there were more public access dirt and gravel roads to ride to scenic areas in my region I'd shop for an adventure bike.

Welcome to VFRD! This is an amazing forum, full of great information and great people. Enjoy! 🙂

Welcome to VFRD! The forum is a terrific resource for anything you'll ever need to know about VFRs, including many maintenance and modification how-to threads with photos. 5th gen was the last VFR with gear-driven cams, which make a wonderful sound. But its looks are pretty dated at this point. Nice lower miles 5th gens are getting harder to find now. 6th gen has slightly better suspension but chain-driven cams and experience a couple electrical issues. It's a bit more refined bike than the 5th gen, but not everyone loves VTEC, which was sorted better on the 2006 and up bikes. The 2007 had the RWB anniversary paint design, which just looks amazing. 7th gen is the 1200cc and has gobs of power and (I'm told) makes for a good hyper-tourer. 8th gen is a great looking bike with the same engine was the 6th gen. You can still find leftover new bikes at some dealers. There are pros and cons to each bike. I've owned my 6th gen for 14 years and still love it. But the older a bike you get, just beware that parts and mods will start to get harder to find. I'm not too far from you, as I live east of Akron, OH. Let me know if you want to test ride a 6th gen and we'll meet up somewhere.

Welcome to VFRD! Great looking bikes you have there! 🙂

Welcome to VFRD! What a beautiful bike. Looks pretty much museum quality! 🙂

Making things more complicated than they need to be is the Honda motorcycle way. 😕 Also, just in case you've not changed motorcycle brake pads before (sorry, not making any assumptions either way here), make sure not to lose track of the little spring clips which hold the pads in place.

I've always used the EBC HH sintered pads. They fit perfectly, stop the bike very well, wear pretty long, and they're affordable. And if memory serves, 6th gens take the same pads on all three calipers.

Good advice above from knowledgeable folks. I'd also recommend checking the tires' date codes, too, and replacing them if the tires are more than 5-6 years old, or if the bike has been sitting for 2-3 years. Yes, there was a recall for the PCV, as well as the wiring harness. Any Honda dealer should be able to look up your VIN in the system and check whether those recalls were ever performed. If not, I don't know how long Honda will reimburse dealers to do recall work. There might be a time limit dating to the bike's manufacture date, or the date of the recall. But it's worth checking either way.