5 Things I Hate About My Honda VFR 800 | 2003 Gen 6 VFR800 VTEC Issues & Dislikes | 06

[@leemorley4194]

so glad you mentioned visibilty problem at junctions, i thought it was just me !.. the vfr800 is my first bike in 25yrs , i last had a vf500f11 in my early 20s and never recall having any vision problems, i was begining to think i was imagining it.

[@SPANNERRASH]

It is a bit of an age thing. Although you would expect it on a sports bike, I was surprised how much of an issue it is with the VFR. Risers on the handlebars improve it a (very) little bit.

[@Thegreatoutdoors2024]

Thanks, I enjoyed the video. I'm a 33 year old, I also have a Silver 2003 VFR and this is the biggest bike I've owned (in weight and in power) and I have to agree with your assessment, except the opinion on VTEC, I do enjoy the sound and launch feeling it gives. I'm not a big guy (176cm, 71kg) and it did take me a while to get used to this machine, unfortunately dropped it a couple of times attempting some very low speed U-turns on narrow, hilly Welsh country roads - luckily I had crash bobbins and soft paniers at the time so the only thing damaged was my pride :) this was back in June this year when the bike was still quite new to me. Anyway, this made my realise I needed practice in a car park on the low speed stuff, which I try do regularly now, low speed confidence and skill is now climbing. Since then, I've ridden up through Europe to Norway, great times. After about an hour I do also find it uncomfortable on the legs, right wrist and right shoulder but whats helped me a lot is doing regular full body strength training and stretching, my shoulder doesn't bother me now which is great! Time will tell whether I decide to sample some of the many other bike options out there, esoecially living in central London where I know a lighter bike would be easier, but there is something special about this bike. Safe riding - cheers!

[@SPANNERRASH]

It is a great bike. Like I said the jury is out on VTEC, sometimes I love it sometimes I don't. It certainly isn't as rewarding an engine as the 'Blade that I had last. As for when it kicks in, I can't help comparing it with 2 strokes I have had in the past. I do think you would find a more sit up and beg lighter bike more of a weapon in London. I used to commute through North Manchester on a ZX6R which was a much lighter bike. Like I said the VFR is great, but you really should try a few other bikes.

[@CastleandHolmesDecoratingPaint]

I loved the way your wife looks around when you said "£80" 🤣

[@Peter-Alexander]

I noticed it too 😂

[@SPANNERRASH]

We have to be judicious in the way with present the costs of our hobbies :)

[@SPANNERRASH]

I'll have to be careful what I say :)

[@casaamaril]

@@SPANNERRASH 😁

[@glassmakerx]

I have a 5th generation VFR, so the V-Tech isn't an issue for me. And without it there's plenty of power. But I agree with all the other issues you mentioned 100%. In particular I would love a more upright riding position and higher windscreen.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I've never ridden a 5th gen, it would be interesting to see. I know that they are much loved, but then so are 6th, maybe different reasons for both. I can see the advantage of the 5th gen design, maybe I'll have one in the future, but if the other issues are similar maybe not :)

[@will7947]

I went from a 2003 vfr to a 2016 vfr crossrunner (800). I much prefer the upright riding position and wider bars but still get the benefit of that beautiful vfr engine.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I would love to try a cross runner, I suspect they are a very under-rated bike. But they do seem to hold their value, which has stopped me looking at them.

[@will7947]

@SPANNERRASH yes they are a fantastic bike, I love mine. Don't see many of them about on the road, oddly. I wonder whether it was because they were up against the tracer 900 as competition, which objectively has more gadgets and better fuel economy. I've put 11,000 miles on mine this last year and had absolutely no issues! A fantastic sports tourer.

[@dereksonego440]

I bought a 2012 2 years ago and I agree with your comments about the handle bars, l have put on bar risers,different wind screen with a deflector,and after a 300k trip l have a sore neck and tired. I have also bought a set of helle bars which I have not yet fitted as I’m not convinced that they won’t make that much difference. I also have a Honda Varadero 1000 which I can do 500ks plus a day a still feel ok.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I was thinking about helle bars, or maybe street fighter style bars. But it doesn't really make sense when you can see other bikes with that kind of riding position straight out of the box. I'm not surprised the Varedero is and armchair of a ride, I bet it goes well too. It just doesn't get on my list of bikes to look at.

[@TNTma]

I added a laminar deflector. It just serves to make a howling noise now, but the wind deflection is better

[@SPANNERRASH]

First I have heard of howling, not sure I would like that :) A lot of comments have recommended a deflector, I may give it a go, when/if the rain stops :)

[@stevenhoward8792]

Hi ,just watched your video on the 5 things you hate about your vfr, and I personally agree with most of what you presented, I have unfortunately just sold my 2016 gen 8 because I find it so uncomfortable and I was finding it harder to ride over a extended period of time and like you I was struggling with observation at junctions and roundabouts, my right hand was suffering with numbness and I was constantly having to stretch my hand out , and finally I find the clutch really stiff and again it was hurting my hand after a while particularly in town ,it was my 3rd vfr over the years but I think the gen 8 is more sporty in its riding position and I just couldn't ride it for any distance so unfortunately it had to go 😢

[@SPANNERRASH]

Interesting what you say about the Gen 8. It looks so good, and some of the changes they have made, cooling, vtec, etc, seem to be on the right track. I didn't think about it having a sportier riding postion, which seems obvious now you have mentioned it. Maybe we need an adventure bike next :)

[@davidmallia628]

All reasons not to get one, no matter how much of a legend this bike is. So many more modern, more balanced, bikes to choose from. The boxer GS, the gold wing, on the heavier side, then, on the lighter side, a MT-07, MT-09, Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX. Sports bikes with clip-on bars are just not practical.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I suspect that the later bikes would give a lot of advantages, but they don't come into my budget yet. I keep looking at GS's, they are a strong contender for a future purchase. I am not so keen on the Gold Wing, but never say never!

[@davidmallia628]

@@SPANNERRASH Keep a look out. Great Chinese bikes proving to be good all round, not to mention price. Even if you do not buy a new Chinese bike, they will certainly pull down the prices of used popular brands. Take a look at what you get in the Voge DS900X. The engine is made by Locin, based on the BMW F800GS , for whom they have been making the engine for years, now. If anything, used prices will plummet.

[@tuzo3200]

Power commander and custom dyno-tune changes the VTEC transition and basically changes the bike. Also, low speed throttle on-off sensitivity also is fixed. VTEC on these bike out of the box is terrible as is low speed throttle on-off sensitivity. I have the same year as you.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I never see anybody else commenting about the low speed throttle on-off issue. I thought it was just me. I did cut a lot of me talking about it out of the video. I think that this along with top heaviness and another issue I have found (for a future video) causes me to lack confidence in the low speed capabilities of the bike. At first I thought it was old age and rusty riding after the Winter, but having ridden a couple of other bikes lately there is definitely something (or a combination of a small things) that makes you need a lot more concentration for low speed set offs on this bike. Maybe I would look at your suggestion of a Power Commander and tune, but that starts to put more expense into a bike I might not keep. Thanks for the advice though, it has got me thinking.

[@THECONTROVERSIALCYCLIST]

Great video. I have a Honda Transalp 650 and 4 out 5 problems I have, no VTEC on this old girl. You have nailed it with ownership and the lack of thought about it? It's a greAt bike but it's never a bike you think about? 😮😂 May be it's a honda thing??

[@SPANNERRASH]

Read Andre's comment, especially the last sentence, maybe that says it all. You have just moved the Transalp lower down my list of possible future bikes :)

[@ravinvlogs]

Nice video, but please make sure you do up your helmet! You're unstrapped the whole ride! I agree with a lot of your points, I've just got rid of my Vtec. Purchased it blind whilst still bed bound from my crash last year and ended up needing fix issue after issue which after a crash with disabilities was getting harder and harder to keep working on and became too unreliable whilst out riding so sold it to a gentleman who is going to strip it over xmas rebuild it. Areal shame as I suck a lot of money into it and so many hours. I found the vtec annoying tbh. I'm not one to want to have almost abuse the bike to get the full power I've paid for, prefer to have power the whole rev range not half till 6k or so revs. I can see the fuel saving side of it but just felt a bit lacking. I hear a lot of people saying they are fast and such but coming from 1200s it's really not. My partner said she felt the back seat and the way the honda top rack was shaped meant she had more room than most sports tourers she has been pillion on but felt the bike became very back heavy. This was true as even with the rear shock on max the front could lift so easily when accelerating. Would definitely invest in something like a Hagon with the adjuster. In regards to the screen I used to feel it just under my chin so almost wanting to try and lift my helmet at times but I added the extender and it did help. They seem common and feel if you was to sell it the next owner would appreciate it there to be honest rather than see it as damaging the screen. Plus you need to make it more comfortable for you now, not for in the future of ifs or maybe's :) Make sure you adjust your levers so your hands are straighter to your arms. Too many have theirs too high up so your hands then needs to bend back to use them... this puts all the forces and weight onto the palms of you hands and restricts blood flow causing more numbness and discomfort. It's easy to adjust but on the vrf they can only go forward/down so far but even a little adjustment can help. Check it next time you are on... are your has like __ or are they like _/ when using the brake or clutch. Gripping the tank with your knees strongly greatly reduces the weight on your hands and wrists... to the point almost weightless. Try it. If you service the bike yourself you can do all 4 sparks without tanking the tank off for the rear 2. :) Just get it raised quite high (undo the retaining wire). A little tight but I've manage even with big hands. The flapper mod and snorkal removal (both easy and reversable) did smooth out the lower end for me, it was a bit boggy and unresponsive before doing these two things. Check out Kevs Shed for some great videos. Keep an eye on the voltages, would recommend fitting a voltage meter. If you can catch high voltages quickly you can avoid the usual regulator failing causing wires to burn out especially the 3 stator wires and the main fuse B fuse, holder and wires by the battery. Hopefully it helps :)

[@SPANNERRASH]

Thanks for the long and informative comment. I am still not sold on the VTEC, I don't think the fuel consumption is overly good, so it doesn't seem to help there. My wife finds that the Honda top box hinge can be a nuisance depending upon which jacket she has on. It keeps catching the back protector on some. She prefered my 'Blade for comfort, but no top box. I will have another look at the levers, but I seem to remember there isn't a lot of movement you can put into them. But that may have been on another bike. I have done the plugs and filter. Look back at my earlier videos. It transformed the bike, fron snatchy at low revs to running really well and you can go down to 2.5k revs and there is no issues. I bought a PAIR delete kit and was intending to do the flapper and snorkle, thinking they would help, but the plug service did the trick and the more I read about PAIR delete from people that I felt I could trust the opinion of, the more it didn't seem a good idea. Now it is running great at low revs I don't want to risk changing it. I have fitted a voltage gauge, and already have a MOSFET reg/rec for the future if I keep it. Take care.

[@martinlye7111]

I’ve had my Vfr since 2000 pre vetec love it .low screen standard. Have brought 5 other bikes to improve on it. 1050st. Bandit 1250, versy1000, triumph tiger. Still love Vfr. Had all the same troubles as you. Something to do with 21 stone n 60 years old. Ps was glad to get rid of 1050 sprint. They did good at triumph making a pile of shit look so nice. There’s always royal Enfield

[@SPANNERRASH]

Looks like we both might try a GS before too long. I'd be interest in which Tiger it is and how you found it.

[@martinlye7111]

@@SPANNERRASH tiger 800. Ok for pootle round. Full on throttle count to five before you feel anything. 900 is same. 1050 was ok but never trusted it to start.

[@andywrollo2915]

I've got a Daytona 650 2004. Moved handlebars to fit new indicator and block on frame holding side stand on snapped off. Dropped bike. Lifted it up. Back hurting, right side and leg hurting since. Had to get block welded back onto frame. It's supposed to be 165 kilos. Was worried a vfr800 would be too heavy to lift. Got plenty low down grunt. My hands go numb. Especially the right. Handles brilliant. Best I've ridden.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Numb hands can be such a nuisance. But dropping the bike is even worse. Love Daytonas, but they are a little too tight for me now, maybe I am just getting old!

[@casaamaril]

I have the VFR 800 vtec now for two years, I agree it is a great bike, but I do believe that it has given me a tennis arm and sore shoulders. It's hard to look up at the traffic lights sometimes. I have the Moto CNC handle bar risers, but I haven't fitted them yet. Maybe I will

[@SPANNERRASH]

The risers are a 5 minute job, it is in one of my earlier videos on this bike. I don't think they make a tremendous difference, but I would give them a go, you might find a bigger difference for you.

[@scottcates]

I bet some handlebar risers would improve things a bit--maybe even peg lowering kit. Bar end weights might cut down on the grip vibrations, too.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I have risers already, but bar end weights are an idea. Not sure if peg lowering is necessary, the seating positon seems quite comfortable.

[@scottcates]

@@SPANNERRASH I've ridden a few hundred K on the ZG1000 and they can have an uncomfortable buzz in the bars, depending on how the countershaft is set. And the addition of bar-end weights sometimes helps to dampen it.

[@joebloggs2228]

i have a 58 plate vfr800 bought it in march after selling my fireblade 3 yrs previously i bought the vfr on a whim ..im 6 foot 2 i think its heavy .im not too fussed with them .im getting rid shortly im going to try the africa twin im just looking for something more upright .i

[@SPANNERRASH]

I haven't ridden an Africa Twin, or any of the bigger Adventure Bikes. I wonder what I will find when I do. I'm hankering after a 954 now, to hell with comfort, no let's not go back down that route. YET!

[@stevenbrown5237]

Have you considered grip puppies to help with vibes through bars?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Yes, I have been looking for them. I used them on my Sprint in the past, should be somewhere in one of my cupboards.

[@whathasxgottodowithit3919.]

I thought it a little Top Heavy with a full tank of fuel too.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I didn't think it would be an issue with the VFR. Makes me long for the low down balance of the 'Blade again :)

[@WheezyAK]

I’ve got an early VFR and I’ve dropped it twice. 🤦🏻‍♂️. Once when I lost my balance and once where it was parked slightly downhill in neutral, on the side stand. I’m getting quite adept at fixing the fairings!

[@WheezyAK]

And I agree about the windscreen, too. Not a lot of protection and gets uncomfortable on a long ride.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Dropping it really put me out. I move bikes in and out of my garage all of the time. And I have had lots of different ones. TBH it was one of the reasons I got rid of the Sprint, but the VFR really caught me by surprise, now I think it has made me over cautious.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I used to do long, into Europe, trips on naked bikes a lot in the '80s and it wasn't something that I ever thought about. Maybe our expectations have changed too. But maybe it is just sending the air into the wrong place.

[@hectorshouse7348]

Just admit it…you need the Blackbird👍

[@SPANNERRASH]

Sounds appealing on some levels, but not sure the riding postion would be any better. We'll see.

[@davidmatthews3093]

In my experience wind noise is far more about which helmet I am wearing than the screen.

[@SPANNERRASH]

I have wondered about that, and I have tried my 2 different helmets. Maybe they are both noisy!

[@cabovermike]

I had a test ride on the previous model and i found it bland, your model looks alot better, i remember a mate hankering after one of the early chocolate cams models and at the time they looked great , i think its a marmite bike,. looking at your biking past you maybe moving this along in the new year ?..

[@SPANNERRASH]

I've had a couple of the ealier models, the were good in their day. Busy with the Triumph at the moment, so no time for bike shoping ;)

[@presstodelete1165]

5 things about you and why you might have chosen the wrong bike?

[@SPANNERRASH]

Maybe every bike turns out to be wrong in some way. Gives a great excuse to buy the next one :)

[@alexhoffam4170]

Very good bike but i find it ugly and the engine has a strange noise to it.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Not things on my list, but I can see where you are coming from.

[@davidallen3050]

G,day bloke ,,its time for you to come over to the dark side .😂 Harley,s your friend !

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi. You won't beleive how much I want that bike back. But I really never enjoyed riding it. But I could look and listen to it for days at a time :) I've seen an XR1200 recently that really caught my attention.

[@davidallen3050]

@@SPANNERRASH I'm almost 65 ,ride an older XL1200 ,4 speed Andrews box ,supertrapp ,drag bars . Out of all the bikes I've had in the past ,I have to say my old Harley is the most fun and handle's really well , See you on the dark side bloke.hope this helps 😂

[@andreokazaki14]

Hi from Andre in Canada. Interesting video, as I've had similar feelings with my Yamaha FZ1 (I believe it's called a Fazer in the UK?). Great bike and few complaints, but the issues I had were similar to yours. It's not imagination. If you feel your head getting turbulence, it is a problem. The turbulence from buffeting my head was so bad that I was getting headaches. I got a taller screen and lower handlebars. It improved things but never eliminated it. It was a little buzzy and my fingers would get a bit numb. It was top heavy and in the end, the handling never lived up to my expectations. In the end, a good friend bought it from me and loved it. She was taller than me and travelled on it, and it suited her riding style. On bikes that have you lean forward, shoulder checks are not as easy. For me, my shoulder is in the way and the fact that at 58, I'm not as flexible as I was. Last but no least, I had one bike that made my male parts numb. That's my '09 Ducati 848 Superbike. The original seat was smooth and sloped down at the front, forcing your parts up against the fuel tank. I did some research and I could either replace the seat with an aftermarket seat or have an upholster reshape the original seat. Both were approximately the same cost, so I bought a seat from a company called Sargeant and the difference was night and day. I don't like numb fingers or toes but I had enough of walking like a cowboy till the numbness went away. That Ducati is still with me after 15 years and I still love it. Even after that long when I walk away, I still turn back to admire my Italian beauty.

[@SPANNERRASH]

Hi Andre, sorry I haven't got back to you yet, time just dribbles away when you are making the most of the meagre Summer we have had :) Your last sentence says it all for me! I parked my VFR besides a, VTR SP1 the other day, I know which one I would keep looking at, and thinking about. Definitely food for thought. As you know my limited space means I turn my bikes over a lot more than you do :) I am/have enjoyed the VFR but my eye is roving elsewhere at the moment, especially as bike prices are litterally falling through the floor in the UK. Even classics. I was looking at putting a different seat on the VFR, but didn't feel it warranted the expense at this time. I have my other two bikes that need upholstering next year so they are much higher up my list. But my headache with the Triumph is taking up a lot of my thoughts at the moment. The VFR has really made me think about what I want out of my more frequent riding bike. I did think it was going to be a keeper (for a few years at least) and that I would attend to the issues of comfort etc. Now I am not so sure. No question, they are great bikes, but your last sentence keeps coming back to me! I did think about a paint job, which I do think this bike would benefit from, in the sunshine the silver really pops, but mostly it just looks bland. But there is no way I would put the time into it. I did a great job of my last 'Blade then sold it virtually straight away :) Anyway take care. I will be in touch.