Honda VFR750 Fast road test / Review pt1

Part 2 here: • Honda VFR750 Off road ...

[@TheXRVRIDER]

You buy a 25yr old bike for £600 and then tell us it feels like a 25yr old bike compared to something more modern which you can't buy for £600. Yes I'm with you on that. If you want something light, fast, 150bhp you are not getting it for £600. It has shit tyres....so put some modern rubber on it and take it out again. It's heavy, yes I know, it's not a CBR600RR and will not handle like one. I've done a lot of mods to mine over the years. Rear shock and changed the crap springs and spacer in the front forks, which transformed the handling. Brakes will never be brilliant but braided hoses will help. The 100bhp engine is adequate as the mid range torque is ideal for touring. It was never intended to be a Fireblade but it's a hell of a lot more comfortable. If you want to average 300 miles a day for a ten day European tour, this makes more sense than most bikes out there for the money. So make some improvements that others have suggested and enjoy this classic for what it is. Mine is 21yrs old and I've no intention of selling it. The V4 platform is still relevant otherwise Honda would have ditched it a long time ago. I realize I'm over two years late to this upload but my comments are for those who are considering purchasing a VFR750 with a sense of reality for what it is.

[@ricksanchez694]

I am, and thank you for the nfo, upgradig from a old suzuki gs450 1983 witch was my first bike to a honda vfr750F 1992, main reason is i really like the look, and the riding position' plus i dont really got money for a brand new honda'' but i got money for a 1990's honda, and as far as I know it does not get better then the VFR then.

[@vidkid01]

I'm getting a white 1993 model soon hopefully. I'll be using it for commuting to and from work. I just love the sound of that v4.

[@Mike-er7ym]

TheXRVRIDER I’m buying a 1997 model next week for £1000 with the intention of touring on it next year It’s been voted the most reliable bike ever made which is a great selling point 😊

[@1000sofusernames]

I got mine for £1200 last year. Amazingly flexible bike, will do a bit of everything but now I've sped up a bit the suspension isn't as willing as I am to do a trackday. It's like the bike equivalent of a mk1 Audi TT. It 'could' do a trackday and you can sort of keep up with sports stuff but that's not really the point. Great sports tourer though. Soaks modern (i.e. full of holes) roads up better than my ZX6R did so probably faster!

[@ItsShane79]

@@Mike-er7ym Not true, at least from what I understand the VFR is very reliable but the bikes officially rated most reliable in the world is the Honda CB 750 I believe.

[@gbarratt1416]

Nice riding, it still looks a pretty fast bike! I'm picking up a 95 vfr 750 up next week can't wait!

[@benbates2448]

I love VFRs and I am also a big fan of all hard cheese, but cheddar in particular, therefore this video was very relevant to my interests

[@robincarlson9921]

Hey a babbitt the gear drive is one of the best exclusive things about the older vfr line they have tons of character!

[@taxus750]

Get some decent tyres; fix the suspension (plenty of cheap mods available - aftermarket rear shocks, CBR600F4 front forks); fix the brakes (braided lines, decent pads); clean, reset and balance the carbs. Presto - a cracking bike that's still one of the most useful road bikes ever built, and yours is a quarter of a century old. And all for less than a grand. What's to complain about?

[@stevehislop]

I absolutely agree.

[@mad4461]

And fix the rev counter.

[@Roomer645]

@@mad4461 what about the rev counter ?

[@Roomer645]

Yeah cheap mods ... Try finding a F4 fork, aftermarket shock, braided lines, pads and tyres and your looking at an easy extra grand !

[@donaldweaver5128]

There almost double that now

[@hpt08]

brought back a few heavy weight almost overcooked corners from the nineties dude! :-)

[@InstantChicken]

What nice video. Thumbs up!

[@benniehitchcock]

+InstantChicken Thank you ;) I do have a bit of a soft spot for VFR's and hopefully that comes across in this vid

[@davidgeorgelusty6087]

brings back fond memories of mine

[@benniehitchcock]

+David George Lusty Same here. So many fond memories of my old VFR. I only owned this one for about 6 months and even though it was a bit ropey, it still had that VFR charm that I miss with other bikes I ride. I'd definitely buy another VFR. Can't say that about many bikes I've owned.

[@potnudles]

I thought that scenery looked familiar! i live around there haha. was out riding my bike there a few hours ago :)

[@benniehitchcock]

+Stephen White Hehe! Some nice roads in that area for ripping it ;)

[@SubitoKurai]

I live in the US and I'm looking to get a motorcycle license soon. Would you suggest this as a bike for beginners?

[@johncarlson8029]

Dude why are you knocking the VFR?? Its the best available at the time and no slouch. Ya it's a bit heavy but is designed to tour at speed and I don't think you will find a better light touring/travelling bike anywhere

[@benniehitchcock]

I'm not knocking it. I love VFR's. I've owned 4. This particular bike wasn't the best example

[@markderksen7452]

How come your tachometer is not working?

[@RA-mg3ue]

did you ever get your tach fixed ?

[@nilsatisno9964]

Nice one mate. 600 quid!, can't argue with that. Little bit more fettling and it'll be just the ticket Ride safe mate and watch out for tossers overtaking on blind bends on 'adventure' bikes.

[@benniehitchcock]

NilSatis No9 Cheer mate. Got some new rubber to got on and getting the carbs sorted. That should help a lot. Managed to lose a rather expensive part of the bike whilst doing a bit of 'adventure' riding though!

[@kimholland9316]

My God. Is your glass half empty or what?

[@graantmnz]

tacho faulty ?

[@thewoodster8607]

Jesus! What do you expect for £600????? You also could learn to ride. No anticipation, no vision, shit road positioning, throwing the clutch out, unnecessary braking, complete lack of smoothness blah blah blah. Don't blame the bike mate.

[@HRC1]

It may be a 25 year old bike but by looking at the congestion in the uk 100 hp is about all you need.put some late rubber on this bike change the rear shock and you will be a happy man.

[@benniehitchcock]

+George Radford Your right. My friend has the same model VFR, but his is in much better shape and has the Ohlins rear shock. For a 25 year old bike, it puts many modern rivals to shame. It's still a good bike now. How good must it have been back in 1990?

[@RemoteExplode]

@ 51k, I took my 91 around the US. -2014.. -Beautiful, & bike was perfect.. other than the cagers trying to kill me going faster than me in old Buick's!!!, it was great on the hwy, but at the speeds people go in this country, I have since moved up to a 5th gen as my rides are usually more than just a weekend. I have had 6 of these, including a 5th gen Yr 2000 model. -I'm on 7 now ( a 1999 800 I've restored to pretty as well as quick, and can tell you the ONLY thing I missed about the 91 was the fact that it really could have used more power - Just for safety reasons... (like when Not being pushed into the guard rail by an 18-wheeled behemoth who can't stop texting.. ) (sadly not kidding.. I have had to outrun them between the diminishing space between the truck and the gravel, while exiting rest areas. People drive Crazy-fast Much more commonly now than even back in 2003! At the sustained speeds Everyone Else is doing now, I could have done with a bit more headroom. 8,400 Miles that summer and loved every moment of it. -Can't go wrong - Just Do try and squeeze every last drop out of the engine that you can in order to be able to get the hell out of dodge Quick. Otherwise, Completely agree with Sir Radford. I had the Italian Red ... in very good condition - So much so, people would ask me what bike this was and when I tell them the year, Every last one has a face resembling that of a startled chimpanzee. -Even them' young squids on the latest 600 who didn't even know about this bike! ;) -Which, for all of us pilots, I think that's just fine, should we ever need to find an inexpensive replacement, or just 'Back-up', VFR ;). My own v4 transition was from a 77 cb750 to a 90VFR and have never looked back. -Absolutely perfect first bike for Many in a lot of ways, and yet have never felt the need to grab an R6. YAY FOR GREAT FUN ON LESS THAN $1000!!! -that's wonderful :) :) Cheers! Be safe ~

[@ababbit7461]

Do you have a vid comparing the CBR929rr and the VFR750? I don't know if I like the whine of the gear driven cams on that VFR. Thanks for the ride, I live near Mt Lassen in Northern California, USA. Those narrow blind corner roads made my scrotum sweat!!! Good job riding those roads brother.....

[@benniehitchcock]

+A Babbit Haha! I currently own a CBR929RR! Not really made a video of it yet though, but will do soon. Very different bikes tbh. One's a super bike, the others a sports tourer. The VFR is way more comfy, softer and better over distance. The blade is sharper in every aspect, but not as comfy or useable everyday. It is surprisingly comfy and useable for a superbike though. Takes a few hours to adjust from riding a v4 to riding an inline 4. The VFR has reasonable torque low down and good midrange. The inline 4 of the CBR need more revs, but keep it bout 6-7000 rpm and it flies!

[@ababbit7461]

Bennie Hitchcock Thanks Brother. I am looking at a 1997 VFR750 for $2100 or a 2000 CBR929RR for $2500. Since I am 60 years old and just sold my ZX-12R, I am looking at getting another sport bike. My Harley Electra Glide and Honda Goldwing 1500 just are too slow for my taste (the wife likes riding on them and not sport bikes so I have to have them in the "stable"). I think it will be the VFR since I liked my Vmax 1200 and Royal Star Boulevard V4 motors!! I should have never got rid of that Vmax!!!

[@steveolp1099]

+A Babbit you can't go wrong with that 4th gen VFR, pick it up and enjoy! What's the mileage?

[@ababbit7461]

Steve Olp 35,000 miles. I also see a 1998 VFR800i. Which is better, the 1997 VFR750 or the 1998 VFR800i? They both have about the same mileage and the 800 cost is only $500 more. The condition is the same - very good. Both are about $2100 and $2600... Respectively. Which is better?

[@steveolp1099]

+A Babbit this ultimately comes down to style preferences. The '97 is the last year of carbs and gear driven cams. The' 98 (5th gen) has new plastics (cheaper to replace, more modern look) fuel injection and a new motor (it's actually 780 odd CC not 800) the 5th gen is also heavier. The arguments go like this. The 4th gen is styled after the Honda NR Superbike and has those exotic good looks, gorgeous red paint with gold flake in it (you have to see it in person) and a pretty greet compromise of rideable comfort and sportiness. For all day rides solo and not knee dragging sportiness this is what I would choose. If however you would like the options for new plastics, like the less fussy fuel injection, plan on riding two up or want accessories (plastic hard cases, seats, windscreens) the 5th gen is a better option. It's worth mentioning the 5th gen has a 180 rear wheel which is a more modern size (versus the 170 on the 4th Gen, but you could always put a 5th gen rear wheel on the 4th). Small thing perhaps but worth mentioning.

[@shiftyshamsk]

When do we get to see "Death wish on country roads part 2"?

[@benniehitchcock]

That might've been a better title, but I don't really do clickbait. Part 2 is there though

[@Hr.0ldenberg]

Der Drehzahlmesser ist defekt. Bei meiner RC 36 gab es das nicht. Glör

[@applesworld]

Really enjoyable Bennie. £600? Mother of!!! I'd have a permanent erection if I'd only paid that much! 8:40-8:53 yup... How very true. Wouldn't part with mine ever though, but it does now need over twice your bikes purchase price to get it back to roadworthiness after being laid up 5 years :( ( Collector, fork stanchions, battery, all caliper seals and fluids, etc...) Wish i could find another as cheap as £600 !!!

[@benniehitchcock]

+Applecart2000 Haha thanks! I sold this a while ago. Got a CBR929rr now ;) Yeah, collector boxes are a killer on those early VFR's. Not a cheap fix sadly. But even if you but £1200 into it, you'll still have a sweet bike that can match many similar modern bikes. I rode the 2015 VFR800 and was surprised how similar it felt to the old one!

[@britishbikermatt2338]

Meet up? :)

[@benniehitchcock]

***** Yeah bro. Not sure how I'm supposed to keep up with your shiny new blade tho on my £600 VFR, but yeah, we should meet up and go for a bimble

[@tomasjanik7590]

I hate when they say see you in part 2 and then there is no part 2.

[@benniehitchcock]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6THqGuYgdWamMU Part 2 ;)

[@tomasjanik7590]

@@benniehitchcock just put in the descriptions. Otherwise nice video.

[@CosgroveNotts]

FN far too heavy , legs burn from heat from engine in summer. Front brakes useless. Panels cracking all over . Collector box disintegrates. Horrendous wind noise. Clutch very heavy in traffic and mine was 7000 grand new . I've still got it despite its faults. Not used it for years since it had its last mot. Would I buy again? Noooooooo

[@dormstories]

Speedo needs fixing :)

[@benniehitchcock]

dormstories The speedo is fine. The rev counter is dead though!

[@Kalle1995]

I understand why you have now more wievs ... ... to low in the revs brooooo

[@kimholland9316]

Too fast on those roads

[@shiftyshamsk]

Smells a bit shitty round ear! Ha ha ha.

[@jaimetalens7761]

you mean in the video that the vfr 750 is a shit??? dislike

[@benniehitchcock]

Jaime Talens This particular one was in bad shape yes. But I'm a big fan of the vfr. I've owned a few. I do make that pretty clear in the video