Honda VFR750F - The greatest all-rounder ever built + brief history

[@WheezyAK]

Great video. 1986 RC24 owner here. Spent 18 months getting her back on the road. A bit rough around the edges but still a great bike.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@WheezyAK thanks mate… Well done in getting one of these amazing bikes back on the road 😊

[@leuvenlife]

in my family we have an 86 model and an 88 model. Almost the same but worlds apart. Great bikes.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

Having 1 VFR is amazing... Having 2 is phenomenal ! You are very very lucky indeed😍

[@gazzertrn]

Love the single arm . Lovely bikes , always wanted one back in the day .

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

I can just imagine how the look of that single sided swinging arm blew people away back when it was released… You should get one. Decent examples can be found for pretty good prices nowadays 😊🤘🏻

[@waynestuart-cole53]

It's gorgeous... Bought my 92 earlier this year, £650 rough runner. Got it through the MOT then it sat for months due to a neck injury. Had my first ride 4 days ago, sounds glorious, within a mile the speedometer stopped and I lost idle 😁 Plastic hex for the sprocket has been renewed and I think the idle issue is related to the 20mms bar raisers, idle was fine before putting them on. I need to sort out the fuel tap, mine was all unlocked when I bought it... I have no idea how the cables are supposed to be. I still love it though.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

Hi mate… Once you sort out those little issues you’re gonna love the bike! The sound! The Torque! Everything about this bike is amazing! I know why it was so far ahead, and loved, back when released!! Happy riding mate 😊🤘🏻

[@gearjammer3688]

My first big bike. Met my future, amazing, wife with it. Massive crash ended the bike but cemented our love. 24 years and still married and happy. I blame the VFR.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@gearjammer3688 That’s a really cool story….Met my wife at a Kiss concert and have never forgiven them 😄 Never too late though to get another VFR and complete the circle of happiness ☺️🤘🏻

[@gearjammer3688]

Kiss have a lot to answer for. lol

[@DeepingBrewsReviews]

I have an 09 vfr vtec and a 98 vfr800 gear driven. Not had the pleasure of the 750 yet but can agree the gear driven cam V4 is one of the best engines ever produced.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@DeepingBrewsReviews when the cam driven engine came out it was a real game changer that changed Honda’s reputation forever 😊🤘🏻

[@DeepingBrewsReviews]

@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm love both mine. It's crazy how cheap the early vfrs are at the moment too. There's a 97 750, 1 owner 32k come up near me for £600..

[@VFR-Owl]

As a totally impartial biker I also think the Honda VFR range is the best all rounder. Ok, I'm on my second 5th Gen VFR800 but that's why, when I came back to bikes after 30 years I wanted a bike like the VFR because when I left bikes, the VF750 had just come out and I was bewitched, I didn't want VTECH but I wanted the simplicity of Fuel Injection so the 5th Gen was ideal. My first VFR, a 98 FiW lasted 7 years and 25k miles until I binned it, so I bought a 2001 Fi1, although it was 22 years old and 38k miles I had no qualms, it rides beautifully, especially with a new shock. The VFR owner just knows.😉

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@VFR-Owl thanks for that brilliant comment mate 😊🤘🏻 I’m of that age that had just started biking when the VFR750 came out but was limited to 125s. However even back then I wanted one soooo bad! Then my Dad got this one which 15 years ago he passed on to me when he stopped riding. Now he’s started riding again and I’m scared he might want it back 🤣 I’m glad you got back into biking, and while I’m not a massive fan of the 800s, really happy you chose to continue with the VFR family! Happy riding mate.. 🙌🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@johnpirie3800]

One of the best bikes ever built......full stop. I had a red L reg and its the only bike I regretted selling. The whine from the gear driven cams is iconic.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@johnpirie3800 100% agree… That engine is phenomenal ☺️🤘🏻

[@paulsalmond5519]

I had a white RC36 for several years, and other than putting in a rectifier (with fan mod) it was bullet proof. Great bike to add to a collection if you can find a clean one.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@paulsalmond5519 same with me… Only thing changed was the rectifier 10 years ago! I did mod with braided hoses that have improved the braking. Brilliant bike… And as you said, it’s bullet proof 😊🤘🏻

[@terranceprice7006]

I have an 86 RC24 with the 16 inch front wheel, been stored since 2009 will have to get it back on the road.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@terranceprice7006 I would love an RC24… Still, I can’t complain with my fantastic RC36. Hope you get yours back on the road soon mate 🤘🏻

[@wozzab_66]

I've got the FV with 72k miles in the best colour blue! Like you, rectifier replaced but relocated down with rad in air flow on additional heatsink. The bike is legendary, hasn't dated in my opinion and is now the grandad to my VFR1200X

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@wozzab_66 regulators are a weak point with Honda… Recently boiled my battery when it failed on my 1997 Fireblade! I like the idea you had of relocating it with extra airflow. Brilliant idea… 💡

[@mikehawk9156]

Had the vf750f. Proper machine.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@mikehawk9156 probably the best of all time 🤘🏻

[@tangledline]

Loved my VF/VFRs. I have found the ZX14 to be a well balanced bike with a 180 tire. People don't believe me. I still own the VF1000R which I feel is Hondas sexiest 80s bike.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

I absolutely love the VF1000RR but never been lucky enough to own one… Maybe one day 😊 Thanks for the comment mate 🤘🏻

[@tangledline]

@@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm Be safe out there my friend.

[@fuglbird]

Great video! Thank you. Nice motorcycle. The dash is dashing. I don't find it outdated at all. But I'm 66, what do I know? I've been riding bikes forever. Today I could not accept the VRF750F fuel economy. Two strokes from the early seventies had better economy.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@fuglbird thanks mate… I don’t find the fuel economy that bad. The only problem with my VFR is that it only has a 15.5ltr tank which is crap for a Sports Tourer! I get about 140 miles before ai need to fill.. The model after has a 17ltr tank probably after complaints… Last 2 strike I owned was an RD250! Crazy little bike…

[@robert-wr6md]

I loved the sound of the engine, I had two, used the first for despatch riding, swapped it for a Helix CN 250, didn't have to change gear 5000 times a day, the second for going to europe on for a couple of years. Notable feature was I could never get the rear spark plugs out they were too out of reach so just changed the fronts. Did I mention the sound of the engine ohhhhhh.....

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@robert-wr6md those Spark Plugs are a right fiddle 😅

[@stephanmatthys7566]

Fully agree with you 👍🏼 Bought mine used in 2005 with roughly 32000 km, now she‘s at 202000 km… Still going strong & I don’t want another bike! (except my Monkey… 🐒)

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@stephanmatthys7566 Thanks mate.. It’s just such an over engineered masterpiece of engineering… It easily holds it head up to anything modern on the market.

[@stephanmatthys7566]

@@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm I‘ll ride my White Lady until either she breaks down or I can‘t continue riding, & I‘m pretty sure the latter will occur first… 😎

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@stephanmatthys7566 same here… This bike would survive the apocalypse 😄 Mine will 100% last longer than me 😂

[@stephenroberts3575]

Nice riding route, but I thought I had clicked on TMF by mistake! Good video though.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@stephenroberts3575 I’m in Aylesbury and he lives in the town next to mine… We take turns 🤣 I’m the budget version of TMF 😂😂😂

[@royisherwood910]

i had an earlier model with the more rounded fairing,all i can say is that i agree with every word

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@royisherwood910 Thanks mate… I would love to one day own a first gen 😊

[@66pac57]

My mate agrees with you he has had 2 VFR 750s the 2nd one had 140K miles on it when it was stolen recovered and written off. H then got a VFR800 (non Vtec) and was hit in a RTA which rote the bike off and fucked up his knee. When he came to buying another bike he didn't think his knackered knee could cope with the weight of a VFR so after several conversations I convinced him to buy what I think is the best bike ever, I ride one and now he does and he is happy with it but still says he would have the VFR if it wasn't for his dodgy leg. We both ride CBR600F4s now

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@66pac57 thanks for the comment mate.. CBR600s are amazing bikes. Real shame though about your mate and the injury though. I guess the 219kilos would be a struggle with a bad knee.

[@fizzyridertoo]

I would definitely consider getting another one. I had an FH model, so still with the 16 inch front wheel and normal swinging arm. Great bike and when I came to look for its replacement I was left seriously underwhelmed by the 800. That was a good bike but utterly without character. I ended up buying a ZRX1100 instead.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

I recently tried the 800 and must admit to being slightly underwhelmed… I guess I was expecting a lot more than the 750. Was great, just not as great as I thought the extra power would give. For me the 750 any day 😊

[@presstodelete1165]

Whilst I agree you have covered the accpted theory of the gear driven cams. However it wasn't the chain drive that was faulty on the VF range of bikes. It was a problem with how they machined the holders for the cams. Chains were considered a problem on many engines, although not unique to Honda. That was mostly due to underdevelopment of tansioners in the 1970's and tensioners improved over the years. I am not saying the accepted story is wrong, rather that the reasoning was far more complex than chocolate cams.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@presstodelete1165 thanks for the super detailed response mate.. Always happy to learn more about my favourite bike. Still… At least I got it partly right 😅

[@paultanton4307]

Correct - as built the Cam Caps on these Engines couldn't be Line Bored,resulting in incorrect tolerances which were way out.Also i believe there were component supply issues,Cams for the VF750F couldn't be sourced in time so Honda used the ones from the Magna or Sabre ( not sure which ) and Re-Ground the Profiles to suit a different state of Tune, but failed to re-instate the surface hardness heat treatment properly,added to the lack ofenough Oil in the Top end there were always going to be issues.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@paultanton4307 thanks for the detailed technical reply to this fascinating subject 😊

[@MarmiteTheDog]

The Sabre was a VF750S - my first bike.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@MarmiteTheDog I think I called it an F! My bad! What was it like to ride?

[@MarmiteTheDog]

@@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm ​Nowhere near as good as my 1998 VFR800. It was horribly unreliable and I struggled to get it running right. I gave it away in the end.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@MarmiteTheDog I guess part of Honda’s learning curve to get to the amazing VFRs!

[@andrewashman3333]

Great vid - you might be right - have been meaning to get one.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

You can get good ones for good prices... Worth every penny!

[@laz1go286]

The Vtec-s aren't bad at all. I've had 2 of them, the later one a 2007 had 232 000 kms on the clock! Yes it had a rectifier issue, and the generator burnt down once, but other than that it was always superb. it was on the Dyno at 180 000kms, where it put out stock figures. The engine was unopened, never rebuilt, so i can say that 800s are just as good as the RC36s..

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@laz1go286 While I prefer the 750s, the 800s had the same bullet proof engines! While I’m not a fan of the Vtec I wouldn’t hesitate in owning one.. I guess my only gripe with the Vtec is, from my experience in riding it, the power delivery isn’t as smooth all through the revs due to the extra power at higher revs. That though is just a personal preference as many love that… Hope you enjoy many many more kilometres on you amazing bike.. As for stock figures on the dino at 180k.. That just goes to show why these bikes are probably the best ever built :)

[@laz1go286]

@@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm to me the Vtec version still looks up to date, even though it's a 22 years old design. The Vtec kick can be smoothened out via a ECU flash. Then it's not an issue anymore. I personally enjoy the Vtec on the roads, it's like the bike has an extra boost from turbo or so.. But on track that is bad I know. Just like the linked brakes. It's not a track bike at the end of the day..

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@laz1go286a lot of people will enjoy the boost! Just like we all loved that ‘powerband’ back in the day. I like the idea that you can smooth it out though if wanted… As for Track! Yeah… It’s not really like that although I’ve had the 750 on track and it performed splendidly. Did get roasted though on every straight and I wore out the ‘hero blobs’ like I was a proper racer (in my mind only) 😁

[@ianbonnick7640]

Loved mine great bike

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@ianbonnick7640 yep… Best bike ever made in my opinion! 😊

[@StoatLoxley]

Honda never made a penny out of the VFR. the cog driven cam engines were expensive to make. hence the later ones being chain driven.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@StoatLoxley yep… I think they went at a loss. A superb investment 😊

[@lold6130]

Please remove that bunch of keys in the ignition. You'll get scratches.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@lold6130 it’s had a bunch of keys for 65k and so far no scratches 😁

[@johnflano6973]

Don't forget it's big brother.... the VFR 1200X Cross tourer.... my favorite of all time. Nice Vid here. Thank you from Beautiful Gorgeous Bangkok Thailand ✨🌴🙏😊

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@johnflano6973 lovely bike the 1200X! Thanks for the really nice comment… Really glad you enjoyed it. 😊🤩

[@worldofameiso5491]

I like your delivery, I subscribed...

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@worldofameiso5491 thanks for the kind words mate…. Appreciate it 😊🤘🏻

[@davidrochow9382]

Sorry to be pedantic but the Magna you showed at the start wasn't the first model. I have one of the 82 models with about 45,000 kms on the clock. It has a drum brake on the back, two discs on the front, a six speed gearbox( which was pretty much unheard of back then) and is shaft drive. I'm not 100% sure of the year it was made but I think the one you showed was a much later model. I've heard all about the problems but have had no problems whatsoever with the motor as of yet. It's a great bike and besides from the tiny main tank, it has a 4 litre fuel tank under the side cover but it still only gets about 265 kms between fills, I have no real complaints.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@davidrochow9382 Not pedantic at all and thanks for the info. It’s fun learning more about these great bikes. Shame I can’t change the pic but I guess it gives the idea. The Cam issues were not noted on Magna. Only on the later interceptors. Thanks for the detailed response 😊

[@hafthors]

had a vfr750 interceptor until someone stole it -- that thief probably saved my life though, or at least my criminal record since that bike was def gonna get me in trouble

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@hafthors I would love one of the original Interceptors despite the Cam Shaft troubles that eventually led to the VFR.. Such iconic bikes 😊

[@paultanton4307]

@@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm Ive always liked the look of the VF750F,i did wonder if it was possible to change the Engine for a VFR one - a perfect solution in my book.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@paultanton4307 that would be an interesting project…

[@andyrawlings5369]

Yeah big vfr fan my self have a 88fj model which is the model before yours with almost 71,000 miles on it its a minter and a keeper in red and a 94 fr model which is the model after yours thats on almost 56,000 miles again a minter and a keeper yeah both have had rectifier faults fitted bigger ones on them and wired them direct to the battery no more faulrs since. Both of them i have re built the suspension ie fitted new shockers on , fork oil ., headrace , bearings and swing arm bearings just wear and tear items myself a hgv mechanic do all my own maintence , i check the carbs for balance once a year on both bikes very rare get out off sink same for the valve clearances. The vfr 750 /800 fi last of the gear driven cam engine was light years ahead off its game built to last like you say brakes are ok not as good as modern stuff use both of mine in the summer months and keep up with modern tackle, also have vfr 1200f just like the v4 honda motor look after a vfr it will last a life time .

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

I’m curious to try the VFR1200… Does it still feel like a VFR? Looks wise I’ve never been that keen.. I’ve never really thought I’ve needed to play around with the suspension so was interesting to read how you rebuilt the suspension. How does it ride compared to the standard shocks?

[@andyrawlings5369]

@@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm To be fair most bike shocks are past there best at 50 to 60 thousand miles i fitted yss shockers to both of them and yes ride loads better like fork oil really should change it at least every 15to 20 thousand miles same again with a fork oil change the front end does not dive as much under braking and feels more planted to the road .Yss shockers are about 300 pounds so not over dear another item i would do is the rear shock linkage take it apart and grease it do mine every couple of years . The 1200 f is like a 800 to ride they ride beautifull yes little heavy to push around once going its faultless they handle and stop the brakes are the best i have ever used loads off v4 grunt my view its the daddy of the vfr range get on well with mine like it a lot the shaft drive is a god send you can not tell its a shaft drive bike would go and try one .

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@andyrawlings5369 I really should look at greasing the rear shock linkage every now and again… Not something I’ve thought of. Thanks for the tip mate 😊🤘🏻

[@impactengineering3805]

They are so cheap to buy now. And a well looked after one will last forever . I have two a 87 rc24 and a 92 rc36 . Love them both but the rc36 rides better on the modern radials .

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@impactengineering3805 I agree 100%! The prices are really low on the secondhand market so if you want a reliable, fun, well made bike for a decent price I can’t think of anything better! My 1992 RC36 is my pride and joy…

[@queenslander954]

It’s all true .. and I’m Suzuki guy.

[@fuglbird]

For a Brit "over engineered" means: It works and lasts. In the rest of Europe we mostly make products that work and last. To us "over engineered" means unnecessary, harmful and probably British. Besides it probably leaks oil.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@fuglbird What’s a Japanese decision, in the 1980s, to create a masterpiece of engineering, with a financial investment working at a loss, got anything to do with the British?

[@swede1969]

Are you sure it is a 1992? No adjustable front forks that came 1992, and also wrong graphics for 1992...? Best Regards

[@paulhanson5389]

You're right about the graphics - they're the 1991 graphics - but the 1992 model didn't have adjustable forks. They were on the gen 4 from 1994.

[@swede1969]

​@@paulhanson5389I have a 1990, 1992 and a 1993, and yes they did get it in 1992.

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@swede1969 Registered June 1992!! Was my Dad’s from new then went to me when he stopped riding. I think that paint scheme was still available in 1992! Need to dig deeper…

[@TheBucksBiker-lh2nm]

@@paulhanson5389 these forks are not adjustable…

[@paulhanson5389]

@@swede1969 I checked the part numbers, they're the same for 1991-1993. Mine's 92 with 93 paint scheme. Maybe yours are taken from a gen 4? I have VTR1000 fork caps and lowers/internals, so mine are adjustable but the originals aren't. Unless they varied by region, but I'm not aware of that.