HiMile14
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Posts: 424
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posted October 07, 2009 05:40 PM
End of an era (at least for me)
Hello All,
Checking in again on the Eve of the intro of the VFR1200 which is scheduled for 6 AM EDT. My goal today is to be entertaining yet sentimental at the same time. I wrote this last week then sent it to all the Mags, no reply so I hope I can entertain my Friends here at ZX-14.com. Here is pick of old blue about a week after I brought home my ZX-14.
Tail of 3 V-4’s
As Honda readies the new VFR-1200, I’d like to send the 2002-2009 VFR-800 off on a well earned farewell. Owning 3 motorcycles makes me appear gluttonous but I can explain.
Back in 2001 I thought that the Honda web site did the coolest thing. They put a countdown to the introduction of the 2002 models. On September 10, 2001 the new VFR was introduced. I worked over the web pretty well reading everything I could find. Then the more I read about the new model the more the concerns of the new technology. First the loss of the gear drive cams, the VTEC kicking on and off as I head into a corner and the fact that the VTEC would not kick in at all if the engine is cold. Well owning the 98-01 generation VFR with zero problems gave me the confidence that the 2002 would most likely be a fine motorcycle.
Further hurting the reputation of an otherwise great bike (and I blame Honda) was Mitch Boehm’s from Motorcyclist Magazine had a 2002 VFR with an electrical problem, Honda Techs looked over it and to the best of my knowledge did not find the Gremlin. The last I’d herd the VFR was sent back to Japan for a full exam and test and we never heard from it again.
Rob’s 2007 25th Anniversary VFR-800
Let’s start with the bike I bought back in March 2009. It’s a used 2007 25th Anniversary Model with the Black Frame and Radiators. It was bought as a replacement for the Burgundy 07 that was bought in 2008. At the time I was living 85 miles from work and working the Burgundy VFR hard. I was going to wait to 2010 to buy a new VFR but I could not pass up the $6300 asking price and it’s in perfect condition with only 1,087 miles on the clock.
You know there is a risk buying a used bike; you can never tell what the original owner did to the bike. I felt that the bike being a little over a year old with so few miles things were most likely fine. Buying the 2 year extended warranty even though expensive at the time you sign the papers adds to the confidence and piece of mind and I adds to the value of the bike. Adding 6,000 miles in less than 6 months may sound like a lot, for me its par for the course.
I bought the bike without a trade so I had the bike trucked home from the dealer, something I’d never done before. Jumping on this bike after riding the Burgundy it is day and night. Just about everything on this bike is better than the other bikes. It’s faster, shifts smoother and everything just seems to work better on this bike. Strangely enough the Miles per Gallon is better as well. This bike flows well and turns heads.
Current ODO 7053 miles. 5,966 miles since March 31, 2009
Rob’s 2007 Burgundy VFR-800-ABS
Next is the current workhorse of the group, also a 2007 VFR but Burgundy – ABS. At the time I was looking for a new bike I wanted a new VFR with ABS and found a New 2007 Red, White and Blue at a dealer near my work. The salesperson really wanted me to buy the used (non-ABS) model. While waiting in the showroom next to the RWB-ABS was a Non-ABS Burgundy and the longer I looked the more I preferred it over the RWB. I really love both bikes but the additional 500 dollars the dealer wanted for the 25th Anniversary I could not justify paying more for a bike I was going to pile the miles up on. I remember seeing a Burgundy VFR-ABS at a shop 40 miles away so I rode up there to confirm they still had it. I walked into the Honda Shop and there it was sitting in the middle entrance double doors. The sun was reflecting off the beautiful paint job. It was love at first sight, but the price was a problem. We talked (and talked) and we agreed on a number. I paid 350 less for this bike over the RWB-ABS. I bought a 3 year warranty and I’m sure the finance person thought I was crazy when I asked, “If in 2 ½ years the starter bites the dust and the bike has 100,000 miles on the odometer would it’s still be covered?” She assured me that it would be. I’m Happy to say the only issue I’ve had was 4 Headlamp burnouts in 17 months. Kind of excessive for the tough Honda Standards but everything was taken care of by my local Honda Shop.
Current ODO 42,793 miles, since April 27, 2008
Rob’s 2002 VFR-Non ABS. Note: European Purple
Well this brings me to the 2002 VFR that was born on Feb 8, 2002. Talking to a dealer in British Columbia who said they would be getting the new VFR in 3 colors, standard Red, Silver (ABS Model) and Black (Non-ABS Model). My intension was to buy the bike in BC and Ride it home, but work called and this was not possible so I bought it and had it shipped to me in Orlando, Florida.
I Hi-sided this VFR in 2004 and the insurance Company said that I could rebuild it if I wanted, and I learned so much about the motorcycle. When ordering parts I found that I could buy any color USA or Europe and I’ve always loved the European purple so that is what replaced the black. I suspect some might want to know how the original bike held up after all these years. Well I did wait to the last minute to replace the wiring harness (2007) that was recalled in 2002. The 2002’s did have electrical issues but this bike only had one incident, in 2003 on Main Street in Daytona. I could see the lights become dimmer and dimmer as I rode. Above 3,000 rpm all seemed normal so I decided to call it a night and 40 minutes on the interstate charged it and I never had that problem again. No real explanation why.
I will go over the major problems I came across over the last 8 years outside of the normal replacements. I do want to point out I rode over 87,000 miles before I had the valves checked. I do treat my bikes more like a car than a sport bike and the valve adjustment did cost over 600 dollars but 87,000 miles is pretty impressive, great job Honda.
Since February 8, 2002 0 mile
2/2005 Rear Shock 59,000 miles
10/2005 Replaced main fuel line, 74,000 miles
3/2007 first valve adjustment 87,000 miles
4/2007 all switches on handlebars replaced 89,677 miles
5/2007 Front Bearing replaced 91,000 miles
6/2007 speed sensor replaced 92,000 miles
10/2007 RR and Stator & 2nd battery 96,300 miles
11/2007 1st Rear Sprocket replacement 100,950 miles and I swear this sprocket could go another 100,000 miles.
4/2008 all wiring harnesses were replaced 109,415 miles (Ordering part from Japan took the bike down for 5 Months).
It was at this point I wanted a new dependable VFR.
3/2009 lost a spark-plug and coil @ 119,472 miles.
It was determined that when the wiring harness was replaced the Spark-plugs was not tighten to spec. The Plug backed out causing the coil to split and explode. The bike got me home (over 40 miles). I re-tapped the plug and as you can see on September 16, 2009 the 2002 VFR now has over 120,000 miles on it.
Rob’s Canadian 2002 VFR-800 with 120,025 miles
In closing I want to say that the VFR-800 generation 6 got a bad rap from the start. Those on the fence about the VFR-800, well I encourage you to go for it. There are so many reasonable priced (new) 07’s and 08’s out there. This is such a great bike maybe one of the greatest secrets in the motorcycle industry.
Well that's the story. After 8 years it seems a little sad to see this bike go away. I'd prefer a revised 800 but I understand the demands of the public to have a large bore bike to compete with the Busa and ZX-14.
I suspect the question to me is will I buy the new 1200. Answer most likely, it is just when is the question. If this puppy comes in at 17K I believe it can be done. If she comes in around 20K I'm afraid I will be looking for a slightly used one in a couple years.
Have a good night all.
Rob
07 VFR RWB 7,190 miles
07 Burg 43,567 miles
02 Blue/Purple 120,193 miles
  
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Beondwacko
Expert Class
Posts: 393
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posted October 08, 2009 02:19 AM
And I thought that Blackbird riders were diehard fans of their bikes. Just the total amount of miles you have put on these bikes is seriously impressive! It helps that you also live in FL and can ride basically year round but still........... that is a ton of miles and it really says something for the build quality of Honda products.
Being that I was a Blackbird owner for 4 years and that it was my first modern motorcycle, I can understand the attachment for a particular model. Myself along with many thousand others were awaiting a replacement XX for years. We weren't looking for a major departure from the original theme, just some updating such as suspension, and maybe another 100 cc more displacement. Then the new VFR started to surface. The diehard XX fans have trouble accepting it as a proper replacement for a few reasons. Non inline engine, the new technology in the transmission, and the non traditional looks of the front end to mention just a few, but these are also folks who resist change at times, myself being one of them. It's also fair to mention that many XX'ers have either owned VFR's at one time or another and to be honest, I've always been a fan of the RWB version with a set of Two Bro's pipes.
I hope you are able to find a decent deal on the new VFR when it becomes available and that if you are, it lives up to your expectations.
____________
08' Atomic Silver, PCIII, Brocks pipe,BMC, -1, strapped front end
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HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
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posted October 08, 2009 02:29 PM
Beondwacko,
Living 85 miles from work helped me pump a ton of miles on these bikes. I was hoping to have a price for the VFR-1200 but I guess that has yet to be determined. The bike has a lot of positives but I need to vent my concerns.
I did notice that the Center-stand does not come standard, I just hope it is offered. Also the loss of almost a gallon of fuel for the sports touring bike does not make sense but the VCM should more than make up the MPG. (Rolling eyes). Still I'm very interested and will most likely have one in my driveway a year from now.
Rob
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