How Honda Killed their Greatest Motorcycle Engine

Comments · 1.4K

• GL

  @GleepGlop2 · 2 years ago

  The gear driven cams sound so good to me, anyone else?

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• AR

  @AR98342 · 1 year ago

  I friggin love my '98 VFR.  The cam gear whine at the bottom end and V4 roar at 9k rpm is music sweet music.  Torque that never ends, indestructible reliability and a machine that begs to go fast.  Love live the Vee!!

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• BR

  @brucelange730 · 2 years ago

  In 45 years of riding, my VFR 750 was the best bike I ever owned. It wasn't the fastest, or the best handling, or the best for touring, but it was unquestionably the best balanced of all the bikes I've owned. The comment that it was "a bike that made me a better rider" really resonated.

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• JD

  @JDuBz815 · 1 year ago

  The VFR is one of the greatest engines of all time, not just in motorcycles. Absolute legend.

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• GR

  @GrtSatan · 2 years ago

  The version with the gear driven cams was an absolute jewel.

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• SA

  @sanderstoutjesdijk9231 · 2 years ago

  I now own 6 Honda V-4's, a VF750C  bought new in 82, a VF750F from 1985, a red/white/blue VFR750 interceptor from 86, two RC30's and a vfr800 interceptor from 2006, so you can call me a fanatic. Ever since my first glance at the V-four engine in 1982 I've been hooked on the looks of the engine but even more by the way it runs. So smooth, power at all RPM's and the VTEC system on the VFR800 is far better than everyone thinks: you get two bikes in one, by having torque at lower RPM's and performance at high RPM's and it doesn't kick in as sudden as they say. You can predict it pretty well. It's a real shame Honda abandoned the V4 engine for street use, it was their finest hour!

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• DE

  @dereksinclair9000 · 2 years ago

  I have 2 ducatis, an RC51, an MV Agusta F1000, an Aprilia RS250 and a 2001 VFR800i. The VFR is the only one that gets ridden. It does everything with a grace and style the others cannot match. I'm teaching my 17 year old son to ride on the VFR800 and it will become his on his 18th birthday.

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• KA

  @kathleenfulmer7506 · 1 year ago

  Riding since 1965 and having many different bikes, I can say without a doubt that 1986 -87 VFR's have been my favorite. The sound, the power delivery, the gas milage on 87 octane is a steady 42 MPG's.  Only problems I've had have been with the rectifier/regulator frying until I moved it out in the airstream.  Fairly easy and simple to work on with no crazy bucket/shim valves to adjust, carbs stay in tune, no overheating, engine bulletproof, brakes OK, no bad vices at all. Current now is an 86-750 I've had since 1997, it still keeps on keeping on. A real sweetheart of a m/c, too bad it's been discontinued.

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• MJ

  @MJBOGAN · 2 years ago

  My dad has the vfr800 VTEC, the vfr1200, and a CBR 1100.  He's a menace at 80 years young.

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• NA

  @national_superbike · 2 years ago

  My 86 VFR750 is still one of my favorite bikes for distance riding. So comfortable and great handling. An all time classic.

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• RI

  @richardho5955 · 2 years ago

  I owned a VF750 Interceptor when they came out in ‘83 but the issues with the camshaft wear got me down. But when the VFR750 came out I got interested in the V4 again! I’ve owned a VFR750FM since new, it’s a ‘91 model and still runs like a brand new motorcycle, even with 150,000kms on the clock. It never uses a drop of oil between services, starts first time, summer or winter and still looks and runs like a modern sports bike. I’ve also owned 5 FireBlades and a CBR1000F during this time and they’re all been moved on, but my VFR is still in my garage and it’s my favourite motorcycle of all time. Ride safe. 🏍️💪🇿🇦

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• CH

  @chrissyj.6783 · 2 years ago

  If you think the V4 750s and 800s are good, then the 400s are little gems. They're like watch mechanisms. The Japanese domestic market kept the best bikes for themselves.

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