hay hero could you tell me which is better ducati monster 821 or yamaha mt09 (2018), no one has done a proper review of these two bikes and it might take a month or two to get them in india but i love doing research and like to know what i am getting into before i get my bike. so please help me out thank you
I’ve been riding all kinds of bikes for close to 50 years; 66 years old now and I can’t see giving up my ‘09 VFR. It’s not my daily rider, a V-Strom has that job, but the VFR (with basic mods) has enough character, comfort and class to keep me buying new (and better) rubber. Next summer, I’ll finally lower the pegs a tad and add HeliBars - hopefully, that’ll get me into my seventies.
Read up on the PAIR modification for your VFR. Mine had awful fuelling at low rpm, and this mod solved it within minutes, at no cost. Air is pulled from the airbox, directly to the exhaust in an attempt to clean up the emissions. The thing is, it is introduced into the exhaust before the oxygen sensor, which then takes an effectively false reading , which confuses the fuel injection. After the (very easy) mod, the throttle response was much more predictable. Night and day.
Well, I want to say GOD bless you brother that you're still on the road. I'm just now interested in a motorcycle. A toddler, you know? 😅 I hope I'll ride motorcycles for as long as you. *FREE* like an Eagle🦅
Halfdead Rider Agree but late 90’s to early/mid 2000’s is definitely my era for bikes. I have an ‘03 Hornet (Honda 599) prefer it over modern bikes. I just love how bikes looked then and think their paint designs were much nicer. I also think Honda have lost the plot now and can’t stand their HRC colour schemes. When I bought my first lid (Arai) in 2000 I was spoilt for choice, seemed to like every other design but when I was looking for a lid in 2015 the only one I was drawn to turned out to be discontinued. Ended up with the Shark, Carl Fogarty Anniversary edition. I’m probably in the minority now but I’m ok with that :)
I have a cbr600rr from '03 still think its one of the best looking bikes (in my price range) out there! When I tell people (those that don't know that much of motorcycles) that the bike is from 2003 they all look suprised! Personally I think the cbr from 03 is more beautiful than the newer ones ('12 , ....) my opinion ofcourse :)
Yea they are great looking bikes still too, I would get one but I think I would only own a sport bike if I was lucky enough to own more than one bike, I don't think my wrists would cope on a sport bike for long periods of time.
To be honest (the cbr is my first racer) I thought I couldn't ride like that for more than a few hours. But now I own one I can ride it the whole day! with no problems as long as i keep the power in my legs and my upperbody is relaxed (The way u should ride all the time) But if I'm stuck in traffic it becomes a whole different story , compared to this the z750 is like sitting in you're sofa at home. So for commuting I couldn't agree more with u, but lets say for a trip to (in my case) luxembourg or the Ardennes where there's almost no traffic and u can ride all day without having to stop every 20 seconds, the only place u will feel this is you're bum (because of the old seat, i'll bet new bikes don't have this problem as much) xD (my experience/opinion^^)
I own an 04 vfr and I have never removed the side fairing for an oil change. Turn the bars to the left while back is on center stand and reach through header area. Pretty simple. It helps to remove the 3 bolts holding the black cover in front of the headers. The vfr isn’t the best bike out there but it is a great jack of all trades bike. The V4 is an amazing engine and the usable torque and power band keeps me happy anytime I am riding it. Great bike with a lot of soul.
As a motorcycle courier for over 36 years . I’ve used VFR’s since 87 . I currently own the 2014 but I will admit the 02 was my favorite . I put 700,000 miles on that one and average 400 to 500 thousand on all the VFR models . plus back in 91 full coverage on a gsxr would’ve been $2300 a year cuz they’re stolen or crashed all the time while the same coverage on a VFR was only $600 cuz punks don’t ride them , crash them or steal them Like most squidbikes. I’ve ridden them hard and put them away wet many times . They’re bullet proof.
Had vfr800fi now got vfr1200... Much heavier, but manageable and surprisingly nimble.. Power is on another planet.. Very comfortable with helibars... Shaft driven, so no more chain cleaning/lubricating. Love this bike!
I'm 55 & I think you have two awesome bikes.the 07/08 cbr 600rr's are the best looking supersports imo & also are comf & are fast & handle like a dream. The vfr is way more practical for street riding with the comfy ergos & low end torque. The stance & bodywork & exhaust on the cbr is beautiful, you have the best of both worlds. Don't ever get rid of them!
I totally MUCH MUCH PREFER the VFR. The comfort level is WAY WAY BETTER. The power is at lower rpm. The VTEC is... AWESOME. Unless you are a track rider, the VFR kills on the street....
@@kf8575 Yet couldn't sound as good as the RC51 SP2 with Sato Banzai exhaust on it. Every time I start that up, heads turn looking bewildered at how a sport bike can sound like that, which I would most closely describe as similar to the sound of a muscle car. ;)
I own a 02 VFR 800 and after watching how to vids on YT I’ve realized you don’t have to remove anything to do an oil change on the VFR!! There is plenty of space to reach in the front and access the filter. The oil drains with no issue as well. Took me 15 mins to do it to!!
Took my blackbird for an mot and the guy must have been mid 70's, man he manouvered that thing around like it was a push bike! He just knew all the tricks. Both look Nice great vid. I'd love a 954
Those vfr bikes are like a mix of an r1, Ducati and bmw , sound amazing 🤩 iv heard people say they are heavy but I'd love one. Seen a beautiful purple/ blue one with gold wheels before and fell in love with them
15:00 from that angle i like the VFR looks more actually but from every other angle its the CBR your VFR is so loud it woke up even my neighbours... and i live on the other side of the big pond^^ i love your camera! very crisp, clean image
After buying and riding my vfr800 2006 Honda Interceptor from Atlanta Georgia to Madison Wisconsin I am riding 100-mile trips every other day now that I'm back home which is a piece of cake after running 900 miles in 48 hours the bike is a great sport tourer.
The VFR has always been my bike of choice for day to day riding anywhere. I'm running the 1200 VFR but have had no problems or concerns with the bike it's too bad Honda stopped making the 12's and if you can find one with the DCT it's even better for longevity and Daily commutes no matter what the distance is.
You're young. Your CBR won't ALWAYS be your main girl. The fact that you've put on as many miles on the VFR in 6 months as you have on the CBR in 3 years is telling. ;) I see you selling both of them for a new VFR. You'll see how you change with age. I remember when I was your age, with my new SV650, like it was yesterday.
Way back in the day I owned an 86 VFR750.... wonderful bike, in almost every way. Yes, they are sporty. I accidentally entered a sharp corner way too fast once, leaned it way over to not hit the rail. It went over, I goosed it a little more, made the turn and I brought it right back up..... I never made that mistake again, but it was very satisfying knowing it could take that sharp of a corner that fast... (about an 80 degree turn in 20 feet at about 55 MPH) In EVERY way, the bike’s capabilities excelled mine... I was only willing to get up to 140 MPH (once), the bike still had more. I only wanted to lean about 25-30 degrees to turn, but went to at least 50 degrees once and the bike was fine with it, no slipping and made the turn... the bike was awesome, and people with greater skills than I would have enjoyed its capabilities. Had I been willing to spend on the sport riding courses and track time maybe I’d have been able to legitimately put her through her paces, but I was young and poor and spending my meager amount of money elsewhere... but I never should have sold her.
I eventually sold my VFR as I jacked my shoulder and it was too heavy as I had some serious messing about to do to get it into the garage on a gravel drive. I dropped it in the garage once and had to get a neighbour to held lift it up. They are a big old beast, though the weight disappears once moving.
TOTALLY AGREE! :) My experience - 1998 CBR600 F3 (which some negative vibe merchant poured petrol on and set alight one dark night) to 2000 VFR800 which I loved, but I lived in Sydney, and the extra weight was noticed in congestion, and the linked breaks made the back break insensitive, but the fuel injection was beautiful. My brother had a 199X VFR750, which was a more nimble and lighter bike without linked breaks and naturally aspirated. I preferred his VFR. Now I recently got a 2000 CBR600 F4. 200KG wet, 115HP at the back wheel, $3,500. Still has a centre stand. It feels just like the 1998 F3, but the fairing is a bit different, and the looks are sharper. The F4 is still naturally aspirated. In my opinion, the balance of features is just right. I am more practical, though under seat exhaust an single side swingarm looks WOW, they have no practical benefit. The chain is just as hard to adjust on a single side swingarm, and you now need a special tool to do it. The rear wheel is a little easier to remove with the single sided swingarm, but that is a job I have only done twice in 30 years of riding, and never on the VFR. The underseat exhaust is a mess of plumbing, and is too hot on your arse in summer.
Just had to leave a like for the giggle after revving the cbr lol I just fired my 01 F4i up for the first time since last season to get it ready to go. After it warmed up , I gave the throttle a couple of good blips. The giggle that came out was so "school-girly" that my son called me out on it. I just said "son... wait till you have your first bike, then we'll talk about the giggle after revving " lol
HaHaHA. I am so with you on that one dude. It's so hard not to have a Big grin on my face when I am out with some friends and we all blip the throttle.
Nice comparo of the two machines. As you note, it's a little unfair comparing two bikes of different vintage. In front, I'll admit my VFR preference; I'm on my fourth, starting with a '95 and am now riding a 2014. The two bikes really have two different missions; the CBR is more track-focused, while the VFR is designed as an all-rounder. I've done track time on the CBR and two of my VFR's, and while ultimate cornering speed is higher on the CBR, the VFR does not disappoint when you are on the track. Since I use a bike to commute and for the occasional long ride, I find the VFR more comfortable. Most of all, however, the V4 is just an exceptional engine. After tens of thousands of miles on VFR's, I'm still grinning every time I rotate my right hand - it is an amazing sound! BTW, I had a Remus titanium system on my '03 and it gave a much mellower sound than the Delkovic silencers (not much) on your VFR. Good riding and thanks.
I own a 2007 6th Gen VFR, a 2005 Suzuki SV1000s and a couple of inline 4s (Kawsaki ZZR 600 and a Honda CB600F Hornet) and they all have their advantages/disadvantages. I live in California and have an urban commute and have had a different experience from you in terms of choosing my favorite commuter. I prefer my ZZR 600 for commuting for several reasons; (1) The VFR runs hot here in California in the summer. The side-mounted radiators don't cool the bike as quick in slow moving city traffic. It can get up to 115 here in July through September. (2) The ZZR is SKINNY - great for lane-splitting here where it is legal. Some of the roads I travel on are too narrow to fit the VFR between stationary traffic lanes. (3) The VFR is heavy, making low speed handling more of a pain when commuting in urban areas. (4) I HATE the V-TEC in the lower gears - too notchy for me in 1st and 2nd, making commuting less enjoyable. It's fine at speed and less noticeable in higher gears. (4) I find I-4s easier to ride in low-speed conditions like my commute. The linear power response makes them more predictable and they just seem to handle better at low RPMs. I do actually commute on all of them, but find the Hornet and the ZZR my favorite for those types of riding, with the SV being great for the twisties and the VFR great for long distances...
Bar the chain tensioners going on mine, my 2003 vfr was bulletproof. That with the full hard luggage kit meant it was great for commuting and touring. I could ride all day on it. But, just didn’t have that certain “soulful something” my previous or latter bikes had....
Unless your tracking this bike the valves should never be a problem. I heard of so many owners that went 60k miles on theirs that went and had a valve check only to find them in perfect spec. Also the 5th gens were notorious for the wire harness melting. Honda used too small wire and heat issues cause the plastic on the wire harness would melt shorting out your stator and/or regulator leaving you dead in the water. They improved the plastic on the wire harness on the 6th gens but it can still be a problem. I always check mine when I do oil changes to see if I see any discoloration of the harness which will indicate a problem early. I plan on upgrading mine so I wont have to worry. Go to www.roadstercycle.com and get the super mosfet kit if any vfr owners want to upgrade theirs for a permanent fix.
Upgraded mine to mosfet bypass and solder wiring so connectors don't rust and short.. straight from battery, replaced alternator and battery too.. 5th gen gear driven cams sound better, 6th gen smoother, same power, 6th gen a little heavier.. had both.. prefer 5th gen, but love twin high level exhaust.. if the 5th gen had twin exhausts it would sound awesome with gear driven cams noise too.. Love the VFR.. race cams make a boost in power 😊
Hey man i have a tip for u. Put something like a small piece of carpet down on your garage floor under your VFR centre stand. Put the bike up on the stand on the carpet. Then you can very easily spin the bike around on the centre stand.
They are both awesome bikes, but it what you’re going to use it for. The cbr600rr is one of my favourite sports bikes ever, but I LOVE the VFR and if it were my money, I know I’d benefit more from the VFR as I’d be doing long miles on it. Really though, you can’t go wrong with either :)
Have 02 vfr model since new, also had issue with wiring but fixed myself eliminating connectors and running extra grounds. Best mod was installing cruise control, de-linked brakes with braided lines, quick shifter(got lazy, works great for normal cruising), Delkevic mufflers. I ride the Dragon yearly making motorcycle drone videos and swapped bikes several times with my buddy’s CBR and it is noticeably more nimble around those curves and needs to stay in the upper revs(buzzy) while the vfr will power out from apex faster. Love the color combination on your CBR. Google “Tail of the Dragon by Drone” by vVertigo
I'm surprised your VFR isn't more convenient to change the oil on. My Honda Blackbird, of the same year, '03, is as easy as could be. Put it up on the center stand, take out the drain bolt, reach up through the fairings, and unscrew the filter. No fairing removal, as long as the filter isn't over-tightened.
To make the oil change easier I drilled a hole in my belly pan so that I could simply unscrew it with a ratchet. As for gear driven cams, their great when their working, but not so much when your changing them.
Great looking bikes, I'm a Honda man too. I've got a '97 Cbr1100xx, weighs 550 pounds. Some weight on the highway is a good thing, as you said. I'm a huge, heavy dude so I couldn't do the 600.
The CBR just sounds crap compared to the VFR. Nothing beats the open exhaust V4 growl, makes me grin every time I push the start button... Four headlights, linked brakes, weather protection, stability in strong winds is also a pro for the 800.
The VFR is the type of motorcycle that you just have to live with to really appreciate. I've let friends ride my VFR and even after riding they still don't understand why I love them. But on a 2 hour + trip they are begging to switch bikes haha
Its funny now i see this video, already a year old. But basically im in the same boat. Now i do now you have that beast SP2 and a dirtbike aswel right now. I have the VFR 750 from 91 for daily driving And a FZR 600 R for nice weather days. Pretty simulair but these 2 bikes the hp might be close 2 each other but one drives so much different than the other!
V tec is not variable valve timing it's more complicated than that the actual cam lobe and lift gets bigger at a Sertain rpm to produce more torque pretty amazing
Technically it is. C+P from Wiki. "The simplified motorcycle version of VTEC employs only two of the four valves per cylinder when operating at lower engine speeds. All four valves per cylinder are engaged above approximately 6,800 rpm. This is initiated by an electronically actuated oil spool valve, which send oil pressure to the lifter actuators, which then move the engagement pins into place above the valve stem, allowing the remaining two valves to open. This design allows for *variable valve timing* as well, since the cam lobe profiles can be made different."
Looking at your video, I wonder: aren't both front tyres on the wrong way around? The way the profile goes it seems to drain water towards the middle of the tyre which is exactly what you don't want. Compare the profile with your rear tyres, that both seem to be on the way I'd expect them to be. I might be wrong, just something I noticed :)
Moving bikes is a technique, weight doesn't come into it when you have the skill. Commuting on the VFR is a better proposition. The RR is lovely, but much more aggressive in rider posture, and not comfortable on long hauls unless you are very young or super flexible. The new VFR800F in red is stunning.
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VFR 800 and CBR 1100xx are the best bikes Honda EVER built.
well, newer doesnt mean better, when it comes to the VFR... I got the older VFR 750 RC36 II from 95, it ran now about 98.000KM and the only thing i had to change (what was not maintenance) was the loading controller from the generator. Changing oil is even easier then on your CBR, and weights about 238KG with full gas. Still, due to its height, getting backwards outta the garage is not funny, i give you that, but valves are not yet nessecary to ajust (doesnt make any noises, and got no V-Tech), but spark plugs are still painful on her, given that V4 engine and the lot of Plastic around it... but still, reliable till deah do us part.
I have a 99 VFR.. no cam chains. Brilliant bikes once restrictions are removed.. will nudge 160. All Hondas have the rectifier issue, my CBR 600 and hornet 600 rectifier failed.. bypass mosfet regulator wired to battery.. solves issue (just get alternator and battery done at same time) VFR very underated.. it's a Ducati race bike with a Honda badge.. the noise is something else.. v4 injection noise.. mmmmm
Five years late I know but I have a 1980 Yamaha XS 1.1 and it's a pig at low speed but wow it becomes a dream when cruising. I think every bike has a perfect place and time when it just makes sense. Of these two the VFR would be my choice but in the 600 range I'd have an R6. That said I'd take a TZR 250 over and R6. 😁
I'm 58,,but till look 45 ,,lol.& I like the weight of my vfr 1999,♡,its stock &rides soo smooth!,,man ,I was amazed on my first ride,,!-I own several heavy cruisers, vfr rides the smoothest!☆,,great video☆☆
I just bought a 2004 VFR800..love it! I previously owned a 2006 Ninja 636..I can say the VFR is does not have the acceleration my Ninja had, but it's such a more comfortable bike to ride. I'm in my mid 40s so comfort over performance is a big plus for me.
Actually, you give a statistic that belies your favoritism of the RR: miles per month. If I understood correctly, you had (at the time of the vid) 7K on the VFR and 14K on the RR; but you've been riding the RR three times as long. If so, that would mean you ride the VFR more per month (or some other time length). That would seem to suggest the VFR gains the upper hand.
A clean chain 6 times a year? I clean my chain + both sprockets every Saturday morning. I don't know if it's just me but after around 6 days of riding I can FEEL the dirt in the rollers
Easiest oil change ever is on my suzuki tl1000s... there’s no bottom fairing, so the oil filter is right there at the bottom, in the open lol couldn’t be any easier. Now the tl1000r with fairings, yea, a whole different story!
The VFRs never go out of fashion 😅 I wonder what is your current feeling towards the two bikes. I have to say I'm biased to the VFR. I have been thinking on getting a 600 for track days, but after some research and given today's tech, I've been looking for a Kawasaki ZXR6. They look a much better package than Honda's CBR 600/650. My only doubt is reliability, as my standard has been Honda all along and my worst experience has been Yamaha.
Biggest difference between sport and sport tourer in my humble opinion, other than I vs V, is that one is more fun to ride in everyday situations than the other. The sports bikes are gonna be much better for spirited riding than a sports tourer, but see that's the thing, riding spiritedly, as in just a little quick. I don't know what the speed limits are elsewhere in the world but in my little corner they range from a little tight to ridiculous. With a sports tourer that's less of a problem, even more so for cruisers and such.
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HeroRR I'm pretty sure u just remove the tank on the cbr for the air filter
HeroRR th-cam.com/video/hoFyoXn61yg/w-d-xo.html
in the spirit of the hoon your vtec valves will never be out of spec, if you never look....
the cam chain tensioners though....
hay hero could you tell me which is better ducati monster 821 or yamaha mt09 (2018), no one has done a proper review of these two bikes and it might take a month or two to get them in india but i love doing research and like to know what i am getting into before i get my bike. so please help me out thank you
Just the fact that's a v4, I would most definitely go with the vfr.
Not to mention the Vtec!
I’ve been riding all kinds of bikes for close to 50 years; 66 years old now and I can’t see giving up my ‘09 VFR. It’s not my daily rider, a V-Strom has that job, but the VFR (with basic mods) has enough character, comfort and class to keep me buying new (and better) rubber. Next summer, I’ll finally lower the pegs a tad and add HeliBars - hopefully, that’ll get me into my seventies.
Read up on the PAIR modification for your VFR.
Mine had awful fuelling at low rpm, and this mod solved it within minutes, at no cost.
Air is pulled from the airbox, directly to the exhaust in an attempt to clean up the emissions.
The thing is, it is introduced into the exhaust before the oxygen sensor, which then takes an effectively false reading , which confuses the fuel injection.
After the (very easy) mod, the throttle response was much more predictable.
Night and day.
Well, I want to say GOD bless you brother that you're still on the road. I'm just now interested in a motorcycle.
A toddler, you know? 😅 I hope I'll ride motorcycles for as long as you.
*FREE* like an Eagle🦅
@ADEBISI ADEBISI A-hole
I have a 1999 Vfr 800 love it
A lot of bikes from 03' look very dated now, that VFR looks very nice still, love it.
Yes! She aged so well! :)
Halfdead Rider Agree but late 90’s to early/mid 2000’s is definitely my era for bikes. I have an ‘03 Hornet (Honda 599) prefer it over modern bikes. I just love how bikes looked then and think their paint designs were much nicer. I also think Honda have lost the plot now and can’t stand their HRC colour schemes. When I bought my first lid (Arai) in 2000 I was spoilt for choice, seemed to like every other design but when I was looking for a lid in 2015 the only one I was drawn to turned out to be discontinued. Ended up with the Shark, Carl Fogarty Anniversary edition. I’m probably in the minority now but I’m ok with that :)
I have a cbr600rr from '03 still think its one of the best looking bikes (in my price range) out there! When I tell people (those that don't know that much of motorcycles) that the bike is from 2003 they all look suprised! Personally I think the cbr from 03 is more beautiful than the newer ones ('12 , ....) my opinion ofcourse :)
Yea they are great looking bikes still too, I would get one but I think I would only own a sport bike if I was lucky enough to own more than one bike, I don't think my wrists would cope on a sport bike for long periods of time.
To be honest (the cbr is my first racer) I thought I couldn't ride like that for more than a few hours. But now I own one I can ride it the whole day! with no problems as long as i keep the power in my legs and my upperbody is relaxed (The way u should ride all the time) But if I'm stuck in traffic it becomes a whole different story , compared to this the z750 is like sitting in you're sofa at home. So for commuting I couldn't agree more with u, but lets say for a trip to (in my case) luxembourg or the Ardennes where there's almost no traffic and u can ride all day without having to stop every 20 seconds, the only place u will feel this is you're bum (because of the old seat, i'll bet new bikes don't have this problem as much) xD (my experience/opinion^^)
I own an 04 vfr and I have never removed the side fairing for an oil change. Turn the bars to the left while back is on center stand and reach through header area. Pretty simple. It helps to remove the 3 bolts holding the black cover in front of the headers.
The vfr isn’t the best bike out there but it is a great jack of all trades bike. The V4 is an amazing engine and the usable torque and power band keeps me happy anytime I am riding it. Great bike with a lot of soul.
As a motorcycle courier for over 36 years . I’ve used VFR’s since 87 . I currently own the 2014 but I will admit the 02 was my favorite . I put 700,000 miles on that one and average 400 to 500 thousand on all the VFR models . plus back in 91 full coverage on a gsxr would’ve been $2300 a year cuz they’re stolen or crashed all the time while the same coverage on a VFR was only $600 cuz punks don’t ride them , crash them or steal them Like most squidbikes. I’ve ridden them hard and put them away wet many times . They’re bullet proof.
Wow, would you tell us where in the world you rode those impressive distances?
@@karltonrod3855 Um... he was a motorcycle courier for 36 years..............
@@andyrude3019 Yeah Sounds more like a Sure, Jan story also it hasn't been 36 years since 1987 haha that would make it 2023
@@sea-dawg this is still an obvious "Sure, Jan" story he'd have to be riding 50000 not to mention its mostly dead after the 80s
Oh but it's 2024 now @@zacht9447
The VFR looks like an Italian sports car from 90s or even 80s :)
I really loved my 2001 VFR. I toured on it, did a race school, and commuted on it. A great all around bike.
I've had my 02 VFR800 for 2 years now, It was love at first sight. Definitely gives you an appreciation for V4 engines.
In particular the ones made by someone else
My cbr from 2007 is my daily drive :p had it for almost 2 years now and put 30.000 KM on it, no trouble at all
Had vfr800fi now got vfr1200... Much heavier, but manageable and surprisingly nimble.. Power is on another planet.. Very comfortable with helibars... Shaft driven, so no more chain cleaning/lubricating. Love this bike!
Both are great for different applications! You don’t have to be uncomfortable commuting on the cbr600rr you have an option
Yup! That's why I bought the VFR! I can have my cake and eat it too! :D
Ive owned the 600, modded everything, was very happy with that bike. Test rode a VFR, it was very underwhelming.
VFR rulez!
The most underrated bike out here!
I personally prefer the sound of the straight 4
I'm 55 & I think you have two awesome bikes.the 07/08 cbr 600rr's are the best looking supersports imo & also are comf & are fast & handle like a dream. The vfr is way more practical for street riding with the comfy ergos & low end torque. The stance & bodywork & exhaust on the cbr is beautiful, you have the best of both worlds. Don't ever get rid of them!
Thank you! I will hold onto them as long as I can!
My 1999 VFR seems less problematic, as in zero issues....lol! Nice comp
I totally MUCH MUCH PREFER the VFR. The comfort level is WAY WAY BETTER. The power is at lower rpm. The VTEC is... AWESOME. Unless you are a track rider, the VFR kills on the street....
Vfr is the best sounding bike out there, just love that sound!!!
Until the 1199cc V4 panigale came along?
@@kf8575 Yet couldn't sound as good as the RC51 SP2 with Sato Banzai exhaust on it. Every time I start that up, heads turn looking bewildered at how a sport bike can sound like that, which I would most closely describe as similar to the sound of a muscle car. ;)
I own a 02 VFR 800 and after watching how to vids on YT I’ve realized you don’t have to remove anything to do an oil change on the VFR!! There is plenty of space to reach in the front and access the filter. The oil drains with no issue as well. Took me 15 mins to do it to!!
Took my blackbird for an mot and the guy must have been mid 70's, man he manouvered that thing around like it was a push bike! He just knew all the tricks. Both look Nice great vid. I'd love a 954
Those vfr bikes are like a mix of an r1, Ducati and bmw , sound amazing 🤩 iv heard people say they are heavy but I'd love one. Seen a beautiful purple/ blue one with gold wheels before and fell in love with them
Always loved the Honda CBR600 !
Gorgeous bike !
15:00 from that angle i like the VFR looks more actually but from every other angle its the CBR
your VFR is so loud it woke up even my neighbours... and i live on the other side of the big pond^^
i love your camera! very crisp, clean image
I actually have a 2016 vfr800 and love it! I did considered an inline 4 sport bike, but the v4 did it for me
After buying and riding my vfr800 2006 Honda Interceptor from Atlanta Georgia to Madison Wisconsin I am riding 100-mile trips every other day now that I'm back home which is a piece of cake after running 900 miles in 48 hours the bike is a great sport tourer.
Love silver too!! Shinning colour! VFR is so cool, great performance!
The VFR has always been my bike of choice for day to day riding anywhere. I'm running the 1200 VFR but have had no problems or concerns with the bike it's too bad Honda stopped making the 12's and if you can find one with the DCT it's even better for longevity and Daily commutes no matter what the distance is.
You're young. Your CBR won't ALWAYS be your main girl. The fact that you've put on as many miles on the VFR in 6 months as you have on the CBR in 3 years is telling. ;) I see you selling both of them for a new VFR. You'll see how you change with age. I remember when I was your age, with my new SV650, like it was yesterday.
Way back in the day I owned an 86 VFR750.... wonderful bike, in almost every way.
Yes, they are sporty. I accidentally entered a sharp corner way too fast once, leaned it way over to not hit the rail. It went over, I goosed it a little more, made the turn and I brought it right back up..... I never made that mistake again, but it was very satisfying knowing it could take that sharp of a corner that fast... (about an 80 degree turn in 20 feet at about 55 MPH)
In EVERY way, the bike’s capabilities excelled mine... I was only willing to get up to 140 MPH (once), the bike still had more. I only wanted to lean about 25-30 degrees to turn, but went to at least 50 degrees once and the bike was fine with it, no slipping and made the turn... the bike was awesome, and people with greater skills than I would have enjoyed its capabilities. Had I been willing to spend on the sport riding courses and track time maybe I’d have been able to legitimately put her through her paces, but I was young and poor and spending my meager amount of money elsewhere... but I never should have sold her.
I eventually sold my VFR as I jacked my shoulder and it was too heavy as I had some serious messing about to do to get it into the garage on a gravel drive. I dropped it in the garage once and had to get a neighbour to held lift it up. They are a big old beast, though the weight disappears once moving.
TOTALLY AGREE! :) My experience - 1998 CBR600 F3 (which some negative vibe merchant poured petrol on and set alight one dark night) to 2000 VFR800 which I loved, but I lived in Sydney, and the extra weight was noticed in congestion, and the linked breaks made the back break insensitive, but the fuel injection was beautiful. My brother had a 199X VFR750, which was a more nimble and lighter bike without linked breaks and naturally aspirated. I preferred his VFR. Now I recently got a 2000 CBR600 F4. 200KG wet, 115HP at the back wheel, $3,500. Still has a centre stand. It feels just like the 1998 F3, but the fairing is a bit different, and the looks are sharper. The F4 is still naturally aspirated. In my opinion, the balance of features is just right. I am more practical, though under seat exhaust an single side swingarm looks WOW, they have no practical benefit. The chain is just as hard to adjust on a single side swingarm, and you now need a special tool to do it. The rear wheel is a little easier to remove with the single sided swingarm, but that is a job I have only done twice in 30 years of riding, and never on the VFR. The underseat exhaust is a mess of plumbing, and is too hot on your arse in summer.
A few years ago I had a cbr600rr and a Vfr800 pre vetech one had to go still currently have the Vfr800 and it’s still going strong
use the center stand on the vfr and u can spin it 360 degrees in its own radius. I do it with my 2000 in my driveway
Just had to leave a like for the giggle after revving the cbr lol
I just fired my 01 F4i up for the first time since last season to get it ready to go.
After it warmed up , I gave the throttle a couple of good blips. The giggle that came out was so "school-girly" that my son called me out on it.
I just said "son... wait till you have your first bike, then we'll talk about the giggle after revving " lol
HaHaHA. I am so with you on that one dude. It's so hard not to have a Big grin on my face when I am out with some friends and we all blip the throttle.
The VFR has been my dream bike especially this early 2000s love
Nice comparo of the two machines. As you note, it's a little unfair comparing two bikes of different vintage. In front, I'll admit my VFR preference; I'm on my fourth, starting with a '95 and am now riding a 2014. The two bikes really have two different missions; the CBR is more track-focused, while the VFR is designed as an all-rounder. I've done track time on the CBR and two of my VFR's, and while ultimate cornering speed is higher on the CBR, the VFR does not disappoint when you are on the track. Since I use a bike to commute and for the occasional long ride, I find the VFR more comfortable. Most of all, however, the V4 is just an exceptional engine. After tens of thousands of miles on VFR's, I'm still grinning every time I rotate my right hand - it is an amazing sound! BTW, I had a Remus titanium system on my '03 and it gave a much mellower sound than the Delkovic silencers (not much) on your VFR. Good riding and thanks.
Nice... Honda makes great bikes I had 2 VFR's past 15 yrs. 2 bikes is cool.
I own a 2002 VTEC and it's still beautiful to me. I actually prefer its looks to 2014 VFR 800 which is kind of uninspiring to me.
the 1998 - 2000 gen 5 vfr800 is the best looking and sounding with the geared cams 😁
Just bought my 07 vfr800 rwb this year. Seems to be a pretty good bike.
How is it man?
Two of my dream bikes. I have the CBR600rr, but I have yet to find a VFR800 with undertail exhaust.
I've owned both bikes and if I owned both together (which I did for a month), the CBR600 would never get ridden! Love the VFR..
I own a 2007 6th Gen VFR, a 2005 Suzuki SV1000s and a couple of inline 4s (Kawsaki ZZR 600 and a Honda CB600F Hornet) and they all have their advantages/disadvantages. I live in California and have an urban commute and have had a different experience from you in terms of choosing my favorite commuter. I prefer my ZZR 600 for commuting for several reasons;
(1) The VFR runs hot here in California in the summer. The side-mounted radiators don't cool the bike as quick in slow moving city traffic. It can get up to 115 here in July through September.
(2) The ZZR is SKINNY - great for lane-splitting here where it is legal. Some of the roads I travel on are too narrow to fit the VFR between stationary traffic lanes.
(3) The VFR is heavy, making low speed handling more of a pain when commuting in urban areas.
(4) I HATE the V-TEC in the lower gears - too notchy for me in 1st and 2nd, making commuting less enjoyable. It's fine at speed and less noticeable in higher gears.
(4) I find I-4s easier to ride in low-speed conditions like my commute. The linear power response makes them more predictable and they just seem to handle better at low RPMs.
I do actually commute on all of them, but find the Hornet and the ZZR my favorite for those types of riding, with the SV being great for the twisties and the VFR great for long distances...
I do 100% agree that lane splitting on a VFR is noticeably harder than other bikes. Also the VTEC is quite annoying sometimes.
"brings attention from police" xD.I thought the UK was bad.
Bar the chain tensioners going on mine, my 2003 vfr was bulletproof. That with the full hard luggage kit meant it was great for commuting and touring. I could ride all day on it. But, just didn’t have that certain “soulful something” my previous or latter bikes had....
Great video man! It's been awhile since I've been here and I see you've grown your channel alot so good for you! Keep riding and living life bro!
Thank you! Hope to see you back here again :)
This review is some show bizz stuff.. i keep watching it so many times.. i dont even know when this was made.!
Unless your tracking this bike the valves should never be a problem. I heard of so many owners that went 60k miles on theirs that went and had a valve check only to find them in perfect spec. Also the 5th gens were notorious for the wire harness melting. Honda used too small wire and heat issues cause the plastic on the wire harness would melt shorting out your stator and/or regulator leaving you dead in the water. They improved the plastic on the wire harness on the 6th gens but it can still be a problem. I always check mine when I do oil changes to see if I see any discoloration of the harness which will indicate a problem early. I plan on upgrading mine so I wont have to worry. Go to www.roadstercycle.com and get the super mosfet kit if any vfr owners want to upgrade theirs for a permanent fix.
Upgraded mine to mosfet bypass and solder wiring so connectors don't rust and short.. straight from battery, replaced alternator and battery too.. 5th gen gear driven cams sound better, 6th gen smoother, same power, 6th gen a little heavier.. had both.. prefer 5th gen, but love twin high level exhaust.. if the 5th gen had twin exhausts it would sound awesome with gear driven cams noise too.. Love the VFR.. race cams make a boost in power 😊
Hey man i have a tip for u. Put something like a small piece of carpet down on your garage floor under your VFR centre stand. Put the bike up on the stand on the carpet. Then you can very easily spin the bike around on the centre stand.
You have 2 great looking bikes mate, thanks for the comparison, i would slightly go towards the vfr
Notably the 2006 version of the VFR (Gen6) is Way improved. Although i know that's not the question here.
how was it improved?
Maybe I missed it but one big difference is insurance cost.
I got full coverage on my VFR for 250 a year.
The CBR600F4i IMO, is the absolute best lightweight sport tourer ever made. Great video!
I love my VFR! Two Brother's make it sound oh so sweet....
Really want that 600rr! Have a vfr1200F great bike, but that light and fast 600 is fun
Nice comparing🎉
They are both awesome bikes, but it what you’re going to use it for. The cbr600rr is one of my favourite sports bikes ever, but I LOVE the VFR and if it were my money, I know I’d benefit more from the VFR as I’d be doing long miles on it.
Really though, you can’t go wrong with either :)
Awesome bikes my friend...nice comparison 👏👏👏... love from Portugal 😊
Thanks for resolving one of the most important question I had about motorcycles
Have 02 vfr model since new, also had issue with wiring but fixed myself eliminating connectors and running extra grounds. Best mod was installing cruise control, de-linked brakes with braided lines, quick shifter(got lazy, works great for normal cruising), Delkevic mufflers. I ride the Dragon yearly making motorcycle drone videos and swapped bikes several times with my buddy’s CBR and it is noticeably more nimble around those curves and needs to stay in the upper revs(buzzy) while the vfr will power out from apex faster. Love the color combination on your CBR. Google “Tail of the Dragon by Drone” by vVertigo
I'm surprised your VFR isn't more convenient to change the oil on. My Honda Blackbird, of the same year, '03, is as easy as could be. Put it up on the center stand, take out the drain bolt, reach up through the fairings, and unscrew the filter. No fairing removal, as long as the filter isn't over-tightened.
To make the oil change easier I drilled a hole in my belly pan so that I could simply unscrew it with a ratchet. As for gear driven cams, their great when their working, but not so much when your changing them.
the two bros exhaust on the 600 sounds so good. lol
blah
HeroRR lol jk, love ur vids bro. keep up!
I've only ridden the 600rr since 2016,
But lately my wrists have given me issues riding it. Thinking of the vfr for comfort issues
Great looking bikes, I'm a Honda man too. I've got a '97 Cbr1100xx, weighs 550 pounds. Some weight on the highway is a good thing, as you said. I'm a huge, heavy dude so I couldn't do the 600.
The CBR just sounds crap compared to the VFR. Nothing beats the open exhaust V4 growl, makes me grin every time I push the start button... Four headlights, linked brakes, weather protection, stability in strong winds is also a pro for the 800.
Yes! The VFR is such a well rounded machine, I love it!
Szlejer, a sport V-twin with a pipe is right up there with the V4. Honda Superhawk, Suzuki SV650, piped? OMG. Eargasm.
Szlejer that’s why I prefer my r1200rt. Comfort is night and day from my r1.
Glad you prefer your CBR. For me, VFR. Solid, fast, smooth, comfortable.
The CBR600RR is a very pretty bike. But if you're spending hours at a time in the saddle? You'll pick the VFR every time after you ride it once.
I own a 2015 VFR800 and have ridden CBRs from the mid aughts and I have to say I prefer the VFR.
The VFR is the type of motorcycle that you just have to live with to really appreciate. I've let friends ride my VFR and even after riding they still don't understand why I love them. But on a 2 hour + trip they are begging to switch bikes haha
VFR all the way. There’s a reason it was Bike of the Year so often
Finally - you unfolded the mirrors!
Its funny now i see this video, already a year old. But basically im in the same boat. Now i do now you have that beast SP2 and a dirtbike aswel right now. I have the VFR 750 from 91 for daily driving And a FZR 600 R for nice weather days. Pretty simulair but these 2 bikes the hp might be close 2 each other but one drives so much different than the other!
V tec is not variable valve timing it's more complicated than that the actual cam lobe and lift gets bigger at a Sertain rpm to produce more torque pretty amazing
DIY Tutorials And More the vtec in a vfr isn't like the car engines. It doesn't change cam profile, it opens another intake valve
Technically it is. C+P from Wiki. "The simplified motorcycle version of VTEC employs only two of the four valves per cylinder when operating at lower engine speeds. All four valves per cylinder are engaged above approximately 6,800 rpm. This is initiated by an electronically actuated oil spool valve, which send oil pressure to the lifter actuators, which then move the engagement pins into place above the valve stem, allowing the remaining two valves to open. This design allows for *variable valve timing* as well, since the cam lobe profiles can be made different."
Looking at your video, I wonder: aren't both front tyres on the wrong way around? The way the profile goes it seems to drain water towards the middle of the tyre which is exactly what you don't want. Compare the profile with your rear tyres, that both seem to be on the way I'd expect them to be.
I might be wrong, just something I noticed :)
Great video great photography great analysis thank you!
100% same boat. 94 zzr boat and 03 cbr rocket... I like them both, each bike is used for a different purpose
The paint on the 600 makes me drool. Something about that red paint, man. So fucking sexy.
Moving bikes is a technique, weight doesn't come into it when you have the skill. Commuting on the VFR is a better proposition. The RR is lovely, but much more aggressive in rider posture, and not comfortable on long hauls unless you are very young or super flexible. The new VFR800F in red is stunning.
VFR 800 and CBR 1100xx are the best bikes Honda EVER built.
Vfr 750 mate.
Super hawk is always under the radar.
Idk man I LOVE my vtr1000
RC51.
VTR1000 firestorm very under rated.
well, newer doesnt mean better, when it comes to the VFR... I got the older VFR 750 RC36 II from 95, it ran now about 98.000KM and the only thing i had to change (what was not maintenance) was the loading controller from the generator. Changing oil is even easier then on your CBR, and weights about 238KG with full gas. Still, due to its height, getting backwards outta the garage is not funny, i give you that, but valves are not yet nessecary to ajust (doesnt make any noises, and got no V-Tech), but spark plugs are still painful on her, given that V4 engine and the lot of Plastic around it... but still, reliable till deah do us part.
That VFR is such a sweet looking bike man! You fairing paintjob on the CBR is nice as well.
Great video, great review.
Beautiful bikes.
I have a 99 VFR.. no cam chains. Brilliant bikes once restrictions are removed.. will nudge 160. All Hondas have the rectifier issue, my CBR 600 and hornet 600 rectifier failed.. bypass mosfet regulator wired to battery.. solves issue (just get alternator and battery done at same time) VFR very underated.. it's a Ducati race bike with a Honda badge.. the noise is something else.. v4 injection noise.. mmmmm
Five years late I know but I have a 1980 Yamaha XS 1.1 and it's a pig at low speed but wow it becomes a dream when cruising. I think every bike has a perfect place and time when it just makes sense. Of these two the VFR would be my choice but in the 600 range I'd have an R6. That said I'd take a TZR 250 over and R6. 😁
I mean, it depends on what you like. I have a 74 CB-750 with a Header into a Hallow Trumpet that I feel sounds better then both.
Glad I've got the 2001 pre VTEC, two brothers exhaust. Sounds great..... the neighbors might disagree though.
I'm 58,,but till look 45 ,,lol.& I like the weight of my vfr 1999,♡,its stock &rides soo smooth!,,man ,I was amazed on my first ride,,!-I own several heavy cruisers, vfr rides the smoothest!☆,,great video☆☆
I just bought a 2004 VFR800..love it! I previously owned a 2006 Ninja 636..I can say the VFR is does not have the acceleration my Ninja had, but it's such a more comfortable bike to ride. I'm in my mid 40s so comfort over performance is a big plus for me.
Actually, you give a statistic that belies your favoritism of the RR: miles per month. If I understood correctly, you had (at the time of the vid) 7K on the VFR and 14K on the RR; but you've been riding the RR three times as long. If so, that would mean you ride the VFR more per month (or some other time length).
That would seem to suggest the VFR gains the upper hand.
Nice video! Both are awesome bikes!
A clean chain 6 times a year? I clean my chain + both sprockets every Saturday morning. I don't know if it's just me but after around 6 days of riding I can FEEL the dirt in the rollers
I do emotionally lol it nags on me
Easiest oil change ever is on my suzuki tl1000s... there’s no bottom fairing, so the oil filter is right there at the bottom, in the open lol couldn’t be any easier. Now the tl1000r with fairings, yea, a whole different story!
I know this is 6 years old, but the timing chain tensioner on your cbr600 needs changing 😂😂
V for Victory :), sound, torque, real world fun,comfort....everything Honda made the VFR to be :)
The VFRs never go out of fashion 😅
I wonder what is your current feeling towards the two bikes.
I have to say I'm biased to the VFR.
I have been thinking on getting a 600 for track days, but after some research and given today's tech, I've been looking for a Kawasaki ZXR6. They look a much better package than Honda's CBR 600/650.
My only doubt is reliability, as my standard has been Honda all along and my worst experience has been Yamaha.
After watching your bye bye Ninja video i REALLY am gassing for an Interceptor.
Biggest difference between sport and sport tourer in my humble opinion, other than I vs V, is that one is more fun to ride in everyday situations than the other. The sports bikes are gonna be much better for spirited riding than a sports tourer, but see that's the thing, riding spiritedly, as in just a little quick. I don't know what the speed limits are elsewhere in the world but in my little corner they range from a little tight to ridiculous. With a sports tourer that's less of a problem, even more so for cruisers and such.
I want a VFR sooo bad (Fadeless White Pearl Tricoat)
VTEC yo!
Of rather see that cb r with a red lower fairing. Speed up the look and attractiveness and makes the bike look more sporty.