Hey Hawk
Here in N.Z. there was a VFR1000 and it was real popular
Check out this one on our local Trade Me sithttp://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/motorbikes/motorbikes/sports/auction-440932133.htme

 

Yep, that's a bit tasty. 1984 and 43 clicks, that has to be worth a look.

 

I had a 700 and an 1100 Sabre a ways back> anyhow, the best place for info on those bikes is here- Honda Sabre, Magna, Interceptor BBS - Index

 

Yeah that's a nice bike Kiwi JK. However there's a bit of confusion still about the prefix. The VF is considerably different to the VFR

Here's some info(from wikipedia):-

The V-Four engine was prominent in Honda's model line-up in the early 1980s and had engine capacities ranging from 400 cc to 1,100 cc. The V-Four design had only been used a few times in the history of motorcycles, most notably by Matchless. The earliest Honda VF series engine was designated the V45 for its size (45 cubic inches / 740 cubic centimetres) and was very narrow being only 16 inches (406 mm) wide. It had perfect primary balance giving a smooth and nearly vibration-free engine. A smaller V30 (500 cc) engine and a larger V65 (1,100 cc) engine were later available.
In 1982, the first year of the VF models 'first gen', reliability and quality control problems occurred due to new automated production equipment at Honda's plant in Hamamatsu, Japan.[1] Regardless, Honda sold out its first year's inventory of Sabres and the Magnas were not far behind. 1983 saw the engine revised to correct the problems from the previous production year and the introduction of the V65 and the Interceptor. Cam-wear problems surfaced during 1984 in the larger displacement bikes, which, by the time it was corrected, led to eight factory cam revisions over the course of just one year.[citation needed]
The chain-driven valvetrain was dropped from the VFR, with the 1986 'Second Generation' VFR750, in favor of gear driven cams to help distance the VFR from the reputation of the earlier VF engine faulty cam-chain tensioners.

So from 1986 to 2002 all the V4 engines were the 'over engineered' gear driven cams, with no cam chain tensioner to worry about and of course no cam chain noise. However they were only made as 400-800cc capacities.

 

Blimey Steve,
have you been listening to sleep learning cassette tapes on those ling hauls?
I'm bloody in awe mate!
Hawkwind for CBRF mastermind 2012!

 

No mate, but as I said it was a toss-up between the VRF and the CBR so I looked into both and all the factual stuff was cribbed from Wiki

 

Hey:

Hawk, just so you know the 1985/6 VF1000R was gear driven cams and has many of the upgrades the later VFR's had that is why they cost over a grand more than the 84/85 VF1000F. I have owed 83 VF750F, 96 VFR750F & 90 RVF750R (RC30 sold on ebay for more than cost new) an 85 VF1000F and still own a 86 VF1000R. THEY ARE ALL GREAT BIKES, they just did not sell well after engine issues reported by the mags even after Honda got the issues fixed. the R and F VF1000 bike engines are not the same, the R tranny is wider and the motor bolts to the frame a little differently than the same year F model. The VF1000R motor is 10 hp more thru the range than the F. The down side of the R was 5 speed tranny, and the extra 50 LBs of weight the bike gained over the F model. Also it was a real pig compared to The class leading lightweight Suzuki Slabside GSX1100R of the time. The 89 & newer VFR750 or the 85/86 VF1000R are great engined bikes. The VF1000R is heavy but run very well and are pretty reliable for a older bike and the still look the biz too. They (VF series engines) cost more to make than inline 4s and offered only a mid torque advantages over the inline 4 and narrower engine line.

The VFR 400 is known to be a very good bike and was one of many of the good 400s Honda sold back then. I hope this helps your mate find an affordable bike to run.

Dub

 

Thanks Dub, this has been quite an interesting experience this thread; so many members, so many opinions!

Anywho, the bottom line is that kiwiJK is very generously going to take a ride up to Bulls and and have a bit of a look and listen on behalf of my mate Gerald.

I did notice an XJS Jag lurking in the background of a couple of the photo's. I knew that would attract his interest cos' he has at least three Jags that I know of. Who knows, maybe he's got more of them that neither his wife or I know about.

 

Just thought I'd let you guys know that the auction for the VFR closed tonight but unfortunately my mate missed out. He's "pitlane" and obviously had a limit that had to include freight to the South Island.

Honda VFR 1987 | Trade Me

Interesting thou, that neither the buyer or the seller have had any previous auctions or purchases and they both happened to join within a couple of months of each other back in 2010.

Do I detect the smell of a ring-in or I am just being cynical?

Might just keep an eye out, see if it comes back up for sale again.

Cheers and thanks for your input.

 

I 'd bet your azz you'll see it pop up - & - watchout - sounds like it could be trouble