First Ride: 2006 Honda VFR800 VTEC ABS
Clever new VTEC knows what you want and paves the way for more variable valve Hondas
Posted: 22 September 2010
by Jon Urry
Click to read: Honda VFR800 VTEC owners reviews, Honda VFR800 VTEC specs and to see the Honda VFR800 VTEC image gallery.
It's taken a while to get round to it but Honda has finally come up with a solution to the issues affecting the VFR800's variable valve VTEC.
The problem was a momentary 'hiccup' at the point of transition from two-to-four-valve operation. Often not an issue, the hiccup was nevertheless irritating to owners and proved an obstacle to smooth riding under certain conditions.
The issue has taken time to resolve, but the solution is clever. Previously the VTEC equipped VFR ran on two valves per cylinder below 6800rpm, and four above. Now the motor switches to four valves at 6600rpm and back to two at 6100.
Mechanically the system is identical to old (an oil pressure actuated pin moves into a chamber above the valve stem to engage the valve, and moves out to disengage), but the really clever stuff is electronic. The ECU now measures a range of parameters, including throttle and gear position, and alters ignition timing and fueling to change the character of the motor at the transition from two valves to four depending on how the bike is ridden.
"The system tries to give the rider the feeling they want depending on how they are riding," explains Honda UK's Dave Hancock. "Crack the throttle open in a low gear and the VTEC comes in differently than if you rolled it on gradually in a higher gear. In that respect it's now more similar to our car VTEC systems."
And it works - so well that in high gears it's virtually impossible to tell when the motor is switching from two valves to four. But accelerate hard in first or second and the motor delivers a more exciting switch.
But the VTEC VFR was launched in 2002, so why has it taken until now to address the issue? "It's taken a while to implement the changes but we have to do it in conjunction with planned model development," explains Hancock. "It often happens that way. If we detect a problem the resolution has to be fed into the development programme."
Revised VTEC system aside, other changes to the VFR for 2006 are cosmetic. The VFR costs £8499 and is available now.
What's next for VTEC?
Will we see VTEC on any other Hondas? What about the replacement for the long-in-the-tooth Blackbird? Wasn't that canned due to VTEC issues?
"Development of the Blackbird replacement stopped because the existing bike is so good it was a case of, 'Where do we go from here?'" says Honda UK's Dave Hancock. "The Blackbird will carry on for the next two years, with minor changes, but future development could incorporate a bigger capacity engine with VTEC." So now you know.
VERDICT
World's most refined sports tourer gets final polish needed to earn five stars. The VFR is thoroughly sorted.
SPECS
TYPE - SPORTS TOURER
PRODUCTION DATE - 2006
PRICE NEW - £8499
ENGINE CAPACITY - 782cc
POWER - 107bhp@10,500rpm
TORQUE - 59lb.ft@8750rpm
WEIGHT - 218kg
SEAT HEIGHT - n/a
FUEL CAPACITY - n/a
TOP SPEED - n/a
0-60 - n/a
TANK RANGE - N/A
Discuss this story
Wouldn't it have been much cheaper and simpler just to bung a v4 1000 in it instead ? I hated my Vfr with a passion. Uncomfortable , pointless linked brakes, now cured ( possibly ?) but ridiculous vtec and the best bit of all, a radiator on each side to boil your legs and sperm everytime you slowed in traffic. Have they fixed all the other points too ?
Posted: 01/04/2008 at 21:34
the VTEC ones are shite HTH
Posted: 02/04/2008 at 09:11
Wish they'd stop calling it a VFR. I mean - it's got camchains. What's all that about? Which bit of 'vfr' refers to the cam-drive system?
When the VF (chocolate camshaft) engine was replaced by the VFR (Which I think stood for V Four racing), camchains were done away with and replaced by gear driven cams - hence the distinctive high pitch whine- the engine was overengineered to restore faith in Honda's V Four layout.
The model definition changed at that point from VF to VFR. A proper VFR has no camchains - why? - because that's the way it is the VTEC is a usurper
Posted: 02/04/2008 at 14:48
When the VF (chocolate camshaft) engine was replaced by the VFR (Which I think stood for V Four racing), camchains were done away with and replaced by gear driven cams - hence the distinctive high pitch whine- the engine was overengineered to restore faith in Honda's V Four layout.The model definition changed at that point from VF to VFR. A proper VFR has no camchains - why? - because that's the way it is the VTEC is a usurper Yes, I've heard that bollocks trotted out before. It's just some sort of misguided mechanical snobbery - the engine of the v-tec is based on the 800i, which is based on the 750. Try buying a bike in the future with gear-driven cams...you won't have many to choose from. Engine aside it's a better bike than the 800i in every respect - as it should be given 4 years development. As for the engine, it's an over-complicated solution to a problem that didn't really exist but, set up right, there's nothing wrong with the way it works.
Posted: 02/04/2008 at 14:58
Try buying a bike in the future with gear-driven cams...you won't have many to choose from.
That's exactly the point. Sometimes it's nice to have something which is not that common. I like the gear driven cam solution, the fact that it's a massively engineered solution and it's why, despite being in the position to buy a new VTEC model, I spent 9 months looking for a low mileage fHsh 750 after selling my last one 4 years ago. (I don't like the styling and riding position on the 5th gen 800i) Engine aside it's a better bike than the 800i in every respect - as it should be given 4 years development. As for the engine, it's an over-complicated solution to a problem that didn't really exist but, set up right, there's nothing wrong with the way it works.
Can't disagree that the VTEC is a good bike, but it's become a bit anonymous (even for a Honda). Horses for courses. When I tested 800i's didn't like the fuelling snatch at low speed (commuting traffic) Liked the Vtec fine - VTEC change not an issue for me the way I ride and the later model is definitely better than the first ones. Still not a proper VFR though
Posted: 02/04/2008 at 16:06
This debate has been raging since 2002, but as someone who's owned both models, I can't agree that the VTEC is the better bike (It's still a great bike though). It's less comfortable than the old bike, escpecially for pillions, it's less economical, it's no faster (my VTEC was actually a touch slower, but plenty quick enough for the road), the handling/braking is basically the same and the engine has been ruined by that bleedin' awful VTEC system. With the old VFR engine you could use the mid-range power, which is one of the reasons why it was a much better roadbike than a 600. With the VTEC, you either have to dawdle or rev the t*ts off it, which makes it frustrating to ride. Like many other VFR owners, I got fed up of waiting for Honda to come up with a replacement and went elsewhere when I wanted a new bike. They've seriously lost the plot with their product range 
Posted: 05/04/2008 at 07:38
With the old VFR engine you could use the mid-range power, which is one of the reasons why it was a much better roadbike than a 600. With the VTEC, you either have to dawdle or rev the t*ts off it, which makes it frustrating to ride.
i was putting this into practice on my fi-1 today, and i could easily keep up with my very rapid mate on his gsxr-600.
i have had to spend a few quid on suspension mind. now it's ohlins all round, it's a completely transformed machine. i've heard that the suspension on the vtec model is better as standard - and i do prefer the styling - but i'd never my current vfr in for the vtec - even if someone offered me money to do so 
Posted: 05/04/2008 at 20:47
...the handling/braking is basically the same Right. 
Yes, right. I thought my VTEC had really good suspension compared to my 19000 mile old FiY, but it was only due to the knackered rear shock and tired fork oil.
I bought the same FiY back 12 months later which by then had a new rear shock and fork overhaul and it was virtually as good as the VTEC. Both would leave my K1200S down a really twisty road.
Posted: 06/04/2008 at 21:07
I've had 2 5thgens and 2 Vtec's... The new VFR is by far the best, a throbbing botton end together with a screaming inline-4 like rush that the old vfr's never had. The styling is still bang up to date and she can run with anything on the road no problems. .. and with a few simple little mods the VTEC is never an issue once you get used to it, it gives the viffer some much needed character and a playful side.. just listen to that growl over 7k, it's addictive.
Posted: 23/04/2008 at 12:26
've had 2 5thgens and 2 Vtec's... The new VFR is by far the best, a throbbing botton end together with a screaming inline-4 like rush that the old vfr's never had. The styling is still bang up to date and she can run with anything on the road no problems. Well I guess just about every Dyno graph and magazine in the world got it wrong then. The Vtec makes slightly less power and torque,is slower over a quarter mile.uses more fuel and weighs more.Service costs are up. Poor resale value compared to the last Real VFR ???? I will just up grade my suspension on my 99 thanks. Yes I have ridden a an 04 dFect
Posted: 13/10/2008 at 22:52
The VF1000F (and Vf1000R) had also gear driven camshafts, although it was a 'VF' and not a 'VFR' Only the VF400F, VF700F and VF750 F (and C and S models) used chaindriven camshafts.
Posted: 22/09/2010 at 15:27
Sell me a v4 as my inline 4 seems to stonk on everything i come across ?? what is this mystical mystery about the v4 motors Gsxr 1000 in naked trim oh my
Posted: 22/09/2010 at 19:41
Thank God for that, thought it was just me! Saw this bike, fell in love with it, read all reviews which stated how wonderful it is, thought I was sorted so booked a test ride. Hated every single thing about it and bought a Z1000 instead. Only regret is the Zed isn't really suited to 2 up touring.
Posted: 30/09/2010 at 14:31
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