Honda VFR800F - MOTOR GERR

A brief recap: I’m (commonly) a VFR man. I’ve ridden or tested all of ‘em over the last 25 years or so; had a lovely Mk II VFR750FL for a 12 months returned inside the early ‘90s; owned the final of the 750s, a VFR750FR (the motorbike many, me included, nevertheless reckon one of the quality of all time) and sampled most of the ones on the grounds that.

That stated, I turned into never smitten with the 800Fi and like many had combined emotions approximately the V-Tec version. So when I examined a significantly new VFR800F in April and located it revitalized then had the risk to run one for the the rest of the year, I jumped on the threat.

For one purpose or any other (checking out other bikes or being away being the main ones) I haven’t had the danger to clock up as many miles as I’d have appreciated this summer, but as the depths of iciness beckon we’re beginning to bond more than ever before.

It would possibly sound like sacrilege for the sort of fantastically finished, elegant machine, however this new era VFR makes a exceptionally incredible winter weapon. Any the front give up uncertainty is surmounted with the aid of the Honda’s brilliantly-particular front-cease experience and ABS brakes; rear quit trepidation is countered via the V4’s clean torque, the simply ironed-out VTEC ‘blip’ and the brand new-for-2014 traction control plus there’s additionally the new-for-2014 heated grips (which imply I can hold sporting my summer season or medium gloves), a fabulously natural driving function and first rate climate protection.

There’s greater: the centre-stand makes chain-lubing a doddle, the mirrors are huge and huge enough to alert me to twats failing to go away sufficient braking room and the lighting fixtures in this winter murk are properly, too.

Which brings me to the tyres. An errant driveway nail killed off the OE fitment Dunlop D222 Sportmaxs the VFR wore for its first 1700-unusual miles, and they perfect it, too. But on the recommendation of others I’ve now switched to Bridgstone Battlax T30s with, I have to say, slightly combined effects. Sure they work first-class and are acceptably predictable. But the VFR’s precise the front quit ‘chew’ now appears diluted a little and my typical self assurance isn’t quite as awesome. That stated, that is quite a minor niggle: I’m in no rush to interchange lower back. The relaxation of the VFR more than makes up for it and, typical, it’s creating a breeze of iciness to date.

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