Author Topic: From FZS600 to VFR800 instead of FZS1000? (Read 10880 times)

SteveMc278 · « **on:** 02 June 2014, 08:00:23 pm »

Hi,

FZS1000 looses out on the nimbleness of FZS600 so how about a VFR800 (pre vetec) as a more logical step up from the trusty 600? Even though I like the 600 it can feel too light weight for example in blustery weather on faster roads.

Opinions from people who've owned all three bikes would be welcome?

Thanks in advance.

mickvp · « **Reply #1 on:** 02 June 2014, 08:09:58 pm »

Ive not owned the VFR800, but this was the exact same logic I used when I changed my FZS600 and the VFR800 was the bike I was looking at.

I decided against it in the end, as by all accounts from my mate who had one, he said they were clinical and boring with no soul, but good bikes. the other reasons I decided against it is the VFR is not as comfy as the FZS, the legs are a little more bent (a problem for me due to an injury), and your back is more bent forwards with the clip=ons than the upright position of the FZS1000.

I have an FZS1000 now, and I love it.....just sayin'

andybesy · « **Reply #2 on:** 02 June 2014, 08:44:58 pm »

You'll have to test ride them, but if comfort is important to you then the FZS1000 would likely win on that. I fancied a VFR800 for ages but was put off when my brother struggled for comfort on his, particularly in the wrists.

Andy

kitcrazy · « **Reply #3 on:** 02 June 2014, 08:51:24 pm »

ive had a 1998 vfr800 and done alot of two up touring on it and found it very comfy. its a great bike but for the fun factor the fazer is way better.

Exupnut · « **Reply #4 on:** 02 June 2014, 09:43:33 pm »

Very Fukin Rubbish

JoeRock · « **Reply #5 on:** 02 June 2014, 09:48:34 pm »

Well for one thing, it's also heavier than the FZS 1000!

Wet weight for the FZS is 230 kilos, the VFR800i is about 238!

Millietant · « **Reply #6 on:** 03 June 2014, 12:46:38 am »

My wife Liz went into our local dealer to look at a VFR800 to replace her VF 750 F. After a brief try out she decided the riding position put far too weight on her wrists.

Dejected, she tried a Fazer 1000, and fell in live with it after only 5 miles.

11 years later, she still adores the Fazer - and still has her old VF !

bigralphie · « **Reply #7 on:** 03 June 2014, 01:43:20 am »

They are Honda,s go and wash your hands

ChristoT · « **Reply #8 on:** 03 June 2014, 07:21:12 am »

Have to agree with Micky.

The VTEC VFR800 was my dream bike for ages - just has drop-dead gorgeous looks, and good for taller riders - my friend Rick has one, and he's 6'5"! I bought my Fazer 600 originally because the reviews called it a poor man's VFR. And I'm very poor! Having test ridden Rick's bike, I found the ground reach long - and I have long legs - the back position was going to do my back in after a few miles, and pegs seemed higher than they needed to be. It felt a lot heavier and top-heavy than the Fazer too. As both our bikes were restricted, mine had better acceleration and top end AND was more flickable in corners.

Would I turn down a VFR800 if I was given one? No. Would I buy one? Probably not, I'd use the money on either a FZS1000 (taller, more comfy for lanky gits), and spend the left over money on making it mental.

Wookee · « **Reply #9 on:** 03 June 2014, 09:18:27 am »

I had a thou for 50k miles and would still have it if it weren't for some diesel

. For a short period I had a VFR750 that I bought on a whim as it was a steal. I rode it for a total of 300 miles and found it so uncomfortable that anything more than 10 miles was agony. I have the little fazer now and find it easily the best of the lot, it was nice to have all the power of the thousand that was nice and smooth due to an Ivan's kit, but ultimately there is no need for this extra power. There's no way you can ride an fzs600 to its full potential on our roads.

unfazed · « **Reply #10 on:** 05 June 2014, 12:31:09 am »

No contest,
I had a well sorted VFR800 belonging to a friend on loan for 2 weeks when the 600 was with Danfay supposedly fixing the sprocket shaft about 10 years ago.

It was a very nice bike, but would I buy one? NO

I could not put my finger on the reason but the FZS600 and the FZS1000 are just easier to live with

and cheaper to maintain in my opinion

Mick-H · « **Reply #11 on:** 05 June 2014, 05:24:30 pm »

I've never had a VFR800 but I've had 2 VFR750's which many people believe are the better than the 800 and 2 Fazer 1000.
Bought my first VFR many years ago as it had always been a dream bike for me, I had it for just short of 2 years before finding out that it had been a cat C insurance jobbie, couldn't really live with it after that so started to look at the new VFR vtec and Fazer 1000's. Went for the Fazer as I didn't like the idea of a vfr without gear driven cams.
I kept that bike for 6 years before selling to buy a ST1100, biggest mistake in my biking life. After playing around with a few different bikes I ended up with a MINT VFR750 I enjoyed the bike for a couple of years but still hankered for a Fazer again.
Luckily for me a bloke saw my VFR while it was in for a service and when all comes to all I ended up swapping the VFR for his Fazer 1000, he kept the VFR for a few months and is now back on a gen 2 Fazer.
I'm now back on a gen 1 1000 and love every min of it, can't see me ever selling or getting rid, superb all rounder IMHO.

Craiginuk · « **Reply #12 on:** 06 June 2014, 01:21:04 pm »

I went the other way.

Honda CB500 to VFR800. I found the 800 great for nice fast B roads but terrible filtering etc. Just felt so big. Then got a Fazer 600 and found that to be best of both worlds for me.

JoeRock · « **Reply #13 on:** 06 June 2014, 02:09:09 pm »

Quote from: ChristoT on 03 June 2014, 07:21:12 am

Have to agree with Micky.

The VTEC VFR800 was my dream bike for ages - just has drop-dead gorgeous looks, and good for taller riders - my friend Rick has one, and he's 6'5"! I bought my Fazer 600 originally because the reviews called it a poor man's VFR. And I'm very poor! Having test ridden Rick's bike, I found the ground reach long - and I have long legs - the back position was going to do my back in after a few miles, and pegs seemed higher than they needed to be. It felt a lot heavier and top-heavy than the Fazer too. As both our bikes were restricted, mine had better acceleration and top end AND was more flickable in corners.

Would I turn down a VFR800 if I was given one? No. Would I buy one? Probably not, I'd use the money on either a FZS1000 (taller, more comfy for lanky gits), and spend the left over money on making it mental.

Christo, if you've not got some kind of underlying back issue then at your age the riding position of pretty much any sports tourer like that should be fine, it's just a matter of taking maybe a week or so to get used to it, and your stomach muscles will get used to holding you up! I know you're quite tall, so some of the pure sports bikes might be a tad more difficult, but don't go only looking at flat barred bikes!

wutangbuzz · « **Reply #14 on:** 12 June 2014, 12:50:02 am »

I wanted a vfr as my first bike but I just can't get used to clip ons. I rode crossers for years and I still love straight bars. I'd say clip ons are awesome at speed but for normal riding I just can't get on with them. I'm seriously thinking about upgrading to the thou next year cos I love my 6 so much its just perfect. I'm only going up a size cos the Mrs wants to tag along a bit and I reckon she'd affect the handling on the 6 to much even though she's a skinny little fucker. Anyone had any experience 2 up on the 6? What's it like?

JoeRock · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 June 2014, 01:58:00 am »

Quote from: wutangbuzz on 12 June 2014, 12:50:02 am

I wanted a vfr as my first bike but I just can't get used to clip ons. I rode crossers for years and I still love straight bars. I'd say clip ons are awesome at speed but for normal riding I just can't get on with them. I'm seriously thinking about upgrading to the thou next year cos I love my 6 so much its just perfect. I'm only going up a size cos the Mrs wants to tag along a bit and I reckon she'd affect the handling on the 6 to much even though she's a skinny little fucker. Anyone had any experience 2 up on the 6? What's it like?

Alright, but for longer distances and if you want luggage you'll probably want the extra space/power of the 1000 to be honest?

deanadam1967 · « **Reply #16 on:** 03 June 2018, 04:22:52 pm »

Hi. I own a fzs1000 2005 plate. I love it but loved my vfr800fi more.Would love another blue one

FZS1000 looses out on the nimbleness of FZS600 so how about a VFR800 (pre vetec) as a more logical step up from the trusty 600? Even though I like the 600 it can feel too light weight for example in blustery weather on faster roads.

Opinions from people who've owned all three bikes would be welcome?

Thanks in advance.

slappy · « **Reply #17 on:** 03 June 2018, 04:51:08 pm »

Nice thread resurrection

Gnasher · « **Reply #18 on:** 04 June 2018, 08:19:32 am »

The original FZS600/1000's are in my opinion two of the best all round bikes ever made they just do it all so well, the 1000 does everything the 600 does just a whole lot faster

VFR's are good bikes typical Honda's well built and reliable but this can be their Achilles Heel, that sounds daft I know but true. How is that, being both well made and reliable means they wear very well, many bikes are bought and sold on within 1 - 3 years from new, most do very little mileage, stealers loved them in trade in. In the shop quick clean and sold many had nothing done to them at all, some have possibly not even had lower mileage oil changes or plug changes and if you know anything about VFR's especially the later 800's is what you have to go through to check or change them! As they get older this can develop into alsorts of issues calipers, head bearings, and steal parts of the frame which have never seen the light of day since being built. For those who had an early Pan you'll know what I mean!

Don't get me wrong I'm not saying all VFR's are in this category or that they're bad bikes they're not, but they're difficult to work on so expensive, well maintained they're extremely reliable. Last point about them and again very typical Honda they're are very refined and considered by many to be boring.

Out of a choice of VFR or FZS1000 no contest FZS

[size=78%] [/size]

Pepsi · « **Reply #19 on:** 17 August 2018, 04:47:03 pm »

sorry....newbee alert here, and I appreciate this is an old thread, but I have owned all of these bikes in the past, VFR800Fi, Fazer 1000 and Fazer 600 foxeye, (Both Fazers at the same time). I'd sack any thoughts of the VFR because, just like so many VFR owners do, you'd be on the hunt to stop the wrist aches with bar risers. Plus, valve clearances on the VFR ain't as simple as the Fazer 600, which definitely ain't as easy as the Fazer 1000. If you don't do your own servicing then this translates in to more cost for more hours on the spanners. VFR's are so nice but boring, except for the sound of that piped V4 engine in a tunnel or between rock faces in The Alps.

As for riding them, well I truly miss my 1000, but made good with a Tuono and a KTM 950SM. The 600 was a little bit small but not as small as the VFR (as it appeared to me and my 6 foot+ height).

Today....I'm now sat on a Tenere but have hooked up with you guys because I'm buying a 600 foxeye for the wife's 40th to replace hers (another long story)

fatbloke62 · « **Reply #20 on:** 17 August 2018, 08:10:15 pm »

I've had all three , 2x 600 1x vfr 800 but have kept the fzs1000 the longest that's got to tell you something , try and blag a ride on vfr great on the move but ride in stop start town traffic you'll want a 1000 without doubt

Carlsv8 · « **Reply #21 on:** 18 August 2018, 09:05:23 am »

Just to throw a spanner in the works, if you want a 'grown up' Fazer 600 buy a CBF 1000. I've a 600 Foxeye, have had a 1000 (which I regret selling, a late model beauty) at the same time but the CBF (borrowed from a mate) was more like my 600 than the 1000 was. The thou is immensely fast between 60 and 110. Wish I'd kept mine, have I said that often enough ?

.

Hugh Mungus · « **Reply #22 on:** 18 August 2018, 06:03:22 pm »

600's are great bikes. The thou is even better. You don't have to work the engine so hard for overtakes, far less gear changing in all conditions and a more planted feel when cornering. Yes it is slightly less nimble than a 600 but after you've got used to the Thou you won't want to go back. I've got the Gen 1 and I can't really fault it. So great to ride fast or slow. Nice comfy seat so you can ride for long distances.

As for the VFR... like others have said it is a Honda. Great bike but seems to do everything so well it becomes boring. You know it's going to be reliable if it's looked after. The paintwork and mechanics will be good because it's a Honda. I've not owned one but I have ridden one. I liked it but not enough to buy it.

tommyardin · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 August 2018, 01:28:29 am »

Interesting post to read.
Really glad I still have my baby FZS 2003 Foxeye, I was thinking about selling it at the beginning of the summer but the Mrs talked me out of it, glad she did.
Someone mentioned that the FZS 600 was not, or, did not feel as planted as the big boys Fazers, don't know never ridden one (I am not a Big Boy)

An FZS 600 with a Nitron R1 shock on back and Ohlins linears in the front along with YSS cartridge emulators makes it really planted.
It is an expensive exercise, but, so is throwing the bike up the road because it let go or ran wide on a bend, mine turns in fast and can be flicked about happily.
Again as someone else mentioned you have to really be hooning to push the 600 engine to the limits on the road.

I was thinking about an early 1K Fazer as a winter project last year, but ended up with a Honda C90

not quite the same I know but still a lot of fun and that fun last much longer, well it take an age to get anywhere.

Hugh Mungus · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 August 2018, 06:17:45 am »

It's merely the difference between a 600 and a heavier 1000 Tommy.
If I wanted a bike purely for scratching around the back lanes I would choose the 600.