Honda VFR800F 2014 — Specifications

Who would have bet on such a return? In 2014, the Honda VFR800F, this icon of sport-touring that seemed to be gently slipping into retirement, received a rejuvenation as surprising as it was welcome. The question was simple: how to modernize a legend without betraying its soul? Honda chose to rethink the bodywork while preserving the heart, that famous V4 that has charmed touring riders for decades. The result is a machine that more than ever assumes its status as a versatile GT, ready to devour the highway as much as tickle mountain curves.

From the first glance, the change is radical. The bodywork is completely new, with a signature X-shaped headlight and LED lights, a first for Honda at the time. Mirrors now integrate turn signals, and the overall line gains maturity, losing a bit of aggression for a more pronounced elegance. The surprise comes from the rear, where the under-seat exhaust has given way to a traditional side silencer. A debatable aesthetic choice that hides a superb aluminum rim, but justified by a significant weight loss: 7 kilos gone with just this modification. The entire motorcycle is lightened, with an aluminum rear frame and a new Pro-Arm swingarm, for a dry weight of 217 kg. It's a real diet, the first since its switch to an 800 cm3 displacement.

Underneath this new skin, the fundamentals remain faithful to the VFR spirit. The twin-spar aluminum frame has not moved, guaranteeing that stability and precise feel that made its reputation. The 782 cm3 V4 engine evolves subtly, with adjustments to the VTEC system to soften the transition between the 2 and 4 valve modes, and a revised valve timing diagram to strengthen the low and mid-range. Power peaks at 106 horsepower at 10,250 rpm, and torque of 75.1 Nm arrives at 8,500 rpm. This is sufficient for sporty riding without being excessive, the goal remaining smoothness and homogeneity. The equipment is enriched with the arrival of switchable traction control, an ABS that is still present, and standard heated grips. The front braking gains bite with radial 4-piston calipers and 310 mm discs, even if the fork remains conventional, a choice that may be surprising at this price.

Faced with competitors such as the Yamaha Tracer 900 or the Suzuki GSX-S1000F, the Honda VFR800F positions itself as an elegant and refined joker. It does not aim for the most explosive performance/price ratio, but rather for a complete riding experience. Its V4 offers a unique sound and progressive power delivery, its chassis inspires absolute confidence, and its complete equipment makes it an ideal travel companion. It is aimed at the demanding touring rider who is looking for a motorcycle capable of doing everything, from the daily commute to the summer road trip, without ever jarring them. At €12,599, it is not cheap, but it offers a level of finish and serenity that justifies the investment for lovers of noble mechanics.

This 2014 generation of the Honda VFR800F, sometimes referenced as RC79, is therefore a skillful compromise. It modernizes the image and equipment while preserving the essence of the saga. Some purists will regret the side silencer or the absence of an inverted fork, but overall, Honda has succeeded in its bet: to rejuvenate an icon without denaturing it. The real question that remains is that of its future: when will we see a new VFR with a more generous V4, around 1000 cm3 and free from the constraints of VTEC? The potential is there, and the solid base, since twenty years ago, deserves a muscular evolution. In the meantime, this 800 cm3 remains a reference for versatility and character in the landscape of GT motorcycles.