Honda VFR800F 2015 — Specifications

The Honda VFR800F, this living legend, can it still seduce in the age of overpowered roadsters and aseptic GTs? In 2015, it still displays this perfect compromise character, this ability to do everything with a mechanical elegance that many of its rivals lack. Beneath its new, more assertive and mature suit, beats the heart of a mythical V4 engine, an engine that remains the soul of this motorcycle, far beyond the raw figures.

Let's get to the heart of the matter. With 106 horsepower at 10,250 rpm and a torque of 75.5 Nm at 8,500 rpm, the VFR800F does not exaggerate. It is the opposite of a Suzuki GSX-S1000 or a Kawasaki Ninja 1000, more explosive and nervous. Its strength lies in its progressive delivery, its V4 with its inimitable sound that reaches its full potential at high revs. The V-Tec system, revised for this generation, seeks to smooth out the transition between the two and four valves, but it remains a signature, a particularity that one loves or hates. For intense road use, it is an asset, offering flexibility at low revs and a frank delivery when you open the throttle. The aluminum double beam frame, proven and unchanged, offers high-speed stability that inspires absolute confidence, while the rear Pro-Arm monobrach, still present, brings this touch of technical and aesthetic identity dear to aficionados.

Where the 2015 Honda VFR800F scores points is in its pragmatic evolution. Honda has managed to lighten the beast by a few well-felt kilos, notably thanks to a side exhaust that gives it a more classic profile. Braking gains bite with 310 mm discs at the front and radial calipers, even if the absence of an inverted fork on a GT sport at this price may be surprising. The equipment, for its part, is generous: ABS, switchable traction control, standard heated grips, and even automatic turn signal recall. It is a motorcycle designed for the kilometer, for endurance, for those who want to cross Europe without a cramp or a mechanical worry.

However, facing a BMW F800GT, lighter and more economical, or a Yamaha Tracer 900, more versatile and fun, the VFR800F may seem stuck in its time. Its weight of 242 kg fully fueled is felt in the city or in tight hairpin turns, and its price of 11,999 euros at the time was not cheap. It is aimed at the demanding globetrotter, at those who are looking for a machine capable of devouring the highway without trembling, of scratching a corner of the road seriously, and of returning to the office on Monday without looking like they have gone around the world. It is a connoisseur's machine, which rewards patience and finesse of piloting more than aggression.

So, is the Honda VFR800F still relevant? For those seeking the ultimate sportiness, no. For those who want a unique machine, with an unparalleled V4 character, legendary homogeneity and complete equipment, it represents an island of fascinating rationality. It embodies this Honda philosophy where reliability and balance take precedence over grand folly. One can dream of a more muscular and V-Tec-free VFR1000, but as it stands, this RC79, in its Honda VFR800F trim, offers a refined, almost timeless sport touring experience. It is a motorcycle that does not shout, it whispers its excellence to those who know how to listen.