Author Topic: VF1000R (Read 8736 times)

Retro Rocket · « **on:** February 01, 2011, 04:48:56 PM »

Can anyone tell me if these were popular in the States and what sort of prices they go for now...? They don't have to be pristine examples....

Mick

Steve_K · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2011, 05:06:40 PM »

That is the V4 with gear driven cams? Half or full fairing? I think imported for only, one or two years. I have only seen pics in magazines. US riders did not buy them. Should sound like a RC 30. What not to like.
Steve

Goofaroo · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2011, 05:16:39 PM »

They were one of those bikes that Honda couldn't sell. They were never understood by the American public. In 1990 I bought a brand new one from a dealer here in Oklahoma. It is the only new motorcycle I have ever owned. I put about 45,000 or so miles on it and it was primary transportation for three years. Then I got married and had kids. I finally sold it for about $2,000 and a 1986 XT350. Now of course, they have rocketed in value and have a cult following. It's one of those bikes that I kick my for selling.

The Comstar wheels were #$%*. It took me about two weeks to bend the front wheel. I took it back to the dealership (which I worked at) and Honda replaced it under warranty. I always liked the RC30 and decided I had to have white wheels so I stripped down the Comstars and had them powdercoated white. It looked pretty damned good and I had many adventures with it. I had some soft luggage on it and an Eclipse tank bag and it served me well as a sport touring bike. Those gear driven cams sounded fantastic. As I recall (but I'm not sure) it had a 360 degree crank. It sounded great at full throttle and would pull a hill better than any bike I have ever ridden. The rear shock was absolute garbage.

Why do you ask?

Goofaroo · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2011, 05:18:29 PM »

They were sold here in 1985 and 1986. Mine was a 1986 that sat in the crate for four years until I came and bought it.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2011, 06:10:46 PM »

Quote from: Goofaroo on February 01, 2011, 05:16:39 PM

They were one of those bikes that Honda couldn't sell. They were never understood by the American public. In 1990 I bought a brand new one from a dealer here in Oklahoma. It is the only new motorcycle I have ever owned. I put about 45,000 or so miles on it and it was primary transportation for three years. Then I got married and had kids. I finally sold it for about $2,000 and a 1986 XT350. Now of course, they have rocketed in value and have a cult following. It's one of those bikes that I kick my for selling.

The Comstar wheels were #$%*. It took me about two weeks to bend the front wheel. I took it back to the dealership (which I worked at) and Honda replaced it under warranty. I always liked the RC30 and decided I had to have white wheels so I stripped down the Comstars and had them powdercoated white. It looked pretty damned good and I had many adventures with it. I had some soft luggage on it and an Eclipse tank bag and it served me well as a sport touring bike. Those gear driven cams sounded fantastic. As I recall (but I'm not sure) it had a 360 degree crank. It sounded great at full throttle and would pull a hill better than any bike I have ever ridden. The rear shock was absolute garbage.

Why do you ask?

I am just looking at options for a slightly more modern build, and i like the 1000R, they were actually made for 4+ years and are very expensive here so i just thought i would put it out there and see whats about.
These pics are what triggered my enthusiasm again. Yes Steve, they had the gear driven cams.

Very tasty mods on this one and easily achieved....

Mick

Goofaroo · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2011, 06:39:25 PM »

I think they've gotten pretty pricey here also. It seems like last time I saw one they wanted around $8000 US. As I recall I only paid about $6,000 for mine brand new back in 1990 and I'm sure they were thrilled to get rid of it. That modified version in the pics is cool as hell. That looks just like the frame, motor, and fairing (slightly modified) that mine had. The tank, tail section, swingarm, and fork are different. I have a picture here that I was going to send you but I can't get the resolution low enough in my scanner for the forum to let me attach it. Mine looked great with the white wheels.

What about doing something similar with an early 90s VFR750?

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2011, 08:04:16 PM »

The later model1000R had that tank. I like the later{1990+} model VFR750's but the old 1000 just has something about it that i really like...Its all just idea's at the moment. I just checked the 750 out and they are readily available for not much more than 2 grand in very good condition.......

Mick

vanillagorilla · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2011, 08:13:13 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 01, 2011, 06:10:46 PM

Whoa, MAMA! That is at least 6 or 7 different kinds of sexy!

Goofaroo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2011, 08:59:40 PM »

The 750s are a great bike for a great price. If I ever come across a 1990 model I'll probably have to buy it just out of principle. I like the 1990 to 1994 models. From 1995 on the bikes continually improved but they just didn't have the glamorous looks of the earlier ones. For what you are envisioning, the 750 would be a much easier way to get there and a helluva lot less money. It's hard to tell from the pics you posted but it looks like that swingarm may be from a 750. I don't recognize the forks.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2011, 09:43:22 PM »

Quote from: Goofaroo on February 01, 2011, 08:59:40 PM

The 750s are a great bike for a great price. If I ever come across a 1990 model I'll probably have to buy it just out of principle. I like the 1990 to 1994 models. From 1995 on the bikes continually improved but they just didn't have the glamorous looks of the earlier ones. For what you are envisioning, the 750 would be a much easier way to get there and a helluva lot less money. It's hard to tell from the pics you posted but it looks like that swingarm may be from a 750. I don't recognize the forks.

It is a sweet looking 1000R. I agree with everything you said about the 1990+ 750's but they don't have the grunt of those 1000's, i love torque....

Also , ever heard a 1000 with a good pipe.....Place drooling emoticon here...

I think the forks are later model CBR forks...

Mick

Goofaroo · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2011, 06:42:50 AM »

Quote

It is a sweet looking 1000R. I agree with everything you said about the 1990+ 750's but they don't have the grunt of those 1000's, i love torque.... Grin Also , ever heard a 1000 with a good pipe.....Place drooling emoticon here... Grin
I think the forks are later model CBR forks...

There's not a lot of options if you have to have the grunt of the 1000. Absolutely linear pull from bottom to top. That damn thing would pull off idle like a twin and rev out like an I-4.

As for the sound, it seems to me that Honda sprinkled in a few bikes here and there that had the "big bang" crank. Obviously the VFR750R (RC30) is an option if you have a small fortune to throw at this. It seems to me that the first year (1983) VF750F (or whatever it was called) had a 360 degree crank. With a bit of research you might also find that there was a 360 degree version of the 750 sometime from 1985 to 1987. You Aussies also might have gotten all sorts of other cool versions of that engine that we never saw here in the states.

I have a feeling this thread is going to cost me money.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2011, 03:02:40 PM »

Quote

I have a feeling this thread is going to cost me money.

I spend far too much time looking at bikes as well and that fuels my interest in some of the bikes i have always liked but never owned, its quite simple really, you just have to win the bloody lottery....

Mick

Steve_K · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2011, 03:27:34 PM »

I have always wanted a RC 30. Never saw one nearby for sale and only saw them on the track. Did not have the cash either, so I got a 86 GSXR 750 instead. Fun bike, good handling bike, I love it, but not a RC.

Good luck on your search!
Steve

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #13 on:** February 03, 2011, 05:57:12 AM »

Don't do it Mick, a good VF1000R should be preserved, they will be a modern(ish) classic one day soon, buy a VFR750 and chop it up, there's plenty around, and if we were all being honest, they're a better bike anyway.

Whatever you do, don't buy a VF1000F (or 750F for that matter) they are utter shiite, (who said Honda get's it right every time?) and they're rsponsible for the VF1000R not being a cult classic now, like the CB1100R. (they were tarred with the same brush) Cheers, Terry.

ohiocaferacer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 03, 2011, 07:48:17 AM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on February 03, 2011, 05:57:12 AM

VF1000R not being a cult classic now

I remember when those bikes first rolled onto the showroom floors.......most unbelievable bike I had ever seen.

Well......after college I finally bought one.....1985 VF1000R.....low mileage and good condition. Was so disappointed with that bike....probadly why they never sold....and new ones were still in crates for years later. For a 1000cc bike....it was a dog and was a heavy as a semi truck. Smooth running engine.......but had no go.....not to mention how uncomfortable it was to ride. The bike was so long....even my 6' frame was in severe pain after awhile of holding onto the bars. I really loved the style of the bike....for the mid 80s....it was awesome. But, Honda dropped the ball......it could have been so much more.....prob reason its not a cult classis as Terry stated.

I think the are a nice bike to look at......but I will never own one again

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #15 on:** February 03, 2011, 02:00:45 PM »

Quote from: Terry in Australia on February 03, 2011, 05:57:12 AM

Don't do it Mick, a good VF1000R should be preserved, they will be a modern(ish) classic one day soon, buy a VFR750 and chop it up, there's plenty around, and if we were all being honest, they're a better bike anyway.

Whatever you do, don't buy a VF1000F (or 750F for that matter) they are utter shiite, (who said Honda get's it right every time?) and they're responsible for the VF1000R not being a cult classic now, like the CB1100R. (they were tarred with the same brush) Cheers, Terry.

Just tossing idea's around mate, actually what i have been thinking of doing {for some time now} is to build a bike from different Honda parts like, i like the look of the VF750 rear section but not the bike, i like the boldor tanks but not so much the engine, i like the 1990 VFR suspension, and i like {call me a masochist} the CBX 750 engine and frame, what i am saying is i would like to throw all these bits together an build a parts shop special..... When i came across that picture of the 1000R i just thought i would ask a few questions of our American friends, more out of curiosity that anything..... I have always wanted to build my "own" Honda.....

I know all about the early VF's , nothing to worry about there mate...

Mick

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #16 on:** February 03, 2011, 02:17:17 PM »

No worries Mick, and why not? Later Honda stuff is cheap and plentiful, so I say go for it. I keep looking at a K1 frame here that has been chopped up and I'm keen to build a CB750 based "minimalist" chopper, just for fun.

Nothing wrong with recycling parts that I couldn't give away like that frame and a 16 inch back wheel and some 6 inch over forks I've got kicking around in my garage, and I've got a couple of engines worth of parts in boxes.

On top of that I've just discovered that my youngest son is a brilliant custom painter (that University arts degree worked out in my favor after all, it seems) so it's not gonna cost much to build another bike, so I might have some fun..........

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #17 on:** February 03, 2011, 02:25:52 PM »

Note to self, put son through arts degree......

Mick

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #18 on:** February 03, 2011, 02:41:42 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 03, 2011, 02:25:52 PM

Note to self, put son through arts degree......

Mick

Ha ha, there's a lot of "art" in my family Mick, my dad was a commercial artist by trade and taught art at the local tech school, but it seems that it jumped a generation (although my sister is quite a good painter) and Tim has always been very good at illustration etc, and graduated from Uni with honors.

The thing with art is that you've either got it, or you haven't. I watched a lot of kids in Tim's class really struggling because they really wanted to be artists, but just didn't have any talent, and it showed in their work. Tim's done a couple of tanks for me now and he loves it, so while he's enjoying it, I'll keep giving him the "canvasses" he needs to express his art.

Retro Rocket · « **Reply #19 on:** February 03, 2011, 02:45:35 PM »

I don't suppose he wants a holiday in Queensland by any chance.....

He better bring some rope with him, it's been a little windy up here of late....

Mick

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #20 on:** February 03, 2011, 02:55:39 PM »

Quote from: Retro Rocket on February 03, 2011, 02:45:35 PM

I don't suppose he wants a holiday in Queensland by any chance..... He better bring some rope with him, it's been a little windy up here of late....

Mick

Ha ha, he spent a week on the gold coast just before Christmas Mick, I should have told you and you could have kidnapped him and locked him in your shed with a couple of tanks and a spray gun...........

aplaceinspace · « **Reply #21 on:** February 05, 2011, 05:51:51 PM »

The pictured bike is owned and customised by a fellow who frequents vfrworld.com, his screen name is hopit88. he's owned the bike from new and did a thread of the whole overhaul of the bike (which took 2 years to complete). As I recall all the parts are from other Honda bikes.

Anyway, 1000R's are pretty neat. I was given one in nearly running condition about a year ago, and it's getting a full tear down and rework. It is heavy, really heavy, but as it's the only sport bike I've got any real ride time on I'm plenty happy with how it accelerates, turns, and stops. TRAK suspension is pretty neat, but if I ever tire of it I'll do a racetech emulator conversion. At some point I plan on converting it to CBR600F2 wheels, too.

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Author Topic: VF1000R (Read 8736 times)