I was thinking to myself "that combination looks really familiar" when I saw the rider and recognized him, Steve from Grants Pass. We'd met in Grants Pass at some bike nights I had put together. Over the course of bike night Steve picked my brain about the eighth generation VFR and divulged that he is a reader of my blog.
You heard that right, I have a reader.
OK, ego trip over.
Steve asked for a review of the VFR. I have just over three thousand miles on it, so I feel I can write an initial review. Keep in mind that this is a review of the Deluxe edition and has features the base model doesn't.
Power: The VFR has about the same get up and go according to my butt-dyno as a 600cc supersport. Obviously its heavier than a 600, but it has a bigger torqueyier engine to at 782cc with VTEC. The lower side of the power band is torquey like a 650 v-twin, at 7k RPM the VTEC engages but the transition feels like a throttle dead spot until the bike takes off. With VTEC engaged the bike opens an additional intake/exhaust valve and the torque curve gets steeper. By my butt dyno it feels like the bike stops riding like a high revving v-twin and starts behaving more like an inline four. If you hit 7k RPM gradually the dead spot is more noticeable than if you're WOT when you get there. When passing its a good idea to shift down to where VTEC is engaged so that it accelerates like a raped ape. Top speed 135mph with a rider my size on it. With a lighter exhaust, a fuel controller, and a lighter rider you might be able to get more.
Brakes: Good brakes. No complaints.
Suspension/Handling: The Deluxe model comes with forks that are adjustable for preload and rebound (the base model isn't adjustable) and a rear that has a remote preload adjuster and rebound adjustment on the shock. The remote adjuster makes carrying passengers MUCH easier than having to take a wrench to the rear each time. Getting the suspension into the ballpark for me was a breeze and I feel like it holds to the road pretty well. The OEM tires are on the hard/stiff side as with most OEM ST tires and will break loose a little bit. In the rain the tires handle decently but will noticeably break loose around turns under moderate speed/acceleration. I wouldn't take these tires on the track and will probably swap them out after my July trip to Laguna Seca (may as well waste them on the slab). The swingarm on the 2014 is heavier and doesn't appear to have the signature swingarm flex of the sixth generation.
Ergonomics: Coming from a CBR600RR the Interceptor is more stretched out and has a nicer stock seat. It is still rather forward leaning, and I've added .6" bar risers (Motopumps brand) to bring it up/back a little, which makes a nice difference in longer rides. Being that I am 6' tall I haven't tried adjusting the seat down so I can't comment on that. My consort (5'5") spent nearly seven hours on the back in one day and was OK for about four of those hours. In a sport riding position the wind will hit you right in the helmet, a taller touring windscreen might be nice to have. Unlike most sport motorcycles the Interceptor has usable mirrors which double as rather visible turn signals. On the Interceptor your knees are in a more cramped position than comparable Sport/Touring bikes like the Ninja 1000.
Fuel Economy: Low 35mpg (riding fast, with side bags, and a passenger), High 48 (no bags, no passenger, riding at a quick pace mostly at even speeds)
Luggage: Unlike my old CBR the Interceptor has a metal fuel tank and I can use a magnetic tank bag which is more convenient than a strap on bag. Underneath the rear seat are straps for attaching a tail bag or bungee net. The OEM hardbags are expensive but worth it. They attach to the subframe and leave no ugly frames behind when you detach them. Unfortunately the hardbags don't hold a helluva lot, but its a sport bike at heart, not a Goldwing.
Maintenance: Changing the oil is a pain in the rear. You don't have much room to work with to loosen and remove the oil filter. The US 50-State edition has an evap-canister in the way so you have to unhook the radiator and radiator support to get the oil filter out. My first time changing the oil I found that the dealship had torqued everything on there way harder than you need to and I ruined my plastic oil filter wrench, and had to buy a new metal one. The lower fairings are fairly easy to remove and reinstall, so I have that going for me.
Other stuff
Headlights: LED headlights, nice and bright
Center Stand: great feature, makes chain maintenance a breeze
Pre-wired for heated gear
Heated grips
ABS: Its OK, somewhat intrusive when it does go off. I feel its helped me maintain control a few times when unexpected things happen in the rain.
Traction Control: Feels like an afterthought. When it goes off you lose your engine for a few heartbeats which is freaky the first couple times. About the only time I thought it might have helped was in the rain.
No regrets
