These VFRs just look better and better every time I look at them. Age is making these finer and finer and I always say Honda has left some of the most remarkable bikes and engines in its wake through time. There’s just something so romantic about winding out a gear-driven V4 and feeling the power come through at 10k RPMs through a windy, empty road. 10-20 years from now when rocketpods are the new school buses and time travel capsules are the new rocketpods, bikes like the VFR are going to be the artifacts that best recall what exceptional and classic mechanical engineering looked like.
From an engineering standpoint, the VFR had been considered a success ever since it came out. Executing a single-sided swingarm and V4 in a streetable platform is no joke but Honda got it pretty right when the VFR first came out in 1990. In 1994, they came with some upgrades to further fine tune the VFR as an excellent multi-purpose street machine. In regards to the powerplant, Honda had tinkered with the cam timing, reshaped ports, and switched to a 34mm carb setup. They also opted to go with a 4-1 exhaust system that shed 5 pounds. Shedding weight was really the name of the game with the 1994 VFR as the exhaust combined with other various improvements resulted in a 20 lb weight loss. Weight is a sport bike’s worst enemy so the leaner profile certainly earned the VFR more credibility on the road and as a true swiss-army knife.
From the listing:
“Features include fully-faired bodywork, a cartridge-type Showa fork, a Pro-Arm rear suspension system, 17″ alloy wheels, quadruple Keihin carburetors, and a Two Brothers Racing four-into-one exhaust system in addition to clip-on handlebars, rear-set foot controls, a side stand, and a stepped two-up seat with a removable cowl. The bike was acquired by the seller in December 2022, and service in preparation for the sale included changing the oil and replacing the tires. This VFR750F is now offered at no reserve with front and rear Pit Bull paddock stands, a Chase Harper tank bag, an Eclipse drypack/saddlebag, a Bilt motorcycle cover, spare and removed parts, and a clean Oregon title in the seller’s name….
…The bike will be accompanied by front and rear Pit Bull paddock stands, a Bilt motorcycle cover, an Eclipse drypack/saddlebag, and a Chase Harper tank bag as well as spare and removed parts including an exhaust system, turn-signal lenses, and passenger foot pegs.”
One of the components than can get worn out on bikes this old is the suspension. They are often soft and weak and can make a good bike squirmy. One of the common upgrades is a Honda Superhawk fork upgrade which also allows for a 4 piston disc setup if your heart desires. Click here to check it out. Super cheap and could be worth a refresh as the seller has not mentioned that he went through the forks. 
I haven’t followed VFR values outside of making the rounds on Facebook Marketplace so I am curious to see how this auction performs. This example is very low mileage and seems to be in perfect condition with the original parts included. This should be a great opportunity to cement a benchmark value for a VFR in today’s market. Check out the listing on Bring a Trailer here.
Let me know of your thoughts on these VFRs and Honda V4s in general!
Thanks for reading!
Norm
These are modern classics for sure. But keep in mind that they were plagued by the usual Honda electrical demons such as bad charging systems that usually need to be upgraded. And for sure the suspenders need upgrading on these.
that first photo made me think it was a NR750 and I was like holy cow, on rsbfs? still a good bike, especially the 750 series, 800 and larger feel kind of bloated
IIRC Peter Egan proclaimed at one time, his favorite VFR’S were the 1998-2000 models
I have a 2002 VFR that I’ve owned for 13 years I’ll be selling this year. Just no more time to ride it with two old dogs and a house needing some work. Amazing bike, sad to see it go, but there are other things to experience out there and after 13 years and 30k miles ridden it’s time for someone else to experience it. Possibly the best sound in motorcycling, great power, good chassis balance and control. VTEC is a little jarring at first but you get used to it. I had the engine apart at 41k miles to do valve adjustment and the internals were immaculate. Can’t say the same about the electrical system. It’s seen its fair share of recalls and the addition of a VFRness and MOSFET regulator to keep the stator connector from committing suicide again. Stator itself just shorted so that’ll get replaced shortly. The post 02 models have their quirks but it’s absolutely the best motorcycle I’ve ever owned. What made me decide to sell was riding an MT-09. The fueling was so much more precise and predictable, the rider aids are there without being intrusive (and since I was riding for work, they were definitely on!). You could definitely see the advancement in 20 odd years of engine development when we disassembled it. Someday I might get a VFR again, sure don’t have any regrets over holding onto mine as long as I have.
Sold for $7k.
dc