Fan Favorite: 1986 Honda VF1000R

Let’s set the record straight right up front: The Honda VF1000R is not as rare as true homologation machines such as the RC30 or the RC45. It was not as hard to come by in the US as the NC30 or grey market two strokes such as the NSR250 or NSR400. Yet it still has a place on these pages as it is undeniably cool, packs a massive performance punch, and to find one in today’s condition is quite simply a treat. Interested? Read on!

1986 Honda VF1000R for sale on eBay

The VF1000R gains it’s good (if not slightly porky) looks from a long line of Honda endurance racers, and the model was meant both celebrate – as well as homologate – the gear-driven V-4 for production-based racers worldwide. The fact that the VF1000R was itself an accomplished endurance racer belies the fact that homologation never happened; the metamorphosis of the VF1000F block to accommodate gear driven cams was unusually complex – and heavy. The move to geared cams added significant weight, and the bloat did not stop there. Newly revised cylinder heads raised compression and altered the airflow into the chambers, resulting in an engine producing approximately 10 HP more than the lowly “F” model – and weighing about the same amount more.

From the seller:
Out of a Bob Weaver Collection from New York is this 1986 VF1000R classic from the past.
The was the fastest production bike of its time. This is the rare desirable 2 headlight version low VIN # and was the 23rd bike produced for this year. The pictures will state it all. This is not a clapped out old bike that you can buy for a few thousand dollars. Paint and condition is great. Most of the things you would have to mess with on an old bike has been done: New fork seals/oil, tires, brake pads, air filter, spark plugs, coolant, thermostat, brake fluids, carb rebuild, starter clutch, battery and hard to find fuel pump. Has been serviced by local dealer. Ready to ride.

This is not a beginners bike or a bike for a small person. This is big, heavy, fast bike and not for the timid.
This is a beautiful 80’s bike that is now on every sport bike collectors list and prices are climbing quickly. Get yours before its too late.

The dual-headlight VF1000R model is the last version in the line of a relatively short production run (the model launched in 1984), and really brought the Euro look to America. Remember, the early 1980s were a time that D.O.T. did not really allow two headlights on a motorcycle; by 1986 this was still a novelty. The overall livery of the bike helped to disguise some of the R model’s weight; all told you are looking at a 600+ lb sport bike. According to reviewers at the time, a lot of that weight is concentrated high up, making for some interesting riding dynamics. The seller is correct in that these are really not for the inseam or muscularly challenged. Nor is this a great first bike: With 122 HP and on tap and a 150 MPH top end, things can go wrong in a hurry.

While the VF1000R was not homologated nor offered in any sort of “Limited Edition” packaging (read: it was a mass produced Honda motorcycle), it remains relatively rare today. These were expensive in the day, and were outsold by the cheaper F model in the years they overlapped. To find one in excellent condition these days is not an every week occurrence. This particular example is far from a zero mile affair (the ad states 28K on the clocks), but does come out of a known collection. The pictures show an honest example of the breed rather than an abused rat bike. The VF1000R looks as stunning today as when it first dropped in 1984, and will continue to look great for decades to come. The Buy It Now is set at a rather high $10,750, but as these are sought after models the market may indeed go in that direction. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

MI