Introduced in 1985, the Honda VF1000R could be thought of as a precursor to the legendary RC30, a low-production V4 homologation special. But while the later Honda sportbike is one of the most desirable machines of the modern era, the big VF has languished largely forgotten, although interest and values are on the rise.
Specifications are impressive: gears replaced the previous cam-chains in the 998cc V4, anti-dive TRAC forks improved braking, and modular Comstar wheels could be fitted with radical radial tires. Quick-release axles made racing tire-changes a simple affair and even the rear disc was vented. Note: not cross-drilled, vented.
Unfortunately, although the resulting machine was capable of an honest 150mph, the nearly 600lb wet weight made it less than brilliant, and the bike never captured riders’ imaginations the way later V4 Honda sportbikes did.
The VF1000R was only built for two years, and the 1986 model featured a more European twin-headlight design not seen here, but that desirable option shouldn’t detract from the value, considering the fresh-from-the-crate condition and non-existent mileage. With just 249 miles on the clock, this machine isn’t even broken in.
From the original eBay listing: 1985 Honda VF1000R for Sale
In 1985 Honda introduced the VF1000R. It was a two-year model. It was the most glamorous, limited edition, super sport bike of its time. With the full fairing and racy red, white and blue paint work, it looks like a street legal competition bike.
This museum quality bike is part of a retired CEO’s collection. He is reducing his inventory of bikes. This pristine bike has been given “loving care”. It has been stored in a garage and only has 249 miles. It has been mechanically maintained over the years and has clean carbs, fresh fuel, new battery and fresh hydraulics. EVERYTHING works like new. The original tires show no wear or age cracks. The bike matches Honda’s original specifications..
This bike is impressively fast, sophisticated and reliable with its carbon fiber reinforced fairing, adjustable alloy handlebars and quick change front tire. Honda spared no expense building this bike.
This bike oozes Honda quality from every pore and will make a great bike for a collector – it is stunning! This bike is a show stopper. (see photos). Bike is stored in Birmingham, Alabama.
This bike became the forerunner of the popular Honda VFR series V-four sports bike which has won “bike of the year” awards for decades and is still a motorcycling favorite today
Bidding is up to almost $9,000 as I write this, pretty serious money for a VFR1000R. But this may be one of the nicest in existence, and it’s certainly one of the lowest-mileage. Take a look at that shot of the dash: I can’t remember seeing a bike of this vintage with such a clean instrument cluster: it basically looks brand-new.
It used to be that I found all these 80s sportbikes to be a bit awkward and chunky, but they’re really starting to grow on me, particularly this one: big, powerful, and sophisticated, I bet this’d be a fun machine for weekend blasts up the Pacific Coast Highway…
-tad
very nice , hard to find in that condition, only thing I like the twin headlight version a little better.
“Carbon fiber reinforced fairing”? Every one I’ve ever seen has been fiberglass.
Six hundred pounds? Holy crap. Still like it, love the old school endurance bikes. Remember when Honda made interesting bikes?
No pic(s) of the coolest part of the bike…the taillight. I fell in love with that part of the bike the first time I saw one 30 years ago.
I had an ’86, and i still rather wish I hadn’t sold it. It was a bit of pig and didn’t do anything especially well yet I still loved it. The V4 sound with the gear driven cams was incredible. I put a 2-1 Hindle on it -amazing.
hard to believe that within 7 years Honda would bring out the previous post/CBR900RR.
How about what’s hanging out in the background of the headlight shot…. Looks like this might be a collector of cool older sportbikes. I wonder what other gems might be hanging around in that shop?
Absolutely one of my all time favorites, I could listen to that gear whine all day.
do you remember when honda made awesome two strokes 🙁
Nice reporting Tad ,
These are awesome bikes and going up in value now as you said as the RC30s are hitting the 30 K mark helping out these bikes to break new sales records on the used side . I have about nine of them ……I think…….mostly in parts (yeah , parted them out) . You really never can have enough of them though is my philosophy . This one is in insane condition ( I drool over it as I write this !) . I expect it to fetch some decent money . Good luck to the seller .
The listing says it is located in birmingham, AL. So I am getting the impression this is one of Mr Barber’s spare vf1000r machine. Not the cataloging label on the upper triple clamp.
Retired CEO, hmmmm.
@Michael – the “cataloging label” on the upper triple clamp is “T 36/42” referring to Tire pressures front & rear.
Got the ’86 double headlight Rothmans edition myself. Glad to see these bikes becoming more appreciated.
I own a 5k mi 1986 VF1000R and it is a wonderful bike. I’d like to add this one to my collection, but the $ might go too high as it is already at $9k. The truth about these bikes is that they really dont do anything great. They are ok fast, heavy, handle OK, complex with cool gear whine, but in my opinion very few japanese sportbikes have ever been prettier. I spend much more time looking at my bike than actually riding it. I have an 86 GSXR1100 that is 1100 times more fun to ride, but this VF1000R sure is pretty.
I still have my 1984 Model VF1000R. In Australia, they had twin headlights as standard. A heavy bike, but, that V4 had nice power from 2,000 RPM, and it really came in around 7,000 RPM.
$12 700 US is what the bike finally sold for . Not that anybody will see this post……as it is on page 2 now ! That is nearly what a new RC30 sold for 3 years later in 1988-90 (88′ in Canada ) . Thank you ….the value of my bikes just went up ! I love E-bay ! 🙂
@RCFreak – you beat me to the final price posting – that’s a very good price
Wondering what my 86 Rothmans is worth now ?
I ended up buying the bike for a bit more than I think its worth. The thing is I don’t think I’ll be able to find a “new” 300 mile VF1000R so I pulled the trigger. I will have to sell my 5k mile bike, and i figure its worth $6-7K.. Just a tme machine is all this bike is to me.