2008 Middleweight Sport-Touring Shootout BMW F800ST vs Honda VFR800 Interceptor – Motorcycle Review

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2008 Middleweight Sport-Touring Shootout BMW F800ST vs Honda VFR800 Interceptor – Motorcycle Review Motorcycle.com rode from Los Angeles to Monterey, CA on a BMW F800ST and a Honda VFR800 Interceptor. After more than 900 miles of twisties and fast pavement, we compare these two middleweight sport tourers. Competitive in price, performance and comfort, it’s in the details where these bikes differentiate from each other. Read the full comparison at Motorcycle.com. www.motorcycle.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Yamaha YZF-R125 review

Watch the video for our review of Yamaha’s £3999 learner legal race rep.

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47 thoughts on “2008 Middleweight Sport-Touring Shootout BMW F800ST vs Honda VFR800 Interceptor – Motorcycle Review”

  1. Bmw 800? should not be allowed to compare to vfr it is so ugly and inferior in nearly every aspect

  2. @jorgensen8 I ride a VFR- and they have ABS, dummy…not that you really need it if you know how to ride. Plus? my Honda is much, much prettier.

  3. @Martian74? Don’t be offended about your bikes engine, I was just speaking my mind. But fuel prices is a growing burden for all of us. So my comment was about the things you have to compare when bying a motorcycle (or even a car these days) and that fuel consumption should be one of them. That makes an allaround comparison. I drive in Europe I own four motorcycles and I hate scooters.

  4. @skakisla Why don’t you just get a scooter then and stop watching comparos on sports tourers. Here? in Australia we need bigger bikes as the distances are much further so a bike that can cruise along at 110km/h is necessary, that is why I went for the VFR800. The VTEC is there when I want to use it otherwise it doesn’t hurt anything just having it.

  5. Owning the F800ST has been a regret. It’s a great-riding bike…it really is. The power is ample, and the handling is just plain sweet. However, everything else about the bike is just one big headache (or, a bunch of big headaches)! It’s poorly built, especially for something wearing a BMW badge. Then comes rear wheel bearing issues, piston slap (yes, PISTON SLAP!), grip heater failures, dead batteries, and an idle that just never seems right? no matter how much you get used to it. BMW FAIL!

  6. I’ve never ridden the latest gen VFR800s but I do ride a 95 VFR750F. I love this bike and playing with the tire choices make for a great handling bike. I run a Pilot? Power front with a Pilot Road rear and the bike transitions very well. I used to have an 07 R6 before I became a full time student. They are great bikes I just don’t like the super man seating position. Either one is uncomfortable after 15hrs but the VFR doesn’t make u sore for days.

  7. Nice review but you could have mentioned how many times did the bikes stop for fuel, or their overall fuel consumption. Please bear in mind that the VFR in order to keep up (when at high speeds) it has to operate all valves and that is a very important factor when you have to compare it with the BMW in terms of fuel? consumption. Also bikes are mainly used inside the city and occasionaly for touristic reasons. I still don’t understand why one needs a 4 cylinder 16 valve VTEC engine for a bike..

  8. Nice review but you could have mentioned how many times did the bikes stop for fuel, or their overall fuel consumption. Please bear in mind that the VFR? in order to keep up (when at high speeds) it has to operate all valves and that is a very important factor when you have to compare it with the BMW in terms of fuel consumption. Also bikes are mainly used inside the city and occasionaly for touristic reasons. I still don’t understand why one needs a 4 cylinder 16 valve VTEC engine for a bike…

  10. I’ve owned a 2006 Honda VFR INterceptor since 2008. I bought it on consignment with only 734 miles on it. No ABS. It came with hard cases and case liners. I put O2 sensor elliminators, K&N air filter, and a Givi Touring screen. This bike is fantastic. So smooth. It eggs the rider? to test it and themselves everyday. I put Pirelli Angel ST tires on it and it makes a HELL of a difference in handling and front end heaviness. It’s like a new, way more nimble bike! A shame they dropped it in 2010.

  11. @aminevich
    No, I didn’t know the VFR had ABS.
    A lot of the power is feeling. I just felt I had to wind the VFR out, while the F800ST was raring to go with the slightest twist of the throttle. I know the Honda is a good bike, but upon visiting the dealer, it wasn’t cheap to do service on the Honda either. Plus the belt is a lot cleaner, lower? maintenance and quieter over a chain.

  12. @jorgensen8 you do know that the VFR (like mine) have ABS ? Also, consider this: repairs. I own a 3 series BMW car and can tell you that maintenance is unreal. However, Hondas just need oil changes and a larger maintenance to adjust the valves. As for power, I am surprised that you didn’t get enough with the VFR. I have kept up with 750 and 1000 cc sport bikes (no chance to overtake a sport bike,? but you can definitely keep up).

  13. otra ves lo lei perdon pero no? lo lean si lla los as leido copia y pega esto en 5 videos mas o tu madre morirá en 3 dias, hacedlo por fabor mi a mi amigo le paso, yo lo e hecho pa que no me pase, por fabor acedme caso. esto es una maldicioooooon

  14. otra ves lo lei perdon pero no lo lean si lla los as leido copia y pega esto en 5 videos mas o tu madre morirá en 3 dias, hacedlo por fabor mi a mi amigo le paso, yo lo e hecho pa que no me pase, por fabor acedme caso. esto es una? maldicioooooon

  15. I downloaded 5 F R E E Motorcycle Manuals Here -? ** freemotorcyclemanuals (dot) net **

  16. @KutWrite? I got a Susuki V Strom DL650. Wasnt looking for one but got offered a deal I couldnt refuse. I really like I must say. Its no wonder there hard to come by.

  18. I have a Vfr in 1 Year I made 25000km ,fantastic bike? i never had any problem with it. I LOVE IT !

  20. The F800ST is agile, extremely comfortable, good fuel economy and a nice computer. However, my first impression when I got on it was PLASTIC! Its not well made at all, sounds aweful and is easily blown around in the wind. I found it hard to drive beyond 70mph/110kmph. It really was a struggle to keep it straight when the wind hits you from the side because of its? light weight and sub standard aerodynamics. Really dissapointed with both bikes but if I went for any it would now be the VFR

  21. Right guys. Update for ya if your deciding between these two bikes. I dont like either anymore :( You didnt see that one coming did ya? Either did I. Owned the VFR two? months now and test drove the F800ST flat out for two days. The VFR is gorgeous and well built but I found it very sluggish (low torque) and not comfortable at all which surprised me.

  26. What a terrible review, instantly repeats himself at 0:45, bunch? of clips of him trying to get his knee down and then 10 seconds of ‘yer its alright’ at the end. Nice one.

  29. @Avallido89 Top speed is no more than 75 mph, these bikes only produce 10.5 bhp at the rear wheel. They are just a French built rebadged MBK125 with an extra 1000 pounds added to the price? for the Yamaha sticker on the tank.

  30. why can’t he just review the bike, not show off the fact that he looks stupid trying to get? his knee down

  31. @scoelliot15 agree’d. I bank more than that on my cbr and don’t put my knee down,? spesh on a 125, you’d have people behind you thinking you’re a moron if you were doing that.

  33. @Avallido89 top speed varies from bike to bike. i suppose the top speed on the yzf 125r is 135? km/h. thats apx. 165 mp/h i think. dno, i live in germany.

  34. hi…i`m a new rider and i want to know which bike is? beter…the cbr 125 or the yzf r 125????….i like the yzf most but i`m woried about the engine and the other mechanical parts….i don`t know? to much about bikes so i need your advice…please help :/

  35. The only reason his knee is on the ground, is because he is leaning so bloody far off? the bike!

  41. He replaces every u with an o… “have a bit of foon” “you’ll be able to? joomp” :D

  42. @aggie2102 the hyosung GT250R will only last you a year, the Yamaha YZF R125 is a much better bike.
    If you are? looking for a learner bike here is what I would suggest:
    Yamaha YZF R125 or Aprilia RS 125 or Kawasaki Ninja 250R (All great bikes).
    HAVE FUN :D !

  45. I hate reviews like this! Im not? racing the bike, i just want to know the details. Not whether the guy can get his knee down!!