Sprint GT Sprint GT vs VFR 800

Yaya rider · Jun 15, 2016

Hi all

Following my mini adventure with a T100, I have a little bit of spare change to buy a sports tourer...

It's between a circa '04 VFR and a similarly priced (£3k-ish) Sprint GT.

I know both are great sport tourers, wondering if any have owned both and have any views?

My gut is the VFR, given I'm still a relatively new rider, and although I'm 6ft+, I'm only 11 stone (aka lanky streak of p...) I'm wondering if the Sprint will be a bit big for me, especially if I'm planning a little bit of 2 up at some point.

Any insight greatly appreciated. I've tested the new VFR, and I will be testing a Sprint as well.

Thanks

Yaya

GaryM · Jun 15, 2016

I had a sprint GT SE. As you are 6 foot + you will have no problems with it.
I'm 5' 8" and was able to flat foot it with one foot at junctions etc.
Sadly it was just a bit too tall or me.
I thought about the VFR and unless you get the luggage with it you are looking at another £1400 to buy it.
Luggage on the VFR was an extra. Has less carrying capacity than the luggage with the GT.
Just my thoughts, I would say if you haven't already try to test ride them both, back to back if possible.

thebiglad · Jun 15, 2016

The only advice I would offer is DO NOT buy a std VFR 800 - the VFR 800 v-tec is completely different and MUCH superior. I know Honda don't say that but I owned a std 800 which was a pile of crap - the v-tec version by comparison was so much better in terms of handling, headlights, engine; basically a different bike.

Tiglet · Jun 16, 2016

I owned a new VFR800 in Y2K and never had any problems at all, apart from it kissing tarmac once but that was my fault.
Very good built quality and never had any of the problems that big lad is referring to.
I/we did approx 22K miles in 30 months of ownership.
Toured Europe 6 times fully loaded using givi luggage, 50 something litre top box, 46 litre panniers and a tank bag.

Never ridden a sprint so can't comment but I would have thought the sprint would have more grunt.

Dave.

thebiglad · Aug 16, 2016

Tiglet said: ↑

I owned a new VFR800 in Y2K and never had any problems at all, apart from it kissing tarmac once but that was my fault.
Very good built quality and never had any of the problems that big lad is referring to.
I/we did approx 22K miles in 30 months of ownership.
Toured Europe 6 times fully loaded using givi luggage, 50 something litre top box, 46 litre panniers and a tank bag.

Never ridden a sprint so can't comment but I would have thought the sprint would have more grunt.

Dave.
Click to expand...

Hi Dave, first of all thanks again for the sterling work you did for our wednesday rideout.

Re the VFR 800's I had a circle of friends back then (!!!!) who all moved over the the VFR 800 (1st version) as soon as it came out (1997-ish?) and most got rid before the end of that season. Instability was the theme here - too prone to being blown about.

VFR 800 V-tec on the other hand was a first class machine.