Honda Motorcycle Reviews


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Honda FX 650cc Sept '00 (X)
Overall Rating:
Review
The Honda FX650 Vigor. A big single. As big as they come (almost) but don’t get too excited….

Fast? No. 95mph tops. A 650 cc bike that won’t do the ton??? I’m afraid so but if you’re looking for a plastic missile that will zip you up to three-figure speeds in no seconds flat, the FX definitely isn’t it. Then again the upright riding position plus lack of (effective) fairing plus rather vague handling at speed all beg the question: would you really want to be travelling at 100+ mph on an FX? No.

Powerful? You must be joking. Less than 40hp from a 650! Nowadays 100hp per litre is the benchmark and many 600cc bikes develop more than 100bhp. The engine’s not been developed since the 1980s. The FX has less horsepower than its predecessor the NX (Dominator). The usual story: For “retuned to give more mid-range” read “stifled to comply with noise regulations”.

Torquey? Well the engine does deliver a healthy punch at lowish revs as compared to a 600cc four. Then again there are no high revs as it’s redlined at 7000. More Torquay than torquey.

Now the good points.

For a variety of reasons, some of which are listed above, all-in-all the FX is a highly unfashionable and deeply undesirable bike. Hooray. Depreciation has therefore been high and so perfectly sound bikes can be picked up quite cheaply. The bike is basically simple and, provided it has been looked after, should be reliable and cheap to maintain and run. Unattractive also means less likely to be pinched, keeping insurance premiums nice and low. (However the street-scrambler style makes it just the kind of bike to appeal to young bike-thieves wanting to ride up pavements and plough up waste ground, so don’t be too casual about security.)

It’s light, narrow and easy to flick through traffic. It’s quick enough to leave (almost) all cars behind at the lights. The upright riding position is comfy and gives a good view over the cars, although the seat is a little high for the short of stature. If you’ve got the inside-leg measurement it would make a perfect urban commuter, though you might struggle if you regularly need to carry a lot of stuff or a pillion rider. Out in the country you can see over hedges so lanes and back roads are a treat.

Other similar bikes to consider would be the Aprilia Pegaso and the rare Suzuki XF650 Freewind. Both have fairings; both are slightly faster bikes, more high tech, and probably better as all-rounders with the additional potential for touring and A-road/motorway work. The FX is basic by comparison, but the upside of having no fairing is there’s less to break in the event of a spill or drop. Both the Aprilia and the Suzuki are more expensive than the FX comparing bikes of a similar age.

I honestly can’t comment on the off-roading potential as I do not indulge, preferring to have tarmac under my wheels.

Don’t be put off by negative reviews especially in the GSXR/R1-obsessed biking press. In its natural habitat - on the streets and on country lanes and twisty B-roads, I bet you can have as much fun on an FX as on any bike. And for a lot less money.

(Most if not all these remarks would apply also to the SLR as the differences are superficial, the SLR being more basic still.)


Submitted by
Chris O on 04/03/2009
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Honda VFR 400cc 90/91 (H)
Overall Rating:
Review
The VFR400 NC30 maybe 18yrs old but it's so good they're not in the for-sale ads for long!.I got mine Feb2008 &it's had it's wear&tear faults but the V4 engine has not let it down once&the beautiful note coming from it's Scorpion exhaust tells you this isn't just a great bike for beginners but everyone and it's now known as a 'LEGEND'.It proved it's place amongst the best on track&road!.Parts are easily got through dealers or Ebay so keeping your pride&Joy on the road is easy enough.You can ride this easily around town&also become a hooligan out of it!&the power delivery is so good you won't be caught out but always impressed!.The bike handles so well&confidence just oozes out along with it's great looks.I love this bike&it will be with me for some time.
Submitted by
MITOMAN in Manchester, Greater Manchester on 13/02/2009
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iX-uyf7qhx4 		Comfort

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Honda VFR 750cc 94/95 (M)
Overall Rating:
Review
The VFR750FR-V - the best all-round bike Honda ever made?

OK, so many people think of the Honda VFR as a fuddy-duddy bike -
associated with middle-aged men who can't cope with sportsbikes, or
accused of the usual Honda "blandness". But they couldn't be more
wrong. The VFR (especially this last incarnation of the 750 models)is
a brilliant do-it-all bike. Of course, like anything which is truly
multi-purpose, you can argue that more specialist machines are
"better" than it at any given job. But you won't find a machine which
is so good at so many roles anywhere.

One of the first things to note about the VFR is that it's been
around for over 25 years in its various versions, and that throughout
the 80s and early 90s it regularly won "bike of the year" awards in
the press. Even though opinion on the latest 800 versions is more
divided, the VFR750 still comes up time and again in lists of top-10
all-time bikes in the press. It had the traditional Honda build
quality, was a phenomenal and effective piece of engineering
(single-sided swingarm, gear driven cams, lovely balanced V4
configuration) and there are plenty of stories about the unburstable
engine being able to do well into the 6 figure range with no problems
- about the only weakness is a tendency for regulator/rectifiers to
fail (and the mild steel exhaust collector corrodes, but don't they
all). Carefully ridden well over 200 miles on a tank of fuel is an
easy possibility, and major services are 16k apart.

Yet this workhorse bike handles superbly and can still go like stink
(a stock VFR was once ridden by Ron Haslam to third place against
factory race bikes in the Transatlantic Trophy). OK you don't have
the brute power of a modern litre-plus sportsbike on tap but you do
have a turbine-like engine with a wonderfully smooth power delivery,
and unless you're on a racetrack the VFR has more power (and more
USABLE power)than most of us would need, and can stay with any
bigger, sportier bikes through the twisties.

The other glories of the last 750s are that they have carbs instead
of injection and so suffer none of the low-throttle snatchiness that
often occurs with FI bikes, which combined with its balance and
semi-forward position make it an easy bike to run round town and
through traffic, being docile and tractable at low revs but still
capable of howling with the best of them if you want to open it up...

...and that's another thing. No other bike sounds like a VFR when you
get going. That howl is unique to the V4 and it's gorgeous. My
friends know when I'm approaching because it's a unique sound, and a
great one.

It will also take a pillion without them having to get off every
fifteen minutes because their knees are so tightly bent, or put them
off because they're perched up so high - and even more remarkably, it
will still go and handle just as well two-up as solo, which is a very
rare feat.

Are there any downsides? Well, about the only thing which might be
better are the brakes, which whilst being very capable lack the sheer
bite and power of modern top-range systems. And of course being
15-odd years old, shocks and exhausts will be worn and in need of
replacement - but that's true of any bike of that age. Fit a new
monoshock, bung on a stainless exhaust, and perhaps add a custom seat
- not because the original is uncomfortable, but because you will
never want to get out of the saddle :-) - and you have a bike which
will commute, tour, scratch, and do anything with the best of them.

Add to that the fact that due to its age you can pick a good one up
for less than 2k, and it's only insurance group 13... Good grief what
are you waiting for! Go and buy one!

But not mine... I'm not selling. I prefer to ride and enjoy :-)
Submitted by
Netballman in Northolt on 12/02/2009
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Honda XL Varadero 125cc Sept '06 (56)
Overall Rating:
Review
This is the only bike I've ridden (other than the slug I was given for my CBT) so I don't have a lot to compare it against, but I'm very happy with it so far.

First of all, it's a good choice if you want a "nice" 125 and would prefer to set yourself apart from the teenagers riding the CBR125s etc. The Varadero really is the daddy of the 125s and it gives you confidence as a new rider because you have decent road presence.

I bought the Varadero because timing-wise it'll be much easier for me to take the full test in a year's time, so I wanted a 125 that I'd enjoy in the meantime. So far I think it's great and am not too fussed about being stuck on a 125. Admittedly the Varadero can feel a little underpowered when overtaking on fast A roads (it can't get away from the fact that it's a 125) but other than that I think it's great.

It's more expensive than other 125s but the build quality is fantastic - there's nothing flimsy about this beast! They also hold their value quite well so I'm not expecting too much depreciation in the 12 months or so that I plan to keep it.

Other reviews point out it's good for taller riders, but it's also good for shorter ones too. I'm 5'8" with about 30-31" leg and found it very easy to get used to the higher riding position.

Handling can feel a little sluggish at times but I think that's more me than the bike - I'm still getting used to throwing my weight around and am more used to the flexibility of a push bike.

Other than that it's fantastic - no problems starting in cold weather (down to -2 so far), no repairs required yet, ~100mpg. Oh, the pre-2007 model doesn't have a fuel indicator which I find a bit annoying but I can live with because it never needs topping up!

In summary, if you want a 125 that looks good and you can enjoy riding, but without the fear of looking and feeling like a teenager, then this is the bike for you. It brings a smile to my face every time I ride it - even if the journey's so short the engine doesn't even get warm! By the way, it looks very good in black ;-)
Submitted by
neilg on 08/02/2009
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Honda X8R 50cc Apr '00 (W)
Overall Rating:
Review
The Honda X8R scooter are restricted by a rev limiter in the CDI, a washer in the exhaust system and a restricted variator that limits gearing. The washer in the exhaust front pipe is easily dealt with - just grind out the spot welds and remove it.

The original CDI has two rev limiters built in, one at 7,500rpm and one at 9,250rpm. The standard motor runs at 7,000rpm at peak power.

The CDI can be modified to remove the 7,500 rev limiter. If the cylinder and exhaust remain standard then this is okay, as by the time the motor hits the 9,250 rev limit power output is more than halved compared to power at 7,000.

The front pulley variator has restricted movement. The easiest way to fix this is to replace the variator assembly. Either a cheaper replacement unit or, if further tuning is envisaged, a Malossi or Polini unit.
The variator, CDI and exhaust modifications will give an increase in speed from 30 to 33mph up to 42 to 45mph. The power of the motor from the exhaust modifications rise from 3.5 to 5bhp, giving enough power at 50cc to go to 50mph. There is a modified Bali gear kit we do that is a 15% raise in gearing that gears the 50 to the right level to achieve this.

If a 70cc kit is to be used the higher gearing from Malossi or Polini is more sensible and increases the top speed potential to over 60mph on the standard exhaust and 70mph on aftermarket exhausts.
If a higher revving exhaust or cylinder kit is to be used aftermarket CDI are available that have programmable rev limiters to set to the RPM you wish or bypass it completely.

With aftermarket exhausts (LeoVinci or Giannelli) that will give power above the Honda 9250 rev limit. It is desirable to fit a CDI that will allow engine operation above 10,000rpm to obtain full performance.
There are Malossi cast-iron and aluminium MHR 70cc cylinders available. The road cast-iron cylinder with a suitable exhaust and carb kit will give over 8.5bhp at the rear wheel. The MHR kit will give over 10bhp. Both will work with the standard exhaust, but an aftermarket exhaust gives best results.
In order to achieve maximum increase in performance with the 70 kit - a larger carburettor is necessary. Malossi do a 19mm carb.

In order to maximise acceleration the transmission can be improved by the use of a torque driver rear pulley half, which minimises engine RPM changes.
When high gearing and higher revving cylinders and exhausts are used acceleration from standstill can be improved by use of clutches that can generate more slip. The Malossi fly clutch is the road version. The Delta clutch is the full race unit that has adjustable springs and weight positions as well as a choice of springs.
For most road engines stronger springs for the standard clutch or the fly clutch are adequate.


For the ultimate road tune a full circle crankshaft with race spec conrod and big end bearing is available. This allows modification to be made that allows 13,000rpm to be used reliably for race work.

To summarise:
Derestrict or change exhaust
Derestrict or change CDI
Change front variator
Fit raised gearing to suit 50 or 70cc
Fit 70cc kit, cast-iron or aluminium
Fit larger carb kit
Fit torque driver rear pulley to improve transmission
quality on high revving tuned motors
Fit race crankshaft

Submitted by
sys super x8r on 30/01/2009
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Honda X11 1100cc Sept '02 (52)
Overall Rating:
Review
I got my x11 2 years ago while actually looking for a Honda Blackbird. I happened to see an advert for a "naked blackbird". Out of curiosity I went along to view and bought it. The bike has managed to out accelerate everying it's came up against including my neighbours Busa.The bike is totally reliable and there have been no problems whatsover.Try one from a standing start it is absolutely amazing, how could the average mortal handle any more power?
Submitted by
aable on 08/01/2009
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Honda XLR 125cc 98 (S)
Overall Rating:
Review
good robust bike, can rag hard, well made and could take a few knocks.....its a tough bike...get one..
Submitted by
retrac on 08/12/2008
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Honda CBR 1100cc Sept '07 (57)
Overall Rating:
Review
I bought this bike new in September 2007 and have to say it is a cracking engine, good handler, comfy ride, happy at all speeds and economical in steady riding mode. After reading all the hype and reviews I took the plunge as the bike appeared to be bulletproof. I have owned Hondas before but the build quality of my Bird is not brilliant and the electrics are shocking - no pun intended. The paint has worn off the frame on the left side and the paint on the rear sidepanel is down to the black base plastic. At 6 months old I had my first spurious FI warning light saga caused by the hidden earth plug under taped into the loom under the left sidepanel. This That worked for a while before returning to the dealer for another clean up. The other day it cut out 3 times so was returned again on safety grounds, Honda are now replacing the complete loom under warranty. The bike is 14 months old with 15,000 miles and it is ridden in all weathers, all year round but I wouldn't buy another one of these which is a great shame.
Submitted by
blindboylank on 04/12/2008
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Honda Lead 100cc Apr '04 (04)
Overall Rating:
Review
great bike very comfy. storage space under seat is spacious, nice size easy to handle. nice light bike for the ladies!!
Submitted by
stinkabella on 01/12/2008
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Honda CLR City 125cc Sept '03 (53)
Overall Rating:
Review
This bike is brilliant for your first bike. I know 60mph is tops but when your learning , its all you need!!!! Never had a problem with it!! Dont be put of from bad reviews as this bike is great for learning on. For those who want more speed that own this bike. ( WHY DIDNT YOU READ THE REVIEWS ON THIS BIKE BEFORE BUYING IT!!!) : )
Submitted by
zdx288 on 26/11/2008
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