1986 honda vfr750 V4

I took a look at one of these last night and saw some potential but don't know anything about this honda V4 engine, antone familier with these? I here there pretty solid but would like a closer opinion
Shaun

 

If it is the gear driven cam model - this is plastered all over the fairing - then it will be a gem. This bike is reckoned to be one of the best bikes Honda built, because they HAD to. The previous model suffered terribly with cams and cam chains that just wore out at really low mileages.

The Earlier model had a small fairing and belly pan, the later model had a full fairing.

They sound great too!

Hope this helps?

 

The 86 was the first of the 2nd gen gear driven cam V4 models and was generally trouble-free. It out-motored both the GSXR and FZ750 and out-refined and out-handled them as well. Described as a "high water mark in motorcycle design" by some of the journalists of the time. I would agree, even though I generally don't like Hondas. It had a 180 degree crankshaft I believe, unlike the earlier 360 degree V4 cranks, so the exhaust note doesn't quite have the same deep drone. Honda reckoned the 180 crank revved up quicker then the 360, but went back to the 360 a few years later due to the superior torque characteristics of the 360 crank, think big-bang vs screamer engine. Good for a touch over 150mph.

Caveat emptor as with any 20+ year old bike though.