Horse Power = 110 @ 1050 RPM
Torque = 58.3 ft.lbs @ 8500 RPM
Top Speed = 155.3 MPH
Engine Size = 781cc
Dry Weight = 458.6 lbs
Wheels = Front 120/60-v17, Rear 180/55-v17
The 1998 - 2001 VFR had many changes over the previous generation. Its engine size grew to 781cc. It lost some weight. Many components were made lighter including the frame, wheels, swingarm, exhaust, handle bars and brackets. The body design changed to sleeker more modern look. The engine is integrated with the frame. The swing arm is improved, the back tire is a half inch wider. The completely redesigned the engine and added fuel injection and 3rd generation linked braking. The instruments have changed, Honda kept the clean style of the dash but added a digital read out that includes clock, bar type fuel gauge, Air & engine temp., odometer and two trip meters. The riding position is slightly higher so it is more comfortable for the rider, the fairings have been changed to increase aerodynamics and increase wind protection for the rider. The ride is more responsive and has even better torque than before. It was hard to believe that Honda could improve on the VFR 750 but they did.
It is funny how me and my VFR met. I had found a 2001 VFR on cycletrader.com and it happened to be in my area of town. I took a drive over to a little bike shop and there it was. It looked OK but it did not look like it was well taken care of. It had a standard mount Micron exhaust and a tank bra but it was missing the seat cowl. They came down a bit on the price ($500 of asking) but it was still a little out of my price range. I decided to get it anyway. I asked the guy to hold it for me and I would talk it over with my wife. She OK'd the deal and I jumped on eBay looking for parts that night. I got up the next morning and jumped on eBay again and I saw a 1998 VFR listed with a buy it now price slightly less than I was going to pay at the bike shop. I notified the seller and found that he had the bike on the north side of town. How lucky was that. He agreed to meet me that day and agreed to sell it to me outright for $300 less than the buy it now price. I drove it in the rain at his place and it drove and looked great. It was better taken care of than the '01 and it already had a 0G windscreen and a K&N air filter. Everything else was stock. Well I paid they man cash and trailered it up and took it home. I have a 1995 and I figured this new bike deserved all the same tweeks if not more. I added the K&N power commander and a High mount Micron exhaust. I also added a two piece Sargent seat and new aluminum foot pegs (I did not like the rubber padded stock ones). I plan on customizing my seat cowl and making it into a locking trunk. That will come sooner than later.
I will update this page as I improve my almost perfect VFR.
