HONDA’S CHEAPER V4S

V4 victory, that’s how Honda teased 1980s riders of inline four motorcycles to consider changing their motorcycle habits. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and it wasn’t until the VFR750 arrived in 1986 that confidence was restored in the V4 configuration, the rest is history. Honda gave motorcycling a whole range of new V4 models in 1983; their owners mostly gave them back under warranty shortly after taking out their HP agreements. Horror stories of chocolate cams were mostly associated with the VF750F and the largely forgotten VF750SC, other models were guilty by association and Honda was left with Creme Egg on its face. If you fancy buying one of these V4 models, chances are if they are running now then any mechanical gremlins have been long since addressed. For decades there’s been no love for any of the V4 models, other than the gorgeous VF1000R, which thanks to it running gear-driven cams and being the flagship of the V4 armada meant it was over engineered in the first place, they have never been a cheap option, mostly because there wasn’t much change out of two GPZ900RS if you bought one new. With so many wonderful motorcycles from the 80s to pick from, bikes like the VF750F and VF500F have struggled for admirers. But hold up – it appears that they’ve become sexy! Prices for these good-looking 80s models are on the up, with the trade mostly leading the way with ambitious asking prices. For something with original paint, exhaust and appearance there isn’t too much out there for less than £3000. If you really do have your heart and savings set on a V4 there are other ways to achieve your goal. The VFR750 is where it’s at, it’s the pinnacle V4 from the last millennium. The best bit is there are oodles of them out there for sale. The later F-R onwards models are the ones to track down; they will be that bit fresher than the equally brilliant F-L to F-P and also look a touch more modern. For some reason they are cheaper to buy too! Decent early Pro-arm VFR750 models are creeping up in price, not massively but they are definitely on the rise. If you fancy one of these you’re going to have to shell out the wrong side of £2000 for a good one. The first models are often the ones that become desirable, but that’s not really happening in VFR750 land. The very first F-G model was a massive step forward for Honda, but the last of the conventional swingarm models are that bit more refined, the VFR750 F-K even gets an adjustable screen and a clock! Price-wise there are bargains to be had; they often appear with sub £1500 price tags. Thankfully they all have centrestands from standard, though some aftermarket exhaust systems mean it might have been ditched. The real Honda V4 bargains are the 400s, no, not the VF400F with its in-board discs, I refer to the grey import VFR400 models. Unless you already own one you’ve missed the boat if you fancy a cheap NC30 or NC35: that ship sailed a few years back. The earlier NC24 is a great looking bike, it’s got a proper alloy frame, gear-driven cams and looks a million times sexier than a CBR600F from the same era. For me it’s the ultimate Honda 400/4…