Honda VFR800I

Dependable, useful and very, very good value

Why you want one

If you are after a solid workhorse of a bike, very few are as accomplished as the VFR800FI. It comes as no surprise that it features so highly in the list of the UK’S most searched-for used bikes, especially as you can pick up a great one for under £2000.

Despite its complex-sounding V4 motor, the VFR is about as reliable as they come and will churn out the commuting miles with little effort and minimal mechanical hassles. For someone looking at a machine to see off the worst of the winter weather without subjecting a newer bike to the ravishes of salt, a VFR is an obvious choice. Heated grips, a taller screen and luggage are extremely common additions on used bikes.

But the VFR can be so much more than just a hack. Introduced in the late 1990s, it was a huge sales success with a chassis that is sporty enough to allow you to enjoy the bends and a pillion seat that is remarkably comfortable. Even now they still feel good, with an engine that’s full of character and response, and tidy handling — so long as the suspension and tyres are in good condition, of course.

The VFR is an ideal machine for two-up weekends away. A set of panniers containing a change of clothes (unlike the VTEC model with its underseat pipes, the Fi’s side-mounted exhaust doesn’t burn soft luggage), the GPS pointing you to some great roads and a weekend of two-wheeled adventures await.

ECCENTRIC hub adjuster Seized hubs are a constant worry on older, single-sided swingarm bikes, so look for any signs such as rounded teeth that hint the adjuster has had excessive force applied to it. Ask the seller to demonstrate it moves freely Water can find its way into the LCD panel so make sure it works properly