2007 Honda Interceptor vs BMW F800ST

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#1 Unread post by **MrGompers** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 6:20 pm

I can only read so many ride reviews. And who knows who's pulling the strings on these reviewers. Anyone have any thoughts on these 2 bikes?

My opinion leans to the interceptor since it has a 25 yr track record. (And a really nice 25th anniv paint job available)

#2 Unread post by **Sev** » Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:52 pm

I want an interceptor myself. Very nice looking bikes, and I've ridden with a guy who can keep up with my Hornet on his Interceptor so power/handling wouldn't be a problem... then again he's a better rider then me anyways, so maybe I was just keeping up with him.

Regardless, it's a great bike by all accounts, reasonably priced (IMO) and a nice compromise between sport and touring.

DieMonkeys · Sun Mar 11, 2007 1:50 pm

I really love the look of the Beemer. Also BMW makes really good bikes, go with the F800ST.

#4 Unread post by **fireguzzi** » Sun Mar 11, 2007 3:24 pm

I would pick the interceptor (even though I have never ridden any BMW)
Those things are just really nice and the one I rode was set up for serious touring by an Iron Butt member. The handle bar risers make it an even better tourer. I loved the short rides I took on it.

I want one bad.

DivideOverflow · Mon Mar 12, 2007 12:51 am

Half of my riding group has VFRs, and I still have my 94 VFR750 as well. Great bikes, very sporty, yet comfortable enough for loooong rides. Way cheaper to maintain than the BMW also...

The #1 complaint is that the gas mileage is in the mid to high 30s. My VFR750 has gotten into the 40s, but not my roommate's VFR800. Then again, the 800 has V-Tec, and he likes to ride his harder than I ride mine (and it is 70% city riding).

#6 Unread post by **MrGompers** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:41 pm

Thanx for the replies.

Out of all the bikes I've sat on (probably about 25 diff bikes) the VFR was the most comfortable especially the foot peg position. Adding heli bars would make it a little sweeter.

If the bike was driven moderately the gas mileage would probably be in the 40-50mpg range. If I do purchase a new bike the VFR is probably the one I'll get. I should reach a decision by the end of April.

While sitting on diff bikes the one that really surprised me was the hayabusa.
Altho I wouldn't purchase one it was far more comfortable than I expected.
I would also give the yamaha R6 an honorable mention for comfort as well.

sapaul · #7 Unread post by **sapaul** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:21 pm

Funny you should ask. 4 weeks agao I was invited to the launch of the F800 series Bemmers in South Africa. It was a two fold whole day affair. An outride and track time at Zwartkops raceway. In true BMW style we were treat to a whole day evaluating the bikes.

Ride 1 was a 60 km outride on the F800ST. I was riding with a pillion and instantly noticed that I had to work the box and altough there was grunt, it only happened above 4500 rpm. The handling was good but not excellent and we both had a lot of buffeting despite the higher bars and small screen on the ST. Highway travelling was a pleasure and it can eat up the long distance no problems and we saw 230kmh on the clock without threashing it.

On the way back we swopped for an S. For us this was a better option, although lower bars and hardly a screen, it was a better ride. Less buffeting, better ergonomics and it made you want to ride it. The suspension was a bit tighter and the overall handling was better. Even with the more sport bike rider position it was more comfortable for rider and pillion and could equally go the long distance.

Next was the track, after some laps behind the marshals we were divided into class and let loose. The ST that I rode first I took immediatly to the techis for suspension adjustment. Even with a pillion the back end was loose. After adjustment it was better but I never felt at ease with the ST. The S is a totally different story, same suspension settings but different riding style as you get over the bars earlier and the feed back from the front end was much better. Later corner turns and better exits were the result.

The ABS was terrible. I am a fan of ABS but id did not work for me on this bike especially on the track. You can go full on on the brakes and the on off feeling is very unsettling, I would have prefered it to just be on the front.

Now to the VFR 800. A Honda dealer gave me this demo bike for the Tour De Soweto where I was chief Marshal.

The main difference was that there was no adjustments to do, as we got on the bike it just felt right. My K1200S beemer is heavy and the VFR feels very light in comparison.

Riding it was a pleasure, the V tec works and the bike can behave like an English gent. Here is the Kicker. It can also behave like an English rugby player. You can go hooligan on this bike so so easily. There was many times during the races that we had to speed ahead and we reached speeds of 240 with no effort. It never once felt that it was being thrashed in fact it felt like it was built for this. Cornering was done two up with utmost confidence on Metzler Z4 tyres.

In summary, the Beemers were hard work to enjoy (and I am a Beemer fan) and I do not think they represent value for money. I can see the posers who want to be seen on a bike but not really riding too hard buying these. They will come out of the garage on a Sunday and will look good outside the coffee shop.

The Honda by comparison is a total package and will be just as good posing as it will on the Iron Butt run. It is not litre bike standard but will out handle all but the better riders with making you poop your pants. You can put Mommy on it and take her to the shops or a weekend getaway.

For me there is no comparison, the Honda takes this one hands down

DivideOverflow · Wed Mar 14, 2007 2:26 am

Nice mini-review Sapaul.

Oh, and MrGompers, the highest mpg I've ever seen on my VFR750 is 46mpg, pure highway for the whole tank, 70mph. My buddies VFR800 has never seen more than 40mpg, not even on pure highway. At least not the way they come from the factory. If you do a K&N and power commander, the gas mileage is reported to go up with a good tune... but to meet emissions, a lot of the potential of this bike is stifled from the factory (even then, it is a great bike! haha).

#9 Unread post by **MrGompers** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 8:45 pm

Great review sapaul.

The BMW does look better than the VFR other than that I do not really see any benefits to it over the VFR.

There's also the superstition of never buying the first year production run of any new bike or car.

In some reviews I've read about the VFR testers have said they've gotten 50mpg riding moderately. The mpg doesn't concern me too much. Altho I would expect to get 40mpg minimum. With a 5.8 gallon tank that would give the VFR a range of 200 miles.

One thing that is holding me back on the VFR is the cost of insurance. I'm getting quotes in the $750 range for a year of full coverage. Altho if I get only liability + theft it would be about $300 a year. Not sure I would want to take that risk on a bike worth $11,000.

The insurance rates for cruisers is obscenely low. Got quoted $160 year full coverage on a triumph speed master.

jstark47 · #10 Unread post by **jstark47** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:20 am

Thanks for the review, sapaul.

<<sigh>> The F800ST is a bike I would have like to have liked. Specs looked great on paper, and I like appearance. Maybe BMW can do something to clean up the handling and ergos for 2008.