In the summer of 2000 I attended the Top 'o the Rockies BMW rally in Paonia, Colorado. A rider pulled into the center of activity and parked a beautiful new yellow VFR800 Honda. I was interested in the VFR and asked a few questions. He had owned 5 BMW motorcycles, putting a lot of miles on each in turn, then selling them. He had recently sold an RS and bought the new VFR as what he described as an interim bike. The 800 VFR had been out for nearly two years by then and many magazine writers had praised it highly. "Is it really as good as they say?" I asked. "Better!" he replied. "It's the perfect motorcycle." I suppose I dismissed this as usual new-owner enthusiasm. But I was interested. Unfortunately, the local dealers had sold their VFR800s for 2000 and I couldn't find one close to home. I moved on to other things.

Now, I have my own 2000 yellow VFR800 and, even though I purchased this one with 36,000 miles on it, I can say with certainty it deserves the praise it has received. There really is something about this motorcycle, the sensual pleasure of the powerful V-4 engine, the effortless and balanced handling, the fit and finish, even the ergonomics (if you like to be leaned forward some, as I do) that inspires one to think of it as the perfect motorcycle.

What else can I say about this motorcycle that hasn't been said over and over. Experts have praised it. Motorcycle magazine editors have given it awards. Freddie Spencer and Reg Pridmore have both used it for personal mounts in their track schools. Even though this version has been replaced by a newer generation it remains a great motorcycle.

—Verle Nelson
Cedaredge, Colorado