A recent WebBikeWorld.com article by Simon Bertram caught my attention by virtue of its title: The Best Honda Motorcycles Ever Made. That's an ambitious subject, considering we're talking about the world's largest motorsport manufacturer. 

The lead photo (right) features Bubba Shobert on his championship winning VFR, so one might suspect that the Interceptor won a spot in the list, and it kind of did, by way of the VFR750R, aka RC30.

From the author:
"...what makes the VFR750R one of the best Honda bikes ever made, is that they were essentially race bikes with street parts on them. If you bought the right HRC parts, which in and of itself was difficult, you could quite literally ride around on a perfectly street legal racing bike.
The VFR750R RC30 goes down in history as the winner of the first two World SBK Championship seasons, as well as one of the best homologation specials ever made, and is one of the most sought after Honda bikes of all time for the collector’s market.
It’s also one of the greatest Honda motorcycles ever made simply because it was designed, made, and built for one purpose only: to utterly destroy every other manufacturer on the track, which it did in fine style."

​Also listed was the NR750 V4:
 "This, here, was the bike that launched the hypersport name. This, here, was the motorcycle that dared to push the limits of what was acceptable in a street bike. This, here, was the beast that revolutionized so much about motorcycles that it is cemented in history. This, here, is the 1992 Honda NR750." 

For more on what makes the NR historically significant, check out this VisorDown article.

Three years ago we lost an old riding friend, Steve "Butch" Boyle. Over the past several years Butch had put together a small collection of bikes that were important to him, including this 1986 VFR750F, which he acquired from me in 2012 as Project 9.

Since his passing, the bike has sat idle and is now showing the effects; won't start plus some deferred maintenance due. The decision has been made to keep the Interceptor in the family, so yesterday I retrieved the bike and will take care of the necessary tasks while upgrading a few items.

This bike originally came to me in 2012 with unpainted aftermarket body panels installed, specifically the large side fairings, headlight fairing and rear cowl. The rear cowl is unique in that it was made as a single piece all the way forward to the fuel tank. These parts were made by Chuck Crites (Colbalt Racing) and are laid-up fiberglass items; a bit heavier than OEM but very robust. During the build I had those panels and the headlight fairing repainted. The engine is tuned to stock and the mufflers are factory originals. The bike shows 24,700 miles and is quite the stunner.

I'm very pleased that the bike will be staying with my old friend's family and honored to be entrusted with its care.

Two weeks ago Patti and I trailered about six hours south, to southern Illinois, to retrieve my latest project, this Pearl Crescent White 1986 VFR700F2. The seller, Mike, was no longer making full use of the bike and it was beginning to show in the form of a dead battery and locked brake caliper. He decided the best tack was to find his baby a good home.

The Interceptor came to me with a period Corbin color-matched seat and a set of SuperTrapp mufflers installed along with the originals in excellent condition, but otherwise looking quite original. 

Within a few days of arriving in the shop, I had the bike stripped and began an assessment. In this case, the bike arrived in running condition, so I'm confident we have a good base. ​

The usual systems refurbishment will need to be attended to, and the tires are from 1994, but the carbs are looking good and the steering head bearings check out OK. The fuel tank and a couple of panels have been repainted sometime in the past, and I would give the cosmetics an 8.5 overall. The odometer is showing 31,000 miles. Still thinking about which direction to take with the build.

(Below) On the drive home, we happened to gas up next to this trailer ladened with new Honda Goodness. Most of the boxes were hiding CBR1000RR-R's inside (that's a lot of R's), along with a few lesser models. I offered the driver a trade, but no go.

Welcome to the shop, Project 27.

What: 2007 VFR800A Anniversary
Where: Arlington, Virginia
Why: Low miles, ABS
Price: Auction

The red/white/blue 25th Anniversary Edition was an unloved special edition in 2007, but has come into its own in later years. This particular example stands above the crowd by virtue of the relatively rare ABS option, along with some very useful, and expensive, upgrades; TBR slip-on mufflers, LSI bar risers and a Power Commander. Showing only 13,000 miles and in beautiful, original condition, this looks to be a perfect candidate for someone looking for a top of the line 6th-gen...well, a set of white wheels might be nice.

I recently came across this custom build by Sean Skinner of MotoRelic in Virginia on Pipeburn.com. What caught my attention, of course, is the fact that it's based upon a Honda V4 platform, rare enough, but starting with the easily ignored 500cc V30 Magna cruiser makes it a truly unique choice.

A big factor in Sean's decision to use this chassis is its full cradle tube frame, which lends itself well to the street tracker look he was after. The list of modifications from its mini-cruiser origins is long, as you can imagine, and includes a custom airbox, custom rear mono shock bolted to a VF500 Interceptor swingarm, CBR600 wheels front and rear with a mishmash of Honda bits to make it all fit. The two-into-two exhaust system is a one-off from Cone Engineering. The fuel tank comes from a Suzuki T500 and scales perfectly with the tracker seat and tail, resplendent in classic Honda red, white and blue. The ultra modern LED headlight isn't my favorite piece, but the tiny windscreen and high-mount fender are perfect.

I'm always impressed by a custom builder's vision and execution, especially when that vision begins with such humble beginnings.

What: 1993 VFR750F
Where: Gold Run California
Why: Low miles, well-preserved
Price: $4250

A visual stand-out in the third-generation collection of VFRs, the '93 model year featured a striking monotone Pearl Crystal White color scheme, right down to the wheels. Located in a historic mining town about 40 miles west of beautiful Lake Tahoe, as the crow flies, this stunning example features low miles and exemplary care. In the seller's words:
"Up for sale is my VERY clean VFR750. Ultra low miles, adult owned and maintained. Never ridden in the rain, always garage kept on a battery tender when not riding. Has 480 miles on a new set of Michelin Pilots, new spark plugs, new fuel filter, battery is 1 year old, carbs were cleaned and sync’d, K & N air filter, gutted Yoshimura slip on muffler. Always washed after every ride, oil and filter changed every 1,000 miles using Honda oil and filter."

That gutted Yosh muffler is going to make some loud music, but this beauty is ready to impress its new owner.

In the summer of 2018 I was contacted by a reader in need of some parts for his project, a 1987 VFR700F2. I had no idea what he was working on, but I usually ask if there's an interesting back story, and Bubba's was especially touching. Through some very dark days in his life, this Interceptor provided him hope, focus and, ultimately, his family.
In his own words....

If we're lucky, a motorcycle is not just a fair weather toy. The right bike can be more — it can give joy, purpose, memories, and even define a part of us. In Bubba's case, this VFR gave him more than he could have imagined on that day he put down his new bike order. It has earned its place in his family and his life, and will forever stand as a reminder...to never give up.

SOLD: $3050

Sold last month via eBay auction, this 1987 VFR700F2 garnered 15 bids and hit $3050 at the virtual hammer.

The seller performed a mechanical refurbishing and then proceeded to put 3500 miles on the bike. It appears complete and original and includes the passenger seat cowl and centerstand.  The tank color appears in the photos to be a shade off from the other panels but overall this is a very nice survivor.

Giancarlo Morbidelli, founder of the legendary Morbidelli motorcycle brand, has died at the age of 86 in his hometown of Pesaro, Italy. Morbidelli was an engineer extraordinaire who had much success in smaller displacement Grand Prix racing in the 1970's. But he is probably best known for his 1994 prototype V8 motorcycle design, an 847cc sport touring bike. The original styling was widely regarded as among the most unattractive motorcycle designs ever proposed, but a subsequent re-design brought a more conventional look which helped highlight the impressive engine. Had it gone into production the Morbidelli V8 would have easily been the most expensive motorcycle of its time. Sadly, it was not to be. Happy rides, Giancarlo.

What: 1999 VFR800 Interceptor
Where: Longmont, Colorado
​Why: Well-farkled, well-kept, great seller
Price: $3500

In the Fall of 2017 I sold Project 18, an '86 VFR750, to Michael H. When it arrived in Colorado he posed it next to his VFR800FI and sent me a pic (shown below). Michael has since lent the 750 to the St. Francis Motorcycle Museum in St. Francis, Kansas, and his 800 is the bike pictured here, now for sale.

Often considered the perfect "tweener" VFR model, the fifth-generation Interceptor bridges the gap between the carbureted 750s and the VTEC 800s, retaining the signature gear-drive cams of the earlier models but upping the game with with fuel injection and a complete chassis redesign. And Michael's 800 might be the perfect example of that generation VFR.

This bike is a sleeper — it keeps the stock look while adding quality, yet subtle, cosmetic and performance touches. Some of the upgrades include:
• DMr suspension front & rear
• BOS exhaust
• Ceramic coated headers
• Wave rotors
• Braided lines
• Upgraded charging system
• Silicone coolant hoses
• Sebspeed see-thru clutch cover
• Current maintenance
...and more

Now showing 28,000 miles and looking sharp in Italian Red, this is a primo example of the best of the best in our corner of the motorcycling world. A few months back I sold a '98 version of this bike with fewer miles, but in essentially stock configuration, for $2900. Considering the thoughtful and costly upgrades to this example, the asking price seems fair. I would buy from Michael with no reservations, and I'm sure tempted on this one.
Update: SOLD