Greetings! - New Tyres were just the best 1st upgrade

[DSG53]

Greetings all,

Just picked up a 2003 VFR with 6.5k miles on the clock, haven't been riding in 7 years, my previous bike was a Hornet so decided to stay honda for the return to 2 wheels.

Bike had a stack of service history and All MOT certs over its 21 years, even though it has only done 6500 miles. 2nd obvious issue on the way home was the tyres, the first was the way it behaved below 3000rpm. 

 

Starts first time and very smooth until up to temp, then it's idle is a little lumpy, sounds like it's about to cut out every few cranks but never actually does, not terrible but could be smoother,.... I think

 

So based mostly on posts  I have read on here the things to tend to are possibly gummed up injectors from sitting with old fuel in the tank, or starter valves needing balanced or both. It had a leaking fork seal after an 80 mile ride home, but also invoices for new seals replaced 3 years and about 200 miles ago. The very small leak stopped after 100 miles of riding so probably dry seals just caught in time and hopefully just need to keep an eye on it. 

 

I did a very dumb ass thing ....I neglected to check the date codes on the tyres before purchase, by about 5 mile into my trip home, I was just getting used to riding a bike again but definitely noticed a harshness to the ride. A moment of squirreliness from the rear on two very medium slow speed turns  and I checked the dates. Rear tyre almost perfect, looked like 500 miles on it , it was 15 years old. Front tyre was 9 years old. Got some mid range sport touring on today and it's the single biggest upgrade experience  I have had in 35 years of driving anything.

 

I can 100% attest that absolutely perfect looking 15 year old tyres are like ice skating compared to fresh rubber.

 

I will hopefully have more to contribute to the forum , loving the vfr 800 so far.

Sincere thanks to all the posters to this forum, so much knowledge stored over the years on this great motorcycle its hard to come up with questions that haven't been covered.

So.....

You guys literally made me do it!

 

 

 

 

[mello dude]

Welcome! Post up some photos! We like photos!

[DSG53]

[FromMaine]

Thats a tidy looking VFR, congratulations.

 

Good call on the rubber. Bought my 2001 late last summer, had not been on the road for 18 years. Had 19 year old Michelins with about 200 miles on them. Sad to have to bin them, but there really is no other choice.

 

Bet those Pirelli's make you feel warm and fuzzy in the corners.😁