More Dirt For The Viffer

[oldboyracer]

Once again the plan was set , it was time to go away for the weekend , my regular riding buddy had got a new vfr 800 cross runner lets go . A mixture of conditions was required so he came up with the run to an old ghost town about 300 km away with 70 km of dirt . After posting the ride on face book we were surprised to find 6 others were coming . The bikes were 2 BMW s 2 kawasakis 1triumph a vfr800 cross runner , a vfr1200 cross runner and my vfr 800 . Mine being the only " road bike" reaching the meeting point I was greeted by a BMW rider who asked me if I was going as we were going off road and my bike is not suitable . I replied we are going on dirt roads not off road and don't worry I've done lots of dirt touring . Off to Oberon for lunch at the pub where conversation was about how hard this dirt section might be , 4 of the group had not ridden on dirt before so were apprehensive . I had a quick toilet break before leaving which was to prove interesting , when I exited the pub not a bike was to be seen they had left without me , it was assumed as I am a spirited rider I would easily catch up , I had left the map in my car oops . Now not knowing where to go I consulted the iPhone and thought oh well I will get there any way . Thankfully it was realised I wasn't with them so a rider was dispatched to get me while the rest went ahead , a spirited ride was then had catching up . Re grouping at the dirt off we went , the BMW s disappearing into the distance with me after them , I was having a ball power sliding around corners and playing mr motocross until I realised it was over 250 km to the next fuel and I didn't know conditions up ahead , better ride a little bit more sensible to conserve fuel . The closer we got to yerranderie the worse the road became at times down to first gear picking the way thru deep ruts . Reaching the town tents were put up , wine and cheese brought out with all of us having a sense of achievement . Next morning after a look around it was home time every one wanted to know when the next adventure was on and make sure there was dirt included . There were a few breakages 2 bottles of beer , go pro mount , after market rear suspension part and my rack decided 10 years service was eneough . All aftermarket and all on different bikes . Will I be getting a bike more suitable for the riding I do. Not a chance my trusty vfr has taken me to lots of places in lots of different conditions and just doesn't seem to mind . I'm glad my buddy got his new vfr cross runner otherwise he wouldn't have organised this ride

[Dutchy]

Nice one!!!

[Switchblade]

Now for the hard part CLEAN UP !!!

[VietHorse]

Now for the hard part CLEAN UP !!!

And PROUD of what you have done!

70km of dirt is really significant number. You are the most brave man among the group.

Thanks for share.

[BonusVFR]

Have a cold one and put one on the barby!!!!!! I have been about 20 miles or so in the dirt in a stretch but I was with comparable bikes and to say the least the pace was moderate.

Your rear wheel looks better..... SSSA shows the dirt.

Better I think to have a KLR in the stable.

[zupatun]

Sounds like fun!

[oldboyracer]

My regular ride buddy and I do lots of dirt , he is the one who recently got the vfr800 cross runner , before that he had a 50 th anniversary 5 th gen vfr 800. The previous ride we came home via an old logging trail approx 130 km of dirt . To clean is not much problem I just rinse in fresh water

[MBrane]

As someone who has done many miles of dirt on a 5th gen this thread makes me smile. I like to keep my girl clean, but I'm not afraid to get her dirty. That's some of the best riding there is if for nothing else but to see the look on peoples faces when you tell them where you went with your 550lb streetbike, and lived to tell the tale.

[Guest]

Hi all.

As I was the ride leader for this adventure I thought I should share a few of my photos from this ride.

On this run I was riding my new VFR800 X.

On past similar runs I have used my old 1999 VFR800. One of a couple I have owned. before them I have owned some VFR750s spread

between CBR600's The CBR's had fun things about them but the, VFR in what ever model it was that I had. all were very capable

machine at dealing with what ever I asked of them.

Onto this run.
The guy on the 1200 Cross tourer for this trip is new to this sort of riding, yet he quickly settled in and by day two was wanting more.
Which I think is a big thumbs up for the model. (Despite the negative press it received.)

I am stuffed if I can figure why Honda do such a lame job at promoting their bikes and that is not just speaking about our VFR's, it is the range

of bikes on offer over all.

They should be using a similar to this web site or maybe a Facebook sort of page for established customers to share the experience and in doing

so possible new members to the family of Hondas can go and read first hand from real world owners/riders just how good their product is.

End users opinion will always win out over glossy hand outs.

Instead we are like a secret society. Possible new riders have no idea what we are doing on our bikes. I think they are missing a lot of

possible new customers because people who dont know any VFR rider, don't know what we think or do.

Anyway back on topic. This ride.
Here are a few more pictures.

You will note in the photos on my Crossrunner I mounted a Venture rack and bag. I did this simply because the Honda Top Box which is

normally on the bike is not big enough for the job. I simply sat the Venture rack on the Honda Top Box original mount and used stainless

steel hose clamps to secure it.

Beyond the bikes I would like to mention. One high risk concern on Australian roads is domestic type beast and wild life. High on that

list is the Kangaroo. Cute when sitting around eating, not so cute if one jumps onto the road just a head of you. In fact at speed even

in a car it will be a nasty accident, on a bike. Not a pleasant outcome.

The last photo is my bike back at home just before washing it. My family & friends think I am strange as I religiously do this after every

major trip even before washing myself.

I will leave the rest of the photo to speak for them self.

Cheers, ride safe.

[VFR Capt.Bob]

Interesting write up. How much better is the X compared to the VFR when it comes to dirt? It occurred to me I could go to the forum on V4 advmoto and get this info.

[Guest]

To be honest the ride on sealed roads is one and the same. Both deliver what ever we ask of them as I expect any VFR owner would confirm when

reflecting on his own bike.

On dirt/gravel roads the X does have better ground clearance due to less plastic down low. Its NOT a trail bike, but that extra space is a comfort.

That said, I did come undone once which resulted in a hard knock to the left side plastic, after coming out of a creek and loosing traction. This was

while on a re-con run preparing for this trip. The two bits of plastic cost $550 to replace.
Anyway back to the point.

The VFR1200 Crosstourer in our group had better suited tyres on it. Similar to the tyres on the BMW1200GS.

I think this is what is required on the VFR800X and had I had them on the bike, I feel sure the above incident would not have happened.

I am also sure the same tyres on the 1998 VFR would have made it less work.

Road tyres are not suited for this work.

Reflecting on the VFR bike over all.
We have been up and down the coast and other runs plus once a month a run to some place in the outer areas of Sydney, and that is sun or rain.

No VFR I have owned has disappointed. (750 or 800) In all those years the mechanical failure have all been after market gear.

(Allowing for fair wear and tear)

The sad bit and let down for me is the top box on my Crossrunner.
Its ok for around town and going to work or buying some bread and milk etc, but for any real trips I wish there was an after market box that could take advantage

of the Honda mounting bracket, but hold as much as the Ventura bags do, rather than me having to manufacture a solution so I can use a Ventira rack and bag.

(Three automotive hose clamps held the Ventura rack to the Honda one. (one clamp broke))

While I have pen on paper I should also mention the bracket for the top box and panniers.

They are an amazing engineered piece of equipment. Very solid.