What did you do to your VFR Today?

[Skids]

Oil and filter change and brake bleed on my VFR800X 39835 miles. 

[Rippin209]

Commuted to work on my VFR this week after it being in pieces for the last 3 or 4 weeks (the temps were triple digits anyway) I had the bike already to modify the exhaust and add farkles and while it was in my driveway a tree branch fell on it busted my zero gravity touring windscreen and scratched my paint a little bit but not as bad as it could have been. 

On a positive note my exhaust is squared away and great wrapped, the after market center stand works well, I was able to purchase a OEM rear rack and the Honda OEM rear case (not originally made for the VFR but I like the design) still want to add heated grips and cruise control but I'm set for now 😁

[Mohawk]

So the Carbon Rear wheel is back from the nice Ex Mclaren composites engineer & been ultrasound tested, looks pretty good. So at the weekend a tyre was fitted & the rear axles swapped to allow the Carbon back on the bike. Test rode & all seems good. 
 

As an FYI I fitted the Dunlop Qualifier Core because the front is a Dunlop Sportsmart 3. Bare Carbon wheel is 3Kg with tyre its 10Kg. The stock Alloy wheel I had on temporarily is 6Kg, with tyre (part worn Sportsmart 2max ) is 14Kg. So carbon wheel/tyre is 4Kg less !  The old tyre is over 1Kg heavier than the new one. Most of that is in the rim/tyre. I miss the Michelin Pilot Pure's which were just over 5Kg in 180/55-17 size.

Only had it out for a 35mile shakedown/wear in ride, so will add an update when its been used for a bit. First impressions are its very similar to the previous tyre. After 35 miles the the moulding whiskers are still there in the middle of the thread.

[Brianpower31]

I removed the handlebar risers that were on when I bought it. It gives a little more feel with the front wheel. Looking forward to next season on the racetrack

[Resina]

Last Saturday I had the pleasure to drive to Jerez de la Frontera circuit (Spain) from my home Sintra (Portugal).

A beautiful ride with a mix of highway and interior twisties roads.

 

Highway until Beja exit on A2, than interior roads going from Beja through Rosal de la Frontera until Sevilla, can't miss it, it's nearly just keeping following straight.

 

Just a bit before reaching Sevilla, a bit of highway and a Stop for a long waited dinner, I do recommend Mesones del Serranito, for bocadillo (swandich) and huevos rotos (eggs).

 

After another bit of highway until reaching the Circuit.

 

This time I just went to see my friend on a track day with his S1000RR tranning for Portuguese S1000 RR cup.

 

One day I will ride there with our wonderfull VFR

 

Happy Monday 😃

[VFR80025th]

I have my new JT sprockets arriving today with my DID 525 xring chain that i bought over a year ago waiting their arrival.

I have 32,000kms on my VFR. Sprockets still look good but as they say sprockets and chain at the same time.

Looking forward to spring.

[Grum]

20 hours ago, VFR80025th said:

I have my new JT sprockets arriving today with my DID 525 xring chain that i bought over a year ago waiting their arrival.

I have 32,000kms on my VFR. Sprockets still look good but as they say sprockets and chain at the same time.

Looking forward to spring.

 

"Sprockets still look good but as they say sprockets and chain at the same time."

l really believe this is purely based on old school thoughts and technology.

Perhaps its based on a worse case scenario being, salty slushy roads, poor tension, poor cleanlines, cheap and nasty chain, poor maintenance, etc.

 

My 8gen has now done over 100,000kms on the OEM rear sprocket, the front was replaced at around 70,000kms. I know you're the type of owner who takes care and pride of his bike so I'd be shocked if you're needing a new rear sprocket at such a relatively low mileage.

 

I've never experienced any premature chain wear, transmission noise etc. to indicate my sprockets needed replacing, also the visual look of the sprockets showed no signs of wear.

 

BUT.....As always YMMV.

[bmart]

6 hours ago, Grum said:

l really believe this is purely based on old school thoughts and technology.

There's some truth to that. At track days, people swap chainwheels all of the time without, obviously changing the other sprocket or chain. It may reduce chain wear, but one has to offset the cost of the chain for it to make sense. Materials also matter a lot. Steel lasts SO much longer. 

 

My track bikes got 5k miles like clockwork, regardless of great care. Also, people have different levels of tolerance for smoothness, adjustments, etc. 

 

Never give up. Never surrender. 🙂

 

 

[Captain 80s]

I change out the c/s sprocket at about what I feel the half life of the system is, or slightly before.  It takes the most abuse, is the cheapest component and it greatly extends the life of the other two (expensive) components.

[St. Stephen]

14 hours ago, Grum said:

 

"Sprockets still look good but as they say sprockets and chain at the same time."

l really believe this is purely based on old school thoughts and technology.

Perhaps its based on a worse case scenario being, salty slushy roads, poor tension, poor cleanlines, cheap and nasty chain, poor maintenance, etc.

 

Good point Grum. And the better and more knowledgeable we are about our bikes, the more we will make our own decisions about service life and maintenance intervals. 

 

Will a helmet still protect me in its 6th year? Should 10-year-old tires always be replaced? Will I really find a single valve too tight or loose at the required interval? Is the number of times the wheel turns (mileage) an accurate measure of when engine service is needed? Did the engineers decide, or the liability lawyers?

 

If I'm completely honest, for me the decision was mostly money. When I was young and poor I would take risks that now look stupid, but at the time seemed to be my only option. And now that I have enough funds, I change the sprockets with the chain! Probably way too conservative now. I guess it averages out.  😎

[bmart]

You're missing out on the used sprocket business. 🙂

[St. Stephen]

15 minutes ago, bmart said:

You're missing out on the used sprocket business. 🙂

 

Yeah, I should go back and check the historical records.   😎

[MBrane]

 I never clean my chains unless I need to handle 'em for some reason. Cleaning means wiping with a WD40 soaked rag to remove the outer grime. I run 'em on the loose side. They get lubed warm with Chain Saver every 300 mi or so roughly every other fuel stop. I replace 'em all when I can see hooking on the sprocket teeth combined with stiff links, and increased vibes/noise.

 

Last one had nearly 40K on it. Minimal wear on the master link pins so it probably could have gone longer, but for $300 why risk it?

[gropula]

Used the winter months to replace fluids in my 02. Changed the engine oil and filter, fork oil, dust caps and oil seals, brake fluid and brake pads on the rear. Coolant is a year old so I skipped that.

 

Noticed the rear caliper wouldn't slide so I partially disassembled all calipers and cleaned and greased the slide pins.

 

Fixed an oil leak at the stator cover by replacing the gasket. Reused the gasket once before. Didn't hold for too long. Removing the old stuck on gasket was a faff. Stator still looks good.

[DirtbikesRule]

I just acquired this bike a few months ago after having ridden only dirtbikes and dual sports for the past quarter century, but suddenly got the itch for a sporty bike again. Extremely low mileage and extremely well-kept(as far as I know and can tell) 2015 Gen 8 that probably once belonged to someone on here. Had it serviced, valves check, oil change, etc., then took it to my suspension guy who replaced both fork tubes and rebuilt the fork. The exhaust was a little loud for my taste, so I just installed a DB killer and the difference is noticeable. The Honda decals added tastefully, just so folks know. I have also dropped the front end just a tad to give me a little quicker steering and set the seat in the higher position to raise my center of gravity and put a little more weight on the front.

 

I was initially looking for a new CBR650R, but just happened upon this beauty at a local dealership. I had always wanted a Honda V4 since I was younger, so once I found this and gave it a once over, and realized I couldn't pass on the opportunity, I asked them to hold it for me while I took a day to think about it. Went back, took a test ride, handed over the cash and have been stoked ever since. This is the closest I will ever get in configuration to my dream bike, which has always been the RC45. The Force V4 decal being a nod to that bike.

 

 

[Lorne]

Very nice VFR you got yourself.

Curious about what prompted the fork tube replacement. Not bent, I hope. 

You have an embarrassing number of great roads to play on, so let us know how you adjust to pavement riding. 

[DirtbikesRule]

Thanks! It's in amazing condition for an 8 year old(original owner purchased it NOS) bike.

I guess I left the part out about the fork having a leaky seal on one side, and when I took it to my guy, he discovered that both legs were pitted and replaced them. 

 

Honestly,  adjusting to road and specifically sport bike riding again hasn't been super difficult, since I've had a few years to age and consider my past mistakes. I was dumb in the 90's and made some mistakes where I was lucky enough to get off scott free. If I were a cat, I'd probably be down to about 4 lives. So I'm finding that look a lot farther ahead and into corners than I once did and am a lot more picky with my battles. Seems my self preservation instinct is a lot better these days.

[bmart]

I rode mine! lol Just over 200 miles with my buddy Mac, who keeps supplying me with low mile old VFRs he finds. Both of my red ones came from him, as did my two trailers ago trailer. He showed up on a 600 mile perfect Bandit 1250 w/ABS. He has a knack! We covered all kinds of mediocre backroads. You guys should have come!

[Bronco]

Got a new helmet; left the pricey Shoei's at home and enjoyed, thoroughly, an open face lid again. Awesome.

Took the bike down some of my favorite roads; that means little to no paint on the road and speed signs that indicate 40-60 Km/Hr curves which I simply Americanize into M.P.H. and then add a bit to get the true recommended speed.

Oh yes, and picture of my 1999 VFR.

 

 

[DirtbikesRule]

Got up early and went for a long twisty one.  I decided it was going to be a day spent trying to work on my vision and regaining some flow in my riding while staying in complete control, and I feel like I accomplished that. I will never be the rider I was before I switched to dirt so many years ago, but I can apply some old man wisdom to my current riding and be a lot smoother and safer than I ever was 🤷‍♂️

 

Now I just need to learn to take pictures of the bike from a different angle 🫥

[TimC]

16 hours ago, DirtbikesRule said:

Got up early and went for a long twisty one.  I decided it was going to be a day spent trying to work on my vision and regaining some flow in my riding while staying in complete control, and I feel like I accomplished that.

 

I have very similar feelings.  I did an overnight trip this weekend to SE Ohio, home of most of the best twisty roads in the state.  It has been a while since I did any real sport-riding, and rather than push it, I rode more conservatively than usual.

 

I think as I get older I'm less willing to risk it all just to go 5-10% faster.  I'm not racing, after all.  Just looking to go reasonably quick and to ride as smoothly as possible, practicing good technique into, through, and out of corners.

[DirtbikesRule]

Got up and changed the air filter, then went on another long ride. This time to Borrego Springs(Bad idea. Too hot.) Then up to Julian to meet the wife for lunch.

Took a massive bug to the inner visor when my main visor was up and actually tasted whatever part of it went in my mouth. 

A friend of mine snapped a pic of me when I was waiting  on the side of the road for emergency crews to take care of a downed rider(I don't know his status, but I hope he's going to be OK).

 

All in all, a good ride and much needed stress relief from the work week. Probably need another one next weekend.

[Lorne]

Today pulled the cover off my VFR and gave it a bath. Even under a carport and with a bike cover the dust finds a way to get everywhere. Then I cleaned the chain, aired up the tires, installed the battery, and changed the oil & filter. Next job will be replacing the cam chain tensioners, a task I've put off far too long.

For a variety of reasons it's been almost 3 years since I last rode it. Since 1991 I'd never skipped a year until 2023. 

 

Not the most exciting story, but it's an excuse to show this pic.

[St. Stephen]

That black and white is striking--it allows the tires and seat to be part of the color scheme. Time to lay down a few miles Lorne!

[DirtbikesRule]

New seat cover! Way more grippy than the OEM.

 

Also bought an OEM windscreen. I'll use the big one it replaced for long trips with lots of freeway miles.  I just prefer the look of the original.

 

Also, I just realized there are tiedown loops under the the back seat 🤯