Katie

Yup, VFR No.2 has now gone and been replaced with a KTM 1290 Superduke GT! Looking forward to doing as many silly miles but in a different style. Oh, and spending lots of cash on putting things on I like 🙂 The good news is, adjustable levers (including brake and gear), quickshifter, heated grips, 12v socket and tyre pressure monitors are all standard. The previous owner also fitted an accessories control panel, satnav bracket, USB ports, Denali spotlights and sound bomb so all I need is a rear rack, handguards and a replacement end can and all is right with the world! Returning to the VFR has been fun and I manged to stick 37k miles in the last two years but I'm actively looking forward to the extra power and, more importantly for me, the lighter weight. If Honda ever decide to move the VFR in that direction (1000cc and a diet anyone?) I may be back. Still got the CBR650F as my commuter so haven't given up on Honda totally! Although the first thing I did was change the switchgear... If there are any UK readers, I have just stuck a few things up on Ebay: Givi rear rack 1132FZ (unused) and M5 plate VFR800 VFR1200 Rear Carrier 08L71-MJM-D10 Left-hand switchgear (aah, remember the fun of swapping for one with a normal layout?) Arrow Pro-Racing steel silencer/slip-on Bagster black tank cover All up for 99p start and no reserve so you could get lucky!

TTFN Greg Reckon you'll be back on a street bike soon though (my guess is a Ducati Supersport) 😉

Wow. Thought I might get one of these switch sets for my VFR (I need to replace the LED spotlights). Just checked the Amazon price and they are £65 + £30 shipping! 😲

That's the disc test I went with (minus the blisters!) and all was fine. Still think it's a bit bizarre...

Ok, so to prove the point that I really do know absolutely nothing, it turns out it was the rear brake! The caliper was working (hence being able to use the brake) but was not fully retracting , causing drag. Oh, and also causing one pad to wear right down and the other to get down to the metal - reckon I used the last smidge parking outside the workshop 🙄 Was very pleased that the workshop could sort it on the day and was more than happy to give them money in exchange for NOT having to get the train home! Even more embarrassingly, I now remember that the only time I've had a rear brake bind without any obvious signs (beyond being hard to push) was on my old VFR750FV... 🤣

Don't worry, I accept 'daft; as an alternative to 'brave'! If it helps, I have had (over many years) experience with warped brake discs, hydraulic failure, oversized clutch level actuation pin, snapped cables, stretchy chains, poorly fitted huggers and sticks and stones jammed into socket holders. Results have been variable but roadside insurance has been my friend once or twice... Despite there being nothing visible, nothing audible (with or without engine running) and nothing heating up, I do have the same distrust of 'occasional' issues. Dropped the bike off at a mechanics this morning and hoping they can sort whatever the problem is. Will be a bloody long walk home if they can't...

Thanks again for the advice all. As mentioned, the brake disc is not getting warm but will drop it off to check. My Futura will be back in service this week so will have the chance to look at the VFR in daylight at the weekend (no power in my garage and work steals all the daylight hours!).

True, true and just to piss you off 😘

Thanks all, for your advice. Being the person I am, I decided to take the bike to work today to so how it ran. As noted, it was 'orrible to reverse out of the garage but ran fine and freewheeled ok with the clutch in. Checked the brake disc for signs of glowing at the first few stops, nada. 😉 When I got to work (70 miles away), it was just as 'orrible to manouever but the rear brake disc was stone cold. On the way back tonight, it felt a little easier to push. Rode back to Oxford, went to the gym and the bike moved absolutely fine... So, absolutely no idea what that was all about!

Interesting thought. Would explain why the usual 'brake jammed on' issues aren't arising.

The rear wheel is dead stiff when the bike's on the centre stand. Will worry about the front when that's fixed!

Checked the tyre size is ok (I've seen the hugger damage when a 190 was used on the wrong bike!) and all the bolts are definitely the right ones. The brakes would be the obvious answer but there's no abnormal noise when rotating the wheel and there was no overheating or brake failing when I went for a 100 mile ride the day after the tyre was fitted. The only issue is that it's a pig to push in and out of the garage!

Answers are, yes, yes and yes And absolutely NO thanks for getting Cheap Trick stuck back in head again!

Hi Folks Had a new set of tyres fitted a couple of days ago and now the bike is really hard to move. The chain tension is fine and there doesn't appear to be any drag from the brakes. However, even with the bike on the centre stand, there is absolutely no free movement of the wheel. Any suggestions as to what the tyre fitters might have done to cause this and, more importantly, what I need to do to fix it??

...giving VFR riders the whole 'Yo, me too' enthusiastic wave when I'm riding the Futura... 🙄