TimC

Must...resist...posting in...an oil thread... 😐 Ugh. I can't help it. Here we go. A little context first: I bought a like-new, bone-stock 2004 VFR in August 2006 with just 4,200 miles on it. I rode it. A lot. I sold it two years ago with just over 101,000 miles on the clock. I changed the oil regularly, every 3,000 to 5,000 miles, depending on what oil I'd last put in it. Shorter intervals for regular or semi-synthetic, and longer intervals for full synthetic. The engine was still funning as smoothly and strongly as ever when I sold the bike. When the local Honda dealer shop changed the oil (which they did a few times in the early years of my VFR ownership), they probably used whatever they were supposed to, hopefully the Honda oil, but I never asked. I did a bit of research a few times over the years as to what oil I should use when I changed it myself. Opinions varied, as did the data people posted, just as we've seen forever. When I changed the oil myself, I believe I started with regular automotive 10W-40 oil. Valvoline or something decent. Then as the bike got a little older and the mileage increased, I switched to "high mileage" semi-synthetic 10W-40. I tried a different viscosity when my CCT started clacking, hoping the oil would help. (If I remember correctly it didn't make a big difference.) In the last several years I had the VFR I went back and forth between the Mobil 1 Racing 4T 10W-40 and regular automotive full synthetic Mobil 1 10W-40, usually opting for the later because it was cheap at Walmart, who usually had it in stock. By the way, I think in the early years I used a couple cheaper oil filters, but soon started buying better ones. K&N, Mobil, etc. Motorcyclists talk about oil a lot, but not as much about oil filters, and we probably should. So here's my point. I'm no scientist or expert, but judging from my experience and the bit of reading I did along the way, as long as you use good oil in the right viscosity, your VFR will probably be fine. I put 97,000 miles on a 6th gen. VFR over 14 years, using a variety of oils (and filters), and never once had any kind of issue with the engine (not including the failure-prone CCT). If you are racing or doing track days on your VFR, subjecting it to extreme use often, I can see the value in pinpointing the exact best oil to prevent mechanical failure. You can do the same to help ensure engine longevity for decades to come. But for average use - like mine was - choose what you like within reason, and you'll probably be okay. That's just my opinion, take it or leave it.

Congrats on that sweet bike! Looks like it's in terrific condition, too. 🙂 When it was announced Buell was closing down and the HD dealers starting blowing out the remaining bikes in their inventories, I considered buying one of these in the naked version. I didn't really have the money at the time, and I wasn't looking to replace my VFR, so I passed. But I still think about buying a nice one for a fun short-ride road rocket. Congrats again. I'd love to read a review if you'd care to write one after putting a few miles on her.

What a terrific looking bike! I've always kind of liked the quirky looks of Moto Guzzis, but never really considered buying one. The Mandello looks like a great sport-touring option. And I love that it's different. It appeals to the non-conformist in me. But the downside for me is the dealer network. If my bike needed warranty work, the closest dealer is 150 miles away. And if I were on a trip and the bike broke down? Yikes. Still, I'd like to have something like a V7 or V9 for commuting and shorter rides. Seems like it would be a blast to ride!

Your passenger looks pretty terrible, too! I don't envy you that weather. Good luck on the ride home and be safe!

Congrats on your 6th gen. and welcome to the forum from Ohio! 🙂 I'm guessing (or hoping) you got a good deal on that VFR. Good luck getting it all sorted and back on the road where it belongs!

I have attended the Cleveland show every other year or so, whether I was in the market for a new bike or not. Sometimes I was just looking for a couple specific accessories or pieces of riding gear. Regardless, it was fun to walk around and check out most* of the current models I hadn't yet seen and some new models that were coming soon. I have to agree with @ducnut -- the Cleveland show was usually in late January, sometimes making for a very cold walk into and out of the show, especially since I didn't want to wear or carry my winter coat the 2-4 hours I was inside. The West Coast and southern shows usually had test rides available outside, which just wasn't possible in Cleveland in the dead of winter. Still, it was fun to go and be immersed in motorcycle stuff for a few hours when I couldn't ride my own bike. * I say "most" because invariably there were new and existing models missing from some manufacturers' booths. I'd go to the show excited to see the latest Honda, Ducati, or whatever, and sometimes they weren't there at all. It never made sense to me why when you have a huge booth (like the Big 4 always did) they didn't bring one of every model available, even the less popular ones. Even though I was sometimes disappointed at the show, I'll be sad if this is really the end of the IMS shows.

Great write-up and photos from what looks like a terrific day of riding! Thanks for sharing them here!! 🙂

Is there a local number for the hotel so we can contact them directly? I'm pretty sure that's how I made my reservation for the event this past May.

I don't know if it would help, or if you'd even consider it, but Oakley makes prescription sunglasses, including some of the "wrap" style frames used by athletes. It might still be a pain fitting them inside a helmet without slots for glasses, but the benefit would be the rubber coated temples (the arms/side pieces) should help keep the glasses from bouncing around. Also, the straight temples would push into your helmet and not have to wrap around your ears, making the glasses easier to put on and take off. They aren't going to be cheap, but maybe it's a solution. For trips and long days I prefer to wear contact lenses, which gives me the option of sunglasses. But I've also been fine just wearing normal glasses most of the time. One nice benefit of the contact lenses is no fogging up of eyeglasses in the rain, mist, and/or cold temps.

I wish I could join you all down there this weekend, but my weekend is booked solid with gigs with a few different bands. Have fun and be safe! 👍

Welcome to VFRD from NE Ohio! Great looking 5th gen. you have there! 🙂

Very cool. Good luck working on your Super Cub! 🙂 Not the same bike, but there is a terrific video on YouTube from Revzilla where Ari and Zack took a 1975 Honda CT90 and a new Trail 125 to Alaska and rode from Anchorage to Prudhoe Bay, then west to Utqiagvik, the northernmost point of the US. Though they had some issues along the way, the bikes both made it. It's amazing how well these were made. Upon return, Ari rebuilt the CT90, which is a great by itself!

That was my 2004 6th gen, which I put another 1,000 miles on and then sold. I miss it sometimes, but it went to a good home. 🙂 I'm on a 2020 BMW R nineT Pure now, having switched over to a naked bike. I have a Dart "Classic" Flyscreen on the front which takes the wind blast off my chest at 60+ mph, but still leaves my head in the wind. It's just a bit larger than the screen on your buddy's bike in the photo above (if I'm seeing it correctly). The wind does get bothersome on the expressways after awhile, but I try to not ride those roads very often, and when I do for less than an hour when possible. Cheers!

Sorry to hear about the tough year and losing your dad. But glad you could get a great ride in to go see your mum. I find riding to be the best possible way to get away from it all. To say it's 'therapy' might be a minor insult to actual therapists, but it works for me. Nice looking CB650R. If I didn't already have a naked sporty bike this is one I'd be interested in. 🙂

Congrats on reaching 100,000 miles on your 8th gen! 👍 🙂

Welcome to the forum from Ohio, and thanks for sharing those photos! 👍

Nice job bringing that VFR back! 👍 As @Skids said, it isn't everyone's cup of tea, but that looks like it would be a blast to ride!

Nice! What a great project, bringing that beauty back to life! You have a lot more faith in people than me. Buying a project bike you haven't even seen, then waiting two years to get it? I'm guessing you bought it very cheap (and no, I'm not asking how much) in order to make it worth the risk. I'm curious how you'll resolve the missing title issue. Since you've spent time and money on lights and lenses, I'm guessing this won't be just a track machine.

If we're talking cars, my 2018 Miata I bought new just over four years ago has over 55,000 miles on it now. I know that isn't impressive for the average car or truck, but a Miata? Hardly anyone daily drives a Miata year-round, especially in NE Ohio. So yeah, I kind of proud of it. 😄

Great work, @Skids!! I like the fresh look of the clear lenses, too. 👍

Terrific trip write-up and photos! Thanks for posting them here. 👍

Great pix and nice write-up! Thanks for sharing those here. 👍

Congrats on your 5th gen. and welcome back to VFRD and life on two wheels! 🙂

Congrats on the new/old Honda and welcome to VFRD from Ohio, USA! 🙂

I bought a BMW R nineT Pure (basically the base model) to replace my VFR a couple years ago. I really dig the boxer twin. It reminds me of my 6th gen's V4 a little, but with more torque and engine braking. Much lower redline though. Of course, my air/oil-cooled boxer is old compared to the liquid-cooled 1250 mill in the new R bikes, but I love mine for its character. You should test ride a boxer just to see how you'd like it. It's not for everyone, and yes, BMWs are expensive. Mine wasn't super spendy, but did cost more than if I'd found a leftover new 8th gen. to buy a couple years ago, even a Deluxe. One nice thing about the boxers though is they're pretty easy to wrench on for the DIY mechanic.