New Vfr 800 Owner Questions

Hi,

I recently got a 2006 VFR 800 for my birthday and have a couple of questions.

We all know stock seats stink. I've always used Mustang seats before, but they don't make one for the 800. Does anyone have any recommendations? Corbin? Other?

I'm also having a problem with the grips. I still have my Volusia 800 on which I have Kuryakyn grips. These are thicker than standard grips and I know would look dumb on the VFR. Does anyone have any recommendations on grips? I am having a problem with my throttle hand getting tired and uncomfortable after a short period of time. Are there any ergonomic type grips? Or thicker grips?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated?

Ms. Purple

seems like the sargeant is the best rated vfr seat, I use a seat pad on my vfr which added height and comfort , the seat to peg relation is nicer and I dont have to go the the bathroom as often.

Sargent, hands down, (seems corbins rip at the seems), and progrip 714's and 719's

By the way,...That's one hell of a birthday present!

Progrips seem to be the most common grips. Sargeant is the favored seat on this site. I just started to use an airhawk seat cushion, which cost 1/2 the price, greatly reduces arse heat, and is great for camping (pillow and or cushion). You may be experience pain in your hands from gripping too hard, try relaxing.
If you are riding around town a VFR is going to be harder on your wrist than a cruiser.
BTW-any chance of me becoming near and dear to you ever got you a 2006 VFR for a b-day gift?
Here is a link to a supplier of airhawk:
http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/home/Accessories/Airhawk.htm

awlittle, Apr 17 2007, 12:36 AMProgrips seem to be the most common grips. Sargeant is the favored seat on this site. I just started to use an airhawk seat cushion, which cost 1/2 the price, greatly reduces arse heat, and is great for camping (pillow and or cushion). You may be experience pain in your hands from gripping too hard, try relaxing.
If you are riding around town a VFR is going to be harder on your wrist than a cruiser.
BTW-any chance of me becoming near and dear to you ever got you a 2006 VFR for a b-day gift?
Here is a link to a supplier of airhawk:
http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/home/Accessories/Airhawk.htm

I'm not sure I would want to use my air hawk as a pillow after 12 hrs in the saddle. Maybe it's just me butt......... goofy.gif

Congrats on the bike (What a great present!) and welcome to the board, Ms. Purple!

Softer grips may help, but also (if you're not already doing this) try holding up your upper body by using your back and abdominal muscles instead of putting your weight on your wrists. Make sure your elbows are bent and your wrists relaxed and you'll feel much more comfortable. I'm a heavy rider but rarely suffer from hand or wrist pain while riding due to using my back (and to some extent) my abs to hold myself up while on the bike.

It's also safer, since you'll be able to react when needing to perform an emergency manuever since your arms and wrists won't be locked up. Just my $0.02.

If you're still uncomfortable later on, you can always raise the bars by adding after-market bar risers like HeliBars, etc.

dude, Apr 16 2007, 05:52 PM

awlittle, Apr 17 2007, 12:36 AMProgrips seem to be the most common grips. Sargeant is the favored seat on this site. I just started to use an airhawk seat cushion, which cost 1/2 the price, greatly reduces arse heat, and is great for camping (pillow and or cushion). You may be experience pain in your hands from gripping too hard, try relaxing.
If you are riding around town a VFR is going to be harder on your wrist than a cruiser.
BTW-any chance of me becoming near and dear to you ever got you a 2006 VFR for a b-day gift?
Here is a link to a supplier of airhawk:
http://www.rlmotorcycles.com/home/Accessories/Airhawk.htm

I'm not sure I would want to use my air hawk as a pillow after 12 hrs in the saddle. Maybe it's just me butt......... goofy.gif

What? I have the only butt that smells like a fresh April mountain breeze after hundreds of miles? You should be around me two weeks into a motorcycle trip. fing02.gif
Seriously though, the reason the airhawk works so well (besides the whole spread of pressure evenly) is because of the cell structure that allows airflow, so in theory even if your arse doesn't smell as wonderful as mine, you could still use it as a pillow without having dreams of your nether regions.
Niiiice pun by the way.

Ms. Purple, Apr 16 2007, 06:09 PMHi,

I recently got a 2006 VFR 800 for my birthday and have a couple of questions.

We all know stock seats stink. I've always used Mustang seats before, but they don't make one for the 800. Does anyone have any recommendations? Corbin? Other?

I'm also having a problem with the grips. I still have my Volusia 800 on which I have Kuryakyn grips. These are thicker than standard grips and I know would look dumb on the VFR. Does anyone have any recommendations on grips? I am having a problem with my throttle hand getting tired and uncomfortable after a short period of time. Are there any ergonomic type grips? Or thicker grips?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated?

Ms. Purple

Sargent makes good seats. Corbin makes seats too. Each one of us is shaped a little different so seats are a personal preference item.

BMW sport grips are nice on a VFR.

Any throttle lock will probably work. Throttlemeister makes one that looks better than the clamp style. This is also personal preference.

We are scattered all over the country. Find someone close and take a look or a sit before you start throwing money at it.

Thanks everyone for your information and recommendations. I hadn’t heard of the Sargeant seats, just Corbin and Mustang, but my husband had. So I’ll go check them out.

I had been looking at the progrips so I will probably try them.

TimC – I know what you’re saying about the position of riding. That is one of the reasons I choose the VFR – I’m not pushed forward with all my weight on my hands and my arms locked. I’m still going to lots or parking lot practice and a few longer rides to see if I can get comfortable but may have to look at risers. I had to put them on my crusier.

One of the things I still have to get used to is that on the cruiser there’s a little more twisting on the throttle going thru the gears. On the VFR I just have to THINK about going and this baby zooms.

awlittle – to become near and dear to my birthday giver – you’d have to spend the next 26 years with him as I did. But, it was worth it because this is my SECOND bike for my birthday. The first was the Volusia. Although he did say we have to stop going to m/c shows and buying them in the winter – we got snow storms the next week both times and they sat in the garage for three weeks.

One more question – do the Corbin or Sargeant seats lower or raise the seating position? I’m as my max on the height. I’m only 5’4”. I can’t flat foot both feet at the same time, but I lean slightly and can tip toe the other side.

Thanks again for all your help and advice.

Ms. Purple

Ms. Purple,
I don't think either seat will change the height. They just don't cut of the circulation at the contact points like the stockers do. I have one of each and they are both good. For the money, I think the Sargent is the best and have never heard a bad comment about their service. Can't say the same for Corbin. Where's the pics?

Ernie

Ms. Purple, Apr 17 2007, 07:14 PMThanks everyone for your information and recommendations. I hadn’t heard of the Sargeant seats, just Corbin and Mustang, but my husband had. So I’ll go check them out.

I had been looking at the progrips so I will probably try them.

TimC – I know what you’re saying about the position of riding. That is one of the reasons I choose the VFR – I’m not pushed forward with all my weight on my hands and my arms locked. I’m still going to lots or parking lot practice and a few longer rides to see if I can get comfortable but may have to look at risers. I had to put them on my crusier.

One of the things I still have to get used to is that on the cruiser there’s a little more twisting on the throttle going thru the gears. On the VFR I just have to THINK about going and this baby zooms.

awlittle – to become near and dear to my birthday giver – you’d have to spend the next 26 years with him as I did. But, it was worth it because this is my SECOND bike for my birthday. The first was the Volusia. Although he did say we have to stop going to m/c shows and buying them in the winter – we got snow storms the next week both times and they sat in the garage for three weeks.

One more question – do the Corbin or Sargeant seats lower or raise the seating position? I’m as my max on the height. I’m only 5’4”. I can’t flat foot both feet at the same time, but I lean slightly and can tip toe the other side.

Thanks again for all your help and advice.

Ms. Purple

Welcome to the board Ms. Purple!

FWIW, I just changed to a Sargent on my VFR ... no discernable height change, but significant increase in comfort levels for a full day in the saddle! fing02.gif

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy cool.gif

Welcome to the VFRD Ms.Purple.....and congrats on the VFR.....no complaints on the stock seat, but after adding a Sargent on my 06 VFR, I'd have to get another one if I purchased another VFR....really great long-term comfort............. fing02.gif