Re: 5th Gen As An Iron Butt Machine

Has anyone ever used their Viffer as an Iron Butt style mile muncher? Meaning putting in serious miles day after day. I'm doing the Void 3 rally this week and really want to use my Y2K, but have doubts if it'll be comfortable enough for the 2,000 miles that I'll be covering over the course of the rally. My other choice is my BMW R12GS that is nicely set up for LD style riding, but as I said I have been really enjoying the VFR for these last few months and would like to get that IBA plate holder on it. Thanks in advance.


PB fing02.gif

I completed the SS 1000 on my VFR (Stock at the time) with no major problems. I also just completed a 2000 mile four day trip on it with the only issue being the seat. I do have Convertibars and BLS's peg lowering blocks on it though. I would say that a VFR is perfectly capable of doing long distance riding.

Flightar, Oct 9 2007, 03:37 PMI completed the SS 1000 on my VFR (Stock at the time) with no major problems. I also just completed a 2000 mile four day trip on it with the only issue being the seat. I do have Convertibars and BLS's peg lowering blocks on it though. I would say that a VFR is perfectly capable of doing long distance riding.

Thanks for the reply
.
I already have a Sargent seat and plan on installing Gen-mar risers before the ride.

PawnBroker, Oct 9 2007, 07:26 PMHas anyone ever used their Viffer as an Iron Butt style mile muncher? Meaning putting in serious miles day after day. I'm doing the Void 3 rally this week and really want to use my Y2K, but have doubts if it'll be comfortable enough for the 2,000 miles that I'll be covering over the course of the rally. My other choice is my BMW R12GS that is nicely set up for LD style riding, but as I said I have been really enjoying the VFR for these last few months and would like to get that IBA plate holder on it. Thanks in advance.


PB fing02.gif

The VFR should be adequate for the task, but a bigger bike with "longer legs" Like BMW's latest big inline 4 sportbike or the Yamaha FJR might be more comfortable for IB riding. The bigger displacement = more power = lower RPMs = less vibration @ higher speeds formula makes a lot of sense. No searching for the non-existant 7th gear for these big bruisers. JMO

Beck
95 VFR

I always wondered how Mark Kiecker finished fourth in the 2005 Iron Butt Rally on a 5th gen.

I think this is his bike on the left??? Is he on the forum???

[image: P1010287.sized.jpg]

Another shot I found..............love to hear his story.

[image: P9020053.sized.jpg]

A few years ago I left the shack in east Tennessee to a family reunion in South Dakota. I had plans to stop about mid way and finish up the next day.

At about 750 miles I was feeling quite good (stock VFR all the way) and decided to push on. At about 900 miles with a bunch of daylight left and gas receipts in my tank bag I decided to break the 1000 mile mark and send the proof into the Iron Butt boys and pick myself up a plaque.

Fifty miles later the sky got black and winds picked up pretty bad so I stopped at a gas station. The counter guy looked at me wide eyed and asked how I got through all the tornadoes and hail.

I said so far I wasn't touched and didn't know of which he spoke.

He pointed to the weather map on the T.V. and it looked like a war zone. It seems I rode through a pocket of calm like the eye of a hurricane or something. It was then and there I decided to call it quits and crawl under the bed at a Super 8 motel a few hundred feet away.

The bike is the most comfortable one I have ever owned and so far I have put numerous 750 + mile days on it with no ill effects. So my short answer is the VFR is one of the best for anything you want to do but I know I am just prechin' to the choir.

I asked the same question on the IBA forum and plenty of people said it wouldnt be a problem at all.

The rally a few years back a guy came in the top 10 on a ninja 250.

BonusVFR, Oct 9 2007, 01:05 PMI always wondered how Mark Kiecker finished fourth in the 2005 Iron Butt Rally on a 5th gen.

I think this is his bike on the left??? Is he on the forum???



Another shot I found..............love to hear his story.

Yup, he's a member of the forum. Also, even though Mark finished 4th in the 2005 Iron Butt Rally, he logged more miles than anybody else. fing02.gif

Guys,

thanks for the all the advice. I'm phyched to ride that Viffer in the Void now more then ever.

BTW does anyone know if Lynchburg Honda is a reputable dealer? By the end of the rally I'll need a new rear tire, since my Dunlop SportMax has just about had it, so I was thinking of changing it at the dealer before the ride home.

If someone can recommend a better tire then please let me know.

Thanks again,

PB fing02.gif

PawnBroker, Oct 10 2007, 10:40 AMGuys,

thanks for the all the advice. I'm phyched to ride that Viffer in the Void now more then ever.

BTW does anyone know if Lynchburg Honda is a reputable dealer? By the end of the rally I'll need a new rear tire, since my Dunlop SportMax has just about had it, so I was thinking of changing it at the dealer before the ride home.

If someone can recommend a better tire then please let me know.

Thanks again,

PB fing02.gif

Avon Azaro on the tire. I don't know which Dunlop you have (207,208,220) but the Azaros are excellent wet or dry and can go the distance mileage wise.

PawnBroker, Oct 9 2007, 02:26 PMHas anyone ever used their Viffer as an Iron Butt style mile muncher? Meaning putting in serious miles day after day. I'm doing the Void 3 rally this week and really want to use my Y2K, but have doubts if it'll be comfortable enough for the 2,000 miles that I'll be covering over the course of the rally. My other choice is my BMW R12GS that is nicely set up for LD style riding, but as I said I have been really enjoying the VFR for these last few months and would like to get that IBA plate holder on it. Thanks in advance.


PB fing02.gif

Here's my set up that I used in the CapeFear 1000 this spring. It's only the 2nd rally I've done and finished 25th. Corbin and Throttlemeisters are the most necessary. Then come the GPS, radar and aux fuel cell. Gen mars and dual star grip warmers are on my list of to do's. Good luck in the Void.

Corey

[image: gallery_10344_2932_1640848.jpg]
DSC02994.JPG

I logged 7031 miles over 13 days last year on a big trip, using my 6th gen. With a Sargent seat I had no complaints. My longest days were day 1 and days 11 , 12, and 13, logging ~600 on day one, then 550, 650, and 785 miles respectively. The Viffer is a great machine no matter what you're looking to get out of it. fing02.gif

It can be done. Is it the most comfortable bike for it? No. Personally I'd take the GS if is a better LD, especially if there are no twisties on the route but if you want do to the VFR then go for it.
I've done several long distance trips with numerous high mileage days (Arizona to Alaska, Arizona to NY, etc) including an Iron Butt all on a stock seat..though I did add an Airhawk before the last trip.

Just wondering what the logic is choosing an R12GS for an ironbutt ride which I think is almost all over smooth superslab roads. At high speeds and long distances, the limited wind protection compared to a ST bike can tire out a rider in no time. It will look cool, but maybe not the best tool for this task. I think the VFR is a better choice than the GS for this.

Beck
95 VFR

I haven't ridden a GS but I think they actually make very good LDs. Most people put handguards on them, the boxer engine blocks wind to the legs I assume, and I think the windshield must function well. Obviously I'm guessing but by the number of GSs I've seen in very remote places and the loyal following, they actually make better LDs than VFRs. Just a guess.

Beck, Oct 10 2007, 02:26 PMJust wondering what the logic is choosing an R12GS for an ironbutt ride which I think is almost all over smooth superslab roads. At high speeds and long distances, the limited wind protection compared to a ST bike can tire out a rider in no time. It will look cool, but maybe not the best tool for this task. I think the VFR is a better choice than the GS for this.

Beck
95 VFR

Just doing a SS1000 or greater, you are correct. But these rallys are really scavenger hunts across america. The only limitation to where the Rally Master chooses to send the participants is his own evil mind. I have heard several stories involving a dirt road that was 1+ miles off the beaten path and the night before the rally it rained several inches (thus mud hole). In addition, the bonus locations are only given to participants shortly before the rally starts. If you rode 2 hours out of the way for a bonus and encounter a mud road, odds are that a true rallyist will continue thru the mud to get the sought after bonus. A GS would be a good choice, especially when the weather and roads are unpredictable. I have often thought a GS would be a good stable mate to the VFR.

Corey
01 VFR

I did 2000 miles in 5 days this Spring on my 5 gen - no problem (see Avatar!). Mostly at legal 90mph - French Freeways for ya!

I have a Corbin seat cos I sink thru the standard one after 200 miles. Only problem was sore neck on Day 2 from hunkering down while looking up.

Tips? Good tyres and good chain. I fitted new chain week before the go and did 2,700 miles in all and never needed to touch it, except the occasional spray w/ WD40. Tyre life has to be considered, I swapped the 90% worn Avons for Michelin Road 2 and they were and are amazing. The Avons were mostly worn out after 5000 miles, I now done 7000 on the Road 2 and still have 6mm of tread. Partly this is down to big freeway miles and wife on board for rest of mileage.

I think someone on this forum did the IBA Great Lakes Gold (~2500 miles in under 50 hours) on a 6th gen...I don't remember who it was... fing02.gif I'm sure it could also be done on a 5th gen with a few "comfy" mods...

A dutch guy rode 100,000+ miles on a Fireblade around the world,

[image: lucassen01.jpg]
Nederland, Duitsland, Polen, Litouwen, Letland, Estland, Rusland, Japan, Thailand, Maleisi�, Indonesi�, Australi�, Nieuw-Zeeland, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Turkije, Syri�, Jordani�, Isra�l, Egypte, Eritrea, Ethiopi�, Kenia, Tanzania, Oeganda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibi�, Zuid-Afrika, Lesotho, Swaziland, Itali�, Frankrijk, Belgi�, Nederland


Doing the same on a Yamaha R1 later



So I guess, yeah, you can do it on a VFR fing02.gif

PawnBroker, Oct 9 2007, 12:26 PMHas anyone ever used their Viffer as an Iron Butt style mile muncher? Meaning putting in serious miles day after day. I'm doing the Void 3 rally this week and really want to use my Y2K, but have doubts if it'll be comfortable enough for the 2,000 miles that I'll be covering over the course of the rally. My other choice is my BMW R12GS that is nicely set up for LD style riding, but as I said I have been really enjoying the VFR for these last few months and would like to get that IBA plate holder on it. Thanks in advance.


PB fing02.gif

With a good seat I rode from Long Beach to Laguna Seca, riding all back roads. I was ready for more when I got there. I Don't know about straight highway riding though. Storage? dragon.png