Last trip of the season was last weekend. Took a trip down to Orange County Choppers in NY on Saturday. Great trip, very cool place. Saw Sr working in the back through a viewing area they have to the shop from the retail store, it was really cool. This am, got up and rode into work. 23 Degrees. That's a little cool even for me, and I like cold weather. 30 and up is not too bad, below 30 gets a little cool though. I may keep it out a while for tooling around on the weekends, but the days are numbered.
I've ridden dirt bikes and quads since I was about 6 or 7, and street bikes of all kinds since I was 17 or so. I'm 35 now. I have to say, this is my first summer on the VFR (2003 Red, PC3, Remus, other little doodads) and I LOVE it. Jack of all trades, master of none. Best part is, it's comfortable for as long I need to ride it, performs fantastic, looks sweet, runs 100%. It's a Honda, what else do you need?
I ride it to work almost every day. Gets 3 or 4 times the mileage compared to my pick up. That's a no brainer. Weekends, tons of fun. I've done single rides, groups, 2 up, with bags, without bags, this bike does it all. Longest day had about 8 or 9 hours of riding. A lot, for me anyway, but no issues at all. Whatever I need to do, I can configure the bike to do it. Granted, a Busa will kill it top end, any of the new 600's or 1000's will probably kill it on the track. I don't ride on the track, and I don't do 170 mph. For how I ride, streets, commuting, kinda local trips, it's perfect. Sure I've love a new 1098, but after a hour in the saddle, I've be ready to give it to the first passer by lol. (That is one sweet looking bike tho). The Viffer can do more than I can do, and more that I want to do. I've never said, man, I need more power (want yes, need no), I wish I could turn harder, I wish it was more comfortable. Well, I guess if someone could get my leather recliner onto 2 wheels with a Busa motor pushing it, I'd take it. Till that day, I'll take the Viffer.
I lurked here for a while before deciding to buy this bike. Haven't regretted it once. It was a great summer of riding and I'm upset it's almost over. I never keep any bike or toy longer than a season, maybe 2. This bike stays, and it will for a long time too.
Thanks to all that have given impressions of the bike over this past winter - I read them all and they lead me to this bike, so I truly appreciate it. I put on 5000 trouble free miles this summer. Not one issue and a lot of great times.
Next summer I gotta meet up with some riders on here and take some rides with you guys.
Thought about the heated jacket and gloves, and may get that set up next year so I can start a little earlier in the season next spring. Frost? Ahhh, I'll just put some snow tires on it lol.
I need 2 houses, I love the area up here, love it too much to ever leave. I'd like to have a house somewhere a little less harsh in the winter so I could take some long weekends over the winter so I could still get some riding in. Not gonna happen any time soon though. That pesky work thing keeps me here. Bummer. It's in my 10 year plan though!
Wow, that is a big difference in temp considering I'm not that far from you here in RI. It was 36 here this morning and I took the long way in, because like you I do not know how many good riding days are left. I have heated grips and am thinking of a heated vest. I think this will stretch the season a bit. From the poll I posted here a while ago there are no RI VFRD members, but we are close so hopefully we can get together for a rip.
As for your choice of bike I whole heartedly agree the VFR can do just about everything well. If money were no object I'd have a 1098, CBR 600, Super Duke, Wing, and hell probably a Harley too. ( Did I just say that out loud?!) But my trust fund never happened so I'm a one bike guy and I don't think I could do much better than my old 99 VFR. I think you would do well to hold on to yours as well, it seems like eveeryone who sells a VFR regrets it. I had an 83 and sold it and still miss it even with the newer one.
Well get some heated gear and keep riding. Keep the Rubber Side Down. :fing02:
Where are you in western Mass?? There's a very active group of riders here -- surprised you haven't hooked up yet. We did a beautiful western Mass ride this past June, Sebspeed did a big weekend in the Catskills, we just did a NH mountains ride two weekends ago...
I do a lot of solo riding, but these group rides are a blast. Hope to meet you someday!
I'm planning to do some electrical work to the bike this winter so that I can add a few gizmos, including heated grips, and a spot for a heated jacket liner. As I rode up to Lincoln to meet the other riders on the 11th, the morning temps were between 33 - 37 degrees. I was quite cold by the time I arrived. Jacket liner and heated grips are definitely on the list.
Nice write-up, Chris. Glad to hear the VFR is everything you hoped it would be. I agree, BTW. My VFR was exacty what I wanted/needed and still is.
As for cold weather, heated gear will extend your season. But I just dress in layers since I don't have any heated gear. I think 25F is about my limit for my short commute, with mid-30s being OK for longer rides. But even then I have to stop once in awhile to warm up.
Temp gauge on the bike this morning read 30F. Definitely chilly, but there is something cool about being the only rider you see out there, ya know? ;)
Just had our first cold (31 F) morning here this Fall. Rode to work (about a ten minute ride) and my neck and hands got a bit too cold for my taste. Should have put on my neck warmer and winter riding gloves, and all would have been OK.
I want to ride through the winter, though, and not just commuting. Think I'll invest in a heated jacket liner, pants, and maybe even heated gloves and heated socks. Gerbings? I just can't stand the idea of putting her away for a few months. :(
I'm in Western Mass - Agawam. It's right outside Springfield. We'll definitely have to hook up next summer for a ride or 10. I'm in for riding pretty much where ever as long as it's reasonably close. I saw you guys posting some of the rides and they looked like a lot of fun. My schedule this summer was poor at best, only got a few play dates lol. (That, combined with the solid month of July rain we had didn't help!) Next summer should be better I hope, I'm anxious to get out and try some new spots.
Weather last night said a low of 33 I think, so I thought it was fine. I left for work around 5:30, 5:45 or so. Temp gauge in the garage was around 50, when I left the driveway it had dropped to 46, then all they way down to 23 within a minute or 2. I would have taken my truck if I knew it was that cold. Frost makes me a little nervous! At least the price of diesel is coming down, filling the bike for $13 has spoiled me all summer!
Heated handgrips and wearing layers is what I use to ride all year long. It was 28 degrees (according to the VFR) when I rode home at 4am and I was comfortable.
The Symtec grip heaters were the best $50 I ever spent.
I thought I'd miss the taller windshield and fuller fairing of my ST1100, but at 35 degrees, I was OK riding the VFR this morning. Winter gloves, heated grips, and a good fleece under the leather helped a lot. I think I may have to get some overpants. My thighs were cold after my 20 minute ride.
There are 6 bikes in the lot at work today. On "nice" days there are 25-30.
[image: View Post]Conedodger, on Oct 20 2008, 01:34 PM, said:
There are 6 bikes in the lot at work today. On "nice" days there are 25-30.
Nice! Most I've seen here is 5 or 6. There are about 500 people in this office here, so not a great showing. Today - just mine. I spoke to one of my buddies here that rides in and he said it was too cold. I told him to toughen up a little :laugh:
[image: View Post]viffer03, on Oct 20 2008, 02:25 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Conedodger, on Oct 20 2008, 01:34 PM, said:
There are 6 bikes in the lot at work today. On "nice" days there are 25-30.
Nice! Most I've seen here is 5 or 6. There are about 500 people in this office here, so not a great showing. Today - just mine. I spoke to one of my buddies here that rides in and he said it was too cold. I told him to toughen up a little :laugh:
Two weekends ago the weather was beautiful, sunny, warm for early Oct. and there were tons of bikes out.
This weekend was much cooler (high yesterday around 50F) and I saw few bikes except for BMWs, a few sportbikes and only a couple cruisers. And of course my VFR! :)
[image: View Post]TimC, on Oct 20 2008, 02:33 PM, said:
[image: View Post]viffer03, on Oct 20 2008, 02:25 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Conedodger, on Oct 20 2008, 01:34 PM, said:
There are 6 bikes in the lot at work today. On "nice" days there are 25-30.
Nice! Most I've seen here is 5 or 6. There are about 500 people in this office here, so not a great showing. Today - just mine. I spoke to one of my buddies here that rides in and he said it was too cold. I told him to toughen up a little :laugh:
Two weekends ago the weather was beautiful, sunny, warm for early Oct. and there were tons of bikes out.
This weekend was much cooler (high yesterday around 50F) and I saw few bikes except for BMWs, a few sportbikes and only a couple cruisers. And of course my VFR! :)
Same here, very few bikes today. I personally like to ride in the cooler weather 45 to 55 degrees and I don't sweat my A$$ off with the gear. 30's like this morning are manageable for shorter rides. Again I'm thinking with a heated vest 30's could be very comfortable.
I was shocked at how few bikes were out this weekend. Granted, it was cooler, but still great for riding if you dress well. We rode from Western Mass down to OCC in NY and hardly saw any bikes. There were a few bikes at OCC that guys rode in, but other than that, not much at all. Guy on a R6 hooked up to us on the Hwy for a while. Passed a few on the other side of the hwy, not many though. I'll ride any chance I get! I'll leave it on the road this winter - every so often you get those nice mid 40's days with full sun and no wind. The bike is coming out those days!
We got some wet snow here today - about 1 degree C and I think last weekend was the final ride for me for this season. My first ride was March 29 when the thermometer managed to stretch to 4 degrees C. Pretty cool with lots of snow still on the ground but the roads were dry and sun was shinning so reason enough to get mounted. 16,600 klicks later I think it is time to hibernate her.
I'm 60 and the VFR is finest, funnest ride I have ever had and I have been up on two wheels since I was 16. Fabulous all-rounder. :biggrin:
Hey Chris, I am in Albany NY - not too far from you either so once it gets warm again.................... Be glad to ride with you. I see several Viffers around here but no one who posts on this site. Have to trouble shoot that over the cold season when not teaching skiing. ++ on the VFR. Love mine too. :fing02:
Sounds like a plan, Albany is less that 2 hours from me, easy ride out that way. There are some good areas between us as well out around the Lee / Pittlfield area. Man, I can't wait for next season and this one isn't even over yet! :biggrin:
Don't put the bike away just yet! There will be some nice afternoons for riding. I'm thinking about heading out to Deerfield's rt 116 soon. Also Bub's BB-Q is calling me! We could also meet up at "The Bean" in Pomfret, CT. Not your typical biker hangout, but tons of motorcyclists go there on the weekends.
There are a few members from the Springfield area. THX1139 (Chris) used to live up there and could tell you every single road in the area. PM him for some info if you want. Also, 185champ is out there and looks for riders, too. I venture out there sometimes, but I normally ride a little further north of you.
cool, thanks for the info PhatPat - I'll leave the bike out. I think I'll leave it on the road all winter actually. Might get a freak day I can sneak out on a weekend afternoon or something. I'll still get some quick rides in on the weekends for a while too. I just can't put her away!
I'll winterize mine later, probably mid-December if the usual NE Ohio weather occurs - cold but little snow 'til closer to Christmas. But once there's a coating of salt or other junk on the roads I'm done for the year. I'll try to start riding again 2-3 months later, but road surfaces and weather (precipitation, not temperature) determine the start of my season.
Yeah, gotta keep it safe first and foremost. We get a fair amount of sand / salt dumped here too, especially on the hilly roads where I'd want to ride. I'm not into riding on a bunch of sand. Well, on a quad maybe lol. I hope to get a couple more Saturday rides in while it's sorta nice out. I was on the Killington webcam this am and they got enough snow to cover the ground. Maybe a 1/4 inch or so, hard to tell. I love winter, but hate not having the bike around. I guess I'm torn.
Over the winter I need to research that heated gear. Is it difficult to hook up for those that have experience with it?
[image: View Post]alwaysaware, on Oct 20 2008, 09:28 AM, said:
Once again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, move west.
Hey... It was cold this morning down here in San Diego...a balmy ~50 degF. :goofy:
Seriously though on topic, The coldest I saw when I lived in MA was 17 degF on the VFR. Downright COLD. My suggestion would be to get some heated grips and a good pair of gloves, heated jacket, thermal pants, and one of those skiing neck-warmers. A good pair of boots will help too to keep the cold out of your toes.
My father rides an ST1300 and rides pretty-much year round, rain or shine...no snow or ice though. He still lives in MA.
I ride all winter and the part that bothers me is mentally preparing to get on the thing and get going. Once I am moving, it isnt so bad. Hee its at or near 32 from november to feb.
Its just so easy to put a comfy jacket on and hop into a truck or car.
Resist. dont be one of those 17 million guys I see on the first warm day of spring. Ride
I hate winter, too, but the ONE upside I was able to find is that you can stick your beer outside the garage in a snow bank and it stays nice and cold. Outside of that, I'm with you on this one, Seb.
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 22 2008, 12:34 PM, said:
I hate winter, period. I mean it. There's not one thing I like about it.
[image: View Post]viffer03, on Oct 22 2008, 09:08 AM, said:
cool, thanks for the info PhatPat - I'll leave the bike out. I think I'll leave it on the road all winter actually. Might get a freak day I can sneak out on a weekend afternoon or something. I'll still get some quick rides in on the weekends for a while too. I just can't put her away!
If you have the next two Fridays off, 10/24 and Halloween, 10/31, some friends of mine are going to be riding. I can set you up with them if you'd like. Halloween will be a 300 mi through parts of MA, VT and NY. Let me know if you're interested.
[image: View Post]chickenofsea, on Oct 22 2008, 12:41 PM, said:
I hate winter, too, but the ONE upside I was able to find is that you can stick your beer outside the garage in a snow bank and it stays nice and cold. Outside of that, I'm with you on this one, Seb.
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 22 2008, 12:34 PM, said:
I hate winter, period. I mean it. There's not one thing I like about it.
The only rhing I like about SUMMER, is that my coffee stays warm in the scoutcar between radio runs.
Seb will tell you about the 97 degree, 97 percent humidity early morning in the DC area.
[image: View Post]PhatPat33, on Oct 22 2008, 12:46 PM, said:
[image: View Post]viffer03, on Oct 22 2008, 09:08 AM, said:
cool, thanks for the info PhatPat - I'll leave the bike out. I think I'll leave it on the road all winter actually. Might get a freak day I can sneak out on a weekend afternoon or something. I'll still get some quick rides in on the weekends for a while too. I just can't put her away!
If you have the next two Fridays off, 10/24 and Halloween, 10/31, some friends of mine are going to be riding. I can set you up with them if you'd like. Halloween will be a 300 mi through parts of MA, VT and NY. Let me know if you're interested.
I'd love to hook up and make one of those rides, but unfortunately I can't make either. Story of my life! This Friday we're heading to VT to see some friends for the weekend...no bike, girlfriend doesn't want to go that far.
Halloween I promised a friends daughter I'd walk around with her to trick or treat. Last day of the month is a huge day at work for me too. Usually 6 am to 10 PM or so. I'm blowing out early to walk around with her. She's a really good kid. Parents just got divorsed and she's kinda having a hard time so I just can't look at her and say no lol, she's too freggin cute.
If anything changes, I'll let ya know. I appreciate the offer though - thanks!
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Oct 22 2008, 12:34 PM, said:
I hate winter, period. I mean it. There's not one thing I like about it.
Not even Santa Claus, or Frosty the Snowman, or the Bluebird of happiness, or... :cool:
End of thread · 32 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 12 Apr 2010