08 Question

First of many questionable questions. Looking through the owners manual, should my bike have a grab rail somewhere? Bike came home with the cowl on, so maybe there is a way to store the rails under the seat or something? Should I even have them?

And, is there by chance a shop manual on line?

The grab rails refer to the handles that attach to the back of the bike where the pillion holds on. On with pasenger & off with seat cover.

Yes, the dealer should have included them with the bike. There was another thread on teh forum on this topic. Go back to the dealer and get them and do not let them tell you they are extra.

In worse case, contact American Honda.

On the 6th gen. you can have both the grab handles and the rear seat cowl installed at the same time. Both were on my bike when I bought it from the 1st owner. I removed the seat cowl long ago tho, since it doesn't fit well on my Sargent seat and b/c I bungee stuff down to the rear seat all the time.

If you bought the bike new, the dealer owes you the grab handles since they come with the bike standard.

Also, IIRC there is a service manual on VFRD somewhere, but I bought a used one on eBay a couple years ago for $30 or $35. It was some of the best money I ever spent. :)

[image: View Post]TimC, on Apr 9 2009, 01:25 PM, said:

On the 6th gen. you can have both the grab handles and the rear seat cowl installed at the same time. Both were on my bike when I bought it from the 1st owner. I removed the seat cowl long ago tho, since it doesn't fit well on my Sargent seat and b/c I bungee stuff down to the rear seat all the time.

If you bought the bike new, the dealer owes you the grab handles since they come with the bike standard.

Also, IIRC there is a service manual on VFRD somewhere, but I bought a used one on eBay a couple years ago for $30 or $35. It was some of the best money I ever spent. :)

Thanks. I'll double check that they aren't in the storage area and call the dealer.
Shop manuals are always great. I see the owners manual has most of the info, but would rather have something larger to read.

[image: View Post]Popsrcr, on Apr 9 2009, 10:46 AM, said:

[image: View Post]TimC, on Apr 9 2009, 01:25 PM, said:

On the 6th gen. you can have both the grab handles and the rear seat cowl installed at the same time. Both were on my bike when I bought it from the 1st owner. I removed the seat cowl long ago tho, since it doesn't fit well on my Sargent seat and b/c I bungee stuff down to the rear seat all the time.

If you bought the bike new, the dealer owes you the grab handles since they come with the bike standard.

Also, IIRC there is a service manual on VFRD somewhere, but I bought a used one on eBay a couple years ago for $30 or $35. It was some of the best money I ever spent. :)

Thanks. I'll double check that they aren't in the storage area and call the dealer.
Shop manuals are always great. I see the owners manual has most of the info, but would rather have something larger to read.

HUH? The "Owners Manual" is the least informative manual I have ever seen. The Shop Manual is where all the details are. The Manual doesn't list lots of things like what bulb numbers are needed (only voltage figures are included which seems strange to give some detail but not the most important details), or how to change them, or how do lots of things that are included in most other bike manuals.

[image: View Post]Nungboy, on Apr 9 2009, 02:03 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Popsrcr, on Apr 9 2009, 10:46 AM, said:

[image: View Post]TimC, on Apr 9 2009, 01:25 PM, said:

On the 6th gen. you can have both the grab handles and the rear seat cowl installed at the same time. Both were on my bike when I bought it from the 1st owner. I removed the seat cowl long ago tho, since it doesn't fit well on my Sargent seat and b/c I bungee stuff down to the rear seat all the time.

If you bought the bike new, the dealer owes you the grab handles since they come with the bike standard.

Also, IIRC there is a service manual on VFRD somewhere, but I bought a used one on eBay a couple years ago for $30 or $35. It was some of the best money I ever spent. :)

Thanks. I'll double check that they aren't in the storage area and call the dealer.
Shop manuals are always great. I see the owners manual has most of the info, but would rather have something larger to read.

HUH? The "Owners Manual" is the least informative manual I have ever seen. The Shop Manual is where all the details are. The Manual doesn't list lots of things like what bulb numbers are needed (only voltage figures are included which seems strange to give some detail but not the most important details), or how to change them, or how do lots of things that are included in most other bike manuals.

More informative than my SV's. I just like shop manuals for torque values and locations of odd retainers.

I think we should always take pics of the bike on the lot when we recieve it from the dealership, so we always have proof if something turns out to be missing a few months later. It's such a hassle to have to prove to the dealership that they did not give you everything that comes with the bike. You have to also realize that some dealerships have salespersons that are not neccesarily that familiar with the particular bike model you are buying(sad but true). So they miss giving you things like the grab hanldels and the seat cowls. The buyer is usually also too excited about the purchase and forgets to check if everything is there when he leaves the dealership. A nice clear pic of the bike with the salesperson handing over the keys in the background, will make a good picture for your picture scrapbook and irrefutable proof for any claims on missing parts on the bike........You must atl east have the plastic covers that goes over the grab handle mounting bolt holes, do you???
JMOs

Beck
95 VFR

[image: View Post]Beck, on Apr 9 2009, 04:29 PM, said:

I think we should always take pics of the bike on the lot when we recieve it from the dealership, so we always have proof if something turns out to be missing a few months later. It's such a hassle to have to prove to the dealership that they did not give you everything that comes with the bike. You have to also realize that some dealerships have salespersons that are not neccesarily that familiar with the particular bike model you are buying(sad but true). So they miss giving you things like the grab hanldels and the seat cowls. The buyer is usually also too excited about the purchase and forgets to check if everything is there when he leaves the dealership. A nice clear pic of the bike with the salesperson handing over the keys in the background, will make a good picture for your picture scrapbook and irrefutable proof for any claims on missing parts on the bike........You must atl east have the plastic covers that goes over the grab handle mounting bolt holes, do you???
JMOs

Beck
95 VFR

Yeah, the cowl was on the bike and the covers are on. Like you said, I didn't really think about grab bars. None of the photos I've seen even show them.

[image: View Post]Popsrcr, on Apr 9 2009, 11:59 AM, said:

First of many questionable questions. Looking through the owners manual, should my bike have a grab rail somewhere? Bike came home with the cowl on, so maybe there is a way to store the rails under the seat or something? Should I even have them?

And, is there by chance a shop manual on line?


VFRD to the rescue!

http://www.vfrdiscus...p...&showfile=9

FFR, it's under VFRD menu, downloads, owners manuals, and then just look around unti you find it.

Not the best shot,but you can see them..........Monk

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1236857754/gallery_16535_4484_362548.jpg
MY CAMERA SHOTS 184.jpg

Monk beat me to it. I was going to post a pic of my 08 anyways yes it comes with the grab rails.

I've heard that the cowls are extra now??? ANybody?? Or is that just a Kawasaki thing?

[image: View Post]Luvmyvfr, on Apr 9 2009, 09:55 PM, said:

I've heard that the cowls are extra now??? ANybody?? Or is that just a Kawasaki thing?
Well, mine was delivered with the cowl, but no grab bars. Gotta call dealer today, ran out of time yesterday.
Thanks for the photo Monk.
And Ryanme17, thanks for the link. Not sure how I missed it because I did look there.

[image: View Post]Popsrcr, on Apr 10 2009, 10:13 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Luvmyvfr, on Apr 9 2009, 09:55 PM, said:

I've heard that the cowls are extra now??? ANybody?? Or is that just a Kawasaki thing?
Well, mine was delivered with the cowl, but no grab bars. Gotta call dealer today, ran out of time yesterday.
Thanks for the photo Monk.
And Ryanme17, thanks for the link. Not sure how I missed it because I did look there.

No problem. VFRD is a great place to get help.

That would be crazy if they are charging for the cowl! I haven't heard of that.

For those keeping score, I called my sales dude who immediatly said it was his bad. He quickly looked for them, said he didn't see any and didn't want to waste time, so he ordered me a set.

I take back all the bad things I said about the dealer. :biggrin:

Oh and Monk, let me know when you're doing a track day at VIR.

[image: View Post]Ryanme17, on Apr 10 2009, 02:38 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Popsrcr, on Apr 10 2009, 10:13 AM, said:

[image: View Post]Luvmyvfr, on Apr 9 2009, 09:55 PM, said:

I've heard that the cowls are extra now??? ANybody?? Or is that just a Kawasaki thing?
Well, mine was delivered with the cowl, but no grab bars. Gotta call dealer today, ran out of time yesterday.
Thanks for the photo Monk.
And Ryanme17, thanks for the link. Not sure how I missed it because I did look there.

No problem. VFRD is a great place to get help.

That would be crazy if they are charging for the cowl! I haven't heard of that.

My bought my new 08' just over a month ago........The hand rails and cowl come with the bike,with no extra charge.....Monk

[image: View Post]Ryanme17, on Apr 9 2009, 03:15 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Popsrcr, on Apr 9 2009, 11:59 AM, said:

First of many questionable questions. Looking through the owners manual, should my bike have a grab rail somewhere? Bike came home with the cowl on, so maybe there is a way to store the rails under the seat or something? Should I even have them?

And, is there by chance a shop manual on line?


VFRD to the rescue!

http://www.vfrdiscus...p...&showfile=9

FFR, it's under VFRD menu, downloads, owners manuals, and then just look around unti you find it.

Will this service manual work for a 07 (for most of the basic maintenance)?

[image: View Post]CharlesWA, on Apr 10 2009, 06:02 PM, said:

Will this service manual work for a 07 (for most of the basic maintenance)?
02+

[image: View Post]CharlesWA, on Apr 10 2009, 05:02 PM, said:

Will this service manual work for a 07 (for most of the basic maintenance)?
Should be exactly the same. In fact, the 6th gen. bikes are alike from '02 to '05, then a couple very minor changes for '06 to '09 - and those were mostly cosmetic IIRC. The same service manual really should work for all 6th gen. VFRs.

Popsrcr - Glad to hear the dealer/salesperson is taking care of it. :)