Three Year Review

Purchased in November of 2006 with 24000 miles on the odometer from a man in Colorado Springs, CO my first ride on the VFR consisted of a very long cold ride home from Trinidad, CO where we had met and I took ownership of the VFR. It was the first bike I had owned that came with heated hand grips and I never knew what I had been missing. I was shocked to realize how heavy the bike felt (compared to an 02 Yamaha R6) but loved the way the suspension soaked up the road without every imperfection beating my back. I was disappointed in the fuel economy (again, the R6 was averaging in the mid 50's) but took it in stride with it being fuel injected. Here's a shot of both bikes after I got home and gave them a wash the next day:
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1164067013/gallery_9864_2412_586875.jpg
Grrrrrr.... They both say "get out of my way!"
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1164067013/gallery_9864_2412_350361.jpg
The hotness never ends... Choices...choices...choices.

As usual, I had spent too much time reading up on the VFR here and discovered the work "farkle". Fortunately I was a poor college student at the time so I was denied going too deep into the darkness. Then I graduated and ended up getting some of the more expensive assets I had only dreamed about. And look at her now:
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt151/VFRD_summer_summit_meet_09/vanion2/100_1191.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt151/VFRD_summer_summit_meet_09/vanion2/100_1086.jpg

I have always been a all weather rider but this bike has taken me further than any bike before. You can look at my signature to see that not much has been done to the bike because for me not much needed to be done to accomplish what I needed. I have since sold the R6 and moved from a couple hour ride trips to multi-day, multi-state trips. I still ride year round and in all weather. Now I just do it in style and comfort. Honestly I can't see myself moving to another bike simply because everything I need is wrapped up in one beautiful package. Reliable, consistent, fun, and add VFRD into the mix and I truly have the perfect bike for me. :cool:

Current Mods/Farkles (not in my sig):
R&G frame sliders
Givi Hard case setup
Heated Grips
Sargent Saddle
Zumo 450 Setup
Steering Stem Powerlet

Coming soon:
Pro-oiler system (soon to be installed...I know...I'm slacking)
Fuzeblock (soon to be installed...just got it in for my birthday)
RDGuy-bars (Don't know what rdguy is calling them so I named them myself)
R1 Titanium Can upgrade (waiting on the installer to have some free time)
Heat Grips (my current setup is getting tired)

Thanks for all the help you have given over the years. Thanks to the innovators (like Tightwad, RDGuy, Darth Bling, Lobster, Trav, and many more) for all the farkles/mods that just make the VFR that much better. And of course HS, BR, and all the other hard working moderators that work to keep this site what it is. Without this site I would have saved a bunch of money and time (:goofy:) but the world I live in would have been a smaller place with many adventures never dared.

No, I am not leaving or dying. Just realizing how much I have to be thankful for that starts with the letters VFR. :fing02:

I guess you're at the right place with your high praise of the 6th Gen VFR. I have a 2004 that has turned a little over 50,000 miles and runs beautifully. My son has an R-6 and we've swapped rides before a time or two. The weight difference is noticeable and the R-6 does get great mileage for such a high revving engine, but I'm always glad to get back on mine. It's just a wonderful feeling motorcycle that does everything well.

My Remus pipes have been on for about four years now and are well broken in. Sounds about right to me.

Great post, vanion. :fing02:

I feel the same way about my '04. I bought it bone-stock, mint condition from the original owner in August, '06 w/4225 mi. on the odometer. Since then I've used it for daily rides and commuting, dozens of long one-day rides and a few multi-day trips. It's seen 9 other US states and even a night on Ontario, and racked up over 36k mi. in the process.

Tho I dream of other bikes sometimes and enjoy window shopping, my VFR is hands-down the best motorcycle for me - esp. with the mods I've installed, including Sargent seat and matching OEM hardbags. Since I ride 9 months out of the year I ought to add heated grips, which I'll probably do this year. ;)

I couldn't agree with you more. I have an '07 RWB and this bike is a pleasure to ride. It fits my riding style perfectly. I am very happy with this bike and would highly recommend it to anyone. As the trips got longer, I have added a larger tank bag, saddlebags and I justy bought a rainsuit. I hope to see a lot of VFRD members in May at TexasMac ride.

The idea of heated grips was something I was considering. I also like to snow ski. On a cold weather ride this past fall (one and a half hour ride) in 35 - 40 degree weather, I tried my ski gloves. Now, these are top of the line gloves. They are really a glove within a glove, a dual glove system. My hands were warm throughout the entire ride. No redness or tingling sensation at all. As an alternative to heated grips, check out the variety of ski gloves.

Thanks :idea3:

Nice review. I only have about 7500 miles on my 07 bought new in April 09 and I am also very happy with the bike. I have the Honda hard bags and have raised the bars and lowered the pegs. The aftermarket seat is coming soon. Did a 3000 mile trip and that was the weak spot.

Great bike. Can't wait to put some more miles on it.

[image: View Post]MisterBill, on 05 March 2010 - 09:36 AM, said:

As an alternative to heated grips, check out the variety of ski gloves.

Believe me...I have a five layer set of motorcycle gloves that work great but when cruising at highway speeds below 40 degrees even they can't keep my hands warm. I have been without heated grips all winter because my rheostat shorted out and I do all right but when it comes to simple comfort the heated grips are just the way to go for me (I miss 'em *sniff*). Besides...my current hand grips are getting worn out any way so I figured I would replace the whole mess in one shot. :comp13:

[image: View Post]vanion2, on 05 March 2010 - 11:54 AM, said:

[image: View Post]MisterBill, on 05 March 2010 - 09:36 AM, said:

As an alternative to heated grips, check out the variety of ski gloves.

Believe me...I have a five layer set of motorcycle gloves that work great but when cruising at highway speeds below 40 degrees even they can't keep my hands warm. I have been without heated grips all winter because my rheostat shorted out and I do all right but when it comes to simple comfort the heated grips are just the way to go for me (I miss 'em *sniff*). Besides...my current hand grips are getting worn out any way so I figured I would replace the whole mess in one shot. :comp13:

Ski gloves offer little in the way of protection a good motorcycle glove does. Plus, a heated grip kit is about $30. Don't think you are going to find a nice pair of ski gloves for $30.

With regards to the original topic, I agree. I don't like the poor mpg but really can't see owning anything else. So far V35 sides cases (used on last moto as well, heated grips, pro-oiler, volt meter, sargent seat, just ordered a remus exhaust today and I think that will be it for me.

Awesome!
Thanks for that! :fing02:

My 02 vtec has had the holey crap beat out of it for it's entire life(8-years) and just over 70,000 miles, w/95% of those miles Rippen Twisties. The bike is basically stock except a slip-on and suspension and it's never faltered on me, no surge, no harsh vtec engagement, no issues.
I've spent less than $300 total on repairs outside normal wear & tear items(30sets of tires & 4 chains). This fat pig has spanked a many SS tails in the twisties and will easily do 7 day trips. What else can you ask for?

I'm in love! :wub:

What a grand bike! :cool:

BR

[image: View Post]BaileyRock, on 05 March 2010 - 03:16 PM, said:

Awesome!
Thanks for that! :fing02:

My 02 vtec has had the holey crap beat out of it for it's entire life(8-years) and just over 70,000 miles, w/95% of those miles Rippen Twisties. The bike is basically stock except a slip-on and suspension and it's never faltered on me, no surge, no harsh vtec engagement, no issues.
I've spent less than $300 total on repairs outside normal wear & tear items(30sets of tires & 4 chains). This fat pig has spanked a many SS tails in the twisties and will easily do 7 day trips. What else can you ask for?

I'm in love! :wub:

What a grand bike! :cool:

BR
Yeah! Now get well so you can go riding again. :fing02: