Well folks, as some of you know I have decided to not buy the new VFR1200. It's overpriced here in Australia and the tank is way too small for my liking. This has left me with a previously approved new bike budget which I can now redirect to refreshing my '02 VTEC. And I need a bit of help from you all on spending some of it.
Here's the old girl today:
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1268377919/gallery_380_5241_3629933.jpg Built in February '02, bought in March '02, and now 128,000 kilometres later If you're thinking that she looks a bit pink, it's just the light.
And so, here is the big list of mods I'm making:
ABS-model rear shock (thanks to EJS4029!)
Powercommander V (arrives Tuesday)
Autotune module for PC V (arrives Friday)
Motad headers
Factory Pro Shifter kit
Sargent seat
Repair dent in tank and repaint (I'm also considering Honda wing fairing decals)
Strip and powder coat wheels
When available, the supercharger kit from A&A Performance.
Of the above mods, I need help with three things: the Sargent seat, the fairing decals, and the wheels.
Sargent seat
Basically, what's the consensus on these? I ride to work every day and also pillion my wife, but I would really like to keep the pillion seat cover. Do the Sargent seats include the pins that let the OEM cover snap into place? Basically the more you can tell me, the better!
Repainting and Fairing decals
Some years ago, I saw kits available to get that CBR600RR look, like so:
http://www.itee.uq.edu.au/~taylor/bikes/cbr600rr.jpg
I love this look with the wing on the fairing, and I know that kits were available at some time. Does anyone know if these can still be purchased? If you have pictures of a VTEC dressed up like this I would love to see them as well.
Powdercoating the wheels
I want my wheels silver with some sheen to them. The look of the wheels when they have just been stripped suits the bike well I think, but I would like to protect the wheels from damage and corrosion, etc. Your advice on the best treatments (and even colours!) to suit will be much appreciated.
Wheels: try to find a silver powdercoat that approximates raw metal.
I had mine done in a silver colour called "white metal clear" and it was fabulous.
Headers: the Motad ones don't offer much in the way of performance increases.
If you can find a set of good condition '98-'99 headers and have them ceramic coated for less money, go for it. Otherwise the Motads will do fine, and the stainless construction will do you well over time.
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 14 March 2010 - 06:12 PM, said:
And so, here is the big list of mods I'm making:
ABS-model rear shock (thanks to EJS4029!)
Powercommander V (arrives Tuesday)
Autotune module for PC V (arrives Friday)
Motad headers
Sargent seat
Repair dent in tank and repaint (I'm also considering Honda wing fairing decals)
Strip and powder coat wheels
When available, the supercharger kit from A&A Performance.
That rear shock's still an OEM unit though... if you're going to spend money on a new shock why not something rebuildable like Penske or WP etc?
No front suspension upgrade? This completely transformed the bike for me. The SP2 replacement is lighter, stiffer, works better and is completely adjustable. And you're going to appreciate a pair of 320mm discs to haul you up from that nice supercharged power rush!
The motads do give you a bit more low to mid range, but max hp was basically unchanged. When I had it remapped after putting them on, roll on response improved from 67hp to 75hp at the 3 sec mark. You can really feel it pulling out of corners.
[image: View Post]kirbster, on 14 March 2010 - 09:13 PM, said:
That rear shock's still an OEM unit though... if you're going to spend money on a new shock why not something rebuildable like Penske or WP etc?
No front suspension upgrade? This completely transformed the bike for me. The SP2 replacement is lighter, stiffer, works better and is completely adjustable. And you're going to appreciate a pair of 320mm discs to haul you up from that nice supercharged power rush!
The motads do give you a bit more low to mid range, but max hp was basically unchanged. When I had it remapped after putting them on, roll on response improved from 67hp to 75hp at the 3 sec mark. You can really feel it pulling out of corners.
Ah. Well the shock was $40 (plus shipping), and my biggest gripe was the lack of a remote preload adjuster on the non-ABS models. The calouses on my knuckles speak volumes! Forty bucks to never worry about that again is a bargain, plus there is a local guy who will re-valve my shock and forks for a couple of hundred bucks if I want to.
As for a complete suspension swapout, it's something that had crossed my mind but what I haven't said yet is that I will be buying a track bike to get my super-cornering jollies. For the street, the stock kit has always served me quite well and the linked breaks are divine when commuting or touring. A smoother power delivery and a sweet kick to the pants from a supercharger will do me well.
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 14 March 2010 - 04:12 AM, said:
Sargent seat
Basically, what's the consensus on these? I ride to work every day and also pillion my wife, but I would really like to keep the pillion seat cover. Do the Sargent seats include the pins that let the OEM cover snap into place? Basically the more you can tell me, the better!
I have a Sargent seat on my '02 and I'm quite happy with it. I have spent up to 20 days on the road, doing 600-800 km per day and experienced absolutely no bum or back discomfort. I took the girlfriend with me on my last trip and she had no complaints either. The OEM seat cowl will fit the Sargent seat, it has the required pins.
[image: View Post]Veefer800Canuck, on 14 March 2010 - 03:40 AM, said:
Headers: the Motad ones don't offer much in the way of performance increases.
If you can find a set of good condition '98-'99 headers and have them ceramic coated for less money, go for it. Otherwise the Motads will do fine, and the stainless construction will do you well over time.
Aren't the Motad headers designed as a direct replacement for 98-99 models? Shouldn't they be about the same performance wise?
[image: View Post]TexOz, on 15 March 2010 - 11:11 AM, said:
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 14 March 2010 - 09:24 PM, said:
... there is a local guy who will re-valve my shock and forks for a couple of hundred bucks if I want to.
kaldek - who's this bloke? I make it down to Melb occassionaly with work - maybe he can re-valve/spring my 929 shock? Krooz Tune And yeah they can definitely revalve and respring a shock. When I said "guy" I was probably understating it a bit!
[image: View Post]vfr_steve, on 15 March 2010 - 07:41 PM, said:
It if were me I would sell the old girl and whatever I make on it put towards a nice new leftover 07-09 plate with luggage
Yeah, but I already have a VTEC - with luggage. I seriously don't think mine has degraded so far that I need a replacement.
And the best part is: if my bike DOES die, I can *then* buy an '07-'09 model and all the farkles come with me! Everybody wins!
And just so you know, you won't find an '07 model for less than $12,000 here (and that's *used*!). Twelve grand is only four less than a NEW one!
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 15 March 2010 - 06:06 PM, said:
[image: View Post]TexOz, on 15 March 2010 - 11:11 AM, said:
[image: View Post]kaldek, on 14 March 2010 - 09:24 PM, said:
... there is a local guy who will re-valve my shock and forks for a couple of hundred bucks if I want to.
kaldek - who's this bloke? I make it down to Melb occassionaly with work - maybe he can re-valve/spring my 929 shock? Krooz Tune And yeah they can definitely revalve and respring a shock. When I said "guy" I was probably understating it a bit!
Ta mate - this afternoon (after posting above) I finally got off my a$$ and found a bloke in brissy who can make it happen! thx anyway :fing02:
A BIG :+1: to all who said good things about the Sargent seats! Top drawer company, top quality seat, and definitely all-day comfort. And yes, the seat cowl fits on quite nicely, AND, you get a little compartment on the bottom of the seat, not much space, but it'll fit registration, etc...
Can't go wrong with a Sargent. :beer:
End of thread · 15 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 10 Apr 2010