MrHeeltoe''s RWB Build Thread

Ok, so I am newish to the VFR, and really riding in general. So far, this bike is awesome. I have an intro thread here: http://www.vfrdiscus...-newb-sayin-hi/

After doing a 160+ ride with the wife on the back, and commuting a dozen times or so on this bike, I have found that some mods are needed to make it even more awesome (as many of you agree with, I know).

First things first...I can see a set of helibars making all the difference in riding position. I am commuting 45 miles or so each way with a heavy laptop on my back. The extra weight really exaggerates the load on my lower back. So I was lucky enough to get a moderately used pair on Craigslist for $150, which I was supremely stoked about. I was going to slap them on and realized it might be a good time to install some heated grips as well. Still need to do some homework on those. I was thinking of just getting Honda ones, but any insight would be nice!



I am still itching to do something with the wheels. I was warned that anodizing the less-than-stellar cast wheels would not turn out well. But then I thought about polishing them first and then doing an ano over that...any thoughts here?

Look up Symtec grip heaters on casporttouring.com. Lots of threads here on those.

The anodizing, sorry, but it's not going to go well, even if you polish first. You won't get a consistent finish from the cast material and most of it will come out dull or grey. White wheels look great on the RWB bikes. :fing02:

I've seen the white...it does look amazing. I wanna be different though ;) Plus the RWB makes a statement but whenever I see pics of them and even look at my own I feel like the bike needs flashier wheels to compliment the looks.

I powder coated mine with a semi gloss black and then put a red wheel strip on. The black makes it look nice but the wheel stripe realy pops and makes it stand out just enough to not be yelling at you.

Oh and I have the 8 spoke with that color and everythin if u want pics. The semi gloss makes it so its just enough so I done have to clean it all the time but not as bland as the stock black.

Get either the symtec heated grips or the Koso grips. Koso's are more expensive, but they are nicer.

As far as your back goes, get some luggage. Helibars aren't going to help your back in that situation as much as you think. I found that wearing a backpack would hurt my riding/commuting endurance. Get a bungie net and a dry back or something if you don't want to spend the money on some real luggage.

I'm fine with the stock clip-ons myself, but the larger diameter of the heated grips made a big difference in comfort on longer rides in addition to the heat. No more hand cramping issues when slabbin'.

I put some red stripes on my black wheels, but have been considering stripping/polishing them. Blue with a red/white stripe might look good on your RWB.

Thanks for the tips, all!

teksdailyride I'd love some pics...marcus@heeltoeauto.com

Well, got my first mod on. Picked up a Corbin seat with passenger backrest in the classifieds here for $350, which I thought was a song. slim766 was definitely a pleasure to deal with, recommended to anyway.

I must say I am pretty happy with the condition. I am a bit surprised it isn't a bit more comfy. I envisioned it being a little more squishy and coddling. Although the shape is vastly improved over stock and my wife loves the backrest so far (took it out for a lunch stroll today).
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Finally got around to installing a set of Heli bars today. I was able to find a used set for $180. Installation was a little tricky for me as a moto newb, but now I have a good idea of how it all goes together now. The positioning seems a lot nicer although I with they were a tad higher. Will need to ride with them and see where it all stands.

Also installed PCIII software on my computer today so I am looking at installing the cozye map. Excited to see what these mods bring.




This is coming off a week of Ducati-envy. The VFR is lacking some things IMO, and they are sort of intagibles I guess. Racking my brain, trying to find out what it is I really want out of a bike, and even going to the extent of listing my viffer for sale....I realized that I need to give this bike a fair shake. It needs some customization.

Plan: Headers to get the sound more aggressive and a tad more power, a side exit exhaust for a more aggressive look, and then I am planning to make a under-tail panel to make it look nice. Still planning to color the wheels different when tires are due. And I am thinking of a screen that is low-cut as opposed to the high one I have now...I want the looks and sound to get more racy, while the ride gets more comfortable.

I've thought about doing my extra 5spoke rim in a Blue Chrome color. I'm kind of on the fence about it, on one hand it would flow with the color lines of the bike but on the other it would get lost (IMO) in the big picture as it wouldn't stand out anymore.

I'm curious about Red Chrome also though??? Hmmmm

Corbin seats are notoriously firm. Sargent seats are not.

[image: View Post]Ripper, on 05 June 2011 - 09:23 PM, said:

I've thought about doing my extra 5spoke rim in a Blue Chrome color. I'm kind of on the fence about it, on one hand it would flow with the color lines of the bike but on the other it would get lost (IMO) in the big picture as it wouldn't stand out anymore.

I'm curious about Red Chrome also though??? Hmmmm


I am def not thinking of anything that blingy...Maybe dark chrome...but gold...

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I dunno, might be the touch I need.

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Or bronze

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[image: View Post]Veefer800Canuck, on 05 June 2011 - 09:49 PM, said:

Corbin seats are notoriously firm. Sargent seats are not.


Hmm, wish I knew. Even still, it is much more comfortable than the stock seat.

Since you're brainstorming for ideas, let me share some things with you:

Customizing is cool, but you may want to slow down a little. I personally knew a guy that sold his ZX-6R and bought a 6th gen. VFR. He immediately bought side cases, a top case, a taller windshield, a new seat, etc. He did all this in about two months. By the third month he decided the VFR wasn't for him and traded it in on a super bike. I'm sure he lost money.

If Coyze is still around, ask him how many miles he had on his bike when he came up with that custom map. What if it had 30,000 miles? If that's the case, his injectors may not have been clean (and when they get dirty, they don't all get dirty evenly.) Just a thought.

I'm not trying to discourage you from going with a single side-mounted exhaust, but I'm not convinced it will give your bike a more race-like look. The current generation 1198 and R1 have undertail exhaust cans and both these bikes look very good. The previous generation CBR also had an undertail exhaust system. So did the ZX-10R from about five years ago.

Strictly speaking for myself, I think Honda should have put white wheels on the RWB VFR. I also think it should have had a black swing arm to match the frame.

If you truly want a faster bike, instead of pouring a boatload of cash into your VFR, get another bike. Short of buying a $5,000 supercharger, all you can really do to increase horsepower is get catless headers, an aftermarket exhaust system, a PC3, and a better air filter. Somebody on this forum did all of this and went from 99 rwhp to 111 rwhp. 111 horses aren't going to give you neck-snapping levels of performance. Not even close.

You indicated you just got some Heli bars and that you also want a short wind screen. With this combination, you're going to have a lot more windblast hitting your chest, shoulders, and head. The end result: fatigue.

The VFR is easily one of the best all-around motorcycles there is. While it doesn't do any one thing great, it does a log of things well. It has a very loyal following. For many years now, the major motorcycle magazines have consistently given the VFR top honors as the best all-around motorcycle.

[image: View Post]MrHeeltoe, on 05 June 2011 - 10:39 PM, said:

I am def not thinking of anything that blingy...Maybe dark chrome...but gold...


this is the color I'm looking at... Guess I described it wrong, not chrome blue but Candy blue.

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I like the candy blue!
Are you still selling it? You had mentioned putting it up for sale... I hope not. Get to know it!
Cheers!

2Fast you make a lot of great points there. I have been going round and round and think the mods I am considering are all mostly looks and bark end of the spectrum. The bike is plenty fast for me as is. However when I look at it it just doesn't say "bad ass." The color makes you want to think it is bad ass...but it isn't quite. And the exhaust, while unique, doesn't really strike fear.

I am not really noticing a dramatic effect of serene riding with the screen I have now, as the air still gets under the helmet. Honestly, compared to my S2R, it doesn't feel THAT much better on the chest. Not too worried about it, and at the end of the day, I can always switch it back.

Maps maps maps...well how can we all know how they work for ourselves without trying. I mentioned this map because it was recommended in another thread. Seems to me it is easy enough to change later. And when it is all said and done it makes the most sense to make my own custom one anyway.

I appropriated where you are coming from. I gotta say though, for once in my life, losing a few bucks is not really a primary concern.

[image: View Post]MrHeeltoe, on 06 June 2011 - 08:44 AM, said:

And the exhaust, while unique, doesn't really strike fear.

You can change that easily with the V4. Get some after market slip-ons or drill the stock ones out. Either way the VFR sound turn more heads than you can imagine. The stock exhaust is pretty quiet and doing what it was designed to do. Just make sure you update your fuel maps if you do get a louder set of pipes.

Put the Toro1 supercharger on your VFR for ultimate power gains (not to mention the supercharger whine paired with the high flow exhaust) if striking fear is what you are looking for. Then forget about the Ducati. Your VFR will last longer, embarrass the hell out of most of the riders (if you know how to ride that is), and leave you walking straight after a full day's ride with a satisfied grin while the Ducati boys head for the hot tub bent over like the missing link. It's a sexy bike. Coming off an R6 I get way more compliments from strangers than I ever did on previous bikes.

BUT...let me say...anyone who knows about bikes will know that a VFR in stock form is not designed for "Bad Ass" as you put it. You can change the colors all you want but at the end of the day it is made to do many things well. Sporty, touring capable, reliable (after you attack the electrical gremlins), commuter, work horse, and still fun. That is the VFR. Versatile if you had to describe it in one word. The "bad ass" part comes from the pilot when it leaves all the super sports behind when you hit the twisties. :491:

If you want a bike you can lean on and garner compliments all day long then buy a Ducati. I know I never get tired of looking at them. But like any hot, sexy thing born of pure lust I just don't want to deal with all the baggage they bring to my life. :goofy:

I, too, went for a race-like look. I know you've seen this picture before (in another thread), but it's the best I could do:

1) shortened the wind screen
2) got a super sport front fender
3) put racing stripes on the wheels
4) removed the passenger footpeg assemblies
5) removed the passenger grab handles
6) got a fender eliminator kit
7) ran the rear brake lines through the swing arm
8) kept the rear seat cover on
9) removed the chain guard
10) swapped the rear sprocket

The only other things I can think of would be to get a Two Brothers VALE exhaust system and remove the center stand. And maybe put on a bunch of racing decals like you see on MotoGP bikes. If all this still doesn't do it for you, you need to get another bike. It's less expensive to get the bike you want than to turn a bike into something it isn't.

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Two Brothers VALE exhaust system on a VFR:

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Personally, this is the best-looking 6th gen. VFR I've ever seen. Notice it's got an aftermarket tail light assembly, too.

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Mine came partially customized, but this is what I can tell you.

Sargent seat - came on the bike, but super comfortable.
Heli bars - came on bike and work ok, but I think I'd prefer the more aggressive position of the stock bars.
Pazzo levers - like the adjustments, but the clutch lever bend is slightly annoying.
Micron exhaust - don't care for the look, and a little too quiet. My bike came this way, and I'd choose Leo's if I could do it over.
Michelin Pilot Road 2's - great tires.
Dynojet PC-V - the verdict is still out, but so far diggin it.
Bluegauges instrument panel lighting - I chose white, and it's a huge improvement over stock.
Fender eliminator - looks cool, but my taillight is taking a beating.

Like all modifications, there can be compromises in whatever you choose :happy:

[image: View Post]2FAST4U, on 06 June 2011 - 09:25 AM, said:

I, too, went for a race-like look. I know you've seen this picture before (in another thread), but it's the best I could do:

1) shortened the wind screen
2) got a super sport front fender
3) put racing stripes on the wheels
4) removed the passenger footpeg assemblies
5) removed the passenger grab handles
6) got a fender eliminator kit
7) ran the rear brake lines through the swing arm
8) kept the rear seat cover on
9) removed the chain guard
10) swapped the rear sprocket

The only other things I can think of would be to get a Two Brothers VALE exhaust system and remove the center stand. And maybe put on a bunch of racing decals like you see on MotoGP bikes. If all this still doesn't do it for you, you need to get another bike. It's less expensive to get the bike you want than to turn a bike into something it isn't.

I like the look, very clean. How did you route the brake hoses with no chainguard?

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Two Brothers VALE exhaust system on a VFR:

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Personally, this is the best-looking 6th gen. VFR I've ever seen. Notice it's got an aftermarket tail light assembly, too.

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My personal favorite exhaust is the Staintunes. Small block chevy at idle, Ferrari at 7,000+RPM

Now if only they weren't ~$1500.

I went more the touring route with my '02.

Full OEM luggage
Helibars
MRA VarioTrouring Screen
Ohlins internals in the front + Sonic Springs

Recently stripped the black off the wheels for a polished/black look.

Eventually, I'll get another seat (probably the Sargent), rework/replace the rear shock, and do some work with lights. Beyond that, I'm pretty happy with it.

On a RWB, I would get the wheels done in white. That looks astounding in my mind.

[image: View Post]vfr1127, on 12 June 2011 - 12:52 AM, said:

[image: View Post]2FAST4U, on 06 June 2011 - 09:25 AM, said:

I, too, went for a race-like look. I know you've seen this picture before (in another thread), but it's the best I could do:

1) shortened the wind screen
2) got a super sport front fender
3) put racing stripes on the wheels
4) removed the passenger footpeg assemblies
5) removed the passenger grab handles
6) got a fender eliminator kit
7) ran the rear brake lines through the swing arm
8) kept the rear seat cover on
9) removed the chain guard
10) swapped the rear sprocket

The only other things I can think of would be to get a Two Brothers VALE exhaust system and remove the center stand. And maybe put on a bunch of racing decals like you see on MotoGP bikes. If all this still doesn't do it for you, you need to get another bike. It's less expensive to get the bike you want than to turn a bike into something it isn't.

I like the look, very clean. How did you route the brake hoses with no chainguard?




I just saw this. I get asked about it a lot. Here's the link: http://www.vfrdiscus...h-the-swingarm/