Need a little ADVICE with mods for 6 gen.

Hi all -

Just looking for a little advice regarding my 2004 VFR (purchased new in 2005). The bike currently has a little over 40K miles on it . I use the bike in a lot of different environments from commuting, track days (7-10 a yr), riding the 'pace' with friends, to long distance touring. Having said that, what goodies should I be looking at for performance and comfort? Current invetory list includes - heli bars, zg screen, throttlemeister, DID, leo vince cf, levers and I usually run BT-02x (whatever their latest version is). I decided a few weeks ago to invest in a new rear shock (Elka 3-way) because the ride quality at the end of last year was getting pretty harsh.

Q 1. Should I have invested in new springs as well, if so, what do you like and why? Friends and mechanics that I know recommended changing the fluids first before investing in new internals. Does that make sense?

Q 2. Thinking about trying Metzeler's - M3 or the new M5. I'm leaning towards the M5 b/c of the diverse riding I do and tire life. What are your thoughts?

Q 3. Looking at getting a new seat, possibly a sargent. What do you like and why?

Q 4. I tried the heated clothing thing but that was a pain in the axx. This year I've opted to go with the heated grips. A lot of people on this site like the honda oem heated grips, my dealership can't even find them. Do they make them anymore, if so where can I find them? If not, what's the alternative?

Q 5. Crash bungs,,,I guess the question is...to cut or not to cut? What do you like and why? And do they really help at high speeds?

I think that's about it...I would greatly apperciate any advice, just looking for a little clarity!

Thanks! Mark

I like my heated gear for long trips (over 20 miles or so), but for my commute it took longer to put on than it did to get to work. I love my sargent seat, although I am pretty short so I don't get the most benefit out of it. My heli-bars are nice, as are my dropped pegs (easy to change back for track days). My sliders are not intended for high speed drops, I know they will just wear down anyway. For low speed they can help.

[image: View Post]Lilticket800, on 09 April 2011 - 04:23 PM, said:

Q 1. Should I have invested in new springs as well, if so, what do you like and why? Friends and mechanics that I know recommended changing the fluids first before investing in new internals. Does that make sense?

Yes, you should get front springs to suit your weight, esp if riding track. The new spring rates should balance w/ the rear shock too.

Q 2. Thinking about trying Metzeler's - M3 or the new M5. I'm leaning towards the M5 b/c of the diverse riding I do and tire life. What are your thoughts?

Have you considered Michelins? Many members here find that combining a Pilot Power front with a Road 2 rear gives very good traction and life(myself included!)

Q 3. Looking at getting a new seat, possibly a sargent. What do you like and why?

I like the Sargent I have over the Corbins I've tried, it suits me better and the Sargent is much lighter/fits better than the Corbin.

Q 4. I tried the heated clothing thing but that was a pain in the axx. This year I've opted to go with the heated grips. A lot of people on this site like the honda oem heated grips, my dealership can't even find them. Do they make them anymore, if so where can I find them? If not, what's the alternative?

Symtec grip heaters from casporttouring.com are inexpensive and work very well. Also a popular choice here.

Q 5. Crash bungs,,,I guess the question is...to cut or not to cut? What do you like and why? And do they really help at high speeds?

Don't bother with the no-cut type, they'll just cause more harm than good.

I think that's about it...I would greatly apperciate any advice, just looking for a little clarity!

Thanks! Mark

I don't have experience with suspension upgrades, heated gear, or frame sliders.

Since your VFR as a true do-it-all bike, something you might find useful is to have what you need to quickly turn a track-ready bike into a sport-tourer (and vice versa):

1) Buy yourself an extra rear wheel and an extra front wheel complete with rotors. Second-hand, this will run you about $300. Put touring tires on one set of wheels and soft compound tires on the other. Swapping both wheels shouldn't take more than 1/2 an hour.

2) Have two wind screens: A tall one for touring and a short one for track days. Swapping them is a 5-10 minute job.

3) Get soft luggage that can easily be installed or removed in 5-10 minutes.

4) Get adjustable rear sets. Set them low for touring and high for track days. Adjusting them is also a 5-10 minute job.

These are the four mods I'd do if I were you. One hour is all it would take to completely transform your bike.

[image: View Post]2FAST4U, on 09 April 2011 - 09:57 PM, said:

I don't have experience with suspension upgrades, heated gear, or frame sliders.

Since your VFR as a true do-it-all bike, something you might find useful is to have what you need to quickly turn a track-ready bike into a sport-tourer (and vice versa):

1) Buy yourself an extra rear wheel and an extra front wheel complete with rotors. Second-hand, this will run you about $300. Put touring tires on one set of wheels and soft compound tires on the other. Swapping both wheels shouldn't take more than 1/2 an hour.

2) Have two wind screens: A tall one for touring and a short one for track days. Swapping them is a 5-10 minute job.

3) Get soft luggage that can easily be installed or removed in 5-10 minutes.

4) Get adjustable rear sets. Set them low for touring and high for track days. Adjusting them is also a 5-10 minute job.

These are the four mods I'd do if I were you. One hour is all it would take to completely transform your bike.


Power Commander with a custom Dyno Tune map - I did this on my 2003 and it changed the bike: better low speed maneuverability and a smooth VTEC transition. I would do this before anything else.

Q3) +1 on the Sargent seat. I have done multiple 500+ mile days on my Sargent and I couldn't imagine doing that on the factory seat. I don't have any Corbin experience, but I wouldn't give up my Sargent.

Q4) I bought my factory heated grips from David Sliver Spares....link below....they still have them.

VFR800 Heated Grips - David Silver Spares

Regarding the heated clothing, I use a Gerbings heated liner under my Stich and it has saved my ass. I bought the aux power outlet kit from Powerlet for the VFR800 and ran the power into my tank bag. I have a 12VDC plug in my tank bag for charging cell phone, powering my mini air compressor, etc. and I installed a bulkhead BMW outlet on my tank bag that I plug my Gerbings in to. It is really pretty easy.

Plus I can plug my battery tender right into the outlet on the triple tree to keep the battery charged.

Couple of pics attached.

DZ

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There's a lot of good ideas in this thread. But a compleat suspension upgrade is the absolute best mod per dollar thing you can do. If you are going to go new springs, you might as well go for the upgrade in valves too. Add in a 929 shock for cheap or you can go higher dollar for a Penske or Ohlins. Your bike will feel like a totally new ride. It's well worth it.

Tightwad, SEBSPEED, 2FAST4U, Tuzo & deltazulu - A big THANKS for all the great info and advice!!!

You too, mello dude. Big THANKS!

1. Sargent seat is great
2. Peg Lowering blocks - way better for more relaxed ride
3. Lobster's mirror extenders - way more rear view
4. Tightwad's fuse panel - great for managing accessories
5. Givi touring windscreen - I'm 6' and it cuts down the buffeting compared to stock
6. Next upgrade is heated grips

Good luck!
---David