Hard parts dragging

Anyone start dragging the exhaust? I have been hearing something dragging in the past but thought it was the center stand. My friend pointed it out to me; to my surprise, was the exhaust. It looks like it is about to develop a hole. I was going to shim the rear and raise the front. Anyone else have a solution?

Have you upgraded you suspenion yet?

[image: View Post]Monk, on 20 June 2011 - 06:36 PM, said:

Have you upgraded you suspenion yet?


I haven't. Honestly, I'm not looking to spend too much money. I weigh about 185 with full gear. Im not quite sure of the spring rate but I'm guessing it should be with in range. I'm going to set the sag when raise the bike. I still don't know if that's going to give me enough clearance though.

Yeah I used to drag my headers all the time, as well as the bottom painted part of the fairings.

I don't do it anymore, mainly because I learned better body positioning (less lean angle required) for the same speed. I also ride on the track now so my need for speed on the road has greatly diminished. I use a CBR1000RR for the track which obviously doesn't have this problem either!

Improve body positioning -> increase ride height -> buy a bike with more ground clearance

[image: View Post]jeremy556, on 20 June 2011 - 07:52 PM, said:

Improve body positioning -> increase ride height -> set suspension -> buy a bike with more ground clearance


Fixed that for ya J.

Im pretty sure Im leaned off pretty well. Im downing the pucks as toe sliders.

On a side note, Im on 190/55s and the exhaust will ground before you use all the rear tire. Im going to set the sag and raise the bike to see if it helps.

You will never use all of the 190 rear tire with a 5.5" wide rim on a VFR.

You'd need a 6" wide rim to properly put that footprint down.

Try going back to a 180 rear after you wear this one out.


And +whatever on raising the rear suspension and getting your sag set up correctly. :comp13:

Get your bike properly suspended...

I have experienced the same symptom... almost worn through the header where it bends (below RHS footpeg)...

Stiffer suspension... proper sag... THEN, maybe you'll need a few shims between the top of the shock and the rear subframe.

For your weight, you'd want to run a 1150lb spring. Greatly imporves the bike and how it handles. I had mine et up by Jaime D. and it's loads better. I couldn't get close to the sag numbers without it and I way as much as you. spring in the adn rear should be #1. :biggrin:

SEBSPEED, on 21 June 2011 - 06:12 AM, said:

jeremy556, on 20 June 2011 - 07:52 PM, said:

Improve body positioning -> increase ride height -> set suspension -> buy a bike with more ground clearance


Fixed that for ya J.

Well, I thought that would go without saying. I would put set suspension as the first task.

Canyoncarver31, on 22 June 2011 - 08:34 PM, said:

Im pretty sure Im leaned off pretty well. Im downing the pucks as toe sliders.

On a side note, Im on 190/55s and the exhaust will ground before you use all the rear tire. Im going to set the sag and raise the bike to see if it helps.

Well, you look a bit crossed up in your profile pic, though it is hard to tell with the small image size and angle.

Try resting your outside elbow/forearm on the tank, and try to drag your inside shoulder on the ground to really get your upper body inside of the center line. Moving the upper body low and inside is much more important and effective than your lower body. Most of your mass is in your upper body, and the higher it is located, the more it is amplified (like a pendulum).

Interesting choice of a 190/55. While I don't know if it will properly fit a VFR wheel, I have used 190/60 tires on a wheel that I think is the same width of the VFR's, with good result.

Sag is a good place to start - a new shock that is sprung for your weight is even better, if you can swing it. Adjustable ride height is a great feature as well. It's been a few years, so I might be off on my numbers (Bailey should be along shortly to correct me), I think I am running +5mm in shock length, which is x3 in actual ride height, so 15mm extra measure from axle to tail section, with no stability or ill handling problems.

Veefer800Canuck, on 23 June 2011 - 12:53 AM, said:

You will never use all of the 190 rear tire with a 5.5" wide rim on a VFR.

You'd need a 6" wide rim to properly put that footprint down.

Try going back to a 180 rear after you wear this one out.


And +whatever on raising the rear suspension and getting your sag set up correctly. :comp13:


I've almost always ran 190/55. This goes for my previous track bike with a 5.5 rim, and trust me, it leaves no unused portions. Plus I like the additional height.

What's the stock rate of the shock and front end? I'm going to see if I can get 30-35mm of rider sag