The Tale of My 100,000 Mile VFR800

My 2002 VFR 800 ABS just turned over 100,000 miles today. It's been a long-time goal of mine to ride a motorcycle 100,000 miles. When I first started riding 20 years ago I had a cheap bike and was only able to put a few thousand miles a year on it. The idea of having a high mileage bike seemed out of reach. I was inspired by an article in Motorcyclist profiling several riders who'd managed over 100,000 miles on their bikes, such as a Gold Wing, Norton Commando and a Nighthawk S.

I had been lusting after a VFR, but my finances in those lean years wouldn't allow for it.

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Finally in 2003 I bought a leftover 2002 for $9,648 ($10,999 list).

The miles racked up slowly at first but after a couple of years I was putting 15-19,000 miles a year on it. The last few years I've only been averaging 5,000 miles a year as I have a second bike and a 3 year old son.

The bike has been remarkably trouble free in these 9 years.

Here are some stats for you maintenance geeks:

Problems

- Fried the rectifier/regulator at about 32,000 miles; needed to be towed

- Battery harness fried at 40,000 miles. Replaced at no cost before a recall. Rode it home to Mass. from NY

- Had an O2 sensor go at 76,000 miles

- Charging problems at 99,000 miles. Replaced battery, regulator/rectifier and stator

Costs

I saved all my receipts (except oil and filters) and put everything into a spreadsheet. I included dealer service, parts (mostly tires & chain/sprockets) and mods/farkles I've done over the years. I've spent a surprising $8,891.49 on parts and maintenance. Averages out to just under $1,000 per year of ownership.

For the first year I brought the bike into the dealer for the scheduled service, every 4,000 miles. Costs were between $250-500 each time. I felt like this was a waste of money so I stopped using the dealer, got a service manual and did most of the maintenance myself, unless I had an issue I couldn't fix. The bike has been running fine otherwise.

Tires

- been through about 7 sets. Have used Pilot Roads or Pilot Road 2's since replacing the stock tires in 2004.

- I get anywhere from 10,700 to 19,488 miles per set. My average is about 14,000 miles a set, with the Pilot Road 2's lasting substantially longer. Have not tried Pilot Road 3's yet.

Chain & Sprockets

- the stock set lasted almost 25,000 miles. I've bought 4 sets of chains and sprockets.

- I've averaged between 20,500 and 30,287 per set.

- I've always used DID x-ring chains and steel AFAM sprockets.

Oil

- I've changed the oil 33 times, always using Shell Rotella T 15W-40. I mostly use Bosch automotive filters with some Hi-Pro when I can get them.

- I'm averaging about 3,000 miles per oil change.

- The bike doesn't burn or leak any oil between changes.

Suspension

- the fork oil was changed by the dealer at 40,000 miles. The forks seals were replaced at 60,000 miles. That's it.

- rear shock has never been touched.

-the suspension is as harsh as you could imagine at 100,000 miles. I'm deferring putting any money into it.

Valve Adjustment

- had the dealer do it at 16,000 miles; couldn't tell the difference and haven't had them adjusted since.

Mods

Favorites: Sargent seat, factory hardbags, Helibars, Vista Cruise

Least Favorite: Dual Star heated grip elements, Autocom

Notable Moments:

- the VFR has been to 26 states

- in 2004 I swapped bikes with a friend, who crashed the VFR into a guardrail. It sustained heavy body damage on both sides. All the front fairings were replaced along with some miscellaneous metal pieces. The friend paid for the repairs out of pocket, over $3,500.

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- in June 2005 I did a Saddlesore 1000 (1000 miles in 24 hours); this is in the Northeast Kingdom, Vermont

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- in June 2006 I competed in the MinuteMan 1000 long distance rally and finished 5th. I didn't use a GPS.

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- in September 2006 I completed a Bun Burner Gold (1,500 miles in 24 hours), riding from Connecticut out to Ohio, down to West Virginia and Virginia and back to Connecticut. This is when it was over. We only had 45 minutes to spare.

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- in July 2007 I did a 4,000 mile trip from Massachusetts to California and back.

The bike has been garaged since new and I take care of problems immediately. It still looks great and the engine runs strong. The area where it is really showing its age is in the suspension, as would be imagined. I'm not sure how much longer I'll keep the bike. I keep saying "one more season" and I just put $750 into the electrical system so I'm inclined to get another year out of it. I'm not sure what to replace it with as I find fault with everything (including the new VFR1200F) when I compare it to this bike.

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Youtube Video of the odometer turning over

I was wondering what happened to you - glad to hear from ya again!

A KLR and a kid got in the way and the VFR kept right on going.

That's awesome, congrats.

And yes, a motorcycle is just a down payment on accessories. I've EASILY spent more than I bought my bike for 12 years ago. Even minus the rebuild from the wreck.

Man you made my day ... reading about the dependability of the VFR is inspirational. I have yet to put any miles on the '05 I got in Wisconsin in February. Just got decent enuf weather and road conditions to get my KLR on the road,, waiting for some touring weather to explore Vifferness.

Congrats on a major milestone! Great pics. I really love these high mileage threads. I've wondered if there's one out there with 150 or 200,000 on it.

Sweet, I would be right there with you if not for my crash in 09, currently at 92k on my 02.

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!! :tour:

BR

Dude - you rock! Impressive. --- How the hooeey do you get 10k - 19k on a set of tires? I've never got anywhere near that!

Nice! Congrats on the 100,000 miles mark! A great achievement!

-Mike

Congrat's on the 100K......... 75 bucks for a set of frt springs, a few $100 to have the stock rear shock upgraded, and you'll like your suspension.

mello dudeDude - you rock! Impressive. --- How the hooeey do you get 10k - 19k on a set of tires? I've never got anywhere near that!

I guess I'm not riding them hard enough. :smile: I can't say enough about the Pilot Roads. The durability of the PR2 on the rear had me continually checking my records for mileage. It had 19,500 miles on it when I pulled it off.

Congratulations on hitting the 100k mileage mark, that really is impressive! I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the average of a $1K yearly maintenance.

Doing most of the required maintenance yourself would save over letting the dealer clean out your bank account...

Excellent Work!!!

DO NOT PUBLISH THIS TYPE OF INFORMATION!!! If my wife sees this, she will never let me get another motorcycle. Congratulations but, hey come on, keep it down a little. :fing02:

That's a great story. A testimony to the bike and your own perseverance. Good job!

100,000 miles WOW! Nice job.

Jack

Great read! I can see no reason why this bike wouldn't do at least another 50K miles with minimal maintenance and upkeep.

I also feel like there is nothing out there I'd rather own and ride, on public roads anyway. If anything happened to my 03, I would promptly replace it with another 6th gen!

Congratulations :fing02: I am hoping to reach that soon my "94 is at 85k now just more :tour: and I hopefully will get there this year!

To Mr. Cogswell, UK Bike mag covered a London bike bloke who has put .5 million miles on two different vfrs.

Congrats on hitting 100k miles,sir.

Congrats on the milestone. As far as a new bike, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. :smile:

Cogswell

Congrats on a major milestone! Great pics. I really love these high mileage threads. I've wondered if there's one out there with 150 or 200,000 on it.

A local SF guy had 165K on his '98 as of a year ago and still going.

Thanks for the update and the pics and congrats. I can't quite tell from your pics who has aged better, you or the VFR, but you both look like you have many miles left in you.

00Yeller

I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the average of a $1K yearly maintenance.

That $9,000 figure actually includes mods and farkles too. Stuff like the seat, hard bags and racks, etc. Not gear though.

AZTravelerI can't quite tell from your pics who has aged better, you or the VFR, but you both look like you have many miles left in you.

Thanks! I turn 46 in a couple of weeks.

Wow!!!! Awesome write up. You have bonded with that VFR. I would do the suspension and call it a day. Run the wheels off it!!!! Thanks for sharing.

You have set your goals way too low. Get your ass back on that Viffer and log us another 100k miles immediately!! Great post!!

Rollin

Way to go....I'm halfway there on my 07, and I know what you mean about not having a good replacement in mind. The only thing holding me back from the 1200 is the size of fuel tank, but there is nothing else out there I can see myself on.

I can't believe your tire mileage, 14,000miles on average on the PR2s , I figured I was doing good at 8000-10000 on my BT21s, but after 7 sets I can't argue with your test results. Time to give the PRs a try.

Hulked Up

snip

Tires

- been through about 7 sets. Have used Pilot Roads or Pilot Road 2's since replacing the stock tires in 2004.

- I get anywhere from 10,700 to 19,488 miles per set. My average is about 14,000 miles a set, with the Pilot Road 2's lasting substantially longer. Have not tried Pilot Road 3's yet.

snip

I did 90,000 miles on a 5th gen over 12 years and went through about 22 sets of sport touring dual compound. 11 of those sets were PRs and three sets were PR2. PR2 gave me up to 6000 miles a set

Good for you and your machine. What I'm impressed with is your Iron Butt qualifications. 1500 miles in 24 hours! You are indeed an Iron Man. I'm at 99,500 over six years. But I'm retired. You must have no significant other or a very understanding one. Let's go for 200,000.

mello dude

Dude - you rock! Impressive. --- How the hooeey do you get 10k - 19k on a set of tires? I've never got anywhere near that!

I'd like to know too. I got ~7K out of my PR2s. I don't ride hard, but I do a lot of flat road commuting.

^ Hey Mark, he rides more than you :tongue:

CONGRATS to the OP, most impressive!

nice post! and congrats on the 100,000 miles.

Conedodger

mello dude

Dude - you rock! Impressive. --- How the hooeey do you get 10k - 19k on a set of tires? I've never got anywhere near that!

I'd like to know too. I got ~7K out of my PR2s. I don't ride hard, but I do a lot of flat road commuting.

I've gotten 10k on a cruiser tire --- once. ---19k just boggles the brain. :blink:

mello dude

Conedodger

mello dude

Dude - you rock! Impressive. --- How the hooeey do you get 10k - 19k on a set of tires? I've never got anywhere near that!

I'd like to know too. I got ~7K out of my PR2s. I don't ride hard, but I do a lot of flat road commuting.

I've gotten 10k on a cruiser tire --- once. ---19k just boggles the brain. :blink:

I don't get anywhwere near 7k out of any tire I've tried. Much less 10k. Share the secret!!!

I don't know what to tell you guys about my tire life. You have me going back to my records, but it's documented. There's no particular secret to it. I weigh 165 lbs and feel like I'm smooth on the throttle. I do a lot of highway miles but ride a fair amount of twisties where I wear the tires almost to the edge too. No burnouts or wheelies of course. It's been normal wear for me. I put this rear tire on at 98,000; I'll report back in 20,000 miles!

Hulked Up

I don't know what to tell you guys about my tire life. You have me going back to my records, but it's documented. There's no particular secret to it. I weigh 165 lbs and feel like I'm smooth on the throttle. I do a lot of highway miles but ride a fair amount of twisties where I wear the tires almost to the edge too. No burnouts or wheelies of course. It's been normal wear for me. I put this rear tire on at 98,000; I'll report back in 20,000 miles!

Ah 165 pounds that's the trick, I need to drop 50 pounds than :)

I might look a little unhealthy being 165lbs and 6food4, but extra 50 pounds in rider weight, the extra 40-50 pounds I carry around all the time in my side cases (rain gear, gloves, the weight of the case it's self) so I'm a hundred pounds or better heavier so that is for sure going to cut in to tire life.

I'm getting 9/8k F&R and I wt. 255 with 15 more in my tail bag. I've been using PR2's and I'm easier on my throttle 'specily 1st&2nd gear.

One thing can be road surface.....

Hulked Up

My 2002 VFR 800 ABS just turned over 100,000 miles today.

Congrats and welcome to the club Hulked Up.

You can get the shock rebuilt (Lindemann and others about $250 for the first time, cheaper after that once a fill valve has been added). A set of stiffer springs and fresh fork oil will restore the front and you'll be good to go for the next 100k. Now get busy reaching the remaining 23 accessible states :tour: (By all means ride Hawaii, it's just not necessary to ship the VFR there to do it :smile: )

Cogswell

Congrats on a major milestone! Great pics. I really love these high mileage threads. I've wondered if there's one out there with 150 or 200,000 on it.

Yes, there are others out there:

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Awesome post. Congrats on 100k :)

Congrats on the 100k!

And MapMaster, its awesome to see that kinda mileage on a 4g VFR!

Great post impressive stats,ive 40,000 miles to go ,if the plastic last out. :tour:

Congratulations! Would you mind sharing your excel file with us?

Cheers and if you must get a lower miles VFR 800, I hear that those are also good bikes :-)

CElias

CElias

Congratulations! Would you mind sharing your excel file with us? CElias

getting an error message that I'm not allowed to post that type of file.

Good job cant wait for for your 200,000 mile report !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Done!

I only hope to live long enough to get that kind of an odometer reading one day. But I'm so happy with my 6th gen that it will be with me until the end!

A 3 year old post. Ah yes, TBT. Of course.

Thread bump! I just bought this bike from a nice fellow just outside of Hartford CT.  It would make me the third owner of this fine machine.  The bike currently has 113k miles on it, and the PO was excited the share the history of this motorcycle with me, and his continuation of the maintenance spreadsheet.  He mentioned the original owner had made a vfrd post, so i was curious to see if i could find it.  Great story behind this bike and I am excited to continue it.  I am currently trying to sell my 1984 CB700sc, which the VFR is replacing.  I had a 94 VFR750 just before the nighthawk, and missed the v4 engine (read; torque) terribly.  This bike popped up on craigslist for a great price due to the mileage (which doesn't scare me in the least), so i had to scoop it up.  Though ive only been able to take this bike around the block, i can tell it will be a ton of fun to ride.  The seating position seems to better agree with me than my old VFR.  This is my first experience with fuel injection, ABS, and linked brakes on a motorcycle.  I expect her to treat me well  :happy:

Congrats here's to 100k miles for you as well! 

Man I just broke 30k, I need to ride more or move somewhere that I can ride year round

Finally got her reg'ed and on the road.  The front timing chain was making a racket so i did both timing chain tensioners.  At the same time, i gave the fast idle wax unit a quarter turn, which helped with the cold start RPM, but it needs some more adjustment.  I was pleased to find a k&n filter installed when i was in there.  I flushed the coolant and put in some Dexcool (what i use in everything i own).  I couldnt help myself and found a great price on a second hand Leo Vince exhaust.  It is certainly not as loud as the D&D i had on my vfr750, but she barks.  I quite like it.  The intake noise this thing makes is ADDICTING.  i love it! Last night i took her for a spin and already kinda knew she needed new front rotors.  It became annoying in the first couple miles, so that will be happening sooner than later.  Will likely just grab a pair of used ones on ebay, but its proving difficult to find a good pair with the ABS ring fitted or even the bolt holes for it.  I was also dealing with a sticky throttle last night, so i took it apart when i got home and applied some teflon tube to the bar.  Smooth as silk now.

Ahenry014, 8/25/2016 at 3:26 PM

Finally got her reg'ed and on the road. 

Congrats and keep us informed on your extension of this great story!   :cheerleader:

Well, i was able to get some new/used rotors on it and paired them with some new Galfer pads.  Stops smooth now! Now that shes all sorted, she rides awesome.  I really quite like it.  The Helibars really make this thing way more comfortable than my 4th gen (with bar risers).  

Alas, life has gotten in the way, and it might be time to move her along already.  Ive been trying to sell my CB700sc for a couple months now and not one soul has looked at it, and the price is remarkable IMHO.  I am moving and would love to not have to move two bikes, so i would like one of them to go.  I would prefer the CB go, but at this point either would be OK.  If anyone is interested in either or both as a package deal, let me know.  I will make you a SMOKING deal on both bikes.  Both bikes ready to ride and i have paperwork for both.  

Sigh. 

I say check out some rebuild or used performance shock options. With the fine level of care you have given it should be good for years to come. My 5th gen had 133,000 when I sold it. Still starting and running strong.

Great write up also!

Congratulations!

I hit 100k (in kilometers) last summer so it's nice to know I (hopefilly) have plenty of km's left on my Viffer ;)

The electrical failures noted (and which occur regularly on other vfr forums). Make me think that I should preemptively change out the stator and rectifier/regulator for improved aftermarket parts.   I am without transportation right now after I wrecked my car but the insurance will pay for a VFR800.   I regularly commuted for 12 years on an 83 V45 Sabre which I bought before I saw the corresponding interceptor.   At first I was concerned with the weight if the vfr800 but when I looked it up the Sabre is about the same.   

So advice to someone(me) new to the VFR800.   Is there anything I should consider replacing besides the stator + rectifier/regulator right away?

I'm old (69) and can no longer be as assured as I used to be that I have the stamina to fix anything alongside the road.

69 and looking to buy a VFR for the first time? Damn, you're awesome! I have a friend who is 74 and for the past 15 years he has been on ST's and FJR's because he wants the comfort. 

I have owned a 5th gen VFR800 (98-01) and a 6th gen (02-09). Honestly the only necessity is the beefed up charging system. A MOSFET rectifier and in my opinion (and @mello dude's) the stator connection should be replaced with beefier wire and molex connector. Add a voltmeter and you have the necessities taken care of. 

If you have a little extra money and want a wise improvement, @JamieDaugherty at http://www.daughertymotorsports.com/vfr800.html can tailor your suspension to your needs. Weight and riding style is what he will need to know and he can make it as stiff or plush as you need with custom valving and springs for your forks and rear shock. 

After that, the only thing (IMO) that you should really consider is a Fuzeblock http://www.fuzeblocks.com/ . And you really only need that if you want to have accessories. Warmers, GPS, etc... the fuze block will allow you to have switched power and some semblance of control of your accessories.

Best of luck and happy riding!