So my wife just sold her FJR1300a and yesterday we went and looked at a non-ABS '02 VFR as her potenial next bike. The thing is, the ABS on her FJR had given her a peace-of-mind and she's not sure she wants to be without it now, even though she never even had a situation on the FJR where the ABS engaged. She's a good, experienced, non-aggressive rider (this would be her fifth bike) so I'm not at all worried about her on a non-ABS VFR; I'm just looking for thoughts from the viffer experts here on the ABS vs. non-ABS issue. She likes the idea of the linked brakes.
My only other reservation with this particular bike is it's got 20k miles on the clock but has not yet had a valve clearance check done. I've seen the service record on it and it looks like all the known issues (electrical, alternator recall, etc) have been remediated, and it looks like she was serviced well and regularly, Should I be concerned that the valves haven't been looked at yet? How would you guys approach the potential purchase of an '02 VRF with 20k and no valve check? I already know this is a big PITA job on this engine.
[image: View Post]TexOz, on 15 April 2012 - 07:04 AM, said:
:lurk:
ohh goodie .... an ABS vs non-ABS thread :)
So... you're just gotta sit there and eat your popcorn eh? :laugh:
LOL yeah I've been around motorcycles and motorcycle forums long enough to know better than post such a topic, but here I am anyway. :tongue:
Just trying to take care of my honey. I'd hate to have her regret her purchase.
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BTW ... welcome to VFRD zzrider - cheers mate!
Thanks for the welcome. I like this place already. :smile:
[image: View Post]zzrider, on 15 April 2012 - 07:19 AM, said:
So... you're just gotta sit there and eat your popcorn eh? :laugh:
Yup ... for the most part ... but I will add that I just sold my ABS R12GS and bought a non-ABS Aprilia Falco. I'm comfortable with my decision and I guess, in the end, you and your dear wife need to be likewise happy with whatever you decide to do - good luck and cheers!
The linked brakes on the non-ABS are great and they work really well. During practice stops I've only been able to lock them on a few occassions and I really had to put some effort into it. Even with that being said most people would agree that having the ABS is well worth it even if you only ever use them once. As far as mileage goes I wouldn't even worry about it. These bikes are capable of well over 100k miles with proper maintanance and most people I know skip the first valve check because it seems to be a waste of money based on the results of others. These are solid and reliable bikes and it should provide you with many years of V4 pleasure.
I think without abs, Id rather have unlinked brakes. This because you can actually lock the rear brake using the Front brake under certain conditions, but with ABS that doesnt happen.
Ive not checked the valves closing in on 100,000 miles, but I run a topend lubricant, your Extremely safe at 20,000 miles.
The 02 model, retrofits needed are flywheel and rotor upgrade,and wiring harness are the Main two. Personally Id go 06 a Vintage year, as all retrofits were done at the factory at the time bike was made. But as long as the wiring harness has been done with no side effects since that time, and upgrades to the 03 flywheel and stator, then should be okay.
I have a 2003 with 43,000 miles and it has not given me one problem. I personally know of two VFR's with 100,000 plus miles and still running strong.
I had the valve inspection done at 16,000 and 32,000 miles. All were in spec and needed no adjustment. I would not worry one bit about the 20,000 miles on the bike you are considering. Ride it to 32,000 and then have the valves inspected if you feel so inclined.
+1 on the above notions. I have an '02 with 50K on the odo and no issues other than the stator, which is pretty common for that year/mileage. In the future I will just plan to replace the stator at 32k intervals with the valve check :idea3: (JK) But, definitley throw some kinda voltmeter on it, either digital or the little light just so you know whats going on with your charging system.
As to your other question, I think I really like my ABS. This is my first bike with it and I'm really diggin' it. I have done a lot of "practicing" in both wet and dry situations and I gotta say it does a great job of picking up the slack where my skills end. I have used it once. The short story goes something like this;
55mph, dry roads, Witching hour (not light/not dark), enjoying my ipod mix :musik20: ...... DEER!?! :3: :ohmy: ..... what the heck was THAT!! ..... I'm still ALIVE :excl: Whew!, lived to ride another day :woohoo:
I had grabbed enough brake to engage the ABS and NOT hit the deer. It was so close though that I could hear his hoofs hit the pavement over my exhaust and ipod. Wether it was the deciding factor in my not dumping the bike I may never know. But it was good to know it worked when I needed it.
Another cool gimmick that mother Honda tossed on the ABS model is the remote rear shock adjuster. This works well for me because I commute during the week solo, then load up the bags and the wife.... no wait, scratch that. I bring the wife and SHE loads up the bags :491: . A few quick turns to max preload and we're off. My buddy (same bike/no ABS) takes quite a bit more time and effort with his little spanner wrench. But admittedly he is more of a weekend rider anyway.
Either way, 20k for the bike you're looking at should have a lot of life/miles left in it. YMMV!!!
Welcome,
Everyone's covered most of your questions...... My 1st VFR I checked valves 3 times to no avail, and then went on to put 100k on. My '08 has 41k on it with no valve check. I would always recommend ABS, though I don't have it on mine due to none available in my area at the time of purchase.
Watching some youtube videos of bikes with and without ABS tested on a skidpad helped me make up my mind. A search on 'motorcycle abs' will turn up a number of them.
I wouldn't even consider a non-ABS VFR for my wife. Since ABS is widely available and there are plenty of used bikes available in excellent condition, it makes too much sense.
Disclaimer - My most recent purchase doesn't have ABS because it's not available. But it was a deal breaker for me on my VFR and even moreso if I have input on a family member's bike.
[image: View Post]Rice, on 16 April 2012 - 01:14 PM, said:
ABS has saved my bacon on occasion.
Is it a deal breaker? No. Not to me.
BUT given the choice, I'd rather have it than not.
My sentiments exactly. If an ABS bike was available in my price range at the time of purchase, I would have bought one. It wasn't, and I'm very happy with the non-ABS version that I bought.
[image: View Post]Rice, on 16 April 2012 - 01:14 PM, said:
ABS has saved my bacon on occasion.
Is it a deal breaker? No. Not to me.
BUT given the choice, I'd rather have it than not.
+1, didn't matter when I bought my 07 as all the 07s sold in Canada where ABS versions. Is it a show stopper on my next bike? Ya whatever I buy next will most likely have it, but yet I’ve never owned a car with it.
My wife and oldest daughter are looking at getting in to riding and they like the looks of the new CBR250, it’s only a $500 option for ABS so if that’s the route, I'll spend the extra for ABS, it’s a plus on the resale side of things as well.
I guess the answer here is how good of a deal is this 02 with 20k on the clock? The VFR is lighter than the FJR, so panic stop on a lighter bike, after riding the heavier FJR, ABS might be a good comfort to have.
It all comes down to peace of mind you have for the bike the wife rides and are you satisfied with her riding ability to go from a ABS to a non-ABS bike.
End of thread · 15 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 7 Jun 2012