OK... so I AM NOT a happy camper. I buy and flip bikes throughout the year to make some extra cash. Typically I can find simple fix scenarios that I can repair myself for a small cost but that the average consumer would get cleaned out at the dealership to have them repair. They don't want to pay to fix the bike, I buy it cheap, fix it cheap, sell and make money. It has gone on this way for years. 5-10 bikes a year is pretty normal for me.
A few months back I got a good deal on the '03 VFR (non-abs) that sits in my storage unit. The owner dropped it while loading it in his truck bed. What do I care? NO damage structurally AT ALL just some scuffing on one of the fairings. I threw them away, bought a used set, took it to a VERY good paint shop in town and had the used plastics painted to match. All is well right? It should be on its way to being sold.
Here's the problem.... I THINK I LIKE THIS STUPID BIKE!!! I've got a garage full of cool toys to sell and I can't stop eyeballing this old girl. I'm soooooo not a full fairing bike guy. I like naked v-twins (superduke was the best, ducati's, buells, etc). Why, then, can I not stop daydreaming about pipes, bags, superbike bars, etc. ?
I think I need to see a therapist or something. Someone help me hate this thing.
Do they really last as long as people say? Mine seems to be super young. It's an '03 with 12,xxx miles on it. If what I'm reading is true it easily has another 90K left given how I maintain my rides. Is this the real deal?
You don't even need pipes or superbike bars!!! Just ride as is! Yes, they do last as long as you've heard. Ensure the wire harness was updated by the dealer (was recalled so just have the dealer run your VIN) and you can ride for 100K more miles without worry. My '86 VFR has 47K and my '93 VFR has 30K. I have been lazy with riding over the years I guess.
I was once like you also. I had a Buell XB, a tuber, a superhawk, a Tuono and a SV. I loved the V-twin naked to semi naked bikes but then I got a VFR. It was all over from there.
Great bike. I had a 2003 on which I put 43,000 miles. Sold it about a month ago and am having feelings of regret. Bike never hiccuped once and ran like new. The VFR is built to last.
This is my 4th VFR. Two 2000's (shouldn't have sold the 1st one), replaced with a 2007, replaced with my current 2012. Must be a reason I keep coming back to them. I've haven't been without a VFR for a long time. I've had other bikes that I enjoyed more for a while, but the shine always wore off. The VFR's are not bike's that I am passionate about other than to say they are just solid, reliable do everything I want it to do motorcycles that I enjoy every time I ride. Plus, I like V-Four engines. The shine never wears off. Enjoy!
Nice post, if you have find a '85 650 Nighthawk in mint condition let me know. Meanwhile, it sounds like you have a great bike at a cheap price, consider yourself lucky and go for a ride.
[image: View Post]2007VFRDude, on 02 September 2012 - 09:44 AM, said:
Nice post, if you have find a '85 650 Nighthawk in mint condition let me know. Meanwhile, it sounds like you have a great bike at a cheap price, consider yourself lucky and go for a ride.
Oh yes, my first bike was an '85 650 Nighthawk and I will always have a special place for her in my memory's garage. 63,000 miles of no problems riding. But my '06 VFR is right there too, and I think you are going to find it hard to let go of. It is a stallion, not a typical horse.
[image: View Post]expvet, on 02 September 2012 - 10:02 AM, said:
[image: View Post]2007VFRDude, on 02 September 2012 - 09:44 AM, said:
Nice post, if you have find a '85 650 Nighthawk in mint condition let me know. Meanwhile, it sounds like you have a great bike at a cheap price, consider yourself lucky and go for a ride.
Oh yes, my first bike was an '85 650 Nighthawk and I will always have a special place for her in my memory's garage. 63,000 miles of no problems riding. But my '06 VFR is right there too, and I think you are going to find it hard to let go of. It is a stallion, not a typical horse.
Like you, I would never let go of my VFR, just would add the 650 to my collection.
Wasn't what I expected when I started reading the post. I thought this was going to end in a littany of "hate the VTEC" or "electrical gremlins killed my ride."
Wish I could warn you off but you came to the wrong place for that. She's not the fastest or skinniest girl at the ball but will catch your eye and pull you in none the less.
The v-fours do have a tendency to do that. I bought my first gen 1000F because I couldn't find an FJ1200 that fit my budget. Now, I'm hooked. Not the fastest out there, but fast enough, comfortable for long rides and fun when you twist the throttle. Ride it for awhile, and you will be completely smitten!
I really thought it was a lame bike when I was trying to ride it like a V-twin - looking for power down low. The magic button is when you hit that 7,000 rpm v-tec smack. Thats when it gets really fun. Most of the bikes i've been on redline at 7K.
I'm shooting for the superbike bars because of the lean angle and wrist fatigue. I will never like clipons - even high ones like the Viffer comes with. The Speigle kit seems to be a great alternative. I like the leverage of actual handlebars when I'm digging into a turn.
I've watched some videos on bikes with pipes. They sound amazing. For now I'm going to put all three up for sale (Ducati, KTM, and Viffer) but expect to sell the others faster due to price points. If she's the last one standing I wont be crying.
Do you guys know if Segant makes a heated seat for these? We're looking at an option of moving to Kansas and I'd like to ride out to the rockies if I do. ITs always cold there though :)
Sargent doesn't sell them with heat but I am sure you could call and ask about having it customized. Failing that HS had a heated seat alternative way back when if I recall correctly.
Ab, that's funny, The VFR is growing on you, kinda like mold! :laugh:
Digest this: I've had 3 streetbikes since 1984. ALL Honda V-4's. :tour:
I might be a little moldy myself!
A practical man like you will like FotoMoto's homemade superbike bar conversion. Far cheaper than Spiegler, and you sound like a man that can get things done.
Abneya, on 02 September 2012 - 07:49 AM, said:
OK... so I AM NOT a happy camper. I buy and flip bikes throughout the year to make some extra cash. Typically I can find simple fix scenarios that I can repair myself for a small cost but that the average consumer would get cleaned out at the dealership to have them repair. They don't want to pay to fix the bike, I buy it cheap, fix it cheap, sell and make money. It has gone on this way for years. 5-10 bikes a year is pretty normal for me.
A few months back I got a good deal on the '03 VFR (non-abs) that sits in my storage unit. The owner dropped it while loading it in his truck bed. What do I care? NO damage structurally AT ALL just some scuffing on one of the fairings. I threw them away, bought a used set, took it to a VERY good paint shop in town and had the used plastics painted to match. All is well right? It should be on its way to being sold.
Here's the problem.... I THINK I LIKE THIS STUPID BIKE!!! I've got a garage full of cool toys to sell and I can't stop eyeballing this old girl. I'm soooooo not a full fairing bike guy. I like naked v-twins (superduke was the best, ducati's, buells, etc). Why, then, can I not stop daydreaming about pipes, bags, superbike bars, etc. ?
I think I need to see a therapist or something. Someone help me hate this thing.
Do they really last as long as people say? Mine seems to be super young. It's an '03 with 12,xxx miles on it. If what I'm reading is true it easily has another 90K left given how I maintain my rides. Is this the real deal?
Grumpily yours,
Austin
The beauty of long production runs
Here ya go...
Stick one of these stupid things in that ol' stupid girl.
People will wonder what's hidden under her skirt!
That's no Singer sewing machine mister...
http://www.aaperf.com/vfrkit-gen6.html
[image: View Post]Veefer800Canuck, on 02 September 2012 - 03:08 PM, said:
Ab, that's funny, The VFR is growing on you, kinda like mold! :laugh:
Digest this: I've had 3 streetbikes since 1984. ALL Honda V-4's. :tour:
I might be a little moldy myself!
A practical man like you will like FotoMoto's homemade superbike bar conversion. Far cheaper than Spiegler, and you sound like a man that can get things done.
I have actually built the home-brew kit myself already. I was going to use it on a trip to deals gap a few months back. I got a little too close to the departure date and didn't want to risk any issues rushing it. At the time I was fully committed to selling the old girl so I never installed it. I may throw it on and see what I think since it looks like she may stick around for a while. I got a used top clamp for $12 from a local guy and a free set of renthals (beat to heck) from another friend. I figured my $12 investment would tell me if it would change the ride enough for my taste. I should stop waisting time and just do it.
Can you get by without buying longer brake lines on the 6Gen VFR's?
[image: View Post]bayarearider, on 02 September 2012 - 03:46 PM, said:
The beauty of long production runs
Here ya go...
Stick one of these stupid things in that ol' stupid girl.
People will wonder what's hidden under her skirt!
I started reading on that kit a while back. Very very cool. The kit, however, is double what I paid for the bike!!! I don't think I could justify the cheese. Now.... a few years down the line (after proving to my wife I could actually keep a bike) perhaps I could :) Has anyone run this with multiple years and lots of miles? I know cooling was an issue early on. I always get nervous boosting non-built engines that weren't intended for such high intake charges.
I could find out who the guys were that redid the seat on my Dad's ST. They put heaters in those. Two actually. One for the rider, and one for the passenger, on separate circuits.
Thought it was from a place in Ohio, but the seat says saddlemen on it
[image: View Post]2007VFRDude, on 02 September 2012 - 09:44 AM, said:
Nice post, if you have find a '85 650 Nighthawk in mint condition let me know. Meanwhile, it sounds like you have a great bike at a cheap price, consider yourself lucky and go for a ride.
I'm sure you mean something local. There's a guy selling an 84 650 on the Nighthawk forum, but it's in MA. I'll watch for something closer to GA.
Drop a tooth in the front sprocket and it will feel like a rocket. Did this on my 4th gen and WOW, it's incredibly quick now, not good for highway riding, puts the RPM's up a little higher than I like for long periods of time. Doesn't take long to swap the front sprocket though, go back to stock for long rides that will reach speeds over 70 MPH.
