Well I have been touring my 5th gen for ten years plus. Many mods over the years and thread coming soon on lesson learned but.........
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2012 changes but same screen, bars, and pegs.
I would opt for short tours to start and then dial in changes needed. I never had a problem with screen or riding position but others may obviously want something different. Other than the seat, the biggest changes have been adding hard bags a few years ago. After I started adding more crap on tour I opted for suspension changes as well.
I had a combo of hard and soft luggage for my last VFR and that worked great and I almost always had extra space on my trips. My newest VFR is headed the same direction but will have hard saddle bags this time around. Gel grips and a taller windscreen also worked wonders for not a lot of money. I'm also quit comfy on the stock seats. I've tried a Corbin and couldn't stand that thing. i guess some of us just have stock butts!
[image: Birth place of Route 66]
Birth place of Route 66 Finally got to ride a big chunk of nostalgia. Seligman, Arizona. Sept 2011
[image: My top two, all-time favorite machines on the planet. VFR & P-51 Mustang]
My top two, all-time favorite machines on the planet. VFR & P-51 Mustang Armed Forces monument in Canon City, CO
So I am picking up a "new to me" 1999 VFR 800 this weekend and it has had some modifications to make it more touring. I would like to make it as touring as possible. I know some of the things that can be done, but I would like to have a full list of ideas from the community if you all are on board.
I'll start off:
I know risers can be VERY helpful, but how high and which kind is yet to be determined it seems?
Lowering of the pegs is a little bit of a more complicated procedure (due to the kickstand), but does that make a large difference?
Thank you for welcoming/accepting me to the community here and I hope to give and get support throughout my long life with my VFR :wheel:
I'm fine with the stock seat but I use a sheepskin propad which makes a world of difference to me. I didn't find I needed risers but changing the grips helped, I use kuryakyn ISO grips with kuryakyn bar ends.
Ride the bike for a while and add to it as you go along.
Throttle locks are good, you might try the Throttle Rocker too, about $10.
Helibars are a gold standard but if you need to go higher/wider, a superbike bar conversion is an option. Good luck and post some pics of the new bike!
Before you get wrapped up in mods like bar risers and lowering the pegs, or worrying about what others think is necessary for "touring" ride it for a while. Take the time to set up the suspension so that both sag and rebound are right for you. Take it out for a long ride - maybe a weekend trip and see how it works for you.
Customization is a very individualized thing. A lot of people will claim that you need to replace the stock seat - I disagree. Both of my VFRs are still running stock seats. This summer I just finished a 6,500 mile two week trip on the stock seat. A couple of years ago I did a six and a half week tour (Coast to coast Canada and four corners USA) on the bike stock (with the exception of hard luggage and levers. Yes, that was on the stock seat. I also normally ride with a $10 throttle rocker). No problem.
I find a stock VFR with hard luggage to be ideal for touring. (However I have also done 3,500 mile trips on the VFR with soft luggage, and it works well - I just prefer the convenience of hard luggage with locks.)
The only upgrade to the VFR that I personally feel is necessary is an upgrade of the stock levers. The reason is simple - I have small hands and can not properly reach the stock levers. For most people that is NOT an issue.
The VFR is very well set up from the factory for sport touring.
Before you get wrapped up in mods like bar risers and lowering the pegs, or worrying about what others think is necessary for "touring" ride it for a while. Take the time to set up the suspension so that both sag and rebound are right for you. Take it out for a long ride - maybe a weekend trip and see how it works for you.
Customization is a very individualized thing. A lot of people will claim that you need to replace the stock seat - I disagree. Both of my VFRs are still running stock seats. This summer I just finished a 6,500 mile two week trip on the stock seat. A couple of years ago I did a six and a half week tour (Coast to coast Canada and four corners USA) on the bike stock (with the exception of hard luggage and levers. Yes, that was on the stock seat. I also normally ride with a $10 throttle rocker). No problem.
I find a stock VFR with hard luggage to be ideal for touring. (However I have also done 3,500 mile trips on the VFR with soft luggage, and it works well - I just prefer the convenience of hard luggage with locks.)
The only upgrade to the VFR that I personally feel is necessary is an upgrade of the stock levers. The reason is simple - I have small hands and can not properly reach the stock levers. For most people that is NOT an issue.
The VFR is very well set up from the factory for sport touring.
Done many, many miles on my '98 with the stock seat, bars, pegs, and controls. Have no urge to change them at 6' 210. Tried a Corbin seat once. Hated it.
Suspension is the single most important thing you can do to a 5th gen. Storage is second. My '98 came with a set of Corbin Beetle Bags. Once I fixed the crap mounts the bags are great.
I've got a Throttlemeister, Sargent Seat, GIVI bags (21 liter top opening and 40 liter bags for when my wife comes too), MRA windscreen with adjustable upper wing, power socket in front for GPS, GPS holder, power socket below seat for heated vest, and Convertibars for bar risers. I wouldn't want to remove any of those add-ons as each one is much appreciated on longer rides. The Convertibars in particular are awesome, although expensive. The Throttlemeister and Sargent seat also life savers on long rides. I could take or leave the MRA windscreen. The problem is that the Convertibars rise you so far upright and back that really no windscreen for the VFR is going to give you protection. You can lower yourself forward and downward with the Convertibars so the wind turbulence is less but that defeats the purpose of purchasing the Convertibars as opposed to the Helibars or Genmar risers. With these items I've done back-to-back-to back 800+ mile days. Still a bit tired on those really long rides but nothing like if I didn't have each of those items.
I can't add much to the above - except to say that if you want to try a throttle lock for not a lot of money, the NEP throttle lock is only about $20, easy to install and completely reversible. The ability to let go with the right hand - even for just a few minutes - on a long ride can be golden.
First of all, how tall are you? Big guy or little guy? If you are built like an average asian male, then the suspension will most likely be fine for you. Ditto for the foot peg height. If you are like me, tall, fat and arthritc - peg lowering blocks are worth their weight in gold. I just got some helibars, but haven't got to ride with them yet. But I am betting they will be great.
If you are going to be touring, hard luggage is a must. Once you go hard luggage, I would be surprised if you ever want to go back.
I also changed my levers for comfort. But wasn't mentioned yet is grips. The stock ones are too hard. I got some cheap squishy ones and it is a big improvement.
I had a 2000 VFR with HeliBars and peg lowering blocks. After riding if for a couple thousand miles I found I was missing the stock riding position, esp. in the twisties. I feel the Honda engineers got the ergonomice just right for getting places and having great fun once there. I'd suggest you test the stock stuff in all conditions before making any decisions.
End of thread · 12 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 1 Nov 2013
