I have just bought a 2013 VFR1200F as a little retirement present and want to spend some cash on it. Power Commander V, K and N filter and Akropovich end can being fitted next week on a Dyno set up.
Next though is to improve the stock suspension. I have always looked with envy with bikes with Ohlins on them, however I cannot see any products Ohlins do for the 2013 model. Is there any difference in the suspension on a 2013 compared to earlier years as they definitely don't list any choices.
If it can't be Ohlins what do you recommend for front and rear, no budget restraints for once. Any other things worth buying, modifying.
Welcome your views. By the way I'm in the UK.
Hi Richy, I'll be watching this thread closely as well. I had a Penske 8981 (I think) on my ST1300 and called Penske regarding fitment on the VFR12. Short answer is Penske has a shock for the VFR12. So should the Ohlins not have one, I know Penske does.
the Ohlins part # is HO-013 they haven't changed the rear shock since 2010 i paid $1170 from Hard Racing...they will fit the proper spring to match your weight n/c
the ohlins is one of the best mods i've done on my 2010....i would do the Don Guhl reflash instead of the PC-V he loads the PC-V map...no splicing wires or added parts to mount......welcome aboard and enjoy the bike !!!
Are both Ohlins and Nitron both crap at updating their websites for nearly two years or is there a mechanical reason why they have not got my 2013 model listed?
Are both Ohlins and Nitron both crap at updating their websites for nearly two years or is there a mechanical reason why they have not got my 2013 model listed?
Congratulations on your purchase and retirement.
Richy there is no mechanical reason I can see why any suspension product listed for the earlier year VFR's wouldn't work on a 2013. Vendors are often slow updating websites, particularly for bikes like the VFR1200 which don't sell in large volumes. You state you are going to install a PC 5 which I also did on my 2013. Dynojet doesn't list a PC5 on their website for a 2013 VFR1200 but they do list a less sophisticated fuel controller as the only product (fuel controller) available for the 2013 VFR yet the PC5 works fine on the 2013 VFR. There is a lot of DJ product not listed as available for the 2013 that you can use but only if mated with a PC5. For instance the DJ quick shifter has not been listed as available for any year VFR1200 but you can easily install one as I did. The autotune module can also be installed although it is not listed for the 2013 VFR.
If cost is not a consideration then I would use a Ohlins shock and have a professional suspension shop do the forks.
As far as the stock ECU if you ride hard you are probably not going to like the power restrictions Honda stuck you with programmed into the stock ECU. The 2012/2013 F models have less restriction in 1st & 2nd gear than the 2010/2011 models but it was still 18 HP when I measured it on a dyno. If you have done any research on this website you probably know about this restriction and the other restrictions and that you can get around it two ways. One way is to install a $65 Bazzaz device called a zbomb. This device makes the stock ECU think the bike is in 3rd gear when it is in either 1st or 2nd gear. Cheap and effective but you lose full function of the gear indicator. The second way is to send you're ECU to Don Guhl and have him re-flash it to remove the restrictions. He can also install a new fuel map which will do away with the need for a PC5. The cost is $375 including next day return freight. As ishark suggested this is a less expensive simpler way to directly address the ECU restrictions and fueling issues on this bike.
I have spoken to a few Ohlins dealers here in the UK and they can fit a rear shock to my 2013 model so I have chosen to go with that. Now I just need to sort out the front. Ohlins have springs listed but I have read in a few places that just replacing the springs won't help. Please can someone try and explain this to me. I have received the below from Maxton engineering which seems quite helpful. Could I have Ohlins springs fitted and get the others stuff done like revalving etc. I don't really understand it all but do want to get a nice set up.
FRONT
HONDA VFR1200F 2010 to 2012
The forks on the VFR1200F are upside down and have radially mounted brakes. The forks are manufactured by Showa have rebound damping and preload adjustment. As standard the forks feel very harsh and hard, they have a tendency to ‘kick off’ every bump in the road and are not very complient. The springs in the forks are actually on the soft side, the reason the forks feel so hard is that they have far too much compression damping. There is also not enough rebound damping in the forks so when you let go of the brake the front end returns very quickly causing the bike to run wide out of corners.
To cure the handling problems at the front of the bike we revlave and respring the forks. It is very important the revlave the damping system to cure the problems, just fitting softer springs to try and improve the ride quality will make very little difference at all. We revalve the compression damping softer and allow the oil to flow around the fork easier, then we increase the rebound damping to control the forks extension better. We then actually fit harder fork springs to suit your rider weight and also modify the damping adjusters to increase the range of damping in the adjuster screws. The cost of this conversion is £340.00 + V.A.T per pair fo forks. We will also fit new fork seals which cost an extra £25.00 + V.A.T per pair.
We can also offer a service on the forks which involves stripping the forks, checking the internals for any wear and rebuilding the forks with new oil and fork seals. This costs £140.00 + V.A.T for the pair. It is rare but If you require any guide bushes these would be an extra cost.
Power Commander V and K and N air filter professionally fitted and mapped on a Dynojet. Never had this done before and always thought it was a bit OTT. However on my thirty minute ride home from the Dyno I thought it was £500 well spent. The bike is just much more pleasurable to ride. I wasn't after performance as it has plenty for my ability, but it certainly is smoother, especially in low revs and gears.
Ohlins ordered but they have to supplied from what's called a back order from Ohlins and won't be available until 8 August. It's a long time to wait and the suspension guy wasn't too impressed with the timeliness of Ohlins. K tech springs and new set up for the front also to be done at the same time.
Will soon have my dream bike, can't wait.
Jigsaw...do you happen to know the part numbers for the racetech springs and valves you had put in? The usa racetech wants me to send them my forks. They say they have no info on the 1200 to send parts to my mechanic to install. I don't want to have my vfr down for three weeks!
End of thread · 11 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 18 Mar 2016