After years of wanting a fifth gen VFR, I finally got one early this year. Couple weeks ago, I took it to Boone NC for a week vacation. Finally, a chance to ride some good roads! This was a gathering for owners of Yamaha FJ1100\1200, but I left mine at home in favor of the VFR. Rode out Monday with another couple, good day until the rain started. We found a small store to take shelter in, no cover for the bikes. Then the hail started. Hail started and stopped three times, pea size, a few larger pieces. Rain tapered off, bikes appeared fine, so off we went. Next day, I noticed circular cracks in the seat cover. No damage to paint, but hail damage to the seat.
The rest of the week went by too fast. Plenty of fun miles on twisty roads, the VFR's natural environment. Evenings were spent around the bonfire swapping stories with friends I only see twice a year.
All too soon, it's Saturday, last day to ride. The destination was the corner store in Shady Valley, on 421, aka 'the snake'. A few miles outside of Damascus, I found a patch of gravel. Bike slid, wound up going onto the shoulder of the road, where there was much more gravel. Bike went down and slid on the left side. Right side of the bike was already crashed by the previous owner. Great, now both sides match. I was ATGATT, so only a sore shoulder and bruise. Bike, not so good. Crashed the upper and lower fairing, broken footpeg and fender. Sacrificial JC Whitney trunk saved the back end. One of my friends was behind me, and saw everything. Others came back to check on me. Managed to use rear foot peg to replace the broken peg. Finished the day without further incident, at a slightly less spirited pace.
Back at camp, with my head hung in shame, I loaded the bikes in the trailer for the 600 mile trip home.
Once home, Started unloading. Got her bike out, then untied the VFR. Stepped out of the trailer for something, and heard the horrible sound of the VFR hitting the floor. Had to get the SO to help pick it up. She asks if I cracked the fairing when I slid the bike. No, I didn't. Look at the front, now there is a break from the right headlight to the edge of the fairing. F#$%&!!! Seems it struck the wheel chock for the other bike when it fell. Got the bike out of the trailer and took a moment to survey all the damage. That's when I noticed the fork seal leaking. At that point, I was so thoroughly disgusted, I just wanted the bike out of my sight. I put it away, and went into the house and found a beer.
It was almost a week before I was able to look at the bike again. I feel bad that a VFR came to harm while in my care.
Sorry for the long post, but I just had to unload.
Jeff
back to the boring straight roads of FL
The rest of the week went by too fast. Plenty of fun miles on twisty roads, the VFR's natural environment. Evenings were spent around the bonfire swapping stories with friends I only see twice a year.
All too soon, it's Saturday, last day to ride. The destination was the corner store in Shady Valley, on 421, aka 'the snake'. A few miles outside of Damascus, I found a patch of gravel. Bike slid, wound up going onto the shoulder of the road, where there was much more gravel. Bike went down and slid on the left side. Right side of the bike was already crashed by the previous owner. Great, now both sides match. I was ATGATT, so only a sore shoulder and bruise. Bike, not so good. Crashed the upper and lower fairing, broken footpeg and fender. Sacrificial JC Whitney trunk saved the back end. One of my friends was behind me, and saw everything. Others came back to check on me. Managed to use rear foot peg to replace the broken peg. Finished the day without further incident, at a slightly less spirited pace.
Back at camp, with my head hung in shame, I loaded the bikes in the trailer for the 600 mile trip home.
Once home, Started unloading. Got her bike out, then untied the VFR. Stepped out of the trailer for something, and heard the horrible sound of the VFR hitting the floor. Had to get the SO to help pick it up. She asks if I cracked the fairing when I slid the bike. No, I didn't. Look at the front, now there is a break from the right headlight to the edge of the fairing. F#$%&!!! Seems it struck the wheel chock for the other bike when it fell. Got the bike out of the trailer and took a moment to survey all the damage. That's when I noticed the fork seal leaking. At that point, I was so thoroughly disgusted, I just wanted the bike out of my sight. I put it away, and went into the house and found a beer.
It was almost a week before I was able to look at the bike again. I feel bad that a VFR came to harm while in my care.
Sorry for the long post, but I just had to unload.
Jeff
back to the boring straight roads of FL