Stolen VFR

My white 2014 VFR was stolen this evening.  I know the chances of someone here seeing it are slim, but I just wanted to get the word out. 

On hold with the police now.  They verified it wasn't towed and are in the process of filing a report.  

I've never had to deal with insurance on a stolen vehicle.  I cringe at the thought. 

Damn sorry to see that.  Used to live in SD downtown, the theft rate in the area on bikes is mind boggling.  Best of luck on this.

Sorry to hear that man!  Scumbags are running amok all over the place here in So Cal!  >:|  Can you give us the circumstances (e.g. bike idling or parked, keys in ignition or no keys, locked or unsecured, from street/driveway/garage/etc, inside/outside a secured perimeter, from home or other location, a regular or normal place you park or stop, etc)?  Hopefully, your comprehensive policy will cover it and your insurance company won't try to weasel out of paying you! 

NOOOO! So sorry to hear that Ragtop. I'll keep my eyes open in case it makes it's way up this way. Crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.

Sorry man, that really sucks!  Good luck with getting it back, and I'd post this to Facebook and every forum you know of - you just never know when you might get a lead.

Do you get a lot of vehicular or foot traffic in your neighborhood?  How long was it unattended or how much time elapsed since the last time you saw it and when you noticed it was gone?  Maybe a local ahole rolled it to his/her house nearby? 

Have you thought about posting a heads up on Sportbikes.net?  I think that used to be one of the larger/est motorcycle forums but I've been out of the loop for a pretty long time... 

And yes, no excuse!  I'm no fan of muslim radicals (and others who also believe the following) but I think they're onto something with the whole cutting the hands off of thieves thing...   Probably TMI from the new guy, I know...  sorry!  :D

PM sent

Man that's heart breaking. Can only hope they catch the arseholes and you get your bike back safe and sound. Very best of luck.

My VFR was stolen - and recovered - last year. Maybe you will get lucky too? The CHP was worthless. All they wanted was the VIN - zero investigation.

Good luck with the insurance company. Mine was very cooperative. Maybe you will get lucky with that too.

Hard to believe that someone would steal a new VFR. There just aren't very many of them around, so what will the thieves do with it?

Post some pics and license plate if you want a better shot at finding it.  Anything custom on it that would tip people off?  Post on Craigslist it was stolen and offer a reward for their hands and fingers.  Also, monitor the for sale ads for parts on Craigslist  too.

Sorry, sucks.

Well, my bike was recovered by the Highway Patrol tonight. The thief got away, but they have him on video admitting he stole the bike. It's only a matter of time before he gets himself caught for something else and they tack this charge on to his other pending warrant. 

I'll take pics tomorrow, but the bike is trashed. 

What is for the fukker, will no go past him...

Here's hoping the insurance company treats you well and you have not lost the joy of owning and riding a motorcycle!!!

11 hours ago, 01ragtop

Well, my bike was recovered by the Highway Patrol tonight. The thief got away, but they have him on video admitting he stole the bike. It's only a matter of time before he gets himself caught for something else and they tack this charge on to his other pending warrant. 

I'll take pics tomorrow, but the bike is trashed. 

Scratching my head at how on one hand they have him confessing on video but on the other hand he gets away??? 

+1 with Dutchy - hope your insurance company treats you right! 

Well, that has to be bitter sweet, on the one hand you got it back, on the other it's not in the condition one would hope for! Let's hope the d-bag who nabbed it gets his come upance sooner rather than later!

Hoping you can get some sort of good result from the insurance company.

Pics of the damage. 

https://goo.gl/photos/TzuRXMdLXfVQV6So8

I'm repeating myself on both forums. Sorry to those that read both.

The thief  was in the food mart at a Chevron when the HIPO rolled in and saw a spray painted bike with no plates. The clerk reportedly heard the perp say he was screwed because the bike was hot. Sure enough, they got it on the security camera. 

Sorry pictures to look at, sad end to a great bike.  Hope they catch him. 

Quite sorry to hear your story. Hope you get full value for your machine. And the perp gets what it deserves.

I don't get low class individuals. What's to gain here? Sounds like stealing it way more hassle than it's worth... Find a $500 beater bike on CL and ride the tits out of it!

Ok, that sux.

But the damage looks cosmetic - plastics. Did he screw up the wiring harness? Did he drop it on both sides? 

The reason I ask is that my VFR was also stolen last fall, but recovered. I thought it was totalled, but it wasn't. Now it is as good as it was when it was stolen. My insurer (Geico) was fantastic! Keep us posted.

Hope you get full replacement value and get back on the road soon!

Alaskan, 3/11/2017 at 9:21 PM

Ok, that sux.

But the damage looks cosmetic - plastics. Did he screw up the wiring harness? Did he drop it on both sides? 

The reason I ask is that my VFR was also stolen last fall, but recovered. I thought it was totalled, but it wasn't. Now it is as good as it was when it was stolen. My insurer (Geico) was fantastic! Keep us posted.

That's a great point Al. My first VFR took a real beating over 100,000 miles. But she was still a looker when she died. After all, they're still selling the plastics.

I'm pretty sure the bike was abused. Rear tire shows signs of burnouts. It's been crashed, so who knows if the forks are still straight. The front rim is gouged from something, maybe the crash. The kickstand is broken. Both levers are bent and scratched. The engine case is scratched on both sides.  The suspension has been screwed with; the bike has been lowered. 

The thief would have been better off buying a rat bike for $500 Cuz that's what he turned my bike into. 

Honestly, I was surprised at how the insurance company worked with me on the repairs. If it's totalled, it's totalled. But my VFR is as good as new after the payout and repairs. AND you can do the work yourself and get paid Honda the shop hourly rate. AND you can buy parts on eBay. and pocket the cash - because you deserve it. This might be an opportunity. But it might not, I get that.

Having your bike stolen is awful, but maybe it will work out for you the way it worked out for me.

1 hour ago, 01ragtop

I'm pretty sure the bike was abused. Rear tire shows signs of burnouts. It's been crashed, so who knows if the forks are still straight. The front rim is gouged from something, maybe the crash. The kickstand is broken. Both levers are bent and scratched. The engine case is scratched on both sides.  The suspension has been screwed with; the bike has been lowered. 

The thief would have been better off buying a rat bike for $500 Cuz that's what he turned my bike into. 

Rode it like they stole it I guess.

Hopefully you get a new one without a big hassle.

What's up with the fishing rod???

20 hours ago, Alaskan

Honestly, I was surprised at how the insurance company worked with me on the repairs. If it's totalled, it's totalled. But my VFR is as good as new after the payout and repairs. AND you can do the work yourself and get paid Honda the shop hourly rate. AND you can buy parts on eBay. and pocket the cash - because you deserve it. This might be an opportunity. But it might not, I get that. 

Given the description of the abuse following your post, I doubt I'd want that bike back either.  You can fix the obvious cosmetic and functional stuff but what are the chances a local shop has the tools to check the frame.  The bike was probably subjected to plenty of wheelies and stunts so the steering bearings and fork bushings will have taken a beating.  Will insurance pay for that, sight-unseen?  And you'll never know how badly the motor was abused until it $#!+s the bed a few thousand miles later, at which point it'll be too late to collect further on the insurance.

I'd be praying for it to be declared a total loss.

14 hours ago, Vee-Ef-Ar

What's up with the fishing rod???

Who knows?  I guess if you're low life scum that has the time to trash a near perfect motorcycle, you rest by casting a line. 

Thanks for the added info, that makes sense - initially it sounded like he was in the back seat throwing up all over himself and somehow got away... lol Hope Karma comes around and kicks him hard in the nuts or he suffers an aneurysm or something... haha 

I'd say high probability that the fishing rod was used as burglary tool - mailboxes, reaching into cars or anywhere else through a thin gap, etc

17 hours ago, Rectaltronics

Given the description of the abuse following your post, I doubt I'd want that bike back either.  You can fix the obvious cosmetic and functional stuff but what are the chances a local shop has the tools to check the frame.  The bike was probably subjected to plenty of wheelies and stunts so the steering bearings and fork bushings will have taken a beating.  Will insurance pay for that, sight-unseen?  And you'll never know how badly the motor was abused until it $#!+s the bed a few thousand miles later, at which point it'll be too late to collect further on the insurance.

I'd be praying for it to be declared a total loss.

Well, it's totalled or it isn't. The OP has no control over that. Just trying to make the guy feel better about the possibility it isn't totalled. . . .

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01ragtop, gotta be everyone's greatest fear next to butting the tar yourself, sorry.
Years ago my mates fj1200 was taken for a joyride, in three hours the guy blasted it that the motor was so full of rattles he forced the insurance to have the motor rebuilt. Like others say, don't settle if you're unhappy.
My car has a mechanical switch on fuel pump, just installed front and rear driving cameras with cloud recording....bike will have extra imobilizer goodies!
Hope you come out smiling!

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15 hours ago, Alaskan

Well, it's totalled or it isn't. The OP has no control over that. Just trying to make the guy feel better about the possibility it isn't totalled.

Actually the OP may very well have some control over that.  You'd be surprised how many adjusters will work with the owner's preferences on a decision that is anywhere close to borderline.

Rectaltronics, 3/15/2017 at 3:03 PM

Actually the OP may very well have some control over that.  You'd be surprised how many adjusters will work with the owner's preferences on a decision that is anywhere close to borderline.

When adjusting my claim after the second deer hit, I told him I'd rebuild it myself, asking that he value the crash $10 under totaled. He agreed saying "We hate to total motorcycles."

I'm not sure about what 01ragtop should do, it sounds bad; I thought I'd throw out my experience for everyone's benefit.

Well, the adjuster was out Friday, the bike is a total loss. He got to $7500 in damages without really getting into the small things that were wrong.  Big ticket stuff was all new plastics, new headlight, new tank, new forks, new front wheel.  Add that to the labor to clean the paint off the frame and engine, and she is toast.  The numbers the adjuster was giving me seemed pretty fair, but they hadn't accounted for it being a Deluxe, aftermarket exhaust, and protective 3M kit.  They also guessed low on the mileage even though I gave it to them correctly. 

I will find out early this week what their settlement offer is going to be.

So sorry-- been there.
Nothing is any more gut wrenching then coming out to your bike and it's gone.
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This is a horrible experience for you. Sorry, man.

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What a shitty situation.  Any chance you are buying it back?  Seems like the perfect opportunity to buy it back dirt cheap and have something you don't have to feel back about flogging the snot out of.

Thanks all. I've been so busy at work I haven't had time to ride, now once I do have time, I have to go find a ride instead of going for one. 

11 hours ago, 01ragtop

Thanks all. I've been so busy at work I haven't had time to ride, now once I do have time, I have to go find a ride instead of going for one. 

Sorry about your bike - are you gonna look for another 8th gen or maybe try something different?

Prop 47 took property crimes as well as drug crimes and lowered the consequences.  Thefts are up all over the state thanks to those who think that drugs are not serious.  The addicts are usually the ones committing the majority of the property crimes.  Good luck on your bike.  I hope they catch the person who took it.  Not that they will get any serious time for the theft.   

alwaysaware Prop 47 took property crimes as well as drug crimes and lowered the consequences.  Thefts are up all over the state thanks to those who think that drugs are not serious.  The addicts are usually the ones committing the majority of the property crimes.  Good luck on your bike.  I hope they catch the person who took it.  Not that they will get any serious time for the theft.   

11 hours ago, GatorGreg

Sorry about your bike - are you gonna look for another 8th gen or maybe try something different?

I'm going to go a different route.  I never regretted buying the VFR, I wasn't even looking at other bikes. I wouldn't be looking at other bikes now if someone hadn't decided to relieve me of mine. I learned to enjoy the fact that I could push the sport-bikes on all but the tightest canyon roads while riding a bike that was 100lbs heavier and down on power. It was comfy on long rides, and Mrs. 01ragtop enjoyed riding with me.  She stopped riding with me when we found out she was pregnant; 2 months after I bought the VFR.  Now my daughter is 15 months old, and she still doesn't ride with me.  

If I don't need room for a passenger, I don't need a sport touring bike.  Bring on the super-sport.  I've never owned a 400 lb. motorcycle with razor sharp handling and 120+hp, so I believe it is time.  Maybe a D675R or a 636.  I may not be welcome since I won't be on a V4, but I'll at least drop in to share some pics before you all run me and my non VFR bike off.

Ooooh a D675R would be a fun bike and they look/sound great IMO - never ridden one but one of the motovloggers I subscribe to, SpacePod, has one - here's his 3 month review.   Have you ever ridden an S1000RR?   199 hp is freaking incredible fun - people made fun of my testride I posted on my YT channel cuz it sounded like I had an accident in my pants LOL.  Will probably be my next bike.

So many motorcycles, so little time . . .

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Life's a journey, you've enjoyed it so far.....keep safe!

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16 hours ago, 01ragtop

I'm going to go a different route.  I never regretted buying the VFR, I wasn't even looking at other bikes. I wouldn't be looking at other bikes now if someone hadn't decided to relieve me of mine. I learned to enjoy the fact that I could push the sport-bikes on all but the tightest canyon roads while riding a bike that was 100lbs heavier and down on power. It was comfy on long rides, and Mrs. 01ragtop enjoyed riding with me.  She stopped riding with me when we found out she was pregnant; 2 months after I bought the VFR.  Now my daughter is 15 months old, and she still doesn't ride with me.  

If I don't need room for a passenger, I don't need a sport touring bike.  Bring on the super-sport.  I've never owned a 400 lb. motorcycle with razor sharp handling and 120+hp, so I believe it is time.  Maybe a D675R or a 636.  I may not be welcome since I won't be on a V4, but I'll at least drop in to share some pics before you all run me and my non VFR bike off.

There are plenty of VFRD members w/o VFRs, so don't run off. We still like to hear about mc Tall Tails.

3 hours ago, MaxSwell

There are plenty of VFRD members w/o VFRs, so don't run off. We still like to hear about mc Tall Tails.

+1 on that. Plus we need to do another Palomar ride, the last one was a blast!

1 hour ago, Duc2V4

+1 on that. Plus we need to do another Palomar ride, the last one was a blast!

I'm in. Let me get a ride under me, and that sounds like a plan. 

Speaking of getting a ride, the insurance company surprised me today by not low-balling me. Their offer was very fair, so I can say now that Progressive Insurance treated me like a customer and not another number. Kudos to them. 

I'm working this weekend, but soon I will be back on two wheels. The weather is great and with my work schedule lately, I'm in need of some motorcycle therapy. 

Good to hear - post pics when you get your new bike!  :)

i recommend trying several new options before deciding....why not? i have a daytona 675 and love it but bikes each have their own personality and you may want to try them all over time...you need to try an fz 10. unusual styling but fun and comfy ride. Also tuono and s1000r. New version of the s1000r is much smoother and more refined (less buzz) than the previous version. A fun and dare i say practical bike.

there's also the new street triple that people say is a very fun bike ... nice sounds too.

Have fun shopping :)

Forbes, 3/28/2017 at 1:45 PM

A world wide problem! Here down under....crims repeatedly getting slaps on the wrist, but if ordinary Joe slips up, gone...lose everything. Infuriates me! Was a cop in South Africa years ago, seen the inside dealings of justice....

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This is what needs to be done.  

Well, the saga is almost over.  I authorized my Credit Union to payoff a 2016 matte black 675R from a Private Seller.  He's actually more than a private seller, I ride with him frequently, but he has decided to give up two wheels in favor of a hot little Mini Cooper.  His loss.  

Bike only has 4,500 miles, and the previous owner doesn't ride wheelies or any other shenanigans.  He also installed the Tanks Slapper protective film when the bike was new, and purchased the Maintenance package to 24,000 miles. He even installed a brand new Pirelli Super Corsa on the front this afternoon so, "I could go ride without spending anymore money on it."

Anyway, everything should clear the banks this week, and I'll post pics when I get it home.

Sweet! That's a fine Triumph!

Congrats on the new bike!  I would be interested in seeing your review of the Daytona with pros and cons between the old and new bikes.

Congrats and good choice :)

Interesting to see you go from a stolen Interceptor to a Daytona while Tredmkv just traded his Daytona for an Interceptor.  You guys both have very good taste!  Link:  

GatorGreg, 4/8/2017 at 9:34 PM

Congrats on the new bike!  I would be interested in seeing your review of the Daytona with pros and cons between the old and new bikes.

Comparing the Daytona to the VFR is like comparing walking shoes to track cleats. One is comfy and sporty enough; the other is purpose made for a specific task. 

That said, I'll try. 

The weight and geometry of the 675R make it more nimble than the VFR could ever hope to be. My braking and turn in points are all way off at this point. I've always liked the brakes on the 8th gen though, so I can't fault the VFR's brakes. The difference is mostly in perhaps a little better feel from the 675's Brembos, and the fact that the Brembos are tasked with slowing a machine that weighs over 100lbs less. 

Speaking of weight. I know a large contingency of VFR owners want the VFR to lose some weight. After riding the 675, I'm not sure that's the best idea. The wind, even slight, blows the little Triumph all over the road. It's acceptable for brief gusts while out riding the canyons, but if you had to fight that for hours on end of touring, it would get old fast. 

Where the VFR could use some help is in the power and suspension departments. Even an extra 25-30HP would be great. The fact that it doesn't come with a fully adjustable suspension is just unacceptable at this stage. I wouldn't even care about USD forks, if it came with a really good conventional setup. 

The Daytona has only slightly more power, but its suspension is world class compared to the VFR. 

The ergonomics are what they are. Surprisingly, the knee bend on the Triumph is about the same as on the VFR, but the bend at the waist, or crouch, is substantially more committed on the 675. The Daytona's saddle is awesome. No complaints there, I personally even favor it over the VFR's stock seat. However, the VFR is an all day bike, the Triumph is decidedly not so. If you ride 2up, your passenger will hate you and never ride with you again if you force them onto the 675. Not necessarily a bad thing. 

In short, the 675R is a scalpel and the VFR is a top of the line Leatherman. 

Pics (I'll see if I can get some better ones)

https://goo.gl/photos/PtazG5uz9fTxJHEm8

https://goo.gl/photos/CfWA8jycRGVpsZu59

Thanks for the minicomparo and pics - looks very nice!   I drooled over a non "R" red one that was on consignment recently at my local Honda dealer - it only had about 300 miles and sold pretty quick.

01ragtop, 4/16/2017 at 0:33 AM

Speaking of weight. I know a large contingency of VFR owners want the VFR to lose some weight. After riding the 675, I'm not sure that's the best idea. The wind, even slight, blows the little Triumph all over the road. It's acceptable for brief gusts while out riding the canyons, but if you had to fight that for hours on end of touring, it would get old fast. 

100% agree with you on this point. I made the same observation a long time ago after riding a friends fun little 600. A car passing or a side wind was a cheap thrill to be sure!

4 hours ago, marriedman

100% agree with you on this point. I made the same observation a long time ago after riding a friends fun little 600. A car passing or a side wind was a cheap thrill to be sure!

Cheep thrills are a side effect (feature) of nearly all mc riding. Certainly less cheep on a 500+ pound VFR vs a 600 sport bike. But my fifth gen consistently Blows Me Away. (pun intended).