Hi everybody, new 5th Gen owner.

It looks like I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time here, so I thought I would introduce myself. I have to say that this is a great site, tons of useful info!!!

After being without a sports bike for a year, I started going through some serious withdrawls and decided to get one of my all time favorite bikes a 98 VFR. It has 46k on it and came with some add ons that are getting sold and some side racks that are now on my Strom. I've had it for a couple of months now, but I haven't had too much of a chance to ride it yet, the weather here has just been too freakin nasty and until I get some time in the saddle, I'm going to stick with the Strom until the weather improves

So far this bike has been all that I could ask for, better than I had hoped. I just finished tearing the engine down, replacing all the fluids and hydraulics and giving it a valve adjustment. I was flat out amazed that with so many miles on it and a questionable mechanical pedigree that the only thing that was bad was the steering head bearings and some mind numblingly nasty oil that needed changed REALLY bad. The valves are still within factory tolerances, no shims needed! The engine on these bikes deserves it's reputation without a doubt!

I was kind of leary about buying a bike with so many miles on it, but I got a fairly decent deal on it. Mechanically this was far better than I had hoped, it literally sounds like new when started up and looking at the plastics you would never guess that the bike is 10 years old with enough miles to put most bikes in the boneyard.

Next on the list after replacing the steering bearings is a Helibars to give my back a rest and a decent exhaust system and possibly a steering damper.

 

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you have already done a lot of work to your new baby. Keep us posted on the transformation as you make the bike your own....

 

Welcome..........its good to know our 5th gens hold up so well

 

Welcome from North of the 49th parallel! You're gonna love that bike. Lots of info here for you. Exhaust options are beginning to get limited for the 5ths, especially "high mounts".

Maybe see you on a NW ride this season. Jasonsmith (from BC also) is talking about a Mt. St. Helens run.

 

Thanks for the welcome, it's appreciated. I might actually be getting down to the San Diego area this summer/early fall, but if I do, sadly it will be on the Strom with the wife, we are thinking of doing the 101 trip to TJ again. Not sure if I would be welcome on a non VFR

I would also be up for a St Helens ride, that would be a perfect weekend day trip, although I really don't like riding in large groups, I had some scary experiences in the past with over adrenalized newbies with more balls than ability, sigh...

I have been looking for a decent slip on exhaust and they are kind of hard to find in the price range I am willing to spend, 300-400 dollars. Is there any advantage over the high mounts other than aesethetics?

Thanks again, I appreciate the welcome!