New rider, first bike 06 VFR

Hey all! new rider here, name's Tyler.
I've ridden a number of bikes but this 06 VFR is my first as an owner (and licensed driver! :thumbsup: ) I'll get some pics of 'er later today. Myself and a few friends are planning on a ride later today so I'll be sure to snap some good ones!

Its pearl white.
She's seen some better days. The Right side of the tank is all banged up, brake lamp housing and muffler tips are scratched, both fairings have some scratches and the tab at the bottom of the oil pan that holds one of the screws for the right side fairing is snapped off...but I picked it up for $6,900 tax/title/registration. $1500 less than NADA recommended resale and it rides straight. :smile:

I have a couple issues already tho :frown: if I flip the switch for the hazards, the fuse for the turn signals/horn blows.
I've read some things about a possible recall on this but I can't seem to find any straight answers. Any help is greatly appreciated :thumbsup:
Also, fuel economy seems very low...clocked ~125 miles (im not ENTIRELY sure on that...I know it was at least 115...but I pulled the main fuse trying to find my blinker fuse :redface: ) and filled up to the tune of 3.9 gallons. Best case scenario, 30mpg.
I weigh 240lbs, but I can't imagine that decreasing fuel economy that much. I have done a few quick sprints to ~55 mph in 1st gear (love that engine music!) but I'd still expect 35ish MPG even if I drive like I stole it.
I know my buddy averaged 36 MPG with his 06 600RR and he drove that thing like a son of a bitch.

edit: looks like the recall is for the 05 models...(google is my friend!)
and here's a few pictures just chillin in front of the house.







I know she needs a wash! sprinklers came on the other day and gave me all those water spots. This is really the only place I can park that gets shade through the hottest times of the day and I really hate burning my ass on that seat! haha

 

Welcome.
Your ride looks good. Just a few marks but nothing that can't be fixed.
I'm not much of a mechanic, but you will find alot of other guys in here that are up to the challenge:smile:

 

were the hell does the liscence plate go on those things........

Welcome tyler...enjoy the nut house

 

:biggrin: The plate is mounted just above the wheel right in front of the Y pipe. It was like that when I bought it, but I like it and as long as I don't get any tickets for it, it's staying that way.


nut house you say? :crazy: well then I'm home! :thumbsup:

 

so...sad story...
the other night, I went for a ride with my friend and his dad through one of the canyons near by. on our way down I was going into a turn a little wide and tried to slow down...what did that do? made me turn wider than before. As soon as the tires hit the dirt, the bike went down. I had my helmet, jacket and gloves on. All of my gear is thrashed and the side of my bike is scratched to hell, left muffler is dinged up and the shift lever is bent.

I went to the emergency room because I was sure something was broken. After 5 hours of morphine, taking x-rays, CT scans and finally checking my mobility, they told me nothing was broken or even appears to be injured. Theres a few bruises on my left side and my ribs hurt when I cough or sneeze. Left shoulder hurts, left hip hurts but there's no road rash.
Lucked out for the most part I suppose. I'm sad about the bike and all my gear (just bought everything last week!) That needs replacement...but its definitely better than what could have been. :frown:

 

Sorry about the crash and your bike but what's more important is that YOU'RE OK! Get well soon. It sucks to that new gear are damaged but at least it did its primary purpose: to protect you from more injuries.

 

It's a shame someone would treat such a pretty bike like that, then not even fix her before kicking her to the curb. Hell I dropped mine on the lawn the other day washing it (freak accident). Thankfully all I did was snap the mirror off it, I had a new one ordered in 10 minutes. lol

Treat her well.

Also, gas mileage, check under the seat, see if there is a Power Commander there, they will drop the MPG. Still shouldn't be dropping it that much, unless you're in the V-tech a lot. Twice as many valves open up, I would imagine this means twice as much fuel too. I get approx 45ish MPG cruising at highway speeds with the PCIII.

BTW, White is the best color.

EDIT: I just caught the post about going down. Don't sweat it too much. As they say, there are two riders, those have have went down, and those who will. You would be hard pressed to find anyone here that has not went down on a bike at some point. There might be one or two... but their day is coming.

 

no power commander.
my understanding of VTEC is all geared towards car engines...but I can't imagine this is much different. If its the system I think it is(like VTEC-E) it opens the one valve to its normal lift and the other opens just enough to prevent fuel from pooling in the bowl. when VTEC engages, both valves are open the same lift/duration.

Yea, I knew the fall was coming when I bought the bike. Its one of those things you have to expect eventually, I just thought I'd get more than 4 days of riding in before I did it!
on the up side, my insurance company wanted to file a full claim because the hospital wants to bill them for the ER. I don't have medical coverage with my insurance, and my regular health insurance won't cover until they get a letter stating that I don't have coverage with the motorcycle insurance... anywho, they sent an adjuster out yesterday and they're saying $4400 in damage to the bike! :crazy:
it REALLY does not look like there's that much damage. These parts have to be RIDICULOUSLY expensive. They're also going to give me another $400 to cover the helmet, gloves and jacket so...all said and done, aside from the pain, I could come away from this as my friend put it, smelling like a rose.... a fixed bike, new gear and about 1/3 of my loan paid off :thumbsup:

 

Mine fell over in the drive way and it cost $1700..so yes they are high

 

welcome to Honda plastics. They are more expensive than all other makers. I have a factory system off of my '06 that I'm not going to do anything with if you are interested. I'll never put them back on and I'd like to get rid of them (moving soon).

Good to hear that you are OK; bad to see another Pear White beaten up & kicked to the curb, but at least she's whole now...

There are also aftermarket plastics that are available if you havn't already ordered them. Look for the thread Nice Cycle Plastics. That much more unique...

 

Welcome to the forum

Congratulation on your new ride:thumbsup:
Welcome to the forum, Hate to tell you but $6900 is way to much espcially with all the damages. Well too late now enjoy the bike keep the rubber down. :wink::smile:

 

July 24, 2009

Tyler,

I'm glad to hear you didn't get seriously hurt. How long have you been riding motorcycles?
Have you had any formal rider training?
If not, I would highly recommend that you sign up for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation class.

After you get a few thousand miles under your belt, sign up for their Experienced Rider Class also.

Riding a motorcycle is all about fun..........not crashing.
Good luck,

Bob
Former MSF Chief Instructor

 

When I got my bike I was only getting around 32 to 35 MPG in town. I guess it was because of all of the stop lights and short distance riding. After I installed the K&N and Two Brothers my mileage in town usually stays around 41 MPG

 

Indeed :thumbsup: I'm very glad I had it and wore it on that ride (I always wear the helmet...but occasionally its too damn hot for the jacket!)

Yea it was a little sad to find her in the condition I did...but I went into it knowing I was buying used. *shrug* I figured it'd end up getting a little beat up as its my first motorcycle. I'm considering getting a new tank or trying to see if someone can repair those dents.
We'll see.
Amen to the white. Such a great looking bike! I've had plenty of compliments on it and I've only had it a week!

Damn thats painful!

Thats a great deal! $800 for the whole set of plastics! Thank you for pointing that out :biggrin:

Haha...rubber down is probably best :thumbsup: dirt and gravel is no place for those tires!

Why is $6900 to much? tax/title/license was $800 of that price. I found 2 other used VFRs for sale in my area. one was an 03 with the same mileage as this 06...guy wanted $7200 for it.
The other was a black 06 with 10,000 miles and they wanted $9400 for it! outrageous

I'm VERY lucky I came away with some sore muscles and tendons. One of my friends tipped his bike over when he was barely moving and ended up worse off than I am from this crash.

Indeed I do plan on taking the MSF course. Taking the course will not only teach me skills I will need, but it will get me my endorsement!
I still have my temp license. I'm lucky the cops didn't write me a ticket for riding at night...:redface:
I actually learned (if you can call it that...) to ride on a CBR600RR. Other than an occasional joy ride on my friends SV650 S and the week I spent riding a 94 shadow back and forth between home and work... I don't have "real" experience riding.

Maybe thats my problem...lots of short trips and stop and go traffic...