1ST Impressions of my '99 VFR

Well Sunday's temps went up to near 50 degrees, and even though the roads are dirty, and there was plenty of moisture on them (they were glistening) I took about a 40 mile ride. Stopped for a bottle of stabil, and added that for good measure. Love the way the VFR sounds. if you shift at 7500rpm, it kinda sounds like a Vette! Akrapovic pipe helps. Makes serious power at about 7000 rpm's and up, but plenty of torque to move smartly at lower RPM's, albeit, not like my ZRX1200 (90lbs @ 2500rpm). Now the roads were wet enough & cold enough to limit my testing the handling capabilities, but the bike seemed much more reluctant to turn than either of my other bikes. probably a handlebar issue, but i had to be much more forceful countersteering to initiate a turn. Both other bikes have higher and wider handlebars, so I'm thinking that may be the issue. VFR feels really good at 100mph steady cruising, quite a bit more wind protection on this compared to my ZRX. The VFR has a Pilot Power front tire and a Metzler Z6 on the back.....is that a decent pairing? I use Conti Road Attacks on my ZRX and love them for the feel and ease of initiating a turn. Anyone running a set on the VFR? Cam gear noise is pretty loud at low speeds (4000rpm) but pretty much goes away after 5000rpm......normal? Can't wait to ride it 300 miles or so to really get a feel. Come on Spring!!!:biggrin:

 

Man what is up with all the new '98/'99 owners?

I do notice this sluggish response with the stock setup and I recommend pulling the forks up 10 mm. The only downside to this though is it won't be as comfy and if your wrists are hurting bad I wouldn't do this. Anyway, this free and easy mod really helps with the quick turn-ins.

 

Hee hee. You don't know it yet...but you're hooked!

You have experienced the best (and a little of the drawbacks) of all the VFR has to offer already.
The tire mix/match will have a little to do with your handling. Many folks run the Road Attacks on the VFR and like them. I ran a set and was happy with the handling, but they didn't last as long as I had hoped. If you liked them on your other bike, you will like them on the VFR.
I think you have found out that the VFR is not exactly "flickable." Coming from a bike like your ZRX it is gonna seem heavy and sluggish in the turning dept. The more you ride her, the less you'll notice it. The VFR is very capable in the twisty department, she just has a different character.
The engine sounds you noticed are what many of us love about the VFR. The cam whine decreased as the wind noise increased, no biggie.
The power band you described is spot on with my experience. I remember the first time I rolled her above 7k rpm. I thought I was gonna slide right off the back. Hang ON!

Welcome to the wonderful world of the V4!!!!

 

howz yer tire pressure?

 

Welcome to our nut house..... enjoy........oh yeah rule # 2

you have to post up a picture or we send Joey dude to you house in the middle of the night and he climbs into bed with you and .................

 

Welcome, yea ain't he vfr just Grand, and the gear wine, thats one of the good things you want to hear. Tires? are a all over the place, by the sounds of it you all ready know what you like, but tire type and pressure will play into the so called flickablity. get your sag set dial in the most rebound you can, she'll hang with just about any bike out there on the back roads. You picked a winner. :thumbsup:

 

Aired the tires to spec about 4 minutes b-4 the ride, 42 rear, 36 front. I wasn't confident in the availible traction, so no real hard inputs while steering. I've owned a Ducati so I understand slow steering..........however, once you leaned all the way over on my old (1978) 900ss, it felt as if you could run over a small farm animal with no issues. I'm confident that I'll come to terms with the VFR.

 

too bad mikromo didn't get a '00 yellow vfr. it wouldn't matter what tires or suspension set-up he had. they ('00 yellow) are inherently faster and smoother :biggrin: