6th gen on a track

ok, so this year I will have the chance to run my bike at the track. Its a 6th gen RWB.

couple of questions come to mind that I'd like to get a few opinions on...(I've read some nasty reviews of 6th gens on track)


Would you run this bike?

Is there anything I should be aware of?

Does anyone have video or pics of 6th gens on the track...I've searched utube but figured I would ask here too.

thanks folks.

 

There are several on here that track the VFR so their words are gonna be worth quite a bit. I primarily use my VFR for daily commuting and I couldn't lose her on the track. I think what most people are concerned about is the VTEC and how it can sometimes have a harsh engagement, thus causing you to lowside if it were to engage while cornering. However VTEC only hits hard under two conditions. These are hard acceleration and with the stock fuel map from the ECU. When cornering throttle should be applied smoothly and not harshly. When you hit the VTEC engagement while rolling on the throttle it comes in nice and smooth so when riding properly you can negate this point for the most part. A proper dyno tune will get rid of the surge from VTEC almost entirely so that point can be negated as well.

If I had a spare VFR I would gladly do it. It wouldn't trump most of what will be on the track in terms of speed or handling but most of the people out there aren't even close to pushing the limits of what their bike can do. If ridden properly, the VFR should be able to hang with everything just fine. I sure wouldn't take the bike out in stock form though. The suspension on the VFR is quite lacking from the stock and without a new rear shock and proper upgrades to the forks I wouldn't even think about it. Then I'd be removing lots of stuff that would be expensive to replace or isn't needed... such as the rear fender, grab handles, passenger seat cover, passenger pegs, and passenger brackets. Especially since it is an RWB bike I wouldn't take it out without different fairings either. I'd find some cheap used fairings on EBay or something. Who cares if they have some rash. Then I'd make sure to have some frame sliders as well.

This basically comes down to I wouldn't track the bike unless it was properly and completely prepared for the track. Of course I feel this way about ANY bike I would track, but more so for the VFR. The VFR probably wouldn't be my first choice for a track bike but I wouldn't rule it out if the price was right. There just aren't enough aftermarket parts for it to give you options to truly customize the bike to you for the track. Sadly other than appearance mods and exhaust, about the only mods we have are for the forks, rear shock, and seat. Everything else isn't related to track type riding (electrical, clip ons, lighting, huggers, etc). We have to go to mother Honda for replacement parts and those just don't come cheap when you go down.

 

I know there is at least one guy that has some pics of this 04 VFR on the track with laser exhaust on it. I've got them around somewhere and will post if I can find em. As for video, I know that one exists of a VFR at Putnam Park but I haven't been able to track it down tonight.

 

If it's the same Youtube clip I saw of a Viffer at Putnam you may not want him to watch it; at the end of the 2 minute clip the VFR rider runs wide and crashes...

 

if you have the bike on the track you shouldn't ever go below the vtec engagement point, i rarely do when hustling it on the street. if you are going below the vtec engagement point when hustling it on the street or at the track, you're doing it wrong and that has nothing to do with the bike.

 

How many track days do you plan on doing? are you just doing the odd one here and there and sticking with the novice or intermediate group?

 

Here is me at Texas World Speedway (College Station, Texas) back in 2005. my first (and only) trackday. i had a blast and it improved my riding a lot. really no issues with vtec causing surprises; only thing i didn't like was having to tape everything up then uptape when i got home. no mishaps; one of my top day of riding. i would like to do another trackday but would rather have a dedicated track bike.



and another

 

That would be the one. By all means he SHOULD watch it. Crashes are a part of track days. Show me one person who frequents trackdays that has NEVER been down. Unless you are just doing one day you ARE going down and need to be prepared for it. Even if you do just one it is still a high possibility.

Ah snap. Thanks Ron. I meant to include that information but forgot to put it in there.

 

Use blue painters tape instead of duct tape. For most of the day the blue will stick on there just fine. In the event that some of it does start to come off... you can just replace it between sessions. It comes off super easy and it usually doesn't leave any residue at all. The times it does it will simply come off with some soap and water especially if you have a good coat of wax on your bike.

 

I meant it in a humorous, ironic sense.

 

My bad. Been a rough night lacking humor. Wish I could have caught it.

 

I've only put 200 or so miles on my Viffer But I do not think it would be a good track bike .
I think you could invest in a used R6 or GSXR 600 for about the same money as you would invest in making the VFR track worthy.
That said if you will only do the occasinal track day then go for it see what you'r bike can do.I saw a guy on a Yamaha Viago at NJMP last year Even the novice group was blasting him .

KV

 

No prob; we've all been there.

 

No Meatloaf...its not a high possiblity you will crash during a trackday.

To the OP, your 6th gen will be fine on the track and you'll have alot of fun. I suggest riding with NESBA at:

NESBA : Northeast Sports Bike Association

They run a pretty tight ship with great passing rules in the Beginner and Intermediate group.

BZ

 

I have been to two track days, both of them last year. My VFR is far from a perfect specimen. She has scrapes and scratches. I do have a CBR 954 as well and that is what I use for the track as well as street riding. It has been down more than once, but only once by me and that was on the street.

I probably wouldn't take my Viffer to the track simply because I have the CBR and I don't have frame sliders for the VFR. I would leave the rear pegs on the bike, and I do leave them on my CBR when I take it to the track. The time I lost it on the street those rear peg brackets saved my tail section from some major rash. The tail is far more expensive to replace than the rear foot peg brackets.

 

Your 6th gen bike is just fine for the track. Its not as good as some, but thats a given. I tracked mine till i out grew it and its weaknesses got me. Clearance, and suspension. Crashed her, and then moved to a real sport bike. If your going to be getting into track days, take the advise above and shop for a cheap track bike. For a once or twice thing, use what you have, dont push it, and enjoy the track. If you look thru my gallery you'll see mine in action.

 

Thanks folks... lots of tips in this. It's only two track days back to back.. (for now) should I get a addiction, I will get a track bike. I just want to push the limit of my vfr which I both respect and love.....and push it in a safe place. Much thanks for the input.