So Far So Good.......... Mostly

I put 320 miles on it in the past 6 days (230 on a ride with STLAR on Sunday, the rest commuting) and I still love the VFR. Here are a few things I noticed.

1. It is way too quiet! I can't hear the engine through my earplugs while riding and have to look down at the tach. I'm going to do a bafflectomy or a full gut job. I like look of the full gut but I really like the ease of the bafflectomy.

2. It needs suspension help. I will probably do an F4i fork swap this winter. Not sure what to do with the rear yet.

3. VTEC is pissing me off. Is there a way to get it to operate below 165 degrees? On cool days (60ish) the bike runs too cool for it to work. Once it is warmed up VTEC is great and the transition is smooth.

4. The brakes are strong but a bit too touchy. I went from a VTR1000F with EBC HH pads to the VFR. Stopping power is great, the feel isn't.

5. My left heel hits the top of the swingarm and that feels really strange. I don't have big feet but I ride with the balls of my feet on the pegs unless I'm shifting or using the rear break.

6. There is no storage under the seat. I can't even fit my Stop-N-Go tire plug kit.

7. I want throttle lock and I am leaning towards the Vista.

8. The throttle is a little jumpy off idle. I will adjust the throttle free play and see if that helps.

Other than that I love it. But I do miss the torque of the Superhawk.

 

Hey spdrcr, don't fool with the throttle. The off idle jumpiness is a 02 sensor/mapping problem. There are several ways to mitigate that, the cheapest being 02 elims and a pair valve delete. The most effective way of dealing with that and several other issues, like the flat spot just before v-tec, is to get a power commander, 02 elims, and a dyno tune. A generic map will work but will more than likely run the bike a little rich. Unfortunately the stock ECU's map is basicly useless. Just wait to do those things untill you've finalized any exhaust mods, which I highly reccomend doing, although you may want to consider a good aftermarket instead of a baffle job. But anything to uncork that V4 is worth doing. Your operating temps are a little strange. Most of us stuggle to keep the temps down. The VFR tends to run hotter than most bikes. Even at 60 ambient your bike should be running at 180 or 190 while moving and hotter than that while at a stop. Possible thermostat issue? I don't know about the vista lock but many guys here use a throttlemiester and it receives good reviews.

Back on the subject of a PC, that mod and tune will cost some money, but it is worth every last cent in my opinion. It transforms the bike into a differant machine, for the better in every single aspect. If ever there was a machine that needed a PCIII and a dyno, the 6 gen VFR is it. Altough I think that most modern bikes, due to environmental controls, greatly benefit from doing these things.

 

Yes, was just going to chime in, but havcar beat me to it. Your thermostat is stuck open, my bike will run170+ down to about 34 degrees ambient. At 60 degrees, the bike should be running between 180-190.

 

Also if you want to hear it take out the earplugs. I have never worn any but that sounds kind of dangerous to me if you can't hear things around you.

 

Yeah, it does sound like the thermostat is stuck open. It warms up quickly to about 100 degrees over ambient air temp but doesn't overheat.

I ride with earplugs because I already have tinnitus and don't want any more hearing loss. I can still hear things around me with them in, I even heard another rider come up behind me Sunday.

 

I can still hear perfectly well, sometimes better probably at speed, because of the reduced wind noise when I wear ear plugs. I feel that I am a lot less fagitued when I use then because of the reduced noise and this makes me more alert. I use them for anything over 15 or 20 miles...longer trips I am saying. IMO, the reduction in hearing loss is well worth using them. I just got two ears, and I need them to last me a lifetime! Just my two cents...

 

Do the clear front signal lenses from the later years fit the 2002?

I also want to change the foot pegs.

 

Thanks. I just don't like the feel of the stock pegs. They were sticking to my boots when I was moving around.