Advice for New VFR owner

Brand new member here -- Hello all. Actually, I've been reading a lot about the VFR and bought a 2001 VFR with 14,000 miles on it that looks like it's been well tended for. I went for the 5th gen for two reasons, I've ridden one and loved it and I took the advice of so many on this site suggesting the 5th gen is the best one made. Hoping to tap into some experienced VFR knowledge with the following questions.

1. I've been reading quite a few posts about the electrical problems with the VFR and am wondering if that applies to the 2001's as well? What advice would you give me in terms of making my VFR as reliable as possible? The previous owner has had no electrical trouble with the bike as of yet. I got a good price on it so some trouble prevention investment is well within budget.

2. I'm 6'3" and would like to make the bike as comfortable/upright as possible. Are the heli or convertibars a better choice? How much cable replacement is necessary to take full advantage of the convertibars?

3. At the 14,000 mile mark, what extra maintenance precautions or steps would you suggest as I would like to tour with the bike and given it's low mileage, it's still a 10-year old bike so I just want to get it as close to trouble free as possible.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

 

Welcome to VFRW .

If the owner supplied maintenance records I'd look and see when the following where done. If you don't know I'd grab a service manual and start doing some maintenance on her.

Coolant change
Brake fluid change
Tire production date
Fork oil change

I know with my 06 I was able to sign up with Honda's owners link website and enter my bikes VIN and see if there were any open recalls on the bike. You might want to start there and see if anything is outstanding.

And make sure when you get the chance you post up some pics of your new baby!

 

install the VFRness from wiremybike.com

or otherwise beef up the wiring around the RR

its cheap insurance

 

Thanks for the advice! Would you also replace the regulator/rectifier at the same time? Or, does the new VFR-ness pretty much take care of the problem that is pretty common for this bike?

 

It is a very common problem. My 99 had 13,000 on it when I got it and it cooked the R/R and wiring about a thousand miles later. I went with the ricks motorsport R/R(wiremybike has it) and the VFRness. I attached a 3x3 cooling fan robbed from an old desktop computer and attached that to the R/R, and wired it to the license plate light. The rectifier runs 50 degrees cooler with the fan, and the fan only draws 0.15 of an amp. 4500 miles later and everything is still perfect. Woobie hit it on the head for fluids. Check the condition of the chain/sprockets while your at it. For more comfort, i recommend the sargent seat. I have one and it is far superior to the stock one in comfort, appearance, fit, and the fact that it is a two piece design allows for storage under the seat cowl.

 

Just picked up the bike north of Seattle and am riding down today through the Oregon Coast. First 50 miles were FANTASTIC. Bike looks brand new as the previous owner was fanatic about keeping it clean.

Thanks again for all the advice ... am going to get all the fluids changed, a valve check and am ordering the VFR-ness as well. Thankfully, though, the bike ran great on my first ride.

 

Sounds like you picked a winner...

As it sounds like you've sussed, there's alot to be said for prevention over cure, and I'm sure if you look after her she'll do the same for you.

Count yourself lucky on your first ride - my 3rd gen died on me the first time I rode it after having bought it! R/R problems predictably. With that said, even the breakdown didn't entirely manage to wipe the smile it put on my face off!

Not a hint of an issue since sorting that though. Largely thanks to the pointers I got from guys on VFRW I might add.

 

Welcome to the forum!

I think everyone has covered it except how do the tires look? Check out the date code and if they are more than a few years old replace them.

 

I ride a 6th gen and I'll try to not take too much offense to that statement, because I LOVE my '02. Anyway, welcome to the house of VFR and we are glad to have you! Like others have said, maintenance is much better and cheaper than repairs so keep up the pre-emptive attitude.
Post some pics when you can, we all love to drool over new viffer pics.

 

No offense intended on your 6th gen, and, in fact, I had to think long and hard as there was an 07 anniversary model with <10k miles, in great shape, $5,300 and I passed on it because a friend, who collects motorcycles (he's got 60 perfectly restored bikes in his mega-garage) who has 4-5 VFR's put out a passionate argument to stick to the 5th gen bikes. Did about 200 miles down the coast from Seattle to Seaside Oregon on my first ride yesterday, and, wow, what a fun ride - big sh#t eating grin the ENTIRE way. It's kinda hard to mentally reconcile having bought a 10-year bike but he talked me into it. I'll get some pics up of it when I get back home to Bend. Gonna get all the fluids changed, some new tires then head down the coast through the Redwoods, SFO, Big Sur and then cut over to Tahoe and back home through Shasta, Redding and the Oregon Cascades.

 

14k is nothing on these bikes. 10 years old or not it's a great street bike. I think the more you ride it the more you will like it. I find myself banging off the rev limiter all the time. It's just so different from the inline 4 of my 954 that I don't realize I am at the limiter. Ha!

 

Hi - I just bought a 2001 vfr, only 4300 miles with Corbin Smuggler seat and Two Bros exhaust - it is fantastic!!! Ten years old? This is replacing my 1987 VFR (29000 miles) I am smiling!!!

Bob

 

Congrats MSL - I'm sure you'll enjoy it plenty! Replacing the R/R is sleep insurance. Doo eeeet!

And congrats to you to rpress. A few years ago I bought my 2000 with 5400 miles on it (and its got a Corbin and 2BR exhaust).

Nice to come across these ten year old bikes with hardly any miles on them.

 

hey! It's Smiling Bob!

 

The best advise I can offer you is not to eat yellow snow.....welcome to the site

 

Gonna write that one down and try and remember it ...

 

MSL, welcome aboard.

Since you stated you are 6'3" I would recommend the lower foot pegs (about 1 1/2"),

Here is some information on the pegs . . .

Peg Lowering Blocks - VFR Discussion

His workmanship on the pegs is very high quality and they look stock.

Add Heli-Bars and a taller touring Givi windscreen. These plus your Sargent seat (great choice by the way)
make for a far more comfortable ride.

I have done all of these to my '98 plus the heavy duty VFRness wiringj, 50 amp Regulator and fan.
I've owned about 50 bikes so far and this one is definitely one of my all time favorites (other one is my
former Gamma 500).

Enjoy your new baby ~