I joined ye!

V-MEN!

I joined ye!

I've been off for 8 years. Last bike was a busa.

I just picked up an '07 non-abs with oem hardbags, 3700 miles, red. It was on consignment at the dealer here, from an estate disposition. Coupla minor scuffs on the bags, and couple small scratches on the left-front fairing from a driveway spill after which the guy replaced the side fairing. No marks on the peg or shifter. Otherwise spotless. Has 15T front sprocket.

I've asked for the oem sprocket and rear seat cover, but it is unclear whether the deceased' family will be able to find that stuff. Did the rear seat cover come standard with new bikes?

Pretty psyched to ride soon. 8 years is a long time. I just ordered 2-piece leathers, gloves, and Pilot Road 2's from leatherup, $500 total, free shipping. I think I may be shopping there again.

I still have my helmet.

I'm a wix man. Does anyone know the wix or napa gold filter for this bike?

What's the conventional wisdom on ethanol compatibility with these machines? Do they have any ethanol-soluble pieces that mandate non-ethanol gas?

Thanks!

 

Congrats on the new to you VFR!

Sounds like you have a nice mount to get back in the swing of things and you are going about it in the proper manner with new gear. The VFRs came with the solo seat when they were new so there is one for your bike sitting somewhere along with the stock front sprocket.

I run the highest octane I can get in my bikes. I believe that there is almost always some ethanol present but not sure how much.

 

Welcome to the V-world. Owners manual recommends 87 or higher octane. Just add some fuel stabilizer to overcome the ethanol issues. Since I tanks are not plastic, they don't swell like some other bikes.. You can get the rear cowl from Honda. I think the price is around 200. Post some pictures of the bike. Do you mind telling us how much you paid for the bike?

 

Welcome. 3700 miles on an 07! That's nothing. Has the oil ever been changed? For the sake of a healthy mind, that is the first think I would do. New oil and filter. I have burned nothing but 87 in my 06, mostly ethanol free but have used that too. I have over 100K miles and no issues so contrary to what Jethro does, I say use the cheapest and keep the money in your pockets. Buy higher octane scotch I say.

BTW. It didn't happen if not supported with Photographs.

 

Can't argue with your proven results and I bow before your extreme mileage figures but I'm still gonna use the good stuff cause it makes me all warm inside. Kinda like your Scotch!

 

Maybe some day, I will do a good test on the different grades of fuel. But I would have to be very consistent on speed, acceleration and braking to get to a result that I could even think of being somewhat accurate. I have heard it said, that the higher octane fuels may burn too hot for certain components of the engine. Who knows. What I do know, Ford, for their Taurus a few years back, went so far as to say in their owner's manual, that to use any fuel higher than 87, may void their warranty. I think they also said not top use blended fuel as well.

Basically I am a believer in the owner's manuals for the most part. Honda spent millions designing these bikes and they say to use something so that is what I use. Mind you, the manual says to use 86 or higher. Here we can't get anything lower than 87. And until I learn that there is a benefit to using a more expensive fuel, I will let my heritage rule and use my extra dispensable income, on higher grade of that other fuel.

But until that time:

“Here's to you, as good as you are,
And here's to me, as bad as I am;
But as good as you are, and as bad as I am,
I am as good as you are, as bad as I am.”

 

LOL - octane! It was a hot topic 8 years ago when I left the boards. Still going I see.

The higher the octane, the slower the burn rate. There is no other difference.

EXCEPT corn alcohol.

It's hard to find 85 or 87 gas that doesn't have 10% corn alcohol in it. If you want gas without corn alcohol, you almost have to buy premium. There are some exceptions, usually in big cities with big jobbers who say they want ethanol-free 85 and 87, or else they'll find another supplier. Good for them! We need more like them!

If you are pinging (detonating), your timing is off. The spark is occurring too soon before TDC, or the fuel is being prematurely ignited by extreme compression pressures (think diesel, or maximum boost on turbo). In a naturally aspirated gasoline engine, if you are pinging just a little, you need to retard the timing a hair, or you can just buy premium gas for a slower burn, therefore eliminating detonation. If you have significant detonation, your timing is off. You need a tune-up, not premium gas.

I live in the boondocks. The only way to get non-ethanol fuel is to buy premium. The other grades have 10% ethanol.

Ethanol does not affect the burn rate. It's a stupid corrupt gov - subsidized rich farmer idea to sell more corn. It drove up corn prices. It's killing people in Africa because corn is supposed to be dirt cheap, but now it's expensive because a lot of food-stock ground has been converted to fuel ground. It costs so much to make fuel-grade ethanol that the product would have never left the drawing room were it not for the subsidies installed by the corrupt thieving morons we elect as leaders. Tax dollars support ethanol production, even though it costs more to make than you can sell it for, especially since no one wants to buy the stupid shit anyway. Welcome to America.

If you run premium in a healthy engine, there is actually a tiny chance that you'll lose a fraction of HP at high rpm because x amount of the fuel is leaving unburned, because the burn rate is slower.

If you insist on paying extra dollars for premium gas, make sure you do it for the right reason. It's not because you want a slower burning fuel, it's because you hate the corrupt corn alcohol industry.

Importantly, some components of some engines (hoses, gaskets, seals, pintles, etc) are known to be susceptible to erosion from fuel alcohols. This is mostly true in older engines, especially 2 strokes, but sometimes in 4-strokes in sleds and boats and some bikes. Hence my question - I don't know anything about VFR's, so I was asking whether they have any known alcohol-soluble parts. Guess not.

How's that for a 2nd post?:wink:

Book said $6400. IMO, the bike was worth $5500 as is. It needed tires. It had a few scuff's. It's 6 years old. I offered five, they accepted. COOL! It's nice to get a "good deal" every now and then. They don't come around often, but it's nice when they do.

I put cams and pipe and PC on the busa and raced it. I went 190 in the 9/10ths in S Florida, and made it into the 9's at Douglas. It was fun. I'm pretty sure I'll just keep this bike stock. I'm 47. :biggrin:

 

So. Who did you vote for in the last election.. JK. I don't really want to know. Just so long as it was not the Green Party!