New Guy From Oregon

Hello All,



Just wanted to stop in and introduce myself. I'm a 35 year old high school teacher (not sure that that is relevant or not). I'm thrilled to be the new owner of a 2003 Viffer. I have been riding motorcycle for the last 8 years, and since I received my endorsement I feel like I've been in search of a bike that best suits me. Here's my history:



2002 Honda Shadow--loved the quality of the bike, but I learned quickly that I'm not a cruiser guy.



2004 Suzuki DL650 VStrom--Fun bike, loved to go on the gravel, but so ugly. Plus I'm 5 foot 8 and 160lbs. The bike was too big. And ugly. My wife liked the size of the seat but didn't like watching me maneuver the bike around.



2004 Yamaha FZ6--Loved the look, so did my wife (by now I hope you can tell, I truly value her opinion). The peaky power was weird, but not unmanageable. The super heavy clutch pull and aweful on/off throttle or fueling make the bike a pain to ride. The bike was probably best for the riding I do (80 percent freeway commuting), but I didn't enjoy riding with my wife because of the throttle, so it had to go.



1999 Suzuki SV650s--I loved the Strom motor, so this seemed like a logical choice. But, the bike was too small for two-up riding I made a bit of an error in judgement when I decided to take all the plastics off and make it into a badass looking naked. I had a great time learning about electronics and other bike stuff as I created my bike, but I took a bike that was pretty good on the freeway and made it into one that was no fun at all on the freeway. It had to go.



2013 Husqvarna TR650 Strada--This is a fantastic bike. A nice blend of supermoto styling and carving tendencies with enough off-road prowess to tear up the gravel; however, my wife thought it was the ugliest "toy bike" she had ever seen, and it was no fun on the freeway. It was, in fact, a little scary. The bike would shake its head over 68 mph. I don't ride super fast, but I didn't like fearing for my life every time I jumped into the passing lane.



2003 Honda VFR800--I'm smiling just typing those words. I'm so excited about the prospect of this bike. So far, I've only ridden it about a mile, but it is without a doubt the nicest motorcycle I've ever ridden. Nicer than any of my dad's or mom's bikes. Nicer than my brothers' bikes. Period. It is the prettiest and best constructed bike I've had in front of my house. I feel pretty confident it will be the best freeway bike I've head--those headlights! I'm just a bit worried about the weight. We'll see how it goes.



I'm happy to be a part of this community.

Gabe

 

Welcome, I too have an 2003, Silver, with about 28K on it. Check the threads for mods that make this bike even better!

You are going to get razzed until you post some pictures!

 

Thanks for the heads up. I only have one pic so far.

 

Looks clean, great shape.

 

Very nice, now you're just gonna get razzed for not riding her home. Welcome aboard.

 

We agree!
Putting a vfr or any Honda on a trailer or pick up bed is a crime.
Welcome.

 

I agree on the trailering thing. However, the wind was blower 50mph in Oregon and I had 102 miles to get it home. I had to drive home dodging debris in my truck and I was happy the bike was in the back

 

Whats up with Honda's and Ford's ?? almost every pic that has another vehicle in the back ground when posting a pic of a VFR has a Ford something in it too. Must be we have good tastes in vehicles

 

I took mine home over T-day weekend in my Ford as well. And as a fellow Oregonian (previously displaced because of the military), welcome Brother! You're gonna love the bike more very time you ride it.

 

:welcome: to the nuts house
Glad to have you, please make yourself like at home.
Now you can stop looking for the perfect bike..............Congratulation on your new to you bike.
The VFR is one of the greatest bike in the world and I have test her on my last trip. She been to hell and back without any issue and she never talk back to me

 

That, right there, is probably the most obscene photograph I have ever seen of a VFR. Never and I mean NEVER, is this to be done to a VFR unless it is incapable of being driven. Or it is being moved someplace due to your untimely death from an attack from giant flesh eating cockroaches that have invaded your city.

 

Unfortunately for you in 2003 they made the silver one faster than red but I'm sure you will like the VFR.

call dealer w/ vin and ask if recalls done if you haven't already.

If your wife doesn't like the VFR you can always get a new wife and don't listen to these guys about the truck, when they post video of riding in 50mph winds they can razz you.

 

I agree, silver definitely faster.

 

Trailering a bike you just purchased, especially 100 miles out and not knowing it's full history is the correct thing to do. A few of us out here in terrible driver land, welcome.

 

If I had a video, I could, and would. My first trip down to R3 back in I think it was 2009, I rode through incredibly strong side winds along the I5 all the way from Bakersfield, actually Victorville, to Willows Ca. Can't say it was a constant 50 mph wind but the whole ride was ridden at about 10 degrees off perpendicular, give or take. I shut it down at Willows for the night. That was tiring though. Got to meet California's favorite public servants at roadside just before I shut down.

 

Man I hear ya! Went riding on Sunday. The wind was gusting in the 40 mph range and it was not fun. I used to ride all over Oklahoma and I thought I was a good rider in cross winds but Sunday's ride was something else. It blew me all over the place. I was coming back home and turned North for a bit. The wind was at my back. Everything got quiet. I checked my speeds and I was running around 45. I put my hand over the edge of the wind screen and could feel no rush of air. It was as if I was riding in a vacuum. I think trailering it was a smart move until you get some seat time.

By the way "welcome and congratulations" on owning one of the best bike in the world.

 

It is getting hit by the unexpected gusts that is the killer. I would ride through a grove of trees and it was fine. Then, on the other side, there would be open field and the wind would hit like a blast. This happened over and over and became, as you said, "tiring."

 

Welcome from your Oregon neighbor.

 

Then we got your pix of Harleys in the assend of Japanese made trucks..

 

Well, you picked up that VFR at a perfect time. The next 2 weeks are supposed to be sunny with mildly warm temps.