Looking for Exhaust and Tire options, '84 VF500F

Became the third owner of one of these a couple of years ago and have had these thoughts lingering recently.

For the former: I just don't know what to look for. Honestly, I just want to hear more of that engine, I'm just not crazy or deaf enough yet to leave the mufflers off. Tried it once, didn't even have to ride around the block lol. I'm not too knowledgeable, but I don't think taking any old slip-ons and putting them where the old cans are would be too good, either subjectively to the ears or objectively to the bike. I just saw a thread showing a parts 500 with what looked like a full Yoshi, but that's the first time I've seen any full system on this bike. I'm curious if anyone has any info on what I could search for, either for systems or slip-ons.

For the latter: While I'll settle for the Sport Demons or BT46s for the stock wheels, I'm considering some track time - Just for closed-course peace-of-mind to actually use the bike like it's meant to be used - and I'm considering finding a 17" wheel pair I can swap in and out for those days, so that I can use a better tire set while there. My concern is that those changes in the unsprung mass and sizes of contact patch are going to make a tangible difference, and the plan is to track the 500, not a bike that used to be one. My guess is that it doesn't actually matter, and all I have to do is match the tire diameters with an online calculator, but I just wanted to check and see if anybody's done the swap and noticed any significant changes or issues.

Thanks in advance. Obligatory first-time-poster photos to come later when I'm back from the office.

 

Welcome!

Exhaust options are going to be used, likely thru eBay. Either slip-ons (mufflers connected to stock exhaust collector) or a full system (replaces everything). Slip-ons will be more plentiful and usually satisfy the desire for a little more sound, updated looks, less weight with minimal jetting changes. Full systems will (usually) provide more peak power, at the expense of more noise and more involved jetting changes.

Yoshimura
Vance & Hines
Supertrapp
Kerker
Hindle

are likely be the brands you will most run across.

Parts bikes can often have cool period pieces (like exhaust systems), and can be a good way to obtain some much needed spare parts too.

Wheels / tires. Wheel swaps to anything that would make a appreciable difference is not straight forward or easy on the 500. Hurricane 600 wheels are 17" and have been done before, but not really any wider than stock wheels that would open up more tire options and they are certainly not a bolt on affair.

Pirelli Sport Demons and Bridgestone BT45/46 are pretty damn good tires for that bike. Also consider Continental ContiGo! if available in the appropriate sizes, I have been very happy with them on some bigger Interceptors.

 

Here is Left and Right Yoshimura headers that are not identified as such. Need a couple simple "S" pipes and mufflers of your choice.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/4051618379...+w5Y9XoHYJ1G7NPQeDUlFpaxNg==|tkp:BFBMpr6lxMhk

https://www.ebay.com/itm/3156581128...9FFkTMZVosHwXRnXdgv2LeNAmA==|tkp:BFBMpr6lxMhk

 

our captain always has the best and most info on VF500s, #1 authority here.

 

Well Cap! WaveyDavey here.. I am doing some tire research for my 86 500, and have not seen any recent threads in my search as of yet. I have been looking around the internet also. If there is a good thread discourse that you or SM are aware of shoot. I would be very happy to hear from you! Hauling he bike down from Denver next week.

Roads in my area of NM are pretty scrappy with some wind blown sand in some areas. Thinking maybe sticky is good but no too good,

WD

 

Did you get that 500 sorted?

 

I am just about to get back at it. I have had to store it with friend until I had my shop set up. I am almost set up. I am going to haul home next week. I am pretty excited to get into it again. I hope I haven't forgotten everything I had learned.

How have you been?