Is my bike a POS, or is it just me?

Discussion in '1st & 2nd Generation 1983-1989' started by sixtoes1313, Dec 10, 2009.

  1. sixtoes1313

    sixtoes1313 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2009
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Long story short I bought my dads 83 interceptor 750 off of him as a first bike and I'm not quite sure what to think about it. Currently Its completely stock and in VERY good condition. Has around 22k miles on it. Runs great, and is decently fast....but thats about it. The maneuverability of this thing is terrible. I dont feel comfortable turning/leaning on it and it just doesnt seem very capable of making any decent turns. Maybe its the fact that I'm comparing it to a friends 93 gsxr600 or 03 yzf600 which I'm sure are much more technologically advanced. I have a much easier time taking corners on these and feel alot more stable on them. On the other hand, I'm a fairly new rider and maybe I dont know "how" to ride this bike. It has a very unique feel to it and is unlike Anything else I've ridden. Could it be that the bike has original shocks/forks that need to be rebuilt? and the tires seem very hard compared to new tires, althought they have new tread and no dryrot. I went and looked at buying a newer bike and almost picked one up today (99 cbr900rr) but after a quick call the insurance I decided against it. It just about quadrupled($1800) from my current $390 a year full coverage. Plan was to take the interceptor off the road and ride the new bike and get a credit towards "slightly higher" insurance of the new bike...I could go and get a cheaper quote with another company, but then I have this already paid for year down the drain since I'm pretty sure I'd have no desire to ride this thing with a newer bike in the stable. Any opinions/suggestions for me? I like the history of the bike...but its performance is lackluster at best.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  2. drewl

    drewl Insider

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 13, 2007
    Messages:
    5,760
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    83
    Location:
    Virginia Beach, Va
    Map
    Welcome aboard, six. She looks SUPER.
    Yes, you have an older bike. She is gonna ride a little different from the bikes you mentioned. But as you get to know her, you will find she is quite capable of carving canyons. Give her some time.
     
  3. Rollin_Again

    Rollin_Again Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    Messages:
    2,317
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    Duluth, GA
    Not to mention you'll probably get more conversation at bike night! Keep in mind that the simple solution is to just buy another bike and keep two on hand to satisfy your multiple bike syndrome!

    Welcome aboard!

    Regards,
    Rollin
     
  4. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 3, 2009
    Messages:
    1,241
    Likes Received:
    45
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Bowling Green, KY
    Map
    Yes, that bike is a POS. You really should sell it to an older guy like me!

    Just kidding...

    When I got my VFR (1998) it really didn't seem like it wanted to turn compared to my 2002 CBR 954. Then after I had my 954 on at a track day I got lazy putting it back to street form and I rode the VFR a lot more. After I became accustomed to it I felt a lot more comfortable on it and I can say that while it does take more effort to turn, I can turn it nearly as well as the CBR now. Like Drewl said, give her some time.
     
  5. Metallican525

    Metallican525 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2009
    Messages:
    1,809
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, Maryland
    Map
    I pretty much started off the way you did. 84' Nighthawk. Needed LOTS of work and rebuilding of stuff to get her on the road as she had been sitting for about a decade. No dry rot on the tires, stuck OK in corners, got basically the same feeling you're describing. Finally wore out the tires enough to justify putting on a new pair. Holy hell Batman, whole different bike. Ditch those crayons you have wrapped around and get some fresh meats. I had a pair of Metzler Lazertec's first and after burning through them I put on a set of Pirelli Diablo's. Both excellent tires dry, wet, hot, and cold. Search around the web, you should be able to pic up a new set for around $200 and it'll be the best money you've spent on that girl yet!!
     
  6. sixtoes1313

    sixtoes1313 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2009
    Messages:
    3
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    What sizes should I go with? I've been thinking new tires for a while now...but have a hard time replacing tires with good tread...even though they're rotting. Whats the best place to buy new tires online? Any advice on the shocks? Both front and rear seem very squishy and the rear is very slow to return...just kinda uninspriringly craps out when you sit on it.....and I'm only 160lbs. Can you rebuild these things? can I replace cheaply with a newer model? I think the front forks can be revalved. But once again, not looking to put too much money into this thing. Like an old car, it can be made to handle like a new one, but takes ALOT of time/money/mods.
     
  7. Metallican525

    Metallican525 New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2009
    Messages:
    1,809
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Rockville, Maryland
    Map
    I bought my Metzler's from Dennis Kirk and got my Pirelli's from Motorcycle Superstore. Got good service from both places, have ordered from MS multiple times and allways good results. Really all about who has what on sale at the time. As for rebuilding the suspension on that bike, of course it can be done (at least the front) but good luck finding parts. Are the front forks on that bike air adjusted like my 'Hawk was??? If so have you checked the psi?
     
  8. soundmaster31

    soundmaster31 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2008
    Messages:
    770
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Jackson, Michigan
    Hey, welcome to the forum. These guys have lots of great advice and look out for one another. It's a great group.

    I'd first check to make sure your suspension is set up correctly with the proper sag settings. New rubber wouldn't hurt depending on how old the current tires are (More than two years starts to get iffy, especially if it's spent a lot of time parked or with low tire pressure. Different tire models respond amazingly different than others. I'd also try to have some more experienced riders take it for a ride and see what they think. It's a big(relative), heavy, bike with lots of character. So yes, it will take longer to turn in, but different tire profiles (hell, even pressures) will affect how fast the bike will turn in. Not to mention your own natural ability.

    Last but not least, you mentioned you're not very experienced. This should be the first thing to work on. Have you done any MSF classes or riding schools? Don't forget ATGATT!!!

    More performance and keeping up with your friends should be the last thing on your mind right now.... Keep the rubber side down.:thumbsup:
     
  9. xeipher

    xeipher New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2009
    Messages:
    262
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    San Diego (La Jolla - UTC)
  10. rocketscientist

    rocketscientist New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2009
    Messages:
    76
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    australia
    Twist of the wrist 2. Have a read and work through it. The VFRs do ride differently to a modern sports bike but you'll find they make you a better rider through forcing the use of good technique to make them really move.
     
  11. matt1986vf500f

    matt1986vf500f New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2008
    Messages:
    2,337
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Lula, Georgia, United States
    Map
    some CBR wheels and suspension and that bike would be good just depends on you how much money your willing to put into it
     
  12. captb

    captb New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2009
    Messages:
    622
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    A Van down by the river Arizona
    Map
    You can allso get Collector Bike Insurance on older bikes, I pay 120.00 a year on my VFR700 for full coverage.... then you can spend the spare bucks on other goodies. I can't wait till my Blackbird is older.
     
  13. rc24rc51

    rc24rc51 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2008
    Messages:
    880
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Liberty SC
    Map
    Put some new tires on it and ride it. With your lack of experience I won't ask too much from it. That's the first year for the Interceptor and is still worth a pretty penny in that kind of condition. What ever you do don't F!@#ing crash it. If you really want more modern equipment, sell it and buy something else. Modifying it will make it handle better but it will detract from the value of that particular bike. It is rare to see one that nice, DON'T F!!%#ing wreck it!!!! It's what they call a KEEPER.
     
  14. Triplepac

    Triplepac New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2009
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Seattle
    I won't repeat some of the same great advice from above but I really recommend a test ride by a mechanic / rider with good communication skills that you trust. While I've never ridden your generation VFR, I believe that it's a great bike. I have owned other "great" bikes that just weren't for me, but I gave them a chance and learned a bunch. Also, I wished my job allowed for me to take the rider classes mentioned above. I really wanted to, but my odd hours just weren't working out so I was relegated to books. Best of luck, but you're in good company with the folks here.
     
  15. CARMINE

    CARMINE New Member

    Country:
    Italy
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2007
    Messages:
    286
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    (NAPLES) ITALY
    Map
    Hi,
    I had a certain sensation of instability or "fear to fall down" with my vfr 750 (87) till I replaced old Michelin Macadame tires with Pirelli Sport Demon. What a difference !!!
    Ciao, as other VFR guys said : the old lady needs a little longer to give her best...
    Lamps. Carmine
     
  16. jaimev34

    jaimev34 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2008
    Messages:
    508
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Oceanside, Ca
    Map
    As was stated before: new tires (may I recommend Pilot Powers?), suspension rebuild (new oil, seals, and possibly springs for your weight), and suspension adjustment for your weight (set your sag). This should rectify your problems.

    For tires, do a quick search on this forum for pilot power combo, a thread started by Spid that had some killer prices. Don't know if they're still available, though.
     
  17. rc24rc51

    rc24rc51 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 19, 2008
    Messages:
    880
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Liberty SC
    Map
    Pilot Powers? This bike has stock wheels on it. you're not going to be able to put a modern radial tire on it for criss sakes!! For a 16in front 18 in rear tire combo look into some Bridgestone BT45's or Avons.
     
  18. jaimev34

    jaimev34 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2008
    Messages:
    508
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Oceanside, Ca
    Map
    Oops! My bad. Good catch, RC.
     
  19. crustyrider

    crustyrider New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2008
    Messages:
    5,012
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    North Country, New York
    Map
    its just you....the bike is fine...........your comparing apples to oranges a bike made in 83 to bikes 20 years newer.. of course its gonna handle differently........... take an MSF course ride it around and get used to it before you go run off and be like one of your friends or worse become a statistic...........
     
  20. cebuVFR

    cebuVFR Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2008
    Messages:
    1,184
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    51
    Location:
    Carson,CA
    Map
    Welcome aboard. Take an MSF course, gain more experience and then decide if this bike suits to your riding style. A 26 year old bike will definitely handle differently from a modern sportbike due to technology derived from racing(93 gsxr600 or 03 yzf600). It looks like your dad did take care of her....hope you'll do the same. Ride safe and remember: ATGATT!
     
Related Topics

Share This Page