New Member, possible VFR Owner

Meeting the owner of a 2003 VFR800A tomorrow after work. If everything is in good shape and I like the ride and ergos then the bike will be mine this weekend!

I'm currently on a 2001 Yamaha FZ1 with almost 41K miles on the clock. Some would say I'm nuts (mostly on the FZ1OA forum where I've been a member for 5 years) but I'm almost 39, 2 small boys, not riding as much and I just think that the VFR I'm looking at is set up good for me to commute with all the hard cases. I don't get alway to do any hard riding in the mountains much any more and with all the LEOs, road closures, idiots I'm a little more of a leisure rider these days. If I want to wick it up I have a ZX6R trackbike. Yes, the FZ1 will be a good bit fast and more powerful, but I don't really care....love the looks and setup on the VFR.

So, anyway, I'm looking forward to being a contributing member (as I am on FZ1OA) and find out all the ins and outs of the VFR. So let me ask the standard newbie questions on the VFR.

1. Is a Power Commander worth the $$$ and recommended?
2. Do lots of members run Penske rear shocks and upgrade the fork internals?
3. Whats the most popular aftermarket exhaust (I like the Leo Vince from what I've seen so far)

BTW, I'm Canton, GA (Northern ATL Suburb)
Jeff

 

Welcome aboard from John's Creek! The power commander definately will help smooth out the VTEC transition which some people including myself find a bit annoying. As far as the suspension goes I wouldn't spend the extra time and effort to upgrade unless you are planning on doing some agressive riding. I've found that for day to day commuting and leisure riding the stock suspension setup is adequate. Leo Vince, Two Brothers, and Microns are popular choices for exhuast although I prefer the sound of the Staintunes much more. And even though you didn't ask, Shell Rotella T is the best oil to use in the VFR :biggrin:

Shoot me a PM if you are interested in joining a few of us for a group ride sometime. We have several member from GA and we look forward to getting away from our kids every once in a while to hit those wonderful North GA and North Carolina roads. I am almost 37 and also have two young boys and am always looking for a new person to blame for coming home late from group rides LOL !!!

Rollin

 

Thanks Rollin! I know a ton of great roads in the mountains and all over N. GA. Being in Canton, I'm only 30 minutes from being on Burnt Mountain in Jasper or the rolling hills of NW GA (which I'm gonna explore more this summer for a change). My brother is 3-years younger, in Canton, and rides as well (ZRX1100). He's the one that really go me back into it about 6-7 years ago when he was riding a 96' Nighthawk 750 (I loved that bike).

Thanks for the advice on the aftermarket stuff. I know the FZ1's inside and out and I'm sure I'll know the VFR after I get around them a bit longer and read up. Been using the Rotella Syn for years now, good stuff and cheap! I'm sure I'll be in touch and we can do some riding and a meet and greet.

BTW, there is a RWB VFR a guy rides at the company next to ours in Marietta. I'm gonna have to talk to him next time I see him!

Jeff

PS. Oops, thats and old pic of my bike. Here is a current one, I have a Carbon Fiber Micron (matches all my CF bodywork trim)

 

I forgot to mention that your screen name is a little worrysome to me !! Don't worry though, a couple of Saturday afternoons with me in the fall and we'll have you wearing Red and Black LOL !!!

Rollin

 

No worries! I swam at S. Carolina, hence the name. I've heard it all in regards to my screen name so.....

I almost went to UGA and most of my in-laws are UGA grads. I pull for UGA when they aren't playing S. Carolina.

 

+ 1 on power commander and staintunes

 

leo vince pipes are very good on the 6th gen..and sound glorious!

 

So I met the owner, test rode with him (him on my FZ1), and pulled the trigger. I will pick her up on Saturday!

A couple things I noticed compared to the FZ1:
-Smoothness: Its like a sewing machine (its stock), quiet and smooth with a nice little pur when above 7K. I like the steathness with the stock exhaust (for now)

-Power: Yes, its WAY down on the FZ1, but still peppy and more than enough. The engagement of the VTEC was really a non-issue on this bike and compared to how the power comes on FZ1 it probably wouldn't bother me if it was a bit abrupt.

-Feel: Fairly close in weight to the FZ1, but it fell WAY more nimble and lighter. Its also narrower than the FZ1 and just doesn't feel nearly as portly.

-Ergos: Close to the FZ1. Foot pegs are a bit higher, but still comfortable. This bike has Heli bars and its close or just a BIT lower than the FZ1 with my GYT-R risers. I need to adjust where the owner has the clutch and brake perches. Being shorter than me he has them cocked to high for me and makes for a weird wrist angle. It has a Sargent Seat.....I like it better than my Yamaha Corbin.

-Looks: VFR hands down.

So looking forward to being a contributing member and reading up on the bike. First mods will just be some cosmetic stuff, bleeding brakes, and maybe getting some Stainless brake lines.