Looking for advice regarding - suspension, tires and heated grips.

Just looking for a little advice regarding my 2004 VFR (purchased new in 2005). The bike currently has a little over 40K miles on it . I use the bike in a lot of different environments from commuting, track days (7-10 a yr), riding the 'pace' with friends, to long distance touring. Having said that, what goodies should I be looking at for performance and comfort? Current invetory list includes - heli bars, zg screen, throttlemeister, DID, leo vince cf, levers and I usually run BT-02x (whatever their latest version is). I decided a few weeks ago to invest in a new rear shock (Elka 3-way) because the ride quality at the end of last year was getting pretty harsh.

Q 1. Should I have invested in new springs as well, if so, what do you like and why? Friends and mechanics that I know recommended changing the fluids first before investing in new internals. Does that make sense?

Q 2. Thinking about trying Metzeler's - M3 or the new M5. I'm leaning towards the M5 b/c of the diverse riding I do and tire life. What are your thoughts?

Q 3. Looking at getting a new seat, possibly a sargent. What do you like and why?

Q 4. I tried the heated clothing thing but that was a pain in the axx. This year I've opted to go with the heated grips. A lot of people on this site like the honda oem heated grips, my dealership can't even find them. Do they make them anymore, if so where can I find them? If not, what's the alternative?

Q 5. Crash bungs,,,I guess the question is...to cut or not to cut? What do you like and why? And do they really help at high speeds?

I think that's about it...I would greatly apperciate any advice, just looking for a little clarity! I'll apologize now - if any of this has been addressed in the past.

Thanks! Mark

 

with 40k miles the stock shock is almost certainly toast. Look at Ohlins or Penske for highest quality. Front is a little tougher as there are more options. But if you have never even changed fluid, yeah, start there.

Never tried the Metzlers on the VFR, I run the Dunlop Roadsmarts. Had a bad experiece with Metzlers years ago on a different bike, almost certainly has no bearing, but never used them again.

The Honda OEM heated grips were, to my knowledge, never sold here in the states. Google David Silver spares for a dealer in England that will ship to US. Rather pricey, but nice. If you want to go cheaper, there are several aftermarket products out there that should work for you.

I like the Sargent, wouldn't ever consider Corbin, but that is me.

for the bungs, never seen no cut ones that look to offer good protection, but haven't seen them all

 

Read the posts a few down, Dunlop Q2s, some very good info on sporting tires there. I just ordered a set of M3s. You really need to do a search on the other things you are asking about because there is a ton of info on each subject. There is also a great thread on updating suspension on the other Vfr site running right now.

 

Use Search function on heated grips, I posted on the two brands of grips I use in detail somewhere....

EDIT: here it is
My Post

 

Thanks, guys appreciate the help. I decided to go with RT springs, Sargent seat, Symtec heated grips and I'm still not sure about the tires. I may just pick up a set of used wheels and swap then out on my track days.

 

Your shock can be rebuilt and/or swapped with the CBR1100XX blackbird shock, a direct fit.
I've been looking for a spare set of wheels myself = been tough, good luck!