VF700F Upgrades... What will I gain?

I know that there are millions of threads on this subject, but here's another one:

Suspension upgrades for the VF700F, I've heard people say that you have to upgrade your suspension in order to "enjoy" the bike at all. My main question is: What will gain from upgrading the suspension? I just bought a 2000 CBR600 with upgraded race suspension, and it handles quite a bit better than my vf700 (Duh!). I would think this is because of it's weight (over 150 lbs less than the VF700), and waaaaay shorter wheel base. I am no racer, but I consider myself a decent rider not a noob, and I think the VF700F handles decently for weighing as much as it does and being as big as it is. I'm wondering if I upgrade the suspension, how much better will the handling get? Is it worth the money that it would cost?

 

I have an 85" VF700F that's in pretty decent running condition. When I first got it I immediately noticed it ran good, but rode like hell. I figured it was an old bike and this is why people get rid of the old bikes for a new comfortable bike. I then discovered the shock would compress over bumps, but would not rebound in time for the next bump. Besides causing major back and ass pains, it was dangerous. I was almost thrown once when I hit one of the lovely Ohio road ruts. I decided to take a chance with one of Jamie Daughtry's rear shocks. I spent about $375.00 which included everything (donor shock, new spring, shock mod, re-valving, and shipping). I was originally nervous that I was wasting good money on an old bike.

About two months later the shock arrived. Mine is a CBR600 F2 shock with the remote reservoir with a slight lift over factory height. After I installed it, I was off for a test ride. Holy crap!! Felt like a totally different bike. It rides just like a new bike - made that much of a difference. I did not realize the old bike could corner the way it does now.

Because my bike is a keeper and in good running shape, it was VERY WORTH IT. If your bike is in good running condition, go for it, you won't be disappointed.

 

Ok, so it worked out great for you, but as you said, your shocks were in terrible shape. mine are still fully functional, and don't feel dead at all. Does anyone know how much better the upgrade is than a good, non trashed stock shock? Is it worth the $375?

 

I'm watching this closely because I'm curious as well... my old stock suspension is shot i believe...

 

If you do the rear you really need to do the front too.

I am currently having Jamie do both for my 5th gen. The forks went out last week.

 

Tough question to answer lad. It sounds like you're happy with the way the bike works as it is now. Why would you want to spend money on it? I know there are guys here who will disagree with me; but honestly if the bike works for you then ride it. 'Upgrades' are only as good as the need for them, and it doesn't sound to me like that need exists for you. Put that money into gas, and ride the whole year.

 

kweezy, it sounds like to me that you had the VF then you got the CBR and now the VF feels like a pig compared to the CBR with the race suspension. I had this experience when I got the VFR. I already had my (stock suspension) CBR954. I almost sold the VFR until I realized that the VFR and CBR are very different bikes. However, this has led me to want to upgrade the suspension on the VFR.

FoothillRyder makes some very good points. Just realize that the VF is not a CBR. Once you get your head around that you will fall in love with your VF all over again.

 

yeah, that's kind of like what it is, I've never been on a newer vfr (post '86) and I was wondering how much better a bike of this size could handle. Am I alright with the way it handles now? Yes. Would i Be happier if it handled more like a cbr? Hell yes. I realize that that will never be a reality because of the weight and length differences. I guess a better question would be "Does a (Key words)"properly functioning" VF700F handle poorly for a sport tourer of it's size?"
Now that I have 2 bikes, I can tear this one apart, if the end result would be me liking it that much better. It isn't a "Oh crap this thing sucks there's no way I can ride it anymore if I don't fix the rear shock." It would be the same reason most likely that the upgraded suspension was installed on my CBR. to make a good bike better.

 

I can only answer that one way I guess. If I still had my '83 VF750F, and had done nothing other than proper maintenance, I could ride it for a very long time and be happy with it as a 'sport tourer'. My '83 had front forks reworked by Lindeman Engineering, and a revalved rear shock, so it was a mild upgrade over stock. I never rode it any other way (it was that way when I got it).

Having said that, the '86 VFR (and the '87-89 as well) are very much superior to the 1st gen ('83-'85) bikes in many ways that make it them better bikes (eg. lighter weight, more power, better chassis, etc.). They're also less 'tour' and more 'sport'.

Again, if you're happy with it, ride it. If you want to upgrade the supsension, do that - then ride it.

 

When I first got my 85' vf700f the factory rear stock was still operational for the first few months. It road like an old heavy bike, it was ok, just felt heavy especially in turns. If the road had any bumps in the turns it felt like it was going to slip out in the rear - just felt like an old heavy bike. The original shock bottomed out easily and if you put air in it it was too hard.

The new shock has an adjustable spring pre-load, along with a working compression and rebound dampening adjustment - factory does not. This also allowed be to adjust the sag to about 1.5" which I found works for me. With the new rear shock it "feels" lighter. It rides much smoother and seems to be much more "flickable" in the turns. I can take turns much faster now (maby not such a good thing) because the small ruts and bumps are absorbed by the shock and not me. It may still be an old outdated bike, but it's a hell of a lot better than stock.

Like Nike says, "Just do it".