Hi all. Just picked up my 2003 VFR 800 VTEC last wednesday. I must say I'm totally in love with this bike. The sound, the feeling - It's like it's custom-made for me. Put some photos up here too. Used to ride a 91 Kawasaki ZXR, so this is quite a transition for me - and it's not only the age of it. It's even fun to ride within the limits - something I never managed to do with the ZXR. That was mainly the reason for switching bikes, but found so much more. Can't wait for the summer - one things for sure; I'm not working this vacation too The Member Map is ingenious btw
Welcome to the group. Thank you for joining us here. Glad to hear you love you new ride. I agree, it's a different feeling than being on sportbike like a ZX, CBR, or GSXR.
Thanks Only one problem now - or is it a vfr feature? The exhaust is getting very, very hot - melting-pants-hot. It's a cover over the exhaust just where the feet is placed, and it doesn't take long after startup before you burn your fingers there. Is this common on these bikes, or is it just me?
welcome to the group. that sounds a little too hot. mine is noticeable but not that bad and I ride fairly agressively at times so I keep the RPMs up. Even when the temp is over 200, the leg heat is not too bad. One thing I should mention is that I ride a 5g with a slip on from 2bros, though. I think that might let more of the hot exhaust escape faster.
Thanks... In rush-hour today the temperature raised above 100°C (212°F), and thats with air temp about 6°C (43°F). Doesnt look too good for the summer temp. I hold it at about 3-5000 RPMs, so I think it's a 'little' high temp for that kind of driving, isnt it? Checked with a shop today, and they said the exhaust splits in two where the original uses one pipe - maybe thats the problem. Will try to make a heatshield in aliminum or something in that direction. Even when the engine is so hot - the exhaust should still be cooler I think.
I think you are right, but I will try to pay more attention the next time I ride to see how hot mine is. I wear sportriding boots and ICON dual layer jeans, though, so that shields quite a bit of heat for me...
Welcome & here's a few thoughts, & suggestions. - The Cat is right there & is a High temp component that add to the pipe temp by retaining a lot of heat, gut it, or get some headers to eliminate it. But if running hot like that I'd ck the thermostate to see if opening up or not contributing to the higher engine & exhast temps. You can alway's add heat sheild, & or exhaust wrap, & with the latter p/u a couple more ponies. Your VFR stock should have a 4 into 2 exhaust. I replaced my headers with a 4 into 2 headers & two Bro's mufflers with exhaust wrap, & she runs nice with the full V-4 growl in play.
Thanks for the answers... I haven't reveiced any readings for my bike yet, so... So the catalyst is the big thingie hanging under there. Then I reckon the odor (burnt/sharp-kinda-smell) is also just the catalyst? Noticed when getting over 100°C - the fan kicks in, and brings it down very rapidly - the fan is just so quiet compared to my zxr I couldn't hear it. How will wrapping the exhaust give me more juice under the sadle?
My mechanic explains it as keeping the exhaust temp hotter & flows faster. A better breathing engine is a better running engine & on a Dyno unwrapped vs wrapped, I alway's p/u 2 to 3 HP's :biggrin: with the exhaust wrap. I replaced my headers which gets rid of the Caty, & with the 2 Bro's cans, & with the wrap runs A LOT cooler plus lots more ponies.
Ah. I see. Does the engine need some tweaking after removing the Catalyst, or is it replace and go? I just bought my bike, and so far I think the power is just fine as it is. I might change my mind after taking a longer trip with it though. I live in the southern part of Norway, and was thinking of taking a trip to the most northern point this summer. Think that's about 2000km - or roughly the distance from Norway to Spain. Should be enough to figure out if the bike needs modifications
