New VFR Owner with questions (of course)

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by davjohns, Jun 22, 2012.

  1. davjohns

    davjohns New Member

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    I sold my Blackbird because the Army is sending me to Belgium and I didn't think I could take it. I was wrong. I wanted my bike back. My wife found me a good deal on a VFR800 that felt like my Blackbird and I bought it last night. It was from a dealership, so I didn't bother riding it before I bought it. Probably a bad idea, but I knew they had serviced it. The ride home presented a couple of questions.

    1. When I give it gas, it is clearly less powerful than the 1100, but that is to be expected. The odd thing is that it also has a rythmic combustion that reminds me of a cylinder not firing. The 1100 had a purr. This one has something almost like the individual firing that a Harley has. Normal? It doesn't hesitate or anything. It just feels and sounds a bit different.

    2. At idle, the digital thermostat readout went over 212. Now, it's hot in the south right now, I don't know what other bikes get to, and I've never had a digital readout before. It just concerned me a bit. Is this normal?

    3. The bike is freshly serviced with new rubber, oil, etc. Is there anything I need to check on it regularly that is peculiar to this bike? (2004 model) I'm going to order a shop manual, but sometimes users know things that aren't in that book.

    Anything else you care to share? I'll be searching the forums here as well.

    Many thanks!

    David
     
  2. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    It is a V4 and Vtech so the engine sound would be different from you inline four.
    Is your bike stock...? You might want to add a PCIII or PCV to cure the slack of power at low rpm. There are many mod that you can do to improve the perfomance of the bike. Take your time get to know your bike and start doing the mod to your taste. BTW welcome to the nuts house just a warning you need to post some picture of your bike or ur girl before the peps here calling you a VFR wanna be or Liar.
     
  3. davjohns

    davjohns New Member

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    Hmmm...posted a pic of the bike but don't see it on my post. Odd. I'll get a pic with me, the bike and a recent publication like a hostage soon. :)

    As far as I can tell, the bike is stock except for the cowl covering the passenger portion of the seat. I talked to the dealer and they confirm the different feel of the engine is just being a V Tech engine. They said the temperature sounded in the normal range, but I could bring it by and they would flush the cooling system and put in Engine Ice if I liked.
     
  4. Scubalong

    Scubalong Official Greeter?

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    The VFR known to be hot, especially in the summer. If you live in the warm climate I would do the fan mod. Engine ice will work but I heard you have to switch to Cooland in the winter.
     
  5. davjohns

    davjohns New Member

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    Wow! I just did a search for the mod you recommended and found some great information. Seems my worries were nothing and there are lots of helpful people here. I think I'm going to love this bike and this forum. Much appreciated!

    David
     
  6. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    Engine Ice is an ant--freeze (down to -26F). Has Toe been whispering sweet nothings in your ear again?

    Congrats on the bike. The V4 is a very different animal from your Blackbird. I have a CBR954 so I do understand what you are talking about. It's just the way the V4 sounds and it's normal for this bike.
     
  7. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

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    Congratulations on your new bike. I think she'll grow on you. Sure. she's not going to be the same as the 'Bird, but give it some time. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

    Scuba definitely has some good points and comments, and I'll expand on them.

    The 2002 to 2005(or 6 ?) had a recall done on the wiring harness. Your dealer can run the VIN and tell you if its been done or not.

    What type of tires are on there? Tires are as much of a personal choices as religion and oil, but lets face it; we all know some tires are just plain shitty and will take away from the experience of the bike.

    Don't know where you live, but get used to running hot. Engine Ice might help (and is supposedly good to -26*). There are plenty of threads on this forum regarding cooling issues. The fan will come on at 221-222, and will run until the bike cools down to 211-212. (Now if you're bike is staying at 212, 215, 220 while on the open roads and running about 40mph, you may have thermostat issues).

    There are plenty of debates as to the exact RPM, but your VTEC engages at about 6400-6800. (you can do a search here and decide for yourself - I'm just giving parameters, lol!) Obviously with all valves operating on each cylinder, you'll notice a difference in both sound and power delivery. Again, its not Blackbird power, but is usually enough to get things moving rather quickly.

    Most - but not all - prefer an aftermarket exhaust. It just opens up a whole new sound. I think you'd forget all about the current sounds that you are hearing (which sound normal from your description).

    Several here use the power commander to help smooth out parking lot speeds, as well as the VTEC transition. Again, that's all personal preference.

    Good luck!
     
  8. vfr2k2

    vfr2k2 New Member

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