New Member to the VFR craze!

Hello! Just wanted to introduce myself! I just closed a deal for a 1999 VFR800 on Friday after a test ride. A friend of mine who flips bikes on the side did a bit of a rebuild on it. The previous owner put it under a cover and let it sit for about 3 years. Pump had to be replaced, tank had to be cleaned out (gas had done a number on it) and some other things needed rebuilding due to the idle time. Fortunately, my buddy is a wizard when it comes to bikes. I have only been riding for a little over a year, but I have already a lot of miles under my belt. The bike I initially bought was a 1995 Honda Nighthawk 750 (in red of course) with 20k miles. Paid 1500 cash for it and it was darn near perfect shape minus a minor dent on the tank and a scrap on the tranny case. Only had to put new tires on it. Well after a season of riding, I started figuring out what I wanted to end up with. Something more of the sport touring variety. I did take a ride or two on a pure sport bike (GSXR) and while I loved the look, I didn't like the riding position, or the motor power band being so peaks/explosive. I actually loved the motor in the Nighthawk, just wished it had a fairing and a bit more umph. Anyways he got the VFR and it was on my short list of bikes to look at, and I didn't have a huge budget, but after a test ride, I was hooked on the VFR. Brilliant bike. Plenty of power, nice looks, some digital amenities, and my buddy got it runnnig like a top. He even re-upholstered the seat (padding was good, vinyl was worn through). Took it out for an extended ride Saturday and I just LOVE IT! I can't wait for riding season.

I do have a couple questions.

1. The side mirrors could probably be replaced. They are aftermarket and function fine, but the clearcoat on the housing is peeling a bit, so it looks kind of bad. I have looked all over and I cannot find a replacement set for MY 1999. All I see are like 2002+. Can someone point me to a basic replacement set of mirrors?

2. Are there any quirks I should be aware of?

3. It has good exhaust on it, are there any other must haves for this bike (has bags also with a smoked windshield)?

Lastly, Here is my new baby! (with the old one in the backround, traded it in towards this one as my buddy does a lot of wheeling and dealing plus some cash).

 

That is a very nice 5th gen with hi mount two bro.
:welcome: to the zoo lat
:thumb:

 

Welcome to the viffer world..

 

I had two nighthawks like yours, both in red, 1991 ridden 35.000 miles, crashed sold for a 1993 that had 45,000 when it got t-boned :rip:

Funny thing was that while I was at a shop with my 93 nighthawk, the owner tossed me the keys to my current VFR, that was about 1994 or so. I remember riding it around NJ in the winter and was thinking, "damn, this thing is like the space shuttle compared to my nighthawk." I got back on my nighthawk and thought, oh well its not as bad as getting my teeth cleaned at least...Little did I imagine that a year later I would be the owner of that bike. My viffer spent more time being wheeled inside and outside of that shop, it had around 4000 miles on it when I bought it, now it has 78,000 miles...When I had that accident, I was looking at an FZR 1000, but the insurance was too much in old NJ, I kind of fell into the VFR thing. No regrets :thumbsup:

I would hang on to that nighthawk as they are pretty durable bikes, mine made 76 to the rear wheel on a mustang dyno. It would go around 125 mph too, anywhOOOoo...Chheers and welcome aboard.

 

The Nighthawk was/is certainly a good bike, in my case I didnt have the money to get the VFR without trading it in. Certainly enough power for most anyone but the die hard speed junkies. Only beef with it was one extended rides the seat wasnt the most comfortable (talking 1.5+ each way sort of rides) but it served me well. Previous owner took good care of it. Certainly felt weird riding it after I took out the VFR. Cant wait for more seat time!