VFR Turning

Brothers & Sisters, Since I am new to the VFR Platform and have only ridden Sport bikes for the past 27 years, I love my VFR but I really am not a fan of the turning, it feels so heavy and slow, is this normal? Is there anyway I can ease up the turning, make it lights, would s Steering Damper help?

 

Check your steering head bearing. It could need replacing

A damper is a damper offering more resistance by adjustment. Nice to have too..

Keep in mind you are not on a sportbike. Take a ride on a Harley and you won't feel badly any more on your VFR

 

Also check the front tire pressure. Low air pressure will make the front really heavy. Just remember: the VFR ain't no sport bike, sport touring maybe, but not a strict sport bike, and it doesn't turn like one.

 

Lowering your forks in the triple clamp will give you quicker steering, you will probably lower the rear as well...others??

 

This is what a Forum is all about, Thanks for your input Gents! I will check the Tire pressure

 

"The stock geometry steers like a truck." - I couldn't agree more - Thanks again!

 

Ranger Rick,
Check out this post from the CBR Blackbird forum. They are discussing a 6 mm spacer that you put on the top of your shock mount below the seat rail. In effect it raises the length of your shock. It will raise the height of the back of your VFR and make it steer quicker. You can buy them already made on ebay (look for Blackbird 6 mm shim) for less than 10.00 or you can go to Harbor Freight and buy a box of auto body shims or even plain washers and make your own if you have a grinder. This was one of he first mods I did on my Blackbird, because it was a fat pig in turning compared to my VFR. Only drawback is if you are vertically challenged because it does raise the rear end a bit over an inch.
Here is the link for the post
http://www.cbrxx.com/suspension-tires-wheels-brakes/4303-6-mm-spacer.html

Video on youtube showing how to install it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlfp6xCD_Qc
Tom

 

Just ride a wheelie everywhere you go, and turn in becomes irrelevant. Plus, all the chicks will be diggin ya. That's what we all do in Jersey. You know you do it on your other bikes...

 

Ask these guys.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1Vsnw1u5g4

 

^^Badass^^

 

mello dude's suggestion of raising fork tubes about 10-12mm is the first thing to try.

 

First I'd check sag front and rear. Lowering the front/raising the rear doesn't help if you've got 60mm rear sag. Get the suspension set first then change the geometry.

 

Brothers, I found the root cause, the bike had a german pair of risers that made the steering too hard and not responsive, I removed them and WOW, she turns perfect! I also ordered the Thick Grips as recommended. Thanks again all for your support!

 

Bro...glad you got it figured out :eagerness:

 

Those German ride adjustment blocks musta been from a doode off Ebay named Thurn or something. Almost dealt with him for a wind screen or some electrical part, I cant remember if I had the little woman doing translation between the two of us, or if he spoke English and we were gona ship the part to her mothers house in the "Father-Land."

I have had the forks showing aboot 10-12 mm or so of tube since I have owned it, bike steers fine...Cheers...

 

glad you found the issue, I was going to say.. I went from a hornet 600, to an rc51 to this vfr and I think the vfr is without a doubt the most manuverable, confidant bike i've ever been on. (also spent time on an 09 r1, 07 zx10r, and 04 600rr) The only place the vfr seems to fall behind the rc51 in terms of handling is long, VERY highspeed sweepers with uneven pavment. That's when I really start to appreciate the dampening in the rc vs vfr. but in town? vfr all the way

 

Really glad you figured it out. I was gonna say it's an easy steering/leaning bike, and only thing I could think of was something with tires, as had already been suggested... pressure or profile. I've swapped bikes with quite a few sportbike riders who tease me about having such a heavy bike... guys who ride R6s, R1s, ZX10s, various GSXRs. Everytime, they get off my VFR with a big smile saying they can't believe how easy it turns/leans. I get off theirs saying it's a whale and difficult to lean.... although theirs DO go really fast straight... Hopefully you will now enjoy the magic of the VFR as we all do!