Getting a new (to me) 2008 VFR w/ABS

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forum, but have been looking at a lot of this information and have a lot of questions, but I will start with hopefully the easiest. I have bought and will pickup an 08 VFRA with only 464 miles on it. I am buying it from a member of another forum we both frequent and I just couldn't pass it up for the price. I used to have a Shadow Sabre 1100 and have been considering getting another bike and this just kind of came up, so now it will be mine. I will mostly be doing short rides around the house, but may go up to a few hundred miles from the house on a ride.

Some general info is I am a fairly big guy, 6'1" - 265. I am curious as to opinions of any parts or updates that most consider a must have. The bike is completely stock. It is coming with the side bags and he has the heated grips, he just hadn't put them on yet. Is there anything in particular i should be looking to do right away.

Thanks in advance for any input. I am excited to get back on a bike after a 6 year hiatus.

 

Welcome and congrats on great find.

I got my 03 in November last year after many years of not riding. I love the bike, but found it a bit more hyper than my old 83 VF750, primarily because of the fuel injection which a lot more responsive on both the acceleration AND the deceleration. Doesn't like to drive much under 3k RPM, get used to the starts and slow turns, you might find backing off throttle to quickly in the middle of a slow turn might cause bike and you to lose balance. Once rolling it's a dream.

Lot of advice and experience in this forum, enjoy. Posts some pictures when you get it home.

 

Welcome to The World Hozzie! As Allyance said, lots of advice and experience available here. With that, here's what I have for you. Number one on the list IMO, suspension upgrade. Most riders find the stock suspension being a little too soft and under sprung, myself included, and I weigh ~170lbs with riding gear. With your height, maybe a different wind screen i.e. touring windscreen, or possibly lowered pegs, but time will tell once you get some miles on her. The other one that helps the "low speed stumble" is a Power Commander. This allows you to obtain a smoother and more consistent throttle response. Warning, it ain't cheap and expect to pay at least $250-$300 for a proper Dyno tune, but most just throw in one of the off the shelf maps and live with it, even with the off the shelf maps it does make a difference. At least for my '09. NOTE: If you do go the Power Commander route, do a search on PAIR valve removal. Something that will need to be disabled or removed if getting your bike Dyno Tuned.

Cheers!

 

:welcome: to the madness :wave:
My advise for you is ride her and get to know her and then do the Mods that would benefit you.
Ride safe and ATGATT

 

better seat . stock one is ok but a little hard . Bike is fast even stock . I got my 2007 VFR 800 4 weeks ago with only 3,000 miles on it like new .
I did the exhaust , K&N . 0 Gravity windshield and Brand new Pirelli tires .

 

My 2007 VFr

My 2007 VFR

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I am going to do some riding and see what stands out as being most important. From what I have read, I will probably do some Heli Bars and new seat first. I will then probably go for a suspension upgrade and Power Commander V. I went and tried on a bunch of new helmets. Wouldn't you know the one that fits me the best (Shoei Neotec) is also the most expensive. Oh well, looking forward to getting out and putting some miles on it.

KJ, what kind of little trailer is that. It is a nice size for a motorcycle. I am going to have to take my big dual axle to pick mine up, but one like your's would be a nice size to have.

 

The power commander is only really needed if you make the exhaust more free flowing by a large amount. I gutted my stock cans (liked the look but not the sound) and the bike adjusted after a few rides to the new profile. Have had a k&n air filter since practically day one. So cant compare the stock paper one.

At 6ft2 and 210lbs ish im in the same boat. Adjust the rear spring up a notch or two from the stock setting and harden the preload back there. Dont forget to adjust the front preloads up a tad to compensate for the much stiffer rear end. The seat I found is ok for long rides but only if you can move around. If you have a passenger then its uncomfortable. The peg location is a bit scrunched, but that forces you to sit up more. This isnt a ducatti, laying on the tank is not the standard position.

These bikes dont like to be lugged. Rev it up and let it sing! 4000rpm and up is a good way of thinking and the first time you open it up in second gear into vtec mode you will know why we like this bike.

The intake has a snorkle on it. If you want to hear your bike then take it off. Do not mess with the flap vane as that controls intake air speed, something like intake runner length adjuster for a old civic.

when you tap in for power for those heated hand grips. Put a relay in on the headlight circuit so that the grips only come on with the headlights but get their power from their own dedicated fuse and line from the battery. A good plan is if you plan on adding several new electrical add-ons ( lighter socket or other device) then this line can be your switched main power and you wont have to worry about leaving anything on.


Enjoy your new ride and

 

Thanks for the info Zen. I picked up the bike today and will hopefully get out this weekend after I get it registered.

 

Congrats on the new toy!! What is the story behind the low mileage?


Rollin

 

Guy bought it and then got laid off. He moved out of state for a new job and left the bike at this dad's. His dad started it once a week for him. He said he changed the oil every year as well just to make sure it was done. He just recently got it back to his house and needed to sell it because he has a baby on the way. It literally looks as good as new.