My first bike, 98 VFR

I just bought my first motorcycle, a 98 VFR.

Being my first bike, I'm thinking frame sliders might be a good idea. I've read though a couple threads, still don't know if I want them.

I want a tank bag, and don't know where to start on that. Not looking for something real expensive. The Givi bags are really nice, but big and kill the look of the bike.

I really like the way the Staintune exhaust looks, that's how it should have been stock. Never heard it in person, but everyone seems to like the sound. Where can I get it and how much should it cost?

It also has a Givi windscreen, that I don't like at all. Should I just get a stock honda screen, or is there something better/cheaper?

There is more weight on my hands than I expected, feel it in my wrists after a while. I might get used to it, but wondering what's available.


Here is a thread on the bike that I bought.
http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthread.php/45182-Test-riding-tomorrow!!!

 

Nice! Welcome to gear-driven sweetness~

Do you have the taller Givi touring screen? What specifically don't you like?

There are any number of magnetic tank bags.....The ones that lock to the fuel hatch are nice in that they aren't as prone to scratch the tank.

Staintunes exhausts are the BOMB but $$$. Delkevic is considerably cheaper & has enjoyed a pretty good reputation thus far.

My suggestion is to just ride for a while & become accustomed to the bike before making any changes. Take advanced rider courses, invest in books/videos such as Keith Code's "Twist of the Wrist" I & II, "Proficient Motorcycling" & " More Proficient Motorcycling", etc.

One thing you should do NOW is "The Drill" (search). I also suggest doing the PAIR valve delete soonest.

Have fun & ATGATT!

 

Here is a Staintune exhaust for sale in our classifieds
http://vfrworld.com/classifieds/sho...le=staintune-exhaust-for-6th-gen-vfr800&cat=4

What is the problem with the sreen? Is it too much buffering?
What is your high?
As for tank bag there are many to choose from. I have a Manta for years and love it. Just switch to Cortech brand and not too impress.
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/nelson-rigg-cl-1035-touring-tank-bag

Try to relax and not put too much weight on your wrist, Heli bar will help. Try to ride her for while before make any adjustment.

 

Yeah the screen is taller. Compared to the 01 Triumph 600 TT and 04 ZX636 my friends had/have, there is a lot more wind noise, and the air is a lot more turbulent. The only position close to good, is down to where my line of sight is just a few inches above the top of the screen.


ATGATT ?


I'm about 170 and 5'11 or so.


I took pics, but when I try to upload them it says invalid file.

 

All The Gear Al The Time = ATGATT

 

The '98 VFR was my second street bike. I had been looking at various other bikes, but not Honda motorcycles. My uncle owned it, along with 2 or 3 other beautiful bikes (lawyer). He had the PC-III installed and had taken it in for a custom dyno-tune. It felt so damn fast to me, and after my test ride I knew I HAD to have it. Man, I miss that bike! But please don't tell that to my '06.

 

Regarding wrist issues, grip the tank with your legs & use your core to support your weight--you'll be a MUCH better rider if you keep a light touch on the handlebars~

 

I almost ride with my finger tips on the highway, "almost" fingers wrapped around grip, not palm. Around city, I have my entire palm/fingers around grip, one or two fingers covering brake lever. Relax and enjoy the ride, not a big fan of magnetic tank bags as they pick up metal debris and scratch your paint, had this happen when I was in NJ and never used them again. :thumbsup:

 

I've only heard the Staintune on a Triumph Trophy, and had a great sound to it. And what I should have said earlier.... good going on the purchase of the '98, it's a great bike! I used to have the same wrist issue from too much pressure, and a stunt bike rider gave me the same advice given here; more knees and core, less weight on your arms and wrists. It has really helped me. I use a Bell magnetic tank bag that I picked up at Wally world some years ago. I like the convienence of it, and since I bought my bike used, with scratches, I guess it doesn't bother me much if the tank gets scratched a bit more. When on longer trips, I use a huge magnetic tank bag, but I cannot remember the brand. It is probably good to get in the habbit of carrying only what you need, and you can find some pretty good prices on the small tank bags.

 

I was told early on "if you're not going to use it, don't touch it" and keep my fingers away from the brake lever when riding. IMHO It's a bit of a security blanket for many riders I know, but leaving it alone builds confidence and means you inherently pay more attention to what's going on around you. It's never caused me any problems!

 

Frame sliders are fugly and not needed for the street, but that's my opinion. I had the tall Givi windscreen and hated it...the bars shook terrible above 70 mph. I have a Zero Gravity sport touring screen now and love it. The same companies double bubble seems to be popular here too. HeliBars will fix your wrist issues, they are 1-1/2" higher and come back about 1-1/2" if I remember right.

edit: I see your pics .... that is the Givi Touring screen on there.

 

Couldn't get pics to work, so I just uploaded them to another forum and linked to them.

 

Looks like it is in great shape!

 

In London you "leave it alone?" The way I figure it, I took the MSF (motorcycle safety foundation) course around 30 years ago when I first got into steet riding, I can tell you that they endorsed using four fingers on your front brake. They also wanted you to use your rear brake. The way I look at it is this: If you want to make motorcycling idiot proof/safer, make people use four fingers and rear brakes. It makes it safer for the masses possibly.

Me personally, after 200,000 street miles, riding into NYC, NY State, Miami and road racing, I can tell you that I rarely use the rear brake unless I wana hold the bike on a hill and take my hands off the grips. Far as covering the front brake lever, I can tell you that I operate the front brake while I am operating the throttle. Covering the front brake and thinking your invisiable when you approach an intersection is prudent too. These are all opinions mind you, and your results may vary.

 

Hey Syclone, congrats on the bike! It looks nice. I picked up my 97 VFR as my first bike two years ago and each time I ride it, I enjoy it more and more. I don't know your riding history but the BRC and lots of time in parking lots helped me get comfortable with it. I'm still only a Sunday warrior.

For exhaust, keep an eye on ebay. When a staintune came up for sale, I snatched it up. The seller didn't list it as a staintune so I guess it flew under the radar and I got lucky. I love the sound.

This year I added a Cortech 18 liter tank bag - strap mounted. It's expandable if needed but I find its at just the right height for me. Not too high and I can view my dashboard and gps just fine.

A lot of great advice given in this thread especially about using your legs and core more. It helped me release the death grip I had on the handlebars and ride with less upper body tension. Before this, I thought I made a big mistake starting out on a VFR. Riding became much easier and I realized I did not need helibar risers like I thought I would. As Scuba said "Try to ride her for while before make any adjustment.".

Enjoy your bike!!

 

I'd hunt around for some helibars to raise the clipons up a couple inches. Although as you ride your core muscles will strengthen and you may find you don't need higher bars.

Zerogravity double bubble screen or the stock OEM screen may work better for you. ZG sells an OEM profile screen too. They have a seconds eBay outlet if you're looking for a discount, do a search on eBay.

Any aftermarket pipe is going to sound better than stock, check eBay. Micron, Two Brothers, Erion used or any of the cheaper brands still selling new. Same with tank bags, pick up a slightly used magnetic bag for cheap.

I'd bet after some time you may want to replace the seat, Corbin or Sargent seats are available new or used, check eBay or the classifieds.

My '99 was my 2nd street bike 13 year and 100K ago, still riding it every day!

 

Yep, and be sure to ask your local dealer about the ATGATT punch card. For every 7 days of ATGATT you get a free squid day with cargo shorts and sneakers.

 

Pics, because everyone loves pics, right?

When I had it... my '98 Viffer


And just for fun, my red Mahindra 3505-DI. Not as fast as my VFR, but way more torque!


Current tank bag pics on my '06 Viffer

Bell magnetic bag from Walmart (added powerlet SAE port charging things)


Frank Thomas Car001 Cargo Endurance Tankbag (also magnetic, though magnets not as strong as on the Bell tank bag):


The Cargo Endurance bag has a 25 litre capacity, or 40 litres when expanded. Expanded, it is ridiculously large. I think you can fit a full-face helmet in there, though I have never needed to do so. I bought it for long trips on my FJR 1300, which I sold and replaced with the VFR.

I like the idea of a smaller tank bag, for around town riding, and the larger for trips. If I were to replace the Bell, I would think something like this would be good:
http://www.cyclegear.com/CycleGear/Accessories/Luggage/Tank-Bags/Strap-Mount/brand/SEDICI/Como-Tank-Bag/p/41276_00000

Just trying to give you an idea of different tank bags on the VFR. My Bell doesn't feel too big for every day, and I do use the VFR as my daily work commuter, but I think something just big enough to hold gloves, a couple of pair of protective eye wear, a microfiber cloth, and your phone/MP3 player would be nice. For me, I've found that, much like with a house, the more space I have, the more crap I end up filling it up with!

 

A fella could hire out that tractor to scoop up the BS on harleydood forums and never run out of work.

 

Good advice !!

Tank bags tend to get in the way, pia when you need to re-fuel; that's why i wear a backpack.:lemo: