Big guy on a vfr question...

Hey guys.... So i have a serious question...

I'm 6'1" and 298 pounds (lost 35 pounds in two months and still losing). I just recently picked up a used 03' VFR800 and I love the bike but Im relatively new to the bike scene and have one big issue. Im just too heavy for this bike. What can I do/change or upgrade to make this bike handle my weight????

Thanks in advance!

 

Keep losing, there's really nothing you can do to lower the bike's center of gravity other than swap out for a different bike.. Max load for the vfr800 is right around 400 so suspension should be able to accommodate you currently. For height issues, helibars and a peg lowering kit. Catch up on maintenance over the winter and shoot for a more comfortable next riding season.

 

First congratulations on working on your weight and health. I program all day and it is assassinating my body. I am having an impossible time overcoming the damage that years of this have done. So you are inspiring me. Thanks.

Adjust the preload on your shock and fork to match your weight. The shock requires a pin spanner, something like Drag Specialties Shock Spanner Wrench 77-2003-BC3. If it is like mine you reach in from the left side of the bike, apply the spanner and turn it click stops. There is a spanner in the stock toolkit otherwise you can buy a generic one. The fork adjustments are soft aluminum. I do not think there is a special tool for it but realize that a steel screwdriver will dig right in and scratch it up, so beware of creating unsightly scratches. I just found this, probably overkill but very cool:

http://www.contractorsupplymagazine...ulti-Wedge-Non-Marring-Wedge-Pry-Tool-Set.php

Get a buddy with a measuring tape and the aforementioned appropriate tools. Find a YouTube video and follow the procedure to set the preload or sag.

V4toTour brought up all of the modifications that can help extend your body, relieve pressure from your hands, and give you a more upright and comfortable ride. Given your experience and such advice, if you think you can be comfortable on this bike then you can consider modifying the bike for your weight. Since you plan on losing more weight you need to make a best guess about your final weight and present that to the experts. So if your final weight will be 250 lbs, tell them that, not your current 298 lbs.

From reading this site I have learned about Daugherty Motorsports. They can provide a replacement shock as well as various fork modifications for your weight. E-mail them and ask their advice.

http://www.daughertymotorsports.com/vfr800.html

Have you taken the Motorcycle Safety Foundation course(s)? I recommend that you read the preeminent sport bike books by such authors as Keith Code and Ken Condon. As you read them imagine yourself on the bike making the maneuvers . This helped me tremendously before I purchased my bike. Be careful about advice that you get from other motorcyclists. There are too many who buy a motorcycle as a toy and never even learn to ride it well. Even Keith code at his track battles preconceived notions with the students. (See his bike that cannot steer.)

VFRWORLD by the way is full of highly experienced people. This is one of the best “product” support sites I have ever seen. Many here also recommend wearing all of the gear all of the time (ATGATT) and I certainly do. Protect your body from crazy car drivers.

 

I feel ya, 6'4" 250 here. Installed peg lowering adapters & stiffened
the rear spring 2 notches. Helped quite a bit.

 

I can totally relate to you on this. At my highest weight I was 330lbs. The only thing you can do at that point is to upgrade the suspension. Jamie Daugherty is the man to talk to about this. A suspension set up for your weight and riding style is an amazing thing.

 

Real bikers lose weight by selling their Harleys.

Another benefit is a gain of several IQ points.

 

Thanks for the comments fellas. Yeah my Hughes so far was 335. I just hated everything at that point so I decided to make a change. It's been tough but being around for my little one is my motivation.

As far as the bike is concerned I'm plenty satisfied with it. I've ridden dirt bikes as a kid and mountain bikes my whole life (even at my current weight I still ride my 29er). The street scene is very different. I took your advice with the bike and adjusted the preload. I also setup the tired pressure to their spec and did some thorough reading through the service manual. What an AMAZING difference I've felt already just by the adjustments. Now to set the sag and continue losing is my goal....

Now only other thought is this. Is there an upgraded suspension out there that I can get now that will support my current weight but give me the adjustability to grow with me as I continue to lose this weight??

Thanks in advance fellas

Oh btw Knight, yes I did do the msf course..... And after I was done the course the head instructor told me to ride like crazy this summer because he wants me to come back as a ridercoach (believe it or not... I was blown away by this) I'm planning on taking the next level up with the vfr so I can try it on that tight course and build up my skills and confidence.

 

I lost two pounds-1.4% of my body weight. I am now under 170. I use to be 175, My car seats are made for 175 pounds-not over that. Ya lose a lot of weight best mod. No bike is setup for fat.:vader:

 

I'm 5'11 and 240lbs ... at one time, I was 265lbs at the beginning of the year.

Anyways, congrats on both the bike and the weight loss. I had my rear shock on the highest preload and then just adjusted the front forks to feel. I also had Givi hard luggage on mine which added a bit of additional weight.

Best is to setup your suspension with the help of a buddy by the method of measuring sag, then going out and riding and fine tuning from there.

 

Not exactly. In order for a suspension to be set up for your weight, spring rates and valving are changed accordingly. Now, the different springs and valves have weight ranges that they support and that might work for you if your goal weight is within the range of the suspension setup you are buying.

Here is another bit of info, if your bike is currently using the stock suspension you are only set up for an "average" weight person. So let's say 150-175 lbs. If you were to upgrade that suspension to fit a 225 lbs rider, it would handle a hell of a lot better than it does now and still give you incentive to keep losing weight. I really encourage you to contact Jamie Daugherty. The guy is great with customer service and he has been a good friend to the VFR community.

 

Congrats on the bike and weight loss. I'm 6'2" and was about 250 without gear. I'm down to 223 over the last 6 weeks.

Everyone is right on - suspension upgrades. And as marriedman just said, these bikes seem to have been made with our little Japanese friends weight in mind. Not us hardy Americans. I think even someone that weighs a svelte 190-200 could benefit from a suspension upgrade.

Everyone always speaks highly of Jamie, and I'm sure you can't go wrong with him. There's plenty of options for motorcycle suspension out there. Progressive springs and a heavier oil in the forks will help too.

 

Oh okay, great. Did not know where you stood, but everyone seems to recommend the dirt bike route. You have already pushed a two wheeled motorized vehicle to all of its limits, so this is probably a cake walk!

To append marriedman's comments: Aftermarket items may indeed have adjustments that the stock VFR suspension does not have (damping?). So yes, for the most part you buy suspension components to match your weight and bike, but if you buy aftermarket components, find out if they have adjustments that may not be in your OEM manual.

 

You could take a look at the Racetech website, and go through their spring-rate calculator for your specific weight and bike model. Actually I saved you the effort, front standard springs are 0.85kg/mm, recommended for 298lb is 1.14 kg/mm. On the back the rear stock rate is not listed (as a guess the 5th gen VFR800 used 15.3kg/mm) and recommended for 298 is 21.82kg/mm. That is quite a big % difference at both ends.

Changing the springs only will get the attitude and ride height of the bike correct, but the damping may not cope with the extra rebound spring force. At the front that is relatively easy to deal with by changing shims in the cartridge, in the back you are probably looking at a new shock (or at least a rebuilt-by-expert stock shock).

As stated above, Daugherty Motorsports would be a great starting point, Jamie specialises in customising suspension to riders, and provides a great product at a competitive price.

 

I can help you with weight losing tips when you hit the plateau. I think 170 works out to be the perfect weight for stock suspension. You should keep it as your target. It would probably take a couple of years to get to it.
Search for 'Jordan Keyes XDA' on youtube. He posts a video every week, so it is very interesting to see his progress. I work a as software developer and it does not help in keeping the weight down. I hit the gym, cook at home 5-6 days/week and stay away from processed sugar/processed foods. Keep calorie intake between 1700-2000 and exercise. Your body will thank you if you are consistent at it.