How to build a 2002 for comfort & speed?

I am switching from a ST1300 and am wanting any & all advice on adjusting the riding position to upright and increase wind protection to more closely resemble that on the ST.
Is there anything more than Helibars (or can you combine Helibars & Genmar risers togeather) that can be done without tank clearance problems? At what stage do cables & lines need to be changed?

What kind of seat provides the all day comfort without going to a Russell? Has anyone used a Russell? Results? How hard is a Seargent?

What is a good peg lowering kit? Any brake or shifter problems?

How about the best wind protection without having to look through a shield? Or possibly adding a laminar lip to a larger afrermarket shield?

Finally bought my VFR, Hope I am not too old to enjoy it properly as you guys are probably thinking right now.

Thanks,

Warren

 

I have a '98 that has a few comfort additions that work out quite well:

1. Heli Bars (don't know if the GenMars can be added).
2. Throttle Meister cruise control (don't leave home without it).
3. Givi windscreen (4.5 inches higher).

This coming week I am ordering a Sargent seat. The stock one becomes uncomfortable on a long trip.
The stock one has what we use to call a "showroom" seat, i.e., very soft to the touch. Most aftermarket seats have higher durometer foam than stock ones.

Adjustable footpegs?...that would be great but I don't know of any, unless the Ducati ones can be adapted. Lower pegs would sure help my right leg problem.

The next item I am installing is my Widder electric vest/gloves system.

I already "hopefully" solved the R/R problem by adding the Radio Shack fan on top of it. That's another issue widely covered on this site.

Good luck on your quest.

 

I know what concerns you. I had a lot of ST1300 miles before getting my '05 VFR. Here's what I did to nudge the VFR more to the touring side of the sport-touring spectrum:

1) Convertibars combined with longer brake, clutch and throttle cables. Maximum rise and pullback are about 4" higher and 1" further back than stock. Gives you pretty much the same upright seating position as the ST. Does not effect the handling. But you can still rotate the bars down and forward for aggressive riding. Expensive (about $550 for the kit). Takes several hours to install (because you're changing brake and throttle cables). Nevertheless, I think it is the modification I've made. I've done several 600 mile days -- and a few 850 mile days -- without any neck or shoulder pain.

2) Thurn adjustable footpegs from Germany. They adjust 360 degrees around the mounting point. Lowest positon is about 1" lower than stock. Doesn't sound like much, but my knees don't bother me the way they did with the stock pegs.

3) Sargent seat. Supremely comfortable all day long. About the same height as stock. There are many long discussion threads on the merits of various seats (especially Sargent vs. Corbin). I loved the Corbin I had on my Suzuki, but I think Sargent's design for the sixth gen is perfect.

4) Zero Gravity Sport Touring windscreen. Another topic of endless discussion threads. The ZG ST works perfectly in combination with the other mods mentioned above.

Now I've got the comfort of an ST1300 without the weight and bulk.

 

PM FotoMoto. He put a standard handlebar on his VTEC for a more upright riding position.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/member.php?find=lastposter&t=8569



And Crazy Larry can set you up with a set of footpeg lowering blocks:

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,11085.0.html