My first ever VFR ride today

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by Dena, Mar 25, 2019.

  1. Dena

    Dena New Member

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    6A236AD7-1011-4D20-9F53-78285834723B.jpeg In my excitement at buying a VFR (2006) I joined this forum and said hello (on the new members thread). At this point - some weeks ago now, I hadn’t actually experienced a VFR as the new bike went straight into the garage to be serviced and the rectifier/stator sorted.

    To pop some context in to my first ride on the viffer today - my current ride is a 2009 hornet. Hubby and I have the idea of doing a spot of touring and our hornets are... er... not quite up for the job. So the ideal is to buy two VFR’s, but I just didn’t know how I would get on with a heavy bike, being 5’3” and all. Hubby rode the bike home this morning, and off we toddled for a short blast on a route we know well (only a 20 minute journey). I rode there, he rode back.

    Well now I know what all the fuss is about... within one minute I was grinning from ear to ear. I am absolutely head over heels in love. That sound. That power delivery. That feel on the road. The weight just disappears when riding. I took it relatively steady, she just responded with very little twist of the wrist, steady and progressive. I felt at home on this bike, I felt so relaxed compared to the ‘hang on’ experience of the hornet. Amazing.

    I hope my ramblings of my first experience might serve some usefulness to anybody who is considering a VFR, especially those that are a little vertically challenged and exploring (as I did) whether it’s a suitable bike for a girlie.

    Now to buy that second VFR that will be all mine ❤️❤️❤️

    Here she is safe and sound at home (needs a clean - last owner didn’t clean her prior to sale).
     
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  2. bk94si

    bk94si Member

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    I'm short too. Lowering links help.
     
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  3. Dena

    Dena New Member

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    Thanks bk94si. I am going to see how I get on. I need more time in the VFR seat before deciding. Even on my hornet I’m on top toes. One foot is all I need, but I will be looking to lower my seat just to get a little extra leverage. I often manoeuvre my bikes off the saddle anyways.

    Have you had the lowering links done? Did it effect handling at all?
     
  4. Bubba Utah

    Bubba Utah Member

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    Welcome Dena! We look forward to your input. Take care.
     
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  5. OOTV

    OOTV Insider

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    Nice. I also like the gratuitous pet shot. Two black beauties! Glad you found the VFR to be what we all feel it is, just an all around great bike.
     
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  6. bk94si

    bk94si Member

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    I did. It makes the side stand too long. Still usable but I put on an aftermarket one. The centerstand is very hard to use.

    Handling wise I think seems better to me. If you corner very hard you might scrape things but I don't ride that hard.
     
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  7. Mind_Surfer

    Mind_Surfer New Member

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    Get a pair of these [​IMG]

    Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
     
  8. Zapp

    Zapp New Member

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    Here's a photo of my Interceptor with a lowering kit. The lady I purchased it from had it converted so she felt more comfortable on it. You can see the aftermarket kickstand in this photo.

    [​IMG]

    and from the other side.

    [​IMG]

    I had it switched to normal height soon afterwards as it was too low for me and I thought it would be better handling at stock height. I had it in my head so I thought the bike handled better but to be honest I could have been fooling myself. What I can say with certainty is that it was okay with the lowering kit, I didn't have any issues. So if you want it lowered for your purposes I think you would be happy. In either case, just keep the stock parts as you can always reverse it. Thankfully the previous owner of my bike had all the stock parts, kickstand included.

    One final thought, I didn't have any problem with the centerstand with the lowering kit on the bike but I guess it's easier to lift at standard height but not by a great deal, at least to me.

    Oh and most importantly, congratulations on having a two VFR garage in the near future. I agree with your assessment, they are just wonderful bikes to ride.
     
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  9. Dena

    Dena New Member

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    Thanks OOTV that’s Poppet - she likes to get her fissog in everything
     
  10. Dena

    Dena New Member

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    Thanks for the info... I am hoping I won’t need to lower it.
     
  11. Dena

    Dena New Member

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    not a chance lol
     
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  12. Thumbs

    Thumbs Member

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    The previous owner may not have cleaned it before he passed it on but he sure loved it, it looks spotless

    Glad you enjoyed the first ride
     
  13. Keager

    Keager Member

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    A.M. cut her seat down, said that helped. She is a shorter person as well.
     
  14. Coasty

    Coasty New Member

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    Congratulations on your new bike Dena, looks awesome, how do the puddas manage to slip into all the pic's ? I too am looking to buy my 1st VFR and like you, I can't wait, !
     
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  15. Dena

    Dena New Member

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    Hi there and thanks. My cats follow me everywhere, it’s hard to take photos without them getting a look in lol. I’m in love with VFR’s - it took about 30 seconds of riding to know So as it turns out this is now my husbands bike I have put a deposit down on another and aiming to pick it up tomorrow. Exciting.

    Which year are you getting? Colour? Fav mods?
     
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  16. Coasty

    Coasty New Member

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    I had an old dog like that, always smiling for the camera, I am looking for a 96/97 750 in one of the darker colors, my mate has one he never rides, had it for years but is having trouble letting it go, there were a couple of others but at the other end of the island, I think I will just borrow his and not bring it back :)
    can't wait swing my leg over another Jappa, love my Harley but it has shall we say, limitations ?
    Good luck for tomorrow, keep the shiny side up :)
     
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  17. Dena

    Dena New Member

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    Hi Zapp. Many thanks for taking the time to share this, with photos too. It’s really useful information. I hope to keep the bike(s) as stock as possible, but if I find that difficult I will look at this.
     
  18. Dena

    Dena New Member

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    Haha he probably wouldn’t even notice it missing good luck with your bike search.
     
  19. Coasty

    Coasty New Member

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    cheers. post a pic of your new beastie
     
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  20. Dena

    Dena New Member

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    9A17D5C7-6E3F-41E2-9B8B-2595DEFAF5C8.jpeg
    An update for you all... the white one is mine ❤️ The black one scrubbed up well too. We are now a VFR family.
     
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