New to motorcycles...new to vfworld

Hey, I just bought my 1st motorcycle...an '84 VF1000. Probably not the best starter bike, but I got a decent deal...I think.

It's got 26700 miles on it, and only has a little cosmetic damage on the right side. I paid 1500...sound fair enough?

I'm sure I'll be lingering around the site, as I'm soon to be hooked on bikes.

http://www.PhotoServer.us/is.php?i=201603&img=IMG_0719.JPG

http://www.PhotoServer.us/is.php?i=201602&img=IMG_0718.JPG

 

That's a pretty big chunk to bite off. Not exactly a starter bike. 1500.00 sounds about right (not a steal) if it runs good. Parts will be a little hard to find, but not impossible. Aside from the cam issues those bikes are noted for, they run great, and have tons of power. It should be a blast to ride. Good luck and keep the rubber side down.:biggrin:

 

Just keep it in your mind that you are a beginner and need to respect the bike. I jumped from a 400 to the vfr800 and it still gives me a good scare every now and then with its power. It took me a good year of riding it before I really knew what to do with it! I am very comfy now and love it!

 

I have to agree with the others, a VFR is a lot to bite off as a first bike. They have abundant power and the handling inspires confidence that exceeds your abilities. There is a reason that many countries have graduated licensing for motorcycles: It keeps people alive! If I understand things correctly the bike you have would require 5 years of riding experience to own in many countries.

That said, I offer three bits of advice:

1) Get the best protective gear you can and wear it! Pants, boots, jacket, gloves, and helmet. Don't get on the bike without it because odds are very good (almost a guarantee!) that you are going to go down. The only questions are when and how fast you'll be going. Most new riders drop them at zero mph with very little damage to bike or rider.

2) If you haven't already done so find and take a MSF Beginning Rider Course. You will learn a lot and you will get some experience that you need.

3) Be very, very careful. At this point in your riding career you don't even have enough experience to know what to be afraid of. A powerful bike can get you in big trouble a lot faster than you can get out of it.

Good luck with it. You'll love it, I'm sure.

 

Thanks for the tips guys. I fully intend on taking the class offered locally here. Also, I am very respectful of the power between my legs, and don't plan on going fast or doing anything stupid. I haven't bought any pants yet, but have gloves, helmet, and a nice jacket with all of the protective stuff.


On a different note, I rode my bike to work for the 1st time this morning....it was 45 degrees outside. Brrr...

 

That's part of the insidious nature of motorcycles. What feels fast today will feel slow tomorrow and boring next week. It's real easy to start to feel comfortable with something that you instinctively know is too fast or over the edge.

I'm a returning rider. I rode for years as a kid, got out of bikes, and got back in a couple of years ago. My VFR is my second bike this time around (still have the first one to), and I've only got about 25k miles in the past couple of years. Engines and suspensions have come so far I have to keep telling myself to back off because it is really easy to get into situations my limited experience doesn't know how to handle. Keep in mind that both of us are riding bikes that would take a minimum of 5 years of experience to have in some countries.

It was in the upper 30's here yesterday morning and this morning. It is what it is, we just get cold

 

Hey welcome to the VFR world and motorcycling. The guys here are great and very supportive. I would only add to SCraig's post that you should also make sure the bike's suspsnsion and brakes are working to specs. Even an experienced rider can struggle with a bike that has suspension or braking issues (especially on rough bad road). Keep the rubber side down and have fun.

 

I will agree with others on the VF1000 being a bike that requires a highly experienced rider to fully achieve its potential therefore not really a great beginner machine. Neither are the VF700/750...All 3 bikes have plenty of power and fortunitely they are fairly forgiving machines to a beginner...not sure on the 1000 though but i wouldnt be suprised if its as forgiving to a new rider..im also a returning rider with my 85 VF750 but i made the mistake of going big from the get go in the form of a 93 CBR900RR...im still wondering how the heck im still around after having that bike..

 

Well, it's been around 1200 miles, and so far, so good. I really enjoy the bike. :biggrin:

 

Welcome and be careful as stated we all put one down just how and when are the only ?'s. I just joined the honda riders club, worth the forty bucks, They offer a 75 dollar rebate if you take a MSF course. very great deal pay for the years worth of road side and towing. Stay safe

 

Hey, welcome to the fantistic world of VFR's and the people that love to ride them. I finally got back into street bikes after 25 years with only dirt bikes. A riding buddy I highly respect sold me his SV1000 and it was a great bike. It just didn't fit me. I tried a friends VFR800 and fell in love. It isn't the most powerful, lightest, etc. It is just best overall and it is a smooth fun ride.

I would say the most important thing for any rider to remember when getting on the bike is safety. Never assume the caged drivers see you. They don't see each other let alone someone on a thin bike. It makes riding fun just keeping your head on a swivel and always thinking ahead to the next approaching situation that demands your attention.

"A Man's Got To Know His Limitations"

 

I've been riding since the mid 80's mostly big hevay CB750 supersport which are pretty fast in there own right.I recently bought my first"sport bike" a 83 vf750f it is not any faster than the other 750's but it is a hell of a lot quicker.I figure I will get the hang of it by spring ( I live in cali and can ride most of the winter) and then I will be ready to take it for a real ride. I started on a 550 which was way to small for me but it helped me learn.

 

I watch the car drivers and expect them to do the stupidest thing in any situation. I am not often disappointed.