How much can you tweak this bike?

I've read a little about PCIIIs and pipes and cans here but say you do all that what kind of HP gains can you expect to get?

 

Check out this thread.
http://vfrworld.com/forums/general-vfr-discussions/10733-07-25th-dyno.html?highlight=gains

 

Are we talking HP gains? or tweaks to get what you have working better chassis wise. Hp isn't everything. Helps, but first the first item that needs attention is the suspension, Set the Sag! everyone is different, what works for Sallys VFR probably won't work for yours. then of course there's the treaded tire difference, depending on your riding style, No, not all tires are created the same. Next notable gains are in the rear shock then moving forward to the front fork springs. Of course there are easy gains by adding an exhaust item and if you have a 5th-6th a PC3 will give you a smoother transgression with a few extra ponies. The next steps get down and dirty. But before I would make any serious tweaks, the biggest improvement in getting the VFR around is, Know how to ride, Take a ie. Freddi Spencer school or equal then you really be able to bring the best out of the VFR.

 

The highest credible numbers I've seen (without very serious mods) is a gain of about 10 horses at the rear wheel (he went from about 99 to 109). The guy had a PCIII, aftermarket air filter, O2 sensor thing, aftermarket cans, and Gen. 5 headers.

There's a mechanical engineer on VFRdiscussion.com that recently put a supercharger on his Gen. 5 VFR. If memory serves, he's got about 145 horses at the rear wheel and thinks he can get another 10 or so with a few more tweaks. Now that's some serious power. He said once he's completely done with it, he's going to start working on a supercharger kit for the Gen. 6 VFR.

I've also heard of this company in Europe that will install a big bore kit on the VFR. The kit increases displacement from 786 to somewhere in the 850 range.

 

Yes, I was mainly talking HP. It seems that V4 development has fallen behind I4. It seems this motor should be able to generate about 120 HP without a turbo. The big bore kit sounds interesting. It was the same thing on the last bike I had. You could spend about a grand for a 10 HP gain. I'm not sure that's worth the trouble.

 

Honda stopped trying to "develope" the v4 sport bike engine in 1998, noone else has tried. The VFR is more than peak hp numbers. If you're talking more power for canyon or track use, improve your riding skills. If you're talking disatisfaction with top speed or straight line accellaration, I'd suggest a different bike.

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

What I said wasn't meant as an insult. I rode a 1 liter Vtwin because I wanted more than screaming peak HP. Riding skills not withstanding, there's nothing wrong with more deliverable power. I thought when MotoGP went to 800cc that Honda would drop a cylinder on their race bike and some of that R and D would be applied to the VFR.

 

Sorry, I thought you had a VFR not shopping for one. I'd stick with something more powerful if that is a main concern.

 

Yea man I'm still waiting for some of that RD on those bikes to come this way, good thing I have other things to do while I'm waiting.

 

I was thinking in more of a header system. I really dont hear much about really getting the exaust flowing better. what kind of opts are there

 

I was wondering about that two. The Futura had a h pipe setup that replaced the cat and pipes and opened it up.

 

I'm pretty sure there are a couple European companies that make "hi performance" headers for the VFR. However, they're likely to cost $700-$800. If you're really after headers, you should be able to find some '98-'99 headers for $200-$300 (and they're likely to be just as good as the $700-$800 ones.

Remember that guy that got some '98-'99 headers, aftermarket cans, and a PCIII on his bike. He only gained 10hp at the rear wheel. That's about all you can really expect. If you don't want to do this, try swapping sprockets ( it's much more cost effective.) Just remember, that this will simply give you a mechanical advantage as opposed to a gain in horsepower. The advantage is you're bike will accelerate faster (as if you've gotten more horsepower; and trust me, you'll notice the difference.) The downside is you'll be running at higher RPM's when cruising down the highway. Some people that have done this have said they were oftentimes looking for the sixth gear that wasn't there.

Best of luck to you.

 

Here's my two cents worth... I'm still saving money for the Motad SS header. I have a K&N filter, Staintune can, and a Power Commander II (old school). But by far, the most noticible improvments were my Race Tech Gold Valves, springs, and an Olhins shock. I was supprised just how much power the bike really had after I was able to put it to the ground better. Sure having more HP is nice, but you may be supprised what we already have on tap when the wheels stick like glue!

 

I'm with Ghost on this one.

BZ

 

Here's my thoughts

I've wrenched on both cars and bikes, and by far the most interesting is the VFR. I've been riding since I was a kid and have been on sport bikes and cruisers. The VFR platform is one with extreme potential. If you want a track bike then go all out with every mod possible. Just remember this equation If go fast then stop fast. Suspension front and rear and tires are what put that power on the ground. Cause if they aint right then you are just sliding to your death. Study the industry because I betcha someone is doing what you want to do. Just because Honda gave up on it doesn't mean we have to. Can I get an Amen.

 

Being used to sport bikes the VFR is really interesting being it is huge and heavy with spongy brakes and old forks but at speed the thing is magical not sure how they pulled it off. I swear I can hold corner speed better than almost any other bike in memory. My first tweak would be real Superbike brakes if anything. ( I may just leave this one stock)