A few hundred miles and a few questions

Hey all, so I've put a couple hundred miles on the Viffer and so far love it. Though a few random questions have come up in my short course of ownership:

How often do you change the coolant? Manual recommendations or once a year etc.? I know coolant doesn't really break down but the bike runs so hot I'm curious.

On the hot note, when the fan is on and bringing it in to park, do you just hit the kill switch so the fan stays on or turn off the key and not worry about it?

On a ride yesterday my fuel indicator starting blinking, telling me to get gas ASAP. When I filled it to the top it only took 4.6 gallons. I thought the tank was bigger, is my sensor screwy?

And lastly, though I know there are a ton of threads on it like in any motorcycle forum: for those of you who have bought/researched/seen a lot of VFR exhausts, which is the best value? The bike is too quiet.

Thanks in Advance!

 

I just turn my bike off regardless of the fan being on or not. I don't let it run with the key on. If the engine isn't running the water isnt circulating anyway. You'd only be blowing through waht is in the radiator at the time.

I've read multiple posts where the blink indicator for low fule comes on at different times. The tank will be what it's rated in the manual. You now know exactly how much you have in 'reserve' if you subtract the tank size form how much you put in when it started blinking, which is good info to know.

Can't answer any exhaust questions. I'm all stock here.

 

6th Gen's get worse MPG than the 5th's, so I would expect your normal MPG should be about 38-42.

As far as exhaust's go, you can't go wrong with Staintune, Remus or Leo Vince on a 6th Gen. The Two Bros VALE looks awesome on the VFR but I freaking hate TBR so I can't recommend them.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

I haven't changed my coolant yet, only had it ~2 mos myself. I plan to do what M.O.M. tells me unless someone comes with a good reason to deviate!

I usually kill mine, then turn the key (mainly because my hand is right there.)

When filling the tank, I always use the center stand. I find I can fill it to the rim and have my gauge be more accurate. I do notice that it drops from 100% to minus 1 tick pretty quick though. If you only fill up on side stand, you won't be able to get a full fill.

I have Staintune and they're awesome! I still have the baffles in, and it still sounds great! HAPPY RIDING!

 

Once a year for collant should be fine and you dont need to let the fan run. as for pipes i think the staintunes sound the best but are not cheap. I scooped some Erion pipes on ebay for pretty cheap. around 600.

 

I change my coolant every 2-3 years depending on when I get the bug to do it. It doesn't take much time and I usually catch it sometime I'm doing other maintenance like an oil change.

Rarely do I pull in somewhere and my fan is still running but I just turn the bike off. It will cool off just fine.

Your sensor isn't screwy on the tank at all. The fuel gauge is a tad pessimistic on the 6th gen. It is indeed a 5.9 gallon tank. The manual says that there is a .9 gallon reserve but the gauge will usually say empty around 4.2-4.5 gallons. You'll probably notice that it is almost impossible to get it to read full unless you fill it on the center stand.

It is very hard to say what is a value when it comes to exhaust as it is something that is highly personal. Many gladly fork over the extra cash for the sweet sound that the Staintunes pipes offer but they are pricey at about $1100 new. Others sound good and don't cost nearly as much. I think that Leo Vince pipes cost around 600 and there are several others in the $400-$600 range as well. You have to decide what you think sounds good and is a value to you, not someone else.

 

Thanks guys that's helpful, especially the fuel tank responses. Was in the middle of nowhere and the thought of pushing the bike uphill in full gear and 95 degrees was starting to worry me.

 

I get right around 40mpg out of my bike and I've regularly put 30 miles on after the gauge started blinking. Even then I've never had to put more than 5.1 gallons in to fill it back up which means there is still plenty of room to keep going if needed.

 

Hello. just though I'd answer a few. If the bike engine is off it is already cooling down, no sense running down the battery with the fan. Gas gauges are screwy. Odometers aren't. I look for a gas station at 150 miles on my VFR800S7. And I like the stock pipes on it. Honda got those right.The ST1300 hot grips I put on it, Those are nice.

 

I like the look/shape of the stockers, just wish I heard more of the bang.

 

Then you'd miss all the clickity clack from the top end of the viffer!

 

If you can find them, go for the Staintunes. You wont regret it.

Flash

 

..........."And lastly, though I know there are a ton of threads on it like in any motorcycle forum: for those of you who have bought/researched/seen a lot of VFR exhausts, which is the best value?"

I would have to answer that the "best value" is the OEM setup. I you want them to sound much better make this simple change. Perform all your shifts in the 7000 to 10000 RPM range. It will pleasing to more than just the ears. To reduce the exhaust note, just use a little restraint.

 

you can remove the "guts" of the stock exhaust to get the louder note but retain the looks. There are several write ups on that both here and on the dark side...