I dropped my bike the first day I took it out.

Firstly welcome to the forum.

Sorry you have been taking quite a beating - they actually care for you.

Fixing bits - that Home Depot kit should cover most DIY challenges, although I'd add a get you home tyre(tire) repair kit - one with CO2 cylinders to re-inflate the tyre - as punctures are the most common cause of bikes being left stranded.

For decent protection you really need to invest in RG frame sliders (or similar) which does involve cutting holes through the fairings and fitting a modified coolant tank. At £100 they are not cheap but your fairings cost way more.

Don't be tempted to replace fairing bolts with cheapo, bolt on crash bungs - they may help on lighter bikes but the VFR is far too heavy so when it goes crash bungs will focus the impact and rip chunks out of the fairing panel.

If you are 6ft plus and weigh 200lbs+ then I guess inclines may be easy. But if like me you are vertically challenged and under 10 stone, then inclines are really intimidating, simply because at low speeds, I know the VFR can get a mind of its own and if it decides to topple over and the slope means you can't get a foot planted smartish then the only option is to get out the way!

If it is relevant there are lowering kits for the VFR and a no cost solution involving rotating the triangle plate, just dropping the bike a few cms will make the bike a lot more stable - as will square tires It's also worth getting the suspension sag adjusted correctly for your weight.

Frame sliders, should usually protect the bits you damaged, stop your leg being pinned beneath the bike, and minimise fairing rash, allowing you to drag the beast back upright and eventually ride off, albeit a bit shaken by the experience.

[Oh yes I did plenty of training and owned lighter bikes but there is no substitute for the VFR, even if its stupid heavy I love it - so if it’s the bike you want - then don't let them put you off!]

I live in the Alps where flat bits are hard to come by so I know training (practice) will show you solutions to inclines. The most important tip is to read the slope before you come to a halt, and then lean the bike into the hill slightly, that way your foot will reach the deck not fresh air. For smaller riders, defensive parking is another key skill - think how you will get the bike out again before you commit to a parking space - just because other lighter bikes are neatly parked up nose in to the kerb does not mean you will be able to lug the VFR out, so you may need to be different and use the slope to the curb to reverse the bike into a space.

Finally - When you do get a chance post up some proper photos of your VFR. Hope its red they are the fastest…..

 

Most dudes that find a VFR to be top heavy are usually bottom heavy.

 

well, good luck to ya Ricky Racer

 

The biggest time this bike seems heavy is when you pick it up off the ground. A VFR is a decent bike to learn on. Yes, there are smaller, easier bikes for a first bike, but I've seen people jump on 'Busas, 1000s, big heavy goldwings for their first bike. If you have good balance, OK. As far as fixing it right now, just have the parts available. Change them out in a while, not right now. That way if you go down again, then...oh well, parts were already broke. Unless it is a safety hazard, then by all means. Hell, my first bike I didn't know what anything was. I learned. Sometimes the hard way.

And ignore Billy. A lot of us around here do. Most of the time.