Is a 6th gen VFR high maintenance

Hi,

I've decided to pursue a used 6th gen VFR. This will be my first bike and I've been practicing on a friend's ninja 650r. The MSF course is scheduled in August so I still have some time to save up to buy the bike.

Alot of my friends made fun that I am interested in the VFR. They ride gixxers, cbr's and one ninja and they claim it is mostly for older crowds but I still want this bike lol

My question is regarding VFR maintenace. Does it cost alot to maintain this bike? I want to do the oil changes myself and other fluid changes as well. Is it safe to say that chains need replacing ever 15k to 20k?

Thanks.

 

Depends on your riding style. Some folks go through a chain per season. If your friends all ride sportbikes, I would assume you plan to ride aggressively. The more aggressive you ride, the faster your chain will stretch. If you are hard on the clutch(jack rabbit starts, rapid gear changes) your chain will feel it as well.

 

Fluid changes will be the same and arguably simpler with the center stand.
The more complex will be valve timings and such but since most get thise done at a shop this issue is fairly minior. It does cost slightly more when you do take it in but i have not heard it being more expensive than a gsx-r, just slighty more than older simpler to work on bikes.
Also there friends may change there minds once they ride for any length of time.

 

IMO the 6th gen is not difficult or costly to maintain. I change the oil and other fluids myself (although the full synthetic rotella I use isn't too cheap, I only change it once a year/season).

I have switched out the thermostat myself which only cost me about $40.

I change the coolant once a year and this is a very simple process (Again, I use Engine Ice which is about $20 a bottle, but only once a year so it is definitely worth it).

All of the mods (exhaust, catless headers, PCIII, etc.) I did myself with no problems, and I am not a mechanic. The VFR maintenance book was about the best $20 I ever spent on her.

As far as chains/sprockets go, I bought new ones (15T front, 45T rear, DID chain) and replaced my stock at about 7500 miles. The stock were just fine, no sign of wear - I just wanted a different look and more acceleration.

This is a great bike. Don't let your buddies with the gixxers and cbrs fool ya. This one is great on the twisties and much more comfortable than those bikes.

 

Couldn't agree more with gwolever. Maintenance is not hard at all. I wouldn't spend the money on the manual though. You can download it from this website. Print it and put it in those plastic sleeves from office depot then you can take it to the garage with you and not worry about your $30 manual getting covered in engine grime. Do the chain conversion, especially if you plan on changing the opinion of your buddies. I had the same problem with my buddies. With the gear change, depending on your riding skill, you will run with 600's in the twisties, keep up with the 1000 on the straights and beat both in the middle. Its a great bike. Gear change also makes this bike wheelie better than your friend's bikes too, gotta love the V4 torque. I wouldn't take your test course on it either. Not sure of your state rules, but in Illinois as long as it was 250cc you could use it. Throwing a 250cc dual sport around at the test site is much easier than trying it on VFR, I assure you. Great choice and good luck.

P.S.-You get what you pay for, buy a good aftermarket chain and set of gears, and you'll be good.

 

I am like you at first, After few weeks do my research and compare what type of riding I will be doing. I decided to get the VFR. I love it
I do own other bike Ducatti, CBR but can not compare to the comfort of the VFR. For maintenance I would do all the oil chance, chain and sprocket etc... I stay away from the engine, Because I am not a mechanic. I let the shop take care of it.