Hi everybody, new VFR owner here checking in. I just bought a 1998 VFR 800, fairly stock with what seems like still a fully functioning charging system. It has a two brothers regular mount slip on, and I'll likely replace that with a high mount GPR in the near future. A bit about my riding history, I started in the late 1990s in Indonesia. Rode friends scooters/mopeds around once in a while, and made the sudden and irresponsible jump to a Honda NSR250R. Rode that for a few years and I moved to the US in 2000. I was bikeless for a while, and then picked up a 1992 GSXR 750 in 2005, a split purchase with one of my best friends. We took turns on the ownership and I eventually bought the half from him. Rode that for ~10000 miles. Sold that and took a short hiatus for a few months (waiting for my next bike to pick me), and finally pulled the trigger on a 2007 Triumph Daytona 675. To this day still the most sublime bike I've ever owned. I had her for ~5 years and put 62000 miles on her (went through 2 stators, 3 R/Rs, 2 coolant temperature sensors, and that's all I can think of right now). Loved that bike but my living situation made it pretty difficult to keep up with the random maintenance needs of the bike (I didn't have a garage). Eventually sold her about 2 years ago. Which brings us to today... I just bought a 1998 VFR 800 and rode for about 200 miles around Houston (west side mainly). Initial impression: - Runs hot (~220 max temp while in stop and go traffic so far but not too much of it, 180 F when I was cruising on the highway on my way home). My crotch was warm the whole time, this will be an awesome thing once winter comes. - Predictable power, not peaky at all. Very different from my 675. - Sounds like a sewing machine at lower RPMs/idle (before the exhaust drowns it out). Very much like my 675. - It's chunky... I was too used to the slim silhouette of my triple powered 675. Whenever I put my feet down at a stop light or sign my knee bumps the fairing a bit haha. - 4, 5, and 6th gears sound different from 1, 2, and 3rd. Starting at 4th the transmission has a slight whine to it. Nothing alarming, maybe the gears a cut differently at the higher gears? Orrrrr... tranny is about to explode. We'll see. That's all I've noticed for now. Enjoying the bike quite a bit and I'm pretty sure she'll be a long time companion for me. Any advice for a first time VFR owner? I already have the R/R swap in mind, will do that in the winter sometime. I love working on bikes but absolutely hate sweating unnecessarily. I'll be scouring the forum over the next few weeks, but if there is a must do mod for the 5th gen please feel free to let me know. Thanks!
Welcome welcome to the wacky wold of VFR ownership, you have a good one there but where's the photos? Man o man you had a NSR250, drool factor times two. Very cool. Yes, this version of the VFR runs a tad warm, 220 ain't bad pretty much the norm. I'd like to believe Honda knew this from the start. once above 35mph it starts cooling off. Some have switch the fan to the RC51 version, me i just take it in stride for now. There's a lot of this and that with little results. some have added the 6th gens right side radiator as it's 15% larger so I hear. I personally have no experience other than yes its a bit warm , more right ankle "if" It's just what it does, but then I don't live in Tx. I'm sure some will chime in here as it's a hahaha a Hot topic for some. The VFR is a Dr. jeckle mr. hyde machine for sure, keep the Rs down and it just sails along, pick up the Rs and another beast comes out why it's so loved, does everything pretty damn good in in your case like mine the sound is very enticing with gear driven cams First up grade, other than the RR which you sound like you are aware of, is the suspension bits, this makes the bike a whole other machine. With common sense routine maintenance and a keen eye for the details, this bike will do you well. Enjoy, and don't forget the photos
Welcome Budo I also ride a 5th gen (99) and have had it for a couple of years. My one has been great under my ownership, and about the only preventative maintenance I've done was to cut out the 3P connector between the alternator and the RR, as these have a habit of corroding then melting. I have got a voltmeter fitted, just in case. I have replaced the thermostat (it stuck open, bike ran noticeably cold and slow to warm) and if you do that, best to replace the surrounding hoses as you have to pull off the throttle body assembly to get there, and you will only want to do that once. The VFR responds well to suspension upgrades, although it will never be a 675 Daytona. I have de-linked my brakes and now have a CBR600F4 front end in 6th gen triples, and a modified CBR929 shock (Daugherty Motorsports). A common mod is to remove the PAIR system and blank off the ports, does nothing for performance but allows you to get rid of a bit of plumbing making servicing easier. You can also disable the flapper valve on the airbox (remove and blank off the vacuum line) if you fancy more intake noise.
Thanks for the welcome folks. I rode the bike most of the day and just got to my apartment around 8 pm. It was a bit dark for pics. I'll have some time this weekend and will throw up some pictures for sure. She's in remarkably good condition, as I'm pretty surprised when I see any sport influenced bike older than 10 years with drop damage. The right fairing does have some slight scuffing, seems to be from storage or something with white paint rubbing up against it, will likely buff out. Tank has the expected scuffs and scratches. The tank pad (center) is starting to peel off, which is no biggie because I don't like it at all. Will be getting a clear tank pad and a set of stomp grips asap. The way she pulls at WOT, I'd be much more comfortable with a good set of grips for my legs. Will heed the words on the suspension, the bike did feel a bit "floaty" on the lame TX switchbacks. The bike isn't "slow" to turn by any means but I was definitely very surprised at how sluggish it seems compared to my 675. The 675 is a very aggressive turning bike, at first ride it actually felt like it just wants to immediately drop dead to the ground when you start a turn haha. Front brakes will be a must eventually but so far she stops pretty well. Flapper delete will definitely be done as I do fancy myself a throaty intake (I drive a Subaru and I love my intake noise when the turbo kicks in haha).
Congrats on the new ride, also check how old the tires are air pressure 36-42 rear. Did ya get any maintenance records? If not time to flush-- coolant and brakes. Enjoy Budo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Don't listen to him, LOL it's 33 and 34 cold Yea the 5th compared to the 675 won't ever be a as quick, it's no getting around the weight diff. Here's a trick, try riding around with almost no fuel, you'll be surprised how well the vfr moves around, it's diffidently felt. That said the VFR is no slouch. I have a friend here I occasionally ride with on a 675, great bike BTW, we switched rides, yes there's a big diff. No doh! I thought about at one time getting his as he doesn't ride it much, he also has a Daytona. which explains that. On the street it's pretty dead even, but then I have a few tricks done to mine. Have fun.
Air is good, checked that before riding off. No records but the guy said he kept up with the maintenance. Either way, will be changing all fluids within the month. Brake fluid looks okay but the clutch fluid can pass for maple syrup (The darker grade B kind too). Might as well flush both.
I embarrassed myself last week when I decided to change brake and clutch fluids on my 3 Hondas, and found that the VFR clutch had lots of black goop in it. I feel better now. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Well this took ages!!! Finally got pics up. Also realized that both lights are on with this bike which means I need another bulb. Might as well buy two. Anybody have a good voltmeter recommendation? I was thinking about getting the Datel round meter but not sure if it'll fit anywhere on the current dash/instrument cluster. The rectangular one is a next option, but just a bit clunky for my taste.
I'm still a rookie, also. New tires, and jack up the preload, Shorai battery, low on fuel. That will help some. It'll never be a 675. It takes a little more effort to chuck this thing into a corner. But the extra weight and length make for stability, and confidence. This is the biggest, heaviest bike I've had since my 1980 900F. (Which I bought new) Swapping out the rectifier is easy. I did mine a couple of weeks ago.
The OP is saying that he finds the Vfr 800 slower steering than his 675. You are suggesting tire pressures of 33,34. That will make his steering even slower than the stock 36, 42. Unless you are doing track days on your Vfr, I don't see any advantage to running 33, 34. Unless of course you like buying tires on a more regular basis!
