New rider with 99 VFR800

New to morotcycle. Just bought a VFR800 last month. Already went through the Safety Course, but still need tons of practice.

I've actually been modding the bike more than riding....:numbness:

Did some oil change, changed filter to BMC air filter, added red rim tape, put a tank pad on it, and about to finish a retrofit on the headlights. May put up a guide if there isn't one.

 

Welcome to the palace where the walls are decorated with thickly padded wallpaper. Kudos for posting your pix up front. Take you time getting the feel for the bike. That may lessen the frequencies of drops. So I am told anyways.

 

Thanks! I just need to work on shifting gears and turning. I guess I just have a hard time knowing when to shift lol.

Just need to practice more in empty parking lots.

 

"I guess I just have a hard time knowing when to shift"
Oh thats easy, just keep reving till it starts to misfire then change gear.
Just kidding you, welcome aboard man.

 

:welcome: to the madness :wave:
Good for you for taking the MSF class, practice and use your head (Not the little one) is the key
Glad to have you, ask if you have any question. Ride safe and ATGATT

 

Take the experienced rider course as soon as you can. it will make a difference with your own bike. Biggest thing in the beginning for me was learning to not to apply the front brake while leaned over. I learned the hard way too.

 

Welcome to VFRW! And yes the VFR is quite awesom ! I shoulda got one sooner !

 

Just got the with the retrofit headlights finally! Now I can go practice.

I don't plan on using the full power of this VFR yet, will just be doing parking lots and some neighborhood roads. I don't see myself getting on the freeway anytime soon.

 

The freeway is easy....it's stop, go & turn in town that will get you in trouble~

 

I dunno. You have already taken the MSF course so you should have all the skills needed to ride safely on any of our roads here in North America, Except possibly Winnipeg in the spring before they fix the craters. I think you should just go out and ride, just keep within your abilities. When you head out for ay reason, if there is not a specific reason you have to take the cage, then take the bike. You should gain your confidence quite quickly. The go for the advances courses if that is your wish.

 

I felt the MSF wasn't enough, at least it wasn't long enough. Two days felt too short to me, although to be honest I wanted to get over with the exam during that time. I've been riding around the neighborhood a little. Just not too confident going out to the roads with 40+ MPH speed limits yet. I do great in first and second gear, occasionally go to third lol.

Just too slow when switching gears and can feel the bike jerk sometimes so I'm not switching the gears very well. Been watching a lot of videos on youtube lately to help. I think more riding will improve my skills.

 

This was the biggest mod I did on the VFR800, bike was put back together this weekend. Gonna ride the bike more this weekend after classes are done.

 

Congrats - Looks Great!!!! Ride with confidence and be safe. If you feel you need more training try the ERC or get a season of riding under your belt and check for a Lee Parks ARC (Advanced Rider Course) in your area. If you know someone who is a friend and sane competent rider, get together for some local rides. Also, check http://www.meetup.com for rider groups in your area. Some great rider DVDs are Keith Code's "Twist of the Wrist I and II"

 

Glad things are coming along. Just a suggestion - and don't take this as a license to be an idiot: These VFRs don't like to be run at low rpms. That's referred to as "lugging" the engine. While we all encourage you to ride safe, if you are making your shifts between first and second gear at anything less than say, 4000 rpms, you might find those shifts to be clunky. (Personally, I seldom shift if I'm below 5K rpms, even for casual riding). Just something to consider while your practicing.

 

You pick a rough bike to learn on -the VFR is a very top heavy bike-don't fill the gas tank-until you ride a lot-and don't fill your tires 36-42 either-more like 33-36-I would say put some good sliders on too-is a must have. Wear leather pants and big boots!irate:

 

Thanks guys for the suggestions. I'll keep that 5k rpm in mind next time I'm on road.

I've been watching Twist of Wrist 2 actually, started couple weeks ago. Never got chance to finish but I rewatch some parts when I get the chance.

I've heard lots different opinions on starter bikes. Many recommended a smaller cc bike like the ninja 250-300, but I didn't want to deal with upgrading later. Now I kinda regret it lol. My buddy said not to worry about the gas tank, hmmm. I've thought about sliders but the good ones on the VFR requires cutting?

Haven't wore leather pants and don't have any, wore big boots during MSF and hated it. Had hard time getting foot under shifter to shift. I wear a Joe Rocket jacket, Shoei helmet, and gloves. Long pants (jeans) of course.

Need to invest in an ABS bike in future, heck maybe even an auto lol

 

Get some sliders and cut a 1.1 inch hole in the fairing or you can go the other way and use the fairing or your foot as a slider. You will drop this bike, so if your not ready-it will hurt a lot more. I had a r6 600 that I dropped quite a bit while I was learning to ride, but it was only 400 pounds-I had sliders on and they worked well. This bike I think is quite a bit harder to ride at low speed and your not going to hold it up when it goes-it too heavy. My old 600 I could push it back up most of the time:joker::stickhorse:

 

Seems your around my neck of the woods, if you ever need help or want to ride, lemme know.

Great first bike choice--I made the same. Glad I picked a keeper.

 

Is there a guide to installing these sliders?

Nice! I'm actually in NLR, haven't made it to LR with my bike yet lol. Be nice to ride with you someday though. My buddy is helping me a lot, he actually helped me drive this bike to my house when we went to Conway to buy it.