Scooter to VFR interesting

Hey gang,

I introduced myself yesterday before picking up my 02 VFR. I traded my 07 Burgman 400. It had 1700 miles and it cost me some $ but it was worth it to get my riding legs back. The burgy is a great machine but has some limits and that is when I decided to change rides. Looked hard at the new Bandit 1250 but I'm a Honda Guy.

Now some interesting stuff. When I picked it up I was a little nervous. I started by giving the VFR the same amount of throttle that I gave the Burgy! Not great when I started to let out the clutch it took off. Okay I braked it fine and adjusted on my next take off.

Now for the real tricky stuff the Burgy has an automatic tranny. My feet have been just hanging out for the ride. Now they have to work and I forgot a few times to hit the rear brake and pulled in the clutch. Funny when I picked up the Burgy I pull what I thought was the clutch when I came to the stop and grabbed a fist full of rear brake.

Made home fine with a few mis timed shifts. The bike handled very well.

I had to take it out today and found a vacant lot so we can get used to each other. The windshield is fine but it has Heli bars and not sure how they are working. When I sit up tight to the tank it seems much better. The one thing I have to change are the mirrors. I know what my elbows look like thank you very much. I need to see what is behind me. Not sure about bar end mirrors I'll have to look down too much. I read about spacers I wonder how they work.

Well that's my story so far and plan to hang onto this bike for a long time.

My first deposit on a bike was the v45 Sabre. When they first hit the US supply was short and the bike never came in. So I bought a GPZ 550. Had a blast with it.

I guess it was destiny for me to ride a Honda V4 just 26 years later.

Joe

 

Comment about Mirror Extenders........

Hey Fuji1. I had the same problems with the mirrors on my '07, but I found the mirror extenders on EBAY for around $30.00. Boy, what a difference.
Good Luck and Enjoy.
I've attached some before and after pics.

 

Hey guys thanks for the tips. The brakes feel pretty smooth. Starting to remember to use my foot on the rear.


Great information on the extenders. I'll check it out right now. I thought it was me. I had to tilt my head on the way home tonight.

I did notice that when I down shifted the headlights got dim. From whited to tan. Any stator problems?

Joe

 

Benjammer: Thanks for the info, my problem exactly, seeing nothing but my elbows doesn't do me much good. Thanks, you don't happen to know what company makes them do you? or a website?

 

Scooterboy (fuji):

Practising correctly will help a bunch. The VFR has a linked brake system, so the front brake on your throttle does both, and the foot brake does both, with a bias toward the front or back. I would HIGHLY recommend you practise using your right hand to brake since this will also increase the likelihood you roll off the throttle when you break. If you keep the pointer and tall man fingers over the front brake, you'll be good to go after some practise. If you are afraid of losing the front end, work up to hard braking with just the right hand in the parking lot. Practise it from your highway speeds after you're comfy in the lot on a back road.

Have you done the MSF course? It might be a fun refresher... and on someone else's bike incase you do overdo something.

I'd hate to have your brain in scooter mode with the Interceptor under you.

best of luck!

 

Steveb. Below is the link to click on the EBAY website. He is the same guy I bought them from. If link doesn't work, type in Honda VFR mirror extenders. This guy has the best price that I've seen. Some sites had them for $60.00. He had a buy it now for $30.00 and I was desperate to see something besides half my arm. Again, they extend out about an inch, and look factory.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002...012QQitemZ220142318241QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

 

Nozzle,

Thanks, I did the ERC class this year and it was a great session. I took the VFR out yesterday and went through the skills from the class. In a lot of ways it was much easier than the scooter. U turns with the auto trans were tricky having to get on the gas and have the clutch kick in and having to lay off and do it again.

The ride night it was much better.

I ordered the extenders last night Thanks, benjammer.

I did notice the lights went from white to tan when I down shifted and the motor slowed down. I wonder if this is a battery just not charged or maybe a Stator.

Joe

 

More info that you didn't ask for...

I'd gotten the factory side cases and lovely caring wife got me the factory rack and topcase.

I think the bike looks better with the side cases, but the topcase suits my commute better than the two side cases. I think the topcase just looks out of place when I walk up to the bike, but it holds my courier bag, keeps it dry, it's easy to load my helmet and jacket it on weekend day trips and .... I don't really see it when I'm riding, so I care less and less about how it looks. Momma enjoys the backrest when she rides.

Some will swear by their soft gear, but I prefer to stay hard.

If you are missing the trunk on your scooter, there are lots of options for more storage. Figuring out what might work best for you without buying it first is tricky though....

 

cool!

i'm planning to make the scooter --> vfr transition this summer. it's good to know i'm not the only one. scoots are cool, but i don't always need to carry 20 lbs of dog kibble, y'know?