Sport-TOURING...

Hi~
I'm currently in VFR investigation mode, looking at it with longer distance sport-touring in mind. Converti-Bars or Heli-Bars are a given, along with the OEM luggage, and a higher screen. Probably a Rick or Bill Mayer saddle. What else would y'all recommend?

 

throttle lock, good gear
lots of electronic gadgets available if you are in to that sort of thing

 

Heli-Bars, Throttlemeister, ZG Sport Touring screen and Givi luggage were all I needed. Longest trip to date is only 1,800 miles though.

 

This is so personal, that there's really no one fit answer, as for me nothing is needed, less fuel. It's one of the great things about the VFR is its large range of user friendliness, you want better wind protection there's lots out there, different bags, same thing. Buy a VFR then dress her up the way "YOU" want, there's no wrong way. LOL same thing goes for tires too :wink:

 

Factory saddlebags, MC Cruise electronic cruise control, Pirelli tires worked good for a 2,500 mile cross-country trip.

RVFR is right. Only you know what works for you. Do some research, and you'll be fine.

 

$700 for cruise control!? yikes.

 

Seat, bars, screen, and good luggage, that has served me well for 3.500 and 2,000 mile trips this year. I love this bike for sport touring.

 

I bought the cruise kit a few years ago and installed it myself. Did not realize how expensive they have become.

 

New seat and soft luggage (tail bag or tank bag) is all I want/need. And a credit card for cheap motels and the laundromat.

 

I've got 107,000km on mine with at least one long tour per year since 2000. Longest tour was 6,000km and I've only added Givi hard bags
Great touring bike

 

I recommend you get one, then just leave it alone and drive it for a long ride first!.get used to it the way it is first.. I used to fiddle with every bike I ever owned, it got even worse once the internet came along.I thought I had to do a lot of changes on my toys after reading too much first..

The vfr was my first sport type bike after cruisers and standards.quit a change! .I was lucky enough to go on a long ride immediately after buying my vfr and never had a chance to fiddle!.hurt after the first 600 mile day,less the next, after that it was the best bike i ever rode! ..later when i did do the bars and shield afterwards, I found they screwed it up totally for me..lesson learned was get used to it first, and that means a long ride, not a few hrs..THEN fiddle away as you might find you have to..I find mine best stock.
The vfr as delivered is the best long distance bike I have ridden.I only had a sore rear when I raised the bars, no problem since with the stocker..I just unloaded a fjr13 because it was not even close for me..SO yep..get one.try it...fiddle if you have to, I suspect some combo will make you happy..unload it if it doesn't work, there are lots of others out there..
..but there are good odd's you will love it!

enjoy!

 

I agree with nitronorth. Honda has had A LOT of time to refine these bikes. Ride it for awhile before modding. That said, here is a list of mods to my 2004:

Soft luggage (tail bag and/or tank bag)
Leo Vince exhaust (totally unnecessary, but I like the resonance)
PCIII and a custom map (this is an essential, I think).



Next up for consideration:

Power outlet for electric vest and GPS
Heated grips
Throttlemeister
Better beer tray

 

I can honestly say, every modification to my VFR was done out of necessity. She is so much better than stock right now. And I can only recommend that you save up your money and research what people have done first. However if the Bike rides right to you now - the only thing you are going to lose is a lot of $$$$ and MPG if it's in the engine. If it's soreness or fatigue or wind batter, then you'll only gain comfort.

Have fun building her up :wink:

 

Ready to roll.... My buddies with their ST's and FJR's call it the Honda TitaniumWing. A Sargent will complete the deal.

Factory Saddle Bags & Trunk, Zumo 550 / iPhone / Nolan N-Com, Tank Bra, Touring Windshield.

Love it...

David

 

Nice job. Enjoy.

 

I've got the throttlemeister and love it , $700 does seem like a bit much for the electronic unit but either way you really should get some sort of throttle control.

 

DH, that's one sweet ride! "Titanium Wing..." Perfect!!! And exactly what I'd like to have. The catch is, I have one other monetary blackhole; I run SCCA Solo II, and I'm getting more serious at it (about time-I've been doing this for 35+ years)-I'm looking at the '09 Subaru WRX. Perhaps I need one less vice.
I'll probably keep my 650 V-Strom another year or two, THEN look for a VFR. Here's what I have now; Picasa Web Albums - Fourvalve Go to the "Wisconsin MOA Trip."

 

I came at this slightly differently since motorcycle and motorcycling are different questions....here's my words on both...

I commuted about 10,000 miles between May and Oct 2007 after I got my 6th gen. She stayed bone stock until then, but I had the factory side cases and wife got me a top case and bag. (Have never ever used the liner bag-but don't tell Momma)

I have found the stock seat fine for my backside - but I'm 5'7" 160lbs... so no Sargent yet.

I have found the stock bar height fine for riding straight through two tanks of gas - about 400 miles, but that's me.

I spent money on the following stuff in order of utility to me:
*Alpinestart goretech gaunlet gloves. they have great feel and have kept my hands dry. Though I've honestly not had to ride in drenching rain, or even a hard rain longer than an hour... I just wait at work til the worst is over.
*Aerostich Roadcrafter riding suit. It has been everything folks say they are for me.... I looked at some less expensive alternatives, but no place local had my size in stock. Customer Service is great. After 10 months with it, I wish I'd have gotten gray instead of the blue, but no biggie.
*Sidi waterproof riding boots. I wear them to/from work and have a pair of loafers at the office if someone stops by. They are comfortable enough to wear all day if no one does.
* Garmin Zumo 550. I mounted it right in front of the gas tank. it rocks. use it in the car too.
* NorCalBoy, Ron, steered me to Eastern Beaver electrical... he built a rig to run juice to the Zumo, Radar Detector, and
* Honda Factory heated grips. They sell them in Japan - oddly enough the writing on them is Enlish - and they keep my mits warm this time of year with the same glove I use in the summer... so I still have a nice feel on the bars.

So the exhaust is still stock, I enjoy hearing your pipes, but I ride enough that I'd rather not have the extra noise all the time. If you want more power, get a different bike, the K1200GT, FJR1300, and Concours 14 all put out ~ 150hp if I remember right. But they also cost more, or did when I was looking.

Hope you get a chance to ride each of them before you buy. good luck in your search! And remember to listen for banjos when on those back roads of TN...

 

Ok things I did.

Helibars, because I have a very bad back and had a bad wrist. Lately my back is feeling better and the wrist has been fixed. I now find the helibars a bit high on the open road. Great in the city though. Would definitely not go higher.

Higher screen to go with the helibars, I went zero gravity sport tour.

Sargent seat. Had real trouble with the standard seat after an hour or so. Depends a bit on height, weight etc.

Throttle rocker. Great little device for taking the pressure of the throttle hand. A lot cheaper than a throttle lock and pretty good.

Saddle bags. Best investment I ever made, just so damn useful. Wouldn't want to be without them.

I would recommend riding the bike unchanged for a month or more and a couple of longer rides before you change things. A lot of stuff you might not find a problem depending on fitness etc. after you have got used to the bike.