Totally new rider 03vfr800 ( can you say mid life crisis?)

Just bought an 03 non ABS, silver with 13000 miles.
I've always wanted to ride, and what better way to start than on a sport/tourer like this?
I was first sold on the looks, then when looking into reviews, figured that the "soft performance" (!) would do well for my age and experience- I'm 39 and have about 15 minutes on an early 90's nighthawk 750... (15 years ago)
The 2nd owner :
put on new michelin road pilot2's last month- still have the molding fingers...chicken strips?
zero gravity double bubble windscreen
Tank bra (no likey, removed) would rather have a full tank cover or a belly-strip
Heli bars
Axio tank and rear seat bags -silver
13k mi. $4.4k ,,,, Frank Thomas leather and winter jackets and 3 pr gloves +$160...
rotor lock, bike cover and battery tender
(He sold the Givi bags before I could counter-offer for them!) Probably shouldnt ride with those for a while anyways!
Bought an 02 factory repair manual- because i thought for sure i was getting the 3700 mi 2002 in San Diego....
Well my beginner course is on the 2nd of sept.
Hey at least my heels touch the ground (i'm 6'1")
should any maintenance be done? oil, coolant, brake flush?
Wish me luck!
David Ortega
Petaluma, Ca

 

Congrats! You are off to a good start here by posting pics of the new girl right away. All I can say is be extra careful and do not push your limits until you are 100% comfortable with the bike. The VFR is not exactly the best beginnner bike but if you take things slow you should be fine. At minimum you should do a full oil/filter change and check all other fluids (clutch, brake, coolant) Also check to make sure the wiring harness recall work was performed since there was an issue with the wiring harness on 2002-2005 models.

Rollin

 

yes...."Mid Life Crisis" averted!!!

Welcome David! I have always loved the silver ones myself.

If anything the 03 VFR is just a little on the "big" and "heavy" side for a fresh rider, but I've got faith! Be safe and here's to many good, safe miles

:cheersaf:

 

Thanks!
I didn't want to go through the "I got bored with the ex650" ordeal. I'm pretty athletic and figured that the vfr is a better learner than a1000!

 

Hi and congratulations on your new acquisition! Ditto on the getting used to her weight. Just practice parking lot maneuvers angles and curves in slow motion - once you get the feel down it should be just fine

 

Congrats on a great bike and welcome to the site.

 

Welcome and if you don't like seeing those straps from your Axio tailbag there is a way to hide them under your seat. My gallery has a couple of detailed pics. if it helps. Great looking bike, hope you enjoy it for years to come.

 

welcome aboard, and congrats on your new ride.

 

Welcome to the VFR! I'm also an '03 owner, also named David and a returning rider last year. Also strongly looked at the EX 650. My only mods so far are a fender eliminator and R&G Sliders. '07 rims came with the bike since the previous owner did a bit of a mix and match which is totally cool since the silver rims look good to me.

I can echo everything you've heard here. Take your time and enjoy it. The bike is amazingly agile above 15 MPH, deceptively quick.

I'm interested in how you like the Pilot Roads. I still have the stock ('07) Metzler's and will be replacing at the end of this season since they aren't well thought of and are getting a bit of a flat spot in the middle.

Enjoy and keep the shiny side up!

 

Thanks for the perspective Reg71. I'll keep the SLO meet on my calendar.
I would not have been a responsible rider when I was younger, and I'm not interested (yet) in an uncomfortable sport bike... though I admire the styling

 

Thanks Floydzboyz, the silver wheels give the bike that updated look, which I like. I want to order the clear turn and rear lenses from the newer years and add some annoyingly bright HID lights.

 

Now just in!
Added DDM Tuning HID's and a Whelen LED brake light which sits just under my OEM tail lights, just above the fender eliminated license plate.
Wow! What a difference, the HID's seem to make people look twice, I wasn't high beamed, and the extra brake light makes me feel better about folks creepin up on me from behind when I'm stopped.
As for the learning, I passed the CHP approved course (best score on the final in my class) and I haven't been above 8000 rpm (at least on purpose; i missed a shift!)
Being 6'1" I wish the windscreen was taller!

 

Awesome. I have thought about some kind of brake light stuff that blinks on stopping, etc. I always keep it in gear, check the mirrors when stopped and have myself pointed toward an "escape hatch" on either side of the car in front of me. I haven't thought of HIDs. I love the fact that the VFR has two large and fairly bright headlights on at all times. I don't like most sportbike's "one headlight is dim, two is brights" scheme. One light isn't enough, IMHO.

Pics?

 

Welcome aboard.
I got mine at 37, so I know how you feel.

Where in NorCal are you? I am way east, north of Reno a little bit.

 

Im in the Norhbay (SanFran) Petaluma to be exact
Pics dont seem to do the HIDs justice, but some great videos are on youtube where you can witness the camera aperture adjust to the brightness. I'll try to get some better pix than my iphone has...
The Whelen brake light has 10 or so flashing patterns built in such as for emergency vehicles. I would probably get a ticket for using those. There is a flasher available wich has the Cali legal 3 flash then solid pattern, and also a repeat delay which wont keep flashing the light if you release and apply the brake again.
Next up, hopefully mount my LEO VINCE CARBON FIBER EVO's that came today. Bought the wife a nice ring and necklace, but she stormed off 30 minutes ago when she found out why!!