VFR newb..Free 2000 VFR800!!

[nappy]

Hi, I'm new to VFR's, a friend of mine just gave me his 2000 VFR 800 that had been sitting outside for the past year in the Bay Area. I went down to have a look at it, it was covered in spider webs and pine needles bu it's in really good shape other than that...I replaced the battery and pushed the starter button and VROOM! it started right up! I've never owned a bike with fuel injection but I'm sold now, a carbureted bike wouldn't have been that easy to get going after a year of sitting. One thing I noticed was the bike seemed to run hotter than my Aprilia, it was in the 210-220 range, is that normal for these bikes? Water boils at 212F so was it on the verge of overheating? I've heard that water wetter will lower temps some, is there a bigger radiator that can be put on these?

thanks for any input.

-Nappy

[julianivfr]

210-220 is normal. I've had mine heat up to 230 once (granted, I took it into my head to try exploring a steep uphill gravel road before changing my mind). Put some fresh anti-freeze in it, and don't worry about it. If riding in hot weather, you may want to consider wearing overpants. Rght leg gets a little toasty...

[SCraig]

Water only boils at 212 at sea level pressure. Under higher pressure, such as in a closed pressure system like a coolant system, it requires a higher temperature. At lower atmospheric pressure it will boil at a lower temperature. 220 or so is normal on these bikes.

Congrats on the new ride!

[nappy]

thanks for the reply... I feel a lot better now :)

[punisher12b]

what kinda aprilia??? i gotta RSV R

[nappy]

I have a street legal RS250, this and the VFR are my only "new" bikes, I have several vintage bikes too like a 71 Bultaco Alpina, a 72 Moto Guzzi El Dorado, a Kawasaki KT250 trials, a 68 Suzuki T500, a 71 Suzuki T250 and a 65 Moto Morini Settebello....oh, and 2 1967 Honda CB160's one's a street bike and the other's a vintage racer. I think that's all ;)

[reg71]

boy, I woulda probably drained the old gas first. Maybe you could run a can of sea foam through it just in case there is sludge in the system. Otherwise, great score. It's a great bike and we are glad you already made it to VFRW.

[drewl]

Ask your friend if the thermostat has ever been changed. Now is a good time if not. Check the air filter and maybe some sea foam as reg mentioned. The 2000 is an awesome bike and will provide years of enjoyment when taken care of.
I know, I have one.

[bladrnr]

210 to 220 is not normal.Unless you are driving in town. Open road driving it should be 160 to 175. I don't know what these other are people are saying. They are mistaken.

[julianivfr]

Originally Posted by bladrnr

210 to 220 is not normal.Unless you are driving in town. Open road driving it should be 160 to 175. I don't know what these other are people are saying. They are mistaken.

We are saying that hitting 210-220 is no cause for panic. I believe it's common sense that on the open road bikes will run cooler. Most normal people will have to ride in town at least once during the course of ownership of their bikes. You must not have any towns close to you. We do.

[derstuka]

Originally Posted by reg71

boy, I woulda probably drained the old gas first. Maybe you could run a can of sea foam through it just in case there is sludge in the system. Otherwise, great score. It's a great bike and we are glad you already made it to VFRW.

+1

Yahama mama! I sure hope that you drained all of the gas out of it first! Gas starts to degrade and turn gummy and leave varnish like residue after a 2-3+ months of sitting (without stabilizer added of course). I would still drain the rest of the gas (if you have any left), and do as Reggie suggested, run a couple of cans of sea foam thru her. For the first couple tank fulls.

Another thing I would do is drain and flush the coolant. Most likely the coolant has lost lots of its cooling properties by now. If you flush the bike, and it still seems to run abnormally hot when you are moving (and the temp is not too hot out), then it could be a sticking/stuck thermostat. Just one possibility is all. I would flush the coolant regardless first, and go from there.

If the bike was sitting outside (as it sounds it was), I would pull off the tank, and check the airbox for rodents/debris from rodents. Check the air filter as well. You might want to check the color/condition of the clutch and brake fluid. This may need a flush as well.

Hello and welcome to the forum by the way!

[nappy]

I didn't drain the gas, the situation didn't allow it but the gas varnishes when sitting not when burning, although it's usually pretty stinky and can accumulate water in the tank as well. I didn't ride it too far and now that it's at a friends house I plan on draining and replacing all the fluids. I did check the air filter and it's fine. Thanks for all the input, I'll do all the required maintenance and let you all know how it turns out.

-Nappy

[scott1999]

My 99 runs 205 to 215 in the open during the summer in Socal and 215 to 230 in heavy traffic once 235.

I took it to Honda the mech said that wasn't unusual in the summer but this winter drain it and put in new and install a rocker switch to turn the fans on earlier.

[nappy]

Just picked up the bike in the Bay Area and rode it home to Seattle, left on Sunday and arrived in Seattle on Monday...nice weather the whole way and it's almost Nov!!! Bike ran great.

[mikeym]

free bike! wow! i need to make friends with your friends...