Any Performance Mods

[jd70challenger]

Hey guys, I just purchased a 1998 vfr I'm new to this but I love the bike! I'm wondering if there are any mods I can do other than 2 bros pipe it already has? my buddy has an rc51 he says i need to remove a charcoal canister and block off something with the egr?

Please Help:

[KC-10 FE]

Do yourself a favor and take this piece of advice:

You have one of the best all around bikes ever made (if not THE BEST all around bike ever made). Put a muffler on it (you said it already has one so you're set there) to hear that awesome VFR noise, put some decent tires on it and leave the rest of the bike alone. You will NEVER get the absolute performance of the CBR/GSX/ZX etc out of it, no matter how hard you try. You can put appearance upgrades and things of that nature but you still aren't going to get ultimate performance out of it. As far as performance mods, my bike has a Scorpion muffler, nothing else. It still, after 6 years, rides as good as new and can keep up with the big dogs on the twisties. The difference is, after the twisties, when the squids are going to the chiroprator, I'm still game for a 500 mile run somewhere.

If you are looking for something else still, I've heard that the Power Commanders are a pretty good item.

KC-10 FE out...

[jd70challenger]

I get what you mean about the total performance of this awesome bike! The original owner told me he dyno this bike and he said the fuel curve was so flat ,it did not need a power commander. I'm just wondering about a charcoal canister? Is there somekind of emissions i can remove?

Thank you

Jerry D

[KC-10 FE]

He must be talking about a CA model or something. There is no canister that I can remove that I know of on my bike. I just had every fairing off the bike 3 weeks ago for oil change/cleaning & I didn't see anything. The PCII is supposed to clean up the hiccup in the FI just off idle. Mine has done that since new but I'm so used to it that it never bothers me anymore.

KC-10 FE out...

[Webbfire2004]

I can't speak directly about the 99 VFR as I have only riden my 02 model, however, I recommend that when you next replace the chain and sprockets you do as I did in increasing the rear sprocket by 2 teeth ( 45 from the stock 43 ). I have been enjoying quicker acceleration particularly noticeable in the higher gears. One comment / complaint I have heard from some about the VFR's is that they could use a little more power and this simple modification gives the feeling of having more power ( acceleration ). Personally I prefer this new gearing and acceleration...who needs to go 150mph? I'll take the acceleration over top speed any day! Having said that I have been having a problem with my speed indication fluctuating and I am searching for a solution to that...I don't think simply changing the sprocket ratio is causing the problem. One more item I would strongly recommend for rider comfort is a double bubble windshield...it really makes a difference at high speed cruising.

[jethro911]

The only issue with changing gearing on the earlier VFR's is that the speedo becomes inaccurate. I personally found this to be disturbing as I was alway doing mental calculations to figure out just how fast I was speeding. The shorter gearing was fun with amazing wheelies on command but the high revs at highway speed were bothersome. I went back to stock and it is perfect for me.

My 98 does not have EGR or a charcoal cannister so I cannot comment on the mods referenced. I can say that the bike is quite sensitive to changes so expect to loose something with any gain you make elsewhere. An axample of this is the flapper valve and the snorkel on the airbox. I tried running it with the flapper dissabled and it did not run as clean at low throttle openings (not as crisp). I also removed the snorkel to see what would happen. It ran fine on the track where I was at W.O.T. most of the time but back on the street it was noisier and once again the throttle response seemed to suffer. I put it back to stock and it runs great with just a Micron and a K&N for mods!

[jd70challenger]

I knew I was forgeting something,it was the flapper my friend also mentioned. He thought all vfrs had the cannisters maybe not the case? Does anybody know of any vfr clubs in maryland?

[KC-10 FE]

Don't touch the flapper in the airbox. On another VFR site, I can't remember which one or when I read it, some guy removed it and lost power on the dyno. He lost mpg as well. It was a site on the VFR web ring.

KC-10 FE out...

[JRotten]

Congrates on your purchase. I personally own a G5 Y2K and I have done quite a few mods to my steed. Are you a fairly new rider? Being a safety conscious advocate, I always feel a little uneasy when new riders get a bike an immediately seek for more horsepower. Don't get me wrong, I always like having more horsepower to the rear wheel, but like I tell most of the new riders, you can get a bigger bang for your $$$ and build a more assuring ride if your invest into the handling first.

Look into upgrading your tires, suspension, brakes, and even personal protective gear. Yeah, that deep V-4 sound is absolutely intoxicating that gets people heads turning and if that is the thing you want...”nothing wrong with that”. Of course things to consider when changing the engine performance is you can decrease your fuel range.

For me, I am caught in a bit of dilemma… I do love the sound of some of the pipes that are offered for the Viffer, but I love to ride fast as well as long distances. I constantly get over 52 mpg and losing the great mpg’s for a sound doesn’t seem too practical for me. I have a times have almost gotten 300 miles on a single tank-fill while traveling 75-90 mph. I have toyed with the thought of buying a slip on for normal day to day riding. In-fact, I may have to look into a whole new exhaust simply because my bottom exhaust collector tube has been grounded down to the point where there will be an open exhaust leak.

Hope I didn’t confuse you too much, just wanted to point out my opinion about upgrades.

[mello dude]

Originally Posted by jd70challenger

Hey guys, I just purchased a 1998 vfr I'm new to this but I love the bike! I'm wondering if there are any mods I can do other than 2 bros pipe it already has? my buddy has an rc51 he says i need to remove a charcoal canister and block off something with the egr?

Please Help:

Hey JD, I as guilty as anybody about mods to the '98, my list looks something like JRotten's, plus a total brake delink redesign. But if you are a new rider, learn to ride first, the bike is way better than you are today. When you get better, then consider what you may notice is lacking and then consider your mods. BTW the canister is a California bike only thing. No need to worry with a 48 stater.

Best of luck

[sebring]

Originally Posted by JRotten

Congrates on your purchase. I personally own a G5 Y2K and I have done quite a few mods to my steed. Are you a fairly new rider? Being a safety conscious advocate, I always feel a little uneasy when new riders get a bike an immediately seek for more horsepower. Don't get me wrong, I always like having more horsepower to the rear wheel, but like I tell most of the new riders, you can get a bigger bang for your $$$ and build a more assuring ride if your invest into the handling first.

Look into upgrading your tires, suspension, brakes, and even personal protective gear. Yeah, that deep V-4 sound is absolutely intoxicating that gets people heads turning and if that is the thing you want...”nothing wrong with that”. Of course things to consider when changing the engine performance is you can decrease your fuel range.

For me, I am caught in a bit of dilemma… I do love the sound of some of the pipes that are offered for the Viffer, but I love to ride fast as well as long distances. I constantly get over 52 mpg and losing the great mpg’s for a sound doesn’t seem too practical for me. I have a times have almost gotten 300 miles on a single tank-fill while traveling 75-90 mph. I have toyed with the thought of buying a slip on for normal day to day riding. In-fact, I may have to look into a whole new exhaust simply because my bottom exhaust collector tube has been grounded down to the point where there will be an open exhaust leak.

Hope I didn’t confuse you too much, just wanted to point out my opinion about upgrades.

Anybody know how much the centerstand weighs? Just thinking that losing some weight might make a difference. For example, I have stopped carrying the tool kit anymore because I never use them and they are somewhat heavy. As for the center stand I like to use it for cleaning wheels and changing oil. Other than that it doesn't get used much. Any ideas of this or other weight saving tips?

[Webbfire2004]

The center stand does weigh quite a lot and I think detracts visually. I had my local honda dealer remove mine ( 2002 ) as one rear exhaust pipe had to be removed! I then purchased a " Pit Bull " rear stand made specifically for the VFR which allows me to clean / adjust the chain etc.

[WhiteKnight]

You could do a 530 to 520 chain conversion using Votex Sprockets. I just did this on mine, as well as going from a 43T rear to a 54T rear sprocket, and the power and acceleration seems to be sooooo much smooooooother than before. I am very please and it bolted right up with no problems.

[VFRFLIER]

Hey Vman how does the new gear affect highway RPM and MPG just wondering kicking around this one as well

[WhiteKnight]

I can see no noticeable diff in RPM to MPH. This week i have been riding at 55 - 60 MPH and I filled up yesterday and got a figure of 51 mpg. I usually get anywhere from 46 to 50 depending on how I ride, which is usully 65 - 70 MPH, unless i am with other riders then its whatever the pace is or what I feel comfortable with.

[sebring]

Originally Posted by Webbfire2004

The center stand does weigh quite a lot and I think detracts visually. I had my local honda dealer remove mine ( 2002 ) as one rear exhaust pipe had to be removed! I then purchased a " Pit Bull " rear stand made specifically for the VFR which allows me to clean / adjust the chain etc.

Sounds good. How does that rear stand work?

[ZonaMan]

My 98 has a Two Bros and a K&N as the only mods and it hauls ass and gets good gas mileage. It runs awesome, has a nice cadence when idling and has a little pop that I like when decellerating. Like KC-10 says don't mess with perfection.