wow...she's a great winter bike too!!!!

brutus · 12-27-2007, 04:01 PM

Good day fellow VFR brethen,

I can't stand lurking any more, so here's my latest .02.....

As the weather turned to winter here in the NW burbs of Chicago, I fell completely in love with my VFR, and just kinda parked the Valk ( nickname:The Barge). I ride year round, pretty much any day there is sufficient traction, and sometimes when there isn't. ( Please don't hate)

As soon as .00001 inches of snow falls here, they salt the beejeesus out of the roads, and a Valk Interstate is huge PIA to keep clean. And I know what road salt does to a bike, but my jones for a ride always takes over none the less.

So...I put a ZG Sport Touring screen on the VFR, hooked up my Gerbings ( jacket, gloves and socks), and have been out 3 of the last four days here, despite the salt. Soon as I get home, I hose her down, wipe and shine. Much less labour intensive than a Barge bath for sure. I have been out with temps in the low 40's down to the upper 20's, and with the afore mentioned gear, I'm snug as a bug. Oh yea...fer Christmas, I asked Santa for a new Helmet. The sucker wouldn't cooperate, so I got myself a Shoei Multi-Tech, in flat black. No endorsement here other than to say it's what I consider the best flip-up on the market.

The VFR put's the power down in such a linear and controlled fashion, (as you well know), that I never have to worry about getting sideways. I really dig how well she goes, and I'm on Dunlop Qualifiers, which I know aren't the best choice for colder temps, but once they warm-up, the grip is great. I'm not draggin' knees by any means, but she's stickin' better than I imagined.

It's been kinda lonely out there, but I have seen two bikes out the last couple of days. A GS Beemer, and an old Virago. Instead of waving, I stick a fist in the air, to celebrate the comraderie of the last real road warriors.

The more I think about my needs and wants in a motorcycle, the more I realize just what a great bike the VFR is. I may need to get luggage and see if at 50 yrs old, I can do the kinda of longer trips I've used the Valk for. Like several states and a couple weeks gone. Come next spring and summer, I just may give it try...

Hope you all had a great Christmas, and I wish you Happy New Year too...

10-4

brutus

nozzle · 12-28-2007, 10:59 AM

brutus: how do you deal with the road salt on your face shield? I go through a crazy amount of wiper juice when driving the car. - Paul

Taz · 12-28-2007, 02:13 PM

Brutus: Your like me, I'm a all year rounder rider, & pretty close to your age (47).
BUT

I got smart & put on the Dunlop 616's front & rear & don't have to wait for the tyres to warm up for poorer conditions to get traction.

And when they do warm up there pretty damn grippy in the dry & wet stuff.
keep your bike on the rubber with better rubber & you won't get yourself closer to body work vs just hosing off the salt

(On your bike run the 120/70/17 - 616 & 180/55/17 - 616)

As for "Nozzles" question, I keep a white (non-dyed) wash cloth handy soaked in a baggie with 92% rubbing alcohol, that wetness cleans the salt off with out streaks or freezing up on the lens

brutus · 12-28-2007, 06:06 PM

I haven't been on the bike when it's wet and sloppy, just dry, with the powdery kinda salt...after all the cars have ground it up. I do get the really fine film on the shield, but I just stop somewhere and wipe it with a wet microfiber cloth I keep in a zip lock in my tank bag. Then a dry one to finish the job.

brutus · 12-28-2007, 06:10 PM

I wasn't sure about the rubber I'm using now for the colder temps...but I appreciate the heads up on your choice Taz.

What kinda weather and roads are you riding through there in Utah? I suspect that they have a bit more Verve than my local roads. In order to reallt take a "ride"..I hafta get to about 40-50 miles away from where I live. It's my jones...but a good one none the less....

Molsan · 01-01-2008, 08:45 PM

Aye good advice on the tires, I have ridden when it's below zero (lowest so far is -15) and I just don't feel like the tire is sticking like it should, especially in city riding where the tire may not get to warm up(at all).
For the wind shield i have a wiper blade i attached to my glove, wich works fairly well but i had to practice to hold it correctly. But i tend not to tail gate and usually only ride when it's dry(some times the ride home isn't)

V-FouRce · 01-02-2008, 05:59 PM

DUDE that sounds cool, two motorcycles ago I had a Kawi zg1000 I tricked it with the cobra pipes I saved from my 87 VFR, my first sport bike I ever had. The sound out of the zg was awesome!!! I Like the Idea of the windscreen on your VFR off the ZG, Its like Im goin full circle here in VFR WORLD, no bullspit here this is a true story!

jerry 1 a b · 01-04-2008, 05:44 PM

I'm with ya too. Except I've got the Gerbing pants too, and I sent the liner from my own jacket to be modified.

So far the pants seem to be warm enough by themself. The jacket too is fine without turning it on. To be honest, the other night it was 23 by my gauge, and with the jacket turned off, pants, socks, and gloves on I was a helluva lot more comfortable than with the jacket on too.

The jacket seems to draw to much from my charging system also. My lights kept dimming, very noticable when I had my high beams on.

Brutus, do you use one of Gerbing's controls? I have the single portable, but think I should get the dual permanent. I think it would be more convenient than fumbling for this one that constantly comes off my belt. I bought the portable so that I could interchange between bikes depending on my mood. Seeing how I don't really ride the other bike anymore, I might as well just go with a permanent setup.

brutus · 01-04-2008, 08:39 PM

jerry...

I use a portable dual controller, and I hook it on the handle of my tank bag. That way it's facing me, and adjustments aren't as problematic. I have the battery cable attached, and running out of the tail section vent on the clutch side. I run the gloves and jacket on one line, and the socks on the other. As for current draw...I have a pulsing too, but I turn it either off or way down if I have a longer light to wait at. At cruizin' speeds and above, no issues.

Maybe hitting the low 40's here this weekend, but there's gonna be a lot of melting and wet roads, me thinks. Prolly ride anyway...it's my DUTY and I OBEY!!!!

jerry 1 a b · 01-05-2008, 04:01 PM

I was trying to keep it as clean of a setup as possible. I don't like having wires all over the place. Right now I have it setup so that all of the excess wire can be stuffed into my pocket. Do you have wires everywhere?

As for the forecast.... They're calling for rain all week. I don't mind getting stuck in the rain, but I rarely leave once the rain has started.

brutus · 01-05-2008, 04:25 PM

Well...all the wires are hanging on my left side, from the tankbag down. It's not competely clean, but I figure it's easy for me to disconnect when I get on and off the bike. I am going to look for protection for the back of tank and the paint there, perhaps a clear film.

Really sloppy here, with all the melt-off. I'll be looking for some road time tomorrow early a.m. if at all.

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12-27-2007, 04:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
brutus Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: 01-04-2009 07:26 AM Location: Elk Grove Village, Il My Ride: 2001 VFR 800 2000 Valkyrie Interstate Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	wow...she's a great winter bike too!!!! Good day fellow VFR brethen, I can't stand lurking any more, so here's my latest .02..... As the weather turned to winter here in the NW burbs of Chicago, I fell completely in love with my VFR, and just kinda parked the Valk ( nickname:The Barge). I ride year round, pretty much any day there is sufficient traction, and sometimes when there isn't. ( Please don't hate) As soon as .00001 inches of snow falls here, they salt the beejeesus out of the roads, and a Valk Interstate is huge PIA to keep clean. And I know what road salt does to a bike, but my jones for a ride always takes over none the less. So...I put a ZG Sport Touring screen on the VFR, hooked up my Gerbings ( jacket, gloves and socks), and have been out 3 of the last four days here, despite the salt. Soon as I get home, I hose her down, wipe and shine. Much less labour intensive than a Barge bath for sure. I have been out with temps in the low 40's down to the upper 20's, and with the afore mentioned gear, I'm snug as a bug. Oh yea...fer Christmas, I asked Santa for a new Helmet. The sucker wouldn't cooperate, so I got myself a Shoei Multi-Tech, in flat black. No endorsement here other than to say it's what I consider the best flip-up on the market. The VFR put's the power down in such a linear and controlled fashion, (as you well know), that I never have to worry about getting sideways. I really dig how well she goes, and I'm on Dunlop Qualifiers, which I know aren't the best choice for colder temps, but once they warm-up, the grip is great. I'm not draggin' knees by any means, but she's stickin' better than I imagined. It's been kinda lonely out there, but I have seen two bikes out the last couple of days. A GS Beemer, and an old Virago. Instead of waving, I stick a fist in the air, to celebrate the comraderie of the last real road warriors. The more I think about my needs and wants in a motorcycle, the more I realize just what a great bike the VFR is. I may need to get luggage and see if at 50 yrs old, I can do the kinda of longer trips I've used the Valk for. Like several states and a couple weeks gone. Come next spring and summer, I just may give it try... Hope you all had a great Christmas, and I wish you Happy New Year too... 10-4 brutus

01-02-2008, 05:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
V-FouRce Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Last Online: 05-07-2008 06:24 PM Location: Boyertown, Pa. My Ride: '86 VFR 700 F2 View my Photo Gallery Posts: 248 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	DUDE that sounds cool, two motorcycles ago I had a Kawi zg1000 I tricked it with the cobra pipes I saved from my 87 VFR, my first sport bike I ever had. The sound out of the zg was awesome!!! I Like the Idea of the windscreen on your VFR off the ZG, Its like Im goin full circle here in VFR WORLD, no bullspit here this is a true story! __________________ "Keep The Shiny Side up & The Rubber Side Down"

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12-28-2007, 10:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
nozzle Uber Noz Join Date: May 2007 Last Online: 12-31-2008 08:25 AM Location: Southern Maryland - Find Me! My Ride: 07 RWB 'ceptor View my Photo Gallery Posts: 1,503 Thanks: 3 Thanked 15 Times in 13 Posts	brutus: how do you deal with the road salt on your face shield? I go through a crazy amount of wiper juice when driving the car. - Paul

12-28-2007, 02:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
Taz Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Last Online: 08-08-2008 11:44 PM Location: from SoCal, now in Utah My Ride: '05VFR800(blown motor) with a 86VF1000r HRC motor & what a rocket, '06 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST, '05 RC51, 2000F4 600, '04VFR800, 91F2 600, KTM625SMC,89 Hawk GT647, & too many more to list. Posts: 502 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts	Brutus: Your like me, I'm a all year rounder rider, & pretty close to your age (47). BUT I got smart & put on the Dunlop 616's front & rear & don't have to wait for the tyres to warm up for poorer conditions to get traction. And when they do warm up there pretty damn grippy in the dry & wet stuff. keep your bike on the rubber with better rubber & you won't get yourself closer to body work vs just hosing off the salt (On your bike run the 120/70/17 - 616 & 180/55/17 - 616) As for "Nozzles" question, I keep a white (non-dyed) wash cloth handy soaked in a baggie with 92% rubbing alcohol, that wetness cleans the salt off with out streaks or freezing up on the lens

12-28-2007, 06:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
brutus Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: 01-04-2009 07:26 AM Location: Elk Grove Village, Il My Ride: 2001 VFR 800 2000 Valkyrie Interstate Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I haven't been on the bike when it's wet and sloppy, just dry, with the powdery kinda salt...after all the cars have ground it up. I do get the really fine film on the shield, but I just stop somewhere and wipe it with a wet microfiber cloth I keep in a zip lock in my tank bag. Then a dry one to finish the job.

12-28-2007, 06:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
brutus Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: 01-04-2009 07:26 AM Location: Elk Grove Village, Il My Ride: 2001 VFR 800 2000 Valkyrie Interstate Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I wasn't sure about the rubber I'm using now for the colder temps...but I appreciate the heads up on your choice Taz. What kinda weather and roads are you riding through there in Utah? I suspect that they have a bit more Verve than my local roads. In order to reallt take a "ride"..I hafta get to about 40-50 miles away from where I live. It's my jones...but a good one none the less....

01-01-2008, 08:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Molsan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Last Online: Today 03:01 PM Location: Red Deer Alberta - Find Me! My Ride: 2005 VFR 800 ABS RED View my Photo Gallery Posts: 493 Thanks: 24 Thanked 33 Times in 27 Posts	Aye good advice on the tires, I have ridden when it's below zero (lowest so far is -15) and I just don't feel like the tire is sticking like it should, especially in city riding where the tire may not get to warm up(at all). For the wind shield i have a wiper blade i attached to my glove, wich works fairly well but i had to practice to hold it correctly. But i tend not to tail gate and usually only ride when it's dry(some times the ride home isn't)

01-04-2008, 05:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
jerry 1 a b Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Last Online: 12-15-2008 06:15 PM View my Photo Gallery Posts: 70 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts	I'm with ya too. Except I've got the Gerbing pants too, and I sent the liner from my own jacket to be modified. So far the pants seem to be warm enough by themself. The jacket too is fine without turning it on. To be honest, the other night it was 23 by my gauge, and with the jacket turned off, pants, socks, and gloves on I was a helluva lot more comfortable than with the jacket on too. The jacket seems to draw to much from my charging system also. My lights kept dimming, very noticable when I had my high beams on. Brutus, do you use one of Gerbing's controls? I have the single portable, but think I should get the dual permanent. I think it would be more convenient than fumbling for this one that constantly comes off my belt. I bought the portable so that I could interchange between bikes depending on my mood. Seeing how I don't really ride the other bike anymore, I might as well just go with a permanent setup.

01-04-2008, 08:39 PM	#9 (permalink)
brutus Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: 01-04-2009 07:26 AM Location: Elk Grove Village, Il My Ride: 2001 VFR 800 2000 Valkyrie Interstate Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	jerry... I use a portable dual controller, and I hook it on the handle of my tank bag. That way it's facing me, and adjustments aren't as problematic. I have the battery cable attached, and running out of the tail section vent on the clutch side. I run the gloves and jacket on one line, and the socks on the other. As for current draw...I have a pulsing too, but I turn it either off or way down if I have a longer light to wait at. At cruizin' speeds and above, no issues. Maybe hitting the low 40's here this weekend, but there's gonna be a lot of melting and wet roads, me thinks. Prolly ride anyway...it's my DUTY and I OBEY!!!!

01-05-2008, 04:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
jerry 1 a b Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Last Online: 12-15-2008 06:15 PM View my Photo Gallery Posts: 70 Thanks: 0 Thanked 16 Times in 15 Posts	I was trying to keep it as clean of a setup as possible. I don't like having wires all over the place. Right now I have it setup so that all of the excess wire can be stuffed into my pocket. Do you have wires everywhere? As for the forecast.... They're calling for rain all week. I don't mind getting stuck in the rain, but I rarely leave once the rain has started.

01-05-2008, 04:25 PM	#11 (permalink)
brutus Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Last Online: 01-04-2009 07:26 AM Location: Elk Grove Village, Il My Ride: 2001 VFR 800 2000 Valkyrie Interstate Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well...all the wires are hanging on my left side, from the tankbag down. It's not competely clean, but I figure it's easy for me to disconnect when I get on and off the bike. I am going to look for protection for the back of tank and the paint there, perhaps a clear film. Really sloppy here, with all the melt-off. I'll be looking for some road time tomorrow early a.m. if at all.