New forum member in OZ - looking seriously at a VFR

[MacMan]

Hi all. Mike here. Located in Victoria, Australia.

I currently have a 1985 K100RS, and tight purse strings due to being only 2 years into our first morgage. This partly explains the K100RS! When I was looking for my first road bike, I lusted after a VFR but at the time a K100RS seemed a smarter prospect for a couple of reasons listed below.

• I am 6'6" tall, my partner (she was then licensed to ride, but not riding and without bike) is 6' tall.
• I live 40km from the city where I have to visit clients on occasion.
• I wanted something discrete.
• I wanted something that could tour comfortably and carry a fair bit of gear.
• I wanted something that would keep running for ever if needed.
• I wanted something that was cheap to maintain.
• I wanted something nobody would steal!

I've had the K now for two years and have finally set it up to suit me, but it has proven to be a lot of hard work.

• Technoflex fork springs and about 4 fork oil changes to get damping so that it is safe - original handling was like trying to corner on a waterbed.
• Koni adjustable rear shock.
• Source a second hand set of BMW system cases.
• Two sets of steering head bearings.
• Additional rear carry rack and bag.
• Replace both master cylinder pistons.

It's not an exciting bike to look at but it now handles and stops remarkably well for an old bike. I bought it with 85,000km on it (at least that's what it's odometer said, but who knows) and it now shows 96,000km. It tours well, commutes reasonably. It is big enough to be totally manageable by me, but it is unbearably hot in summer unless the scenery is passing at at least 80 kph. It still has a list of little niggles that need sorting, but nothing that will halt forward progress. One thing I do notice, is that the guys I ride with (all riding modern sport or sport/touring bikes) cry enough long before I want to quit on a sunny day.

Life was good enough not to complain, but things have become more interesting as of last weekend when I went and looked at a deceased estate, one owner, 1993 VFR750, with only 11,800km and it's original tyres! It belonged to a family friend who died suddenly and his widow is rationalising his toy collection. This bike is absolutely unmarked and was obviously cherished.

I am seriously considering buying the VFR and ditching the K.

The K was never renowned for having a stunning gearbox, but I was stunned at how wooden, clunky and awkward the VFR gearbox is. It was my only gripe on a relatively short ride. Even our BMW R65 (partner's bike) shifts better!

The VFR also feels less roomy, but not uncomfortable over the space of half an hour. It's definitely lighter which is a welcome change, but it's very cool at the moment so I couldn't gauge how hot they are to ride.

I'd welcome ANY comments, good, bad or otherwise. Let's just say the price on the VFR is agreeable, but if I take it on I'm going to have to dispose of the K - something I find myself surprisingly attached to.

Convince or confound me, my life is in your hands

[derstuka]

Hey Mac daddy! Welcome mate! We have quite a few members from the land of OZ who frequent this forum.

I have never ridden a K100RS, but a have a friend who is 6'4" tall, and he thinks that my bike (5th gen, 1998) fits him great. The VFR is a great touring/sport/cruising bike, or whatever you want to use it for on the street. The thing about the VFR, is it isn't the best of anything, only it is one of the best overall once you combine all of the points from the different catagories. It really doesn't do anything wrong. Sure, it helps to tweak the stock suspension, and maybe fine tune a few things, but even stock, this bike is great in stock form.

The VFR is a great bike for long distances, and there is a lot of aftermarket luggage & accessories for the newer generations. As do most bikes, the VFR does benefit greatly from an aftermarket seat. Sargent or Corbin are the popular choices.

I know that my 5th gen does shift pretty well, but I will tell you, that Honda has been notorious in the past for having clunky trannies....ever ridden a '89-'90 CBR600?? Some owners found that it does help to add an after market shift kit. The new shift star and detent arm. It might just be something that you need to get used to owning certain models of Honda bikes.

[MacMan]

Well I am off to have another look and another ride today.

Been reading more about the shifting issues and I'll be checking that the clutch is fully disengaging. Might be part of the issue since the bike has been so seldom ridden.

I'm still pretty much undecided on this one!

[winaje]

Hi Macman, and welcome. Were are you in Vic? (I'm in Bayswater.)

I can't offer a lot of insight into the bike itself, but definitely agree with Stuka that Honda has made some pretty notchy boxes. I have also found that a change to good oil (NOT starting an "OIL" thread!!!) helps this problem significantly.

Let us know how you go today. (Pretty cold and foggy to be test riding, gotta admire your commitment)

[MacMan]

Thanks for the note.

Cold and foggy it might be, but it is a great opportunity! There wouldn't be many '93 VFRs this tidy anywhere...

[powderrecon]

Welcome aboard. If you are anything like me, you will find this forum priceless, with the information you will find. There is a ton of knowledge around.

I am originally from the land of Oz (Ringwood, Victoria), so I am throwing out a big hi-5 right there.

I own a 96 (4th gen). I am 6'5, and it seems to fit extremely well. After 3-4 hours of riding, my but might get a little sore, however by that time, its usually time for more gas, and a quick stretch. Besides that, its a very comfortable bike to ride.

Its an awesome bike and as derstuka pointed out, it does everything very well. I have heard that VFR's don't have very good gearboxes, however mine shifts very nice (for me anyway) everytime.

I was hooked the first time I rode a VFR with gear driven cams. The gear whine is addicting, and the power is silky smooth.

Nothing wrong with getting a VFR with carbs, however a 93 with only 11,000km, means the bike has been sitting ALOT. Be careful. Make sure you ask the gentleman who is selling, how he has prepared the bike, when it sat for longer than 4 months. The correct answer is lubing the chain, changing the oil, putting the bike up on blocks, or center stand, and most importantly draining the gas from the float bowls, and leaving the tank full of gas, with fuel stabilizer. If the floats were not drained, be prepared to pull the carbs off the bike at some point, and thoroughly soak and clean.

If you want to fuel injection, get a 5th gen bike (98-01), however from the get go, it wont be as smooth as the 4th Alot of peeps get power commanders, to smooth things out on the Fi bikes.

The only downside for me on this bike, is suspension. Its a little weak, however I have a few modifications, that I am going to be performing soon, which should tighten it up a little, and provide better response. Oh, also the standard head lamps are not the best. Aftermarket bulbs are cheap and easy to install.

Finally, as you have probably read, the R/R will most likely die, or has died, or is about to die. Be ready to replace that with a more beefy one, if it has not been done already.

Besides that, the engines are bullet proof, and the rest of the bike is pretty much the same.

Good luck and report back.

[MacMan]

Howdy again.

Well I have been for another longer ride and took my proper riding boots. The bike certainly shifted better, but was still very clunky. Upshifts were harder to get right, so I suspect there's a fair bit of operator error there.

In terms of this bike's story, unfortunately the owner is no longer alive to quiz, but I got a chance to see the service notes today. It has not been serviced by a dealer since 2001, and has done less than 2500km since then. It has always lived indoors. Electrics appeared to be working fine... for now.

I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was just to coast around on in traffic. The tyres are the originals and are the dead side of worn out, and as I found out by mistake, they are more than a little hard. I had the back end step out on me under power exiting a freeway. They'd need replacement for RWC but I wouldn't want them on anyhow.

In terms of power, I have to say it has a glorious torque curve, and I gave it a handful entering a freeway in second. Even with the stock pipe, the noise this thing makes would give wood to a corpse. This thing would be jail bait on a good road on a good day. It hasn't got the low down grunt of my K, but the K is an 8 valve 1000cc with fuel injection so that is expected.

The choice is starting to get easier!



Ride position was remarkably good considering my height.

[MacMan]

I can still hear the noise too... 2nd gear at about 9000rpm.


I wonder what I will dream about tonight.

[MacMan]

I called the owner's widow tonight and said yes.

Will be a while before I get to do anything with it, but I'll get some pics up as soon as I can.

Job number 1 will be tyres, then roadworthy test and then rego.

[ewryly]

Congratulations, MacMan. If you are a quarter as happy with your VFR as I am with mine, you will be very happy! Welcome.

[drewl]

Congrats, Mac. Welcome aboard, by the way.
A change in clutch fluid should make a noticeable difference in shifting, it did for me. An after market shift kit will make a world of difference. These bikes are warm in the hot weather, so be prepared.
Oh, and the guy I bought my bike from is 6'2" and he said it fit him perfectly.

[MacMan]

Hopefully it won't be as hot as the K100. In summer, they are torture unless the bike is moving at more than 60kph all the time.

Thanks for the pointer on the clutch. It will be getting new fluids everywhere as a priority.

[MacMan]

I'm off to collect the VFR in a couple of hours!

[MacMan]

Hi all.

I have a gorgeous red machine in the garage with its oil draining at the moment. Rode over to pick it up at lunchtime two up on the R65, and came back in convoy. I've dropped the shift lever down two notches and that has made the world of difference to the shifting, as I am sure will new clutch fluid.

Managed to remove the fairings without popping any of the fasteners.

I think I'll save the photos until i've washed the dust off it.

It won't be ridden anywhere else other than to get tyres fitted. The back stepped out on me again on the way home, so they have to go!

Jeez it's nice!

[winaje]

Congratulations, may you enjoy your new ride.

[Davidvfr]

Originally Posted by MacMan

Hi all.

I have a gorgeous red machine in the garage with its oil draining at the moment. Rode over to pick it up at lunchtime two up on the R65, and came back in convoy. I've dropped the shift lever down two notches and that has made the world of difference to the shifting, as I am sure will new clutch fluid.

Managed to remove the fairings without popping any of the fasteners.

I think I'll save the photos until i've washed the dust off it.

It won't be ridden anywhere else other than to get tyres fitted. The back stepped out on me again on the way home, so they have to go!

Jeez it's nice!

Enjoying your new ride??



What tyres did you get? Quite a few Aussies are very happy with Michelin Pilot Road 2s, but it can be very hard to find a set sometimes...

[MacMan]

Hi David.

Went with Pilot Road 2's and yes, they were hard to find. I managed to find a set in stock when everyone else was on endless backorder, and price was competitive also. They have completely transformed the bike.

I am enjoying it, but there are things that the K100RS is definitely better at. I never thought I would say it, but the K is the better town bike. First gear is lower, the dry clutch makes shifting in and out of first as smooth as a car, and the general shifting is better. Plenty of people who ride Beemers once or twice complain that the box is vague or clunky, but once you learn how they like to be shifted they are fantastic. No clunks, no snatches in and out of gear.

I recently took a trip to the Grampians with my partner on her R65 and myself carrying all the heavy gear on the K as part of the "which one stays" decision. My only problem now is that it was brilliant! I'll have to do a similar trip on the VFR to see where the betterness is.

When it comes to cruising in the twisties, there is no contest - VFR all the way, but that's only a part of the riding I do.

Here are some pics from the trip...







I suppose it's a lucky man who has such problems!

[Davidvfr]

Originally Posted by MacMan

I am enjoying it, but there are things that the K100RS is definitely better at.

Compared to the VFR, an exhaust note isn't one of them!!

[MacMan]

True - even those that ride them know them as "k-whiners"...

[modernity]

Hey Mac, Welcome to the site again and did you get the VFR? Have some pics to share?

[MacMan]

I still haven't taken a pic, but I definitely do have the VFR. I had a slow arvo today and had to go to the bank and the post office.

I chose a bank and post office about 80km away, via Mt Macedon - a particularly pretty part of Victoria.

It's a hard job, but somebody has to do it. Must do something about some pics though!