VFR 750 to 800 handeling difference

[andy mac]

Hi there
I have just upgraded from a 1996 750 to a 2002 800, I am still trying to get used to the bike but feel that the handeling is not as neutral as my 750.
I was thinking maybe the suspension had been messed with at some time.
The bike tends to steer into corners and I find myself pushing the bars out on the inside.

[squirrelman]

It was a change, not an upgrade.

[Richard Thompson]

Hmm..sounds like you went (based on the years mentioned) from a Gen 4 to a Gen 6. is this correct? your new bike is a 2002 VTEC model?

if so i can understand your interpretation, having owned both these models at the same time myself, i got a good appreciation for each bikes attributes.
you can tune the 2002 bikes suspension from the stock settings which can be a little on the soft side but it is dependant on your wieght/size dimensions.

if you wanna post those up i can give you some base guidelines from how i set mine up.

mine was way to soft at the back end and once i reset both ends it went back towards a more neutral feel in the corners.

however it will never feel like a gen 4 because it is a physically bigger bike.
but we can get close..... and with VTEC you have a bit more power to play with

hope this helps

RT

[Joey_Dude]

Also take into account tires. You'd be surprised at how changing tire brand/models will affect the bike.

[andy mac]

Yes thats correct, my old vfr 750 was a 1996 model and the handeling was very neutral in the corners which makes it a pleasure to ride, compared to my 2002 VTEC which feels like it is fighting me in the corners.
My weight is 70 kgs and my height is 5.11.
I really love the look of the 2002 VFR and also coming to terms with the VTEC power unit, although cruising at the transition stage 6800 revs is not possable.

[andy mac]

The tyres on the bike are bridgestone BT021f Battelax, there is quite a bit of road noise coming from the forks port hole in the fairing which I also didnt get on my VFR 750.
I think there were Dunlops on my 750 but cant be sure.

[John451]

I was thinking maybe the suspension had been messed with at some time. The bike tends to steer into corners and I find myself pushing the bars out on the inside.

Check out how far the forks have been raised through the triple clamps measured lower from the circlip for me 5mm was too slow, 14mm too nervous at high speed, 10mm just right with my current Road 2s.

[Rollin_Again]

My 6th Gen feels like a tank compared to my 3rd Gen when it comes to handling. Like Joey already said changing the tires can make a world of difference. When I switched from Dunlops to Michelins the bike definately felt much more nimble.

Regards,
Rollin

[deepdish]

tire pressure?? my 6th gen goes where i put it no problems nuetral at all speeds...the wheel base is longer then your other bike I suppose so turning is a little slower??

[Richard Thompson]

Yes thats correct, my old vfr 750 was a 1996 model and the handeling was very neutral in the corners which makes it a pleasure to ride, compared to my 2002 VTEC which feels like it is fighting me in the corners.
My weight is 70 kgs and my height is 5.11.
I really love the look of the 2002 VFR and also coming to terms with the VTEC power unit, although cruising at the transition stage 6800 revs is not possable.

Ok, first things first. your on the lighter side of the register so that will effect the set up a bit. there are a number of things you can try to see if you can tune the bike to your tastes.
fistly...do only one change at a time...and test it to see if you :
A: can detect a difference

B: like it?

if its not any better go back to what you previously had.if you change more than one item you cant issolate which thing made the difference.

id do the easiest/cheapest thing first - change the rear shock preload.

because your on the lighter side you probably only want to change this one or 2 clicks. the point of this exercise is to raise the rear end which will put a little more wieght on the front. the gen 6 has a pretty stiff front end so she can take it (i have mine up 4 clicks, but im way heavier than you).
the main problem this helps cure is rear end squat under acceleration which tends to unload the front end and give a lack of front end feel.
you have the option to adjust front end preload also...but do the back first.

this is a 5 minute job with the stock tool kit and should deliver immediate change in feel.
refer to the owners manual also, and checck where the bike is set before you start adjusting.

next make sure the tire pressures are on spec-36psi front 42 rear, or there abouts, depending on what tire recomendations you have.

next we have the tire condition issue. if the're worn out or irregulary worn of even just plain old -replace em- and with a matched set.

worn tires effect handling. to elimanate them as a problem you have to change em. as i said before there is a cost to this so look at this last.
as far as type goes thats up to what you like, can afford, can get etc....
i have a set of Conti road attacks on my red gen6 and bridgestones on
my RWB gen 6. having used both i prefer the contis. they offer better isolation from the road bumps with the stiffer set up on the bike.
but everyone has ther own opinion on tires.

there is an excellent you tube vid on how to set the suspension on a gen 6
which i saw on the forum recently. see if you can hunt that down and have a look also. it'll show you how to set the static sag also which you should check.

lastly, as far as VTEC engagement goes, it took me a full year to get used to it.
now im quite used to it and i actually like it, but initially it felt annoying. you can tune it mostly out with a pipe, and PC111 set up that is mapped & dyno'd but once again that costs $$$$

good luck with your set up.