Worthy mod for 4th, 5th and 6th gens

[Bubba Zanetti]

OK all you corner carvers.

As some of you know I enjoy track days immensely. I also know some of you enjoy track days and/ or riding through your favorite local twisty roads. The VFR does a great job at carving up the tarmac, but if you’ve ever ridden say a Triumph 675, you soon realize that the VFR turns in pretty slow. Not that that is a bad thing but if you are like me, you wish the VFR would turn in just a little quicker.

Good news! Our friends at Thurn Motorsports can hook us up with this without sacrificing stability. Thurn makes a tailriser for the 4th, 5th and 6th gens. The one for the 4th gen raises the rear 25mm.

Installation was easy but I recommend having a friend because the evolution of the third arm is slow in coming and put the bike on its center stand with a piece of ¾ inch plywood underneath. The last bolt you put back in your friend will need to be moving the rear wheel up and down so you can get it in place (my wife kindly helped me). Also I was able to re-grease some parts in the shock linkage and the three bolts that hold the shock linkage triangle in place.

I took the 97 for a quick jaunt last night and let’s just say I am impressed. It’s still not a Triumph 675, but the VFR turns in much quicker and felt very stable in doing so. Now I didn’t get crazy since it was the street but I had a smile on my face for sure.

The only downside to this mod appears to be:

1. When you put it on the side stand the last inch or so when you set it over feels like it was going to fall over LOL! It totally doesn’t. It’s just up higher.
2. If you haul passengers, they are 25mm higher in the wind.
3. You can still use the center stand but the back tire sits on the ground now, so you’ll want to have that piece of ¾ inch plywood around so you can clean and lube your chain with ease.

I don’t consider the above ‘downsides’ but I just thought you all should know.

So who does Bubba Zanetti think should run out and order the Thurn Tailrisers???

In no order:

1. Joey_Dude (You’ll be thanking my ass brother)
2. Two4One
3. Reg71
4. Drewl
5. vFourBear
6. Derstuka
7. Scubalong
8. Slovfr
9. Toecutter
10. Cundalini (if they make one for the third gen, can’t remember)
11. Anybody who likes the twisties and I am forgetting.
12. KC-10FE

With shipping and exchange rates the plates cost me $88.00 USD. Also, the Thurn risers are steel with some kind of plating. The stock ones are aluminum and weigh (it feels) half as much. Just a testament to German quality.

Any questions let me know.

BZ

[02 VFR Rider]

Nice write up Bubba.
I have Thurn 19mm tail riser on my 6th gen, it is not the lower triangle but a shim that goes between the the rear shock and mount and has a tab to hold it in place.
all that is needed to install is to remove the four bolts holding the tank, raise tank in back w/ pc of wood and remove seat and plastic cover on the right side, loosen top shock bolt while bike on center stand install and re-torque the bolts.
cost was around $50.00 - $60.00 ( no center stand or kick stand issues )

I also raised my fork tubes aprox 3/8" for a little more turn in w/ no ill effects on stability,
something you can try as well.

[Scubalong]

OK all you corner carvers.

As some of you know I enjoy track days immensely. I also know some of you enjoy track days and/ or riding through your favorite local twisty roads. The VFR does a great job at carving up the tarmac, but if you’ve ever ridden say a Triumph 675, you soon realize that the VFR turns in pretty slow. Not that that is a bad thing but if you are like me, you wish the VFR would turn in just a little quicker.

Good news! Our friends at Thurn Motorsports can hook us up with this without sacrificing stability. Thurn makes a tailriser for the 4th, 5th and 6th gens. The one for the 4th gen raises the rear 25mm.

Installation was easy but I recommend having a friend because the evolution of the third arm is slow in coming and put the bike on its center stand with a piece of ¾ inch plywood underneath. The last bolt you put back in your friend will need to be moving the rear wheel up and down so you can get it in place (my wife kindly helped me). Also I was able to re-grease some parts in the shock linkage and the three bolts that hold the shock linkage triangle in place.

I took the 97 for a quick jaunt last night and let’s just say I am impressed. It’s still not a Triumph 675, but the VFR turns in much quicker and felt very stable in doing so. Now I didn’t get crazy since it was the street but I had a smile on my face for sure.

The only downside to this mod appears to be:

1. When you put it on the side stand the last inch or so when you set it over feels like it was going to fall over LOL! It totally doesn’t. It’s just up higher.
2. If you haul passengers, they are 25mm higher in the wind.
3. You can still use the center stand but the back tire sits on the ground now, so you’ll want to have that piece of ¾ inch plywood around so you can clean and lube your chain with ease.

I don’t consider the above ‘downsides’ but I just thought you all should know.

So who does Bubba Zanetti think should run out and order the Thurn Tailrisers???

In no order:

1. Joey_Dude (You’ll be thanking my ass brother)
2. Two4One
3. Reg71
4. Drewl
5. vFourBear
6. Derstuka
7. Scubalong
8. Slovfr
9. Toecutter
10. Cundalini (if they make one for the third gen, can’t remember)
11. Anybody who likes the twisties and I am forgetting.
12. KC-10FE

With shipping and exchange rates the plates cost me $88.00 USD. Also, the Thurn risers are steel with some kind of plating. The stock ones are aluminum and weigh (it feels) half as much. Just a testament to German quality.

Any questions let me know.

BZ

I love the ideas but I am only 5'.5" I can barely touch the ground
If I raise the bike up, I will have to wear flatform shoe (The 70's)
to ride my bike. If you can come up with solution I will go for it

[Knife]

I love the ideas but I am only 5'.5" I can barely touch the ground
If I raise the bike up, I will have to wear flatform shoe (The 70's)
to ride my bike. If you can come up with solution I will go for it

Don't despair! You will likely grow taller once puberty kicks in. (J/K)

[Bubba Zanetti]

^^^^^
Funny

Sorry Long, didn't know you are "Secret 'short' Asian Man"

Ya, can't suggest anything to grow taller.

I can however suggest Viagara to grow something, but it still won't help with this mod

BZ

[Bubba Zanetti]

Nice write up Bubba.
I have Thurn 19mm tail riser on my 6th gen, it is not the lower triangle but a shim that goes between the the rear shock and mount and has a tab to hold it in place.
all that is needed to install is to remove the four bolts holding the tank, raise tank in back w/ pc of wood and remove seat and plastic cover on the right side, loosen top shock bolt while bike on center stand install and re-torque the bolts.
cost was around $50.00 - $60.00 ( no center stand or kick stand issues )

I also raised my fork tubes aprox 3/8" for a little more turn in w/ no ill effects on stability,
something you can try as well.

Thanks 02 for chimimg on on your 6th gen and the Thurn riser

BZ

[02 VFR Rider]

long it will only raise the bike 1/2 - 1/3 of the 25mm due to linkage rate, I am not sure if it a 1-2 or 1-3 ratio.
also you have a 6th gen correct??

[reg71]

I have actually been thinking about getting this so it's funny you should mention it. I may get one before too much longer...

[Joey_Dude]

Ha ha thanks for the review and the very specific list of who ought to buy it :D

For the benefit of everyone I found the link to thurm motorsports at VFR Accessories at Thurm Motorsports

I see the tail riser kit isn't too expensive.. Methinks that's gonna be a winter project. oh, a free and easy mod is to pull the front forks up 10 mm. I notice a better turn in with that.

[02 VFR Rider]

I love the ideas but I am only 5'.5" I can barely touch the ground
If I raise the bike up, I will have to wear flatform shoe (The 70's)
to ride my bike. If you can come up with solution I will go for it

here you go long

FishTankPlatsZebraLg.jpg


brought to you by Mr. Chip pimpdaddy
mr. chip pimp daddy.jpg

[reg71]

Ha ha thanks for the review and the very specific list of who ought to buy it :D

For the benefit of everyone I found the link to thurm motorsports at VFR Accessories at Thurm Motorsports

I see the tail riser kit isn't too expensive.. Methinks that's gonna be a winter project. oh, a free and easy mod is to pull the front forks up 10 mm. I notice a better turn in with that.

yeah, that's about what I did. I also went to 4g bars for a while to see how I like it...

[Bubba Zanetti]

Joey and reg:

Thurn puts the tailriser kits on flea bay for sale from time to time too. (Same price and a little easier ordering).

I am going to reset the suspension and wait until after a track day to raise the front if needed. Right now I only want to do one change at a time.

Next mod on my list? A set of Vortex clip-on's.

Post up when you guys do the change.

BZ

[Bubba Zanetti]

Looks like Thurn makes one for 3rd gens too. It's is unfortunantly the most expensive one!

BZ

[02 VFR Rider]

I must clarify that I did the tail riser first then started playing a bit w/ the front end and found that w/ the 19mm riser and forks raised 3/8" ( front end lowered ) was the best combo for handling on my bike.

[TOE CUTTER]

I love the ideas but I am only 5'.5" I can barely touch the ground
If I raise the bike up, I will have to wear flatform shoe (The 70's)
to ride my bike. If you can come up with solution I will go for it

I think these will work Long!
Pleaser Shoes Delight 608C - Sexy Clear & Silver Open Toe Platform Heels

[TOE CUTTER]

This is a mod I have planned for this winter while the rain is ruining my riding.Was planning on making a shim or two to slip in between shock mount. Anyone know I would need to make a shim to get 20mm-25mm and save me the guess work?

[Scubalong]

I think these will work Long!
Pleaser Shoes Delight 608C - Sexy Clear & Silver Open Toe Platform Heels

02 got me a pair already

[NorcalBoy]

This is a great mod, but there are a couple things about this mod that need to be brought up.

This mod alters the swingarm downslope angle. If you have changed your gearing by going to a smaller countershaft sprocket, I would be very careful to make sure that the chain isn't eating through the chain slider and chewing on your expensive swingarm.

Another thing with the smaller countershaft sprocket and steepened swingarm downslope angle is suspension related. As the upper chain line changes with respect to the swingarm pivot, this will change the tendancy for the rear of the bike to squat or jack under hard accelleration. If you are running a smaller countershaft sprocket make sure the chain isn't binding up the rear suspension and that the shock can use all of it's available travel without being bound up by latent chain tension.

Even with the stock countershaft sprocket it is possible that track riders will notice a change in how the rear suspension and chassis geometry changes actually effect the machine under accelleration, yes it will certainly help the initial corner turn in feel, but it can also adversley effect how the chassis reacts on corner exit.

[Bubba Zanetti]

Thanks NCB, you are correct.

Thurn (in the directions they give you) state that you need to check the chain tension. I think they must know street riders generally have their chains too tight.

Mine was still really loose LOL! I am amazed at how loose you run a chain for track riding.

As far as corner exits and getting on the gas hard, well I'll have to wait till next years track days to see what's what. I may be asking you some questions NCB.

BZ

[Knife]

02 got me a pair already

Needs pictures of you wearing them.

[crustyrider]

I love the ideas but I am only 5'.5" I can barely touch the ground
If I raise the bike up, I will have to wear flatform shoe (The 70's)
to ride my bike. If you can come up with solution I will go for it

pretty sure you have a pair in the closet hiding out in a box.....

[matt1986vf500f]

if they had something for my bike that would be awesome

[Bubba Zanetti]

They do Matt, it's called "Jamie Daugherty"

BZ

[matt1986vf500f]

They do Matt, it's called "Jamie Daugherty"

BZ

NOO i wont dare ask him to machine any more parts for me hes probably ready to kick my ass poor guy every time i talk to him im always asking him how to figure out to make this part

[Bubba Zanetti]

Just trying to help

BZ

[RVFR]

Not a bad addition to making it better, Maybe. I looked into them but my take was after I did what I did to the suspension I was starting to out ride the bike as a whole, brakes was my next concern, I had here what to me felt pretty darn good in the corners. but after I looked into a few options in what it would take to go to the next level if there's a next level, I figured I had the best bang for what the ole girl could do, seriously, if I need something better it was time to start looking at another machine, as hard as it was to reconcile shes for the most part as good as it can get, besides we all know it's the rider that makes the biggest difference, Right? but hey, nothing wrong with trying this and that at all. good call BZ..

[mello dude]

My Penske shock has adjustable height and my guess I'm up in the tail about 20mm. With that and the front down about 5mm the bike feels a good bit quicker in the turns.

On the stocker height settings, the bike steered like a truck.

MD

[veefer800canuck]

Yes, you can buy the triangles from Thurn, but an cheaper way is to add washers to the upper shock mount.

You will have to remove your upper shock mount, and separate the bolt from the U shaped bracket as the stock bolt will be too short once you add washers.

The bolt is spot-welded to the U part and I used an angle grinder with a cutoff disc to carefully slot the head of the bolt without damaging the U, then knock the bolt out.

IIRC, you will need a 10x120mm long bolt and nut to replace with, but don't take my word for it, measure the stock part and go from there.

Upon reassembly, you can add washers as required to obtain the correct ride height. Watch for the notch in underside of the frame member that the mount bolts to and you may have to mod your washers too by grinding one edge straight to suit.

The rear suspension operates on approximately a 2:1 linkage ratio, so that when the shock moves an inch, the rear axle moves about 2 inches.

So shimming the shock mount 5mm will net you about 10mm of ride height out back.


Last thing is to watch the lower shock eye to make sure it doesn't contact the dogbone at full droop, this is your limiting factor as to how much you can raise the rear.

And all the things that NorCal Boy said are spot-on with regard to swingarm angle and the chain tension.

You'll have to run it a little looser than spec so that when the swingarm flattens out when the rear compresses, you won't be too tight on the chain.

[SLOVFR]

If anyone is interest in a set of ones for a GEN 4 I have 10 sets made from the Thurn dimensions. They are Aluminum like the factory ones. I went this route to get more travel clearance for my under tail exhaust. Looking to sell for $40.00 shipped. When I have a chance Ill take some pics and start another thread. For the side stand issue I had Tori weld a 1" square tube piece to the bottom of my stand and all is better. I did not like how much it leaned without it.

[donald branscom]

OK all you corner carvers.

As some of you know I enjoy track days immensely. I also know some of you enjoy .......(shortened).

BZ

Not only will it raise up the passenger, if seated, but it raises the center of gravity which is already too high. The lower the center of gravity the better the cornering.
If you carry a passenger all the time you need a completely different bike. A cruiser not a sport bike,otherwise you are having fun the the passenger is not.

The cadnium plated steel will not break or snap off like the aluminum.