"Barn Find" VFR 800, need general information

Im knew here and would like some information. So, I picked up this today after selling my old trusty motorcycle. Its an 04 VFR 800 (as im sure you can see), with a whopping 348 miles on it. The fuel system has had ample attention paid to it from a reputable shop and it rides out like a champ. Here is my question, what are a few things that I should know, buy, or just upgrade. This is one bike that I havent really done lots of research on and would like to know from the wealth of knowledge where I should be headed with simple upgrades and the like. Any information is welcome.

 

Nice find.

Congrats and welcome to the forum.

Note that all 2002 to 2006 (2005?) models had a wiring harness recall. Somewhere up front. Based on the mileage, sounds like that was never done. A call to Honda with your VIN will reveal whether or not it was completed.

Upgrades?
Suspension, especially if you're a bigger guy
Aftermarket exhaust
Custom Seat
Power Commander
Heli Bars if you do lots of long trips

That's all I got for now.

 

Congrats on the bike! I agree with Pliskin above. Also, check the side stand bolts as they may come loose. A little locktite on the bolts is all that is needed.

 

I want to know where these barns are with the 10 year old "new" bikes!

That is a very nice bike, congratulations and welcome to the club!

 

Well, it totally fell in my lap. I'll look into the recall tomorrow and find out for sure. Thanks for the heads up. Are there any cheap off the wall performance mods that "everyone" does? There were a few with the TL1000R that I had were they made minor mods that added a bit here and there. (Apples and oranges)

 

i put a pcv on 03 and it really does make a difference, along w/ exhaust at same time but throttle is allot better.

to bad you got a red one though, they are the slowest.

 

Cheap and performance are relative.

What are you looking to accomplish?

Without some serious time and $, you'll never see great HP gains. But, if you like doing wheelies (who doesn't!), then a quick change of sprockets/chain should have your front end coming up no problem. And for about $200-$250.

Want it to sound louder? Gut the stock exhaust. (Search site for info).

Want to be able to ride for longer than 100 miles without your ass feel like its broken? "Mod" your seat. (What good is performance if you're too uncomfortable to ride it?)

You should also look into replacing the R/R (regulator/rectifier). There are a couple billion threads on here about that. Prior to 2006 (2007? - I can never get the fucking years right!) the stock R/R setup on these bikes sucked. Feel free to search this site and read til your content. If you can't find anything on here about R/R, you can ask us again. But we'll tell you to sell the bike at that point. Oil, Tires and R/R are discussed to no end around here.

Speaking of which, are the stock tires on there? If so, that would have to be priority number one. Get those off. Now. Before you ride any further. They were a shit tire to begin with, and are only worse if they are indeed 10 years old now. What kind you want? Search! But I'd suggest Michelin Pilot Road 2ct.

 

I think my first few options (after tires) are going to be pipes and power commander. I'm sure this will stir the hornets nest, but what is the preferred pipe by the masses.

 

StainTune mufflers sound fantastic to me.

 

Sliders should be the first mod as these bikes are very easy to drop, 2006 was the year of a few upgrades. My next project is to install a light weight exhaust single can. The tires are junk-I got 4600 miles and they still have good tread but I don't trust them-dried out too much. Sliders are going to be a hard job because the plastic is right on a curved part where you need to drill ,but do it anyway-its better than really banged plastic among other things- I added folding levers to.

 

Welcome and NICE find! 348 miles? doesn't that still have you in the break-in period? I guess you'll have to show some restraint for a while.

I think Pliskin's advice on the tires is probably dead on (if the tires are stock). And in my opinion THE most important starting point. Any easy thing to forget or overlook then learn/remember the hard way.

 

They are battleax's. Is that the stock running gear?

 

Holy crap...348 miles...and I thought I got the score when buying my 02 with 1800. This order of mods.. PR3'S... HELI'S...LEO'S and PCV......That will make you a happy camper...then ride the crap outa her.......oh and remember..even on hot summer days...ATGATT

Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2

 

Beside what has been mentioned you might want to bleed the brake fluid and hydraulic clutch fluid as it may have absorbed moisture over the years. Enjoy the ride.
John

 

I don't think they are stock, but it has no relevance. They are still 10 years old or so tires. Good find.

 

Damn, Son, do you live in fear of dropping your bike? I know you have good intentions here, but I've never considered sliders to be at the top of the list.

 

Soooooo, still new....feel free to break up the acronyms!

 

Let me help ya out here,

PR3'S are Michelin Tires http://www.canadasmotorcycle.ca/michelin-pilot-road-3-front-tire.html
HELI'S are raised handlebars made by Helibars https://www.helibars.com/
LEO'S are Leo Vince exhaust systems http://www.leovinceusa.com/
PCV is a Power commander 5 fuel injection tuning device http://www.powercommander.com/powercommander/default.aspx
ATGATT is All The Gear All The Time is just an expression

Oh and if I didn't already say it, welcome to the club!