I don't think the VFR is a long distance bike

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by IA-Mike, Oct 10, 2011.

  1. Jeff_Barrett

    Jeff_Barrett Member

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    I've done 1000 miles in 16 hours, did it hurt? Only in the last hour or so of riding did it begin to wear me down.

    That said, I've been eyeing up the GLs the past few weeks as a second bike for the missus. Before I jump in that direction though, I'm making the VFR as comfy as I can for her first, and getting her bum used to it .... I'd prefer to buy a newer GL when I have the money rather than an older one now.
     
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  2. mvvette97

    mvvette97 New Member

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    I just bought my vfr800 so I'm not sure how it will be on long trips. I went on two long trips from Iowa last summer but I rode my zx14 and it was very nice for many hrs of riding. I'm taking my zx14 to colorado in june but after that trip we are planning to go to Ohio so I'm going to take my vfr on that trip. Will have to see how it rides compared to my zx14.
     
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  3. Eagle Six

    Eagle Six New Member

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    I think the VFR is a great bike and I like it, just not as much as the ZX14. When I had both, I would end up forcing myself to take the VFR to exercise it, mostly on days I was running around town doing chores. When I did try it for an all day ride, I was sorry I didn't ride the ZX14. So although the VFR800A is a great bike, it just doesn't stack up to the ZX14, for me, regardless of what type of riding I'm doing, on the slab or in the canyons. My ZX14 is about the same weight, cuts the turns in and out as fast and easy, is smoother for all day. Both are pretty much stock. Because I would ride it less and less, I decided to replace it with a ZX14R. With two bikes, both ZX14's, the decision which to ride today is relatively easy! The VFR isn't that much different, just enough, for me, that I prefer the ZX14.
     
  4. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Doing an Iron Butt is only asinine of you are not interested in the challenge. That is all it is. Like climbing dangerous rock faces. Shooting at paper targets. Hell going to church every Sunday is asinine to me. I have done a few iron butt rides now but only one officially. I have done them all on my present VFR and found that yes, at the end of the day, I am a little sore. So is a marathon runner. I get something out of the challenge. I am going to try my third and final attempt at the "Canada to Mexico Ironbutt Insanity" challenge maybe this year, most likely next due to impending hip surgeries.

    Each to their own.
     
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  5. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I wished I had started riding earlier in life. But the only bike I have ever owned is my present ride. So I really can't compare it to anything at the moment. I don't tent to rotate through vehicles quickly. I am still driving my last new truck which is a 2003 and expect to drive that right up to death.

    I am looking forward to another long, long ride on my bike this year. I had the seat rebuilt by Rich's in Washington State last fall and it is super comfy. It is like going from a stock seat to a Sargent over once again but double the difference. Worth every penny I paid for the job.
     
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  6. Eagle Six

    Eagle Six New Member

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    Considering all the bikes I have purchased over the years that I thought I would like and turned out several months or a year later decided they just weren't for me, financially I would be much better off if I had originally purchased a VFR or the ZX14! On the other hand, we don't know what we don't know, so trying out various models has at least been an experience for me that I have enjoyed, although pricey. I think for long distance riding or local riding, there isn't much that has to be done to the VFR to make it suitable for most owners. Bar risers, pegs, seat, wind screen and maybe exhaust will generally do it for most, with the seat and exhaust being the most costly and even then those modification aren't that steep. If the 6th gen VFR had another 35-40 hp, I most likely would still have it in the stable.
     
  7. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    In a huge way, this thread makes little sense. Any decent motorcycle can go a long distance easily, especially a VFR. It isn't the bike. It's THE RIDER that's the limiting factor on a long trip. To go a long distance on about anything on two wheels, one needs to be in good physical condition and every poster here is in a different state of condition. Riding a motorcycle safely takes a rider in good physical condition. It takes strong core muscle strength which most people don't have, a good BMI or body strength which somewhat go together and most people don't have, good flexibility which most people don't have, and good overall physical condition and strength which I doubt most posters have. Hiring a personal trainer and intentionally improving your physical condition, including balance, can make a lot of miles and everything else for that matter much easier. Also, go to a good physician and get a real physical exam then work on the problem areas.

    How many people take good care of their VFR's but do nothing to take care of themselves? I'm more important than my VFR so I made the decision to get in better shape by paying attention to and doing the above. I wasn't in bad shape but am getting in better shape with a little effort. I swim and bicycle more than I ride my VFR. When I do ride, it's no big deal provided I keep the distance reasonable. Like someone else posted, why get worked up about doing a thousand miles when, probably the body is not in optimal condition? We can go buy another motorcycle but not so with the body.......

    I'd like to see a thread on that. In almost every regard, it's the rider, not the bike.
     
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  8. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    I ride insane miles on a shaved down stock seat. But I too think it has more to do with the rider: features like core strength and ASSets...mine is heavily padded and I'm short, so sitting on a cookie sheet all day is fun!! But I feel the #1 factor is mental mindset.

    But... the important thing here: who else read through this thread and almost peed their seat with excitement that Badbilly is posting again?... until you noticed the date. :(
     
  9. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    Oh my, let's do talk about ASSets, LOL! It's a safe bet that your ASSets look better than mine but mine are pretty damned important too! In all seriousness, building up your "glute" muscles helps everything come easier. They are part of core muscles. My personal trainer is finding muscles I didn't know I had. I'm sticking with it. A short quick 100 mile ride in the twisties today should be interesting after already building up some core muscle. It really doesn't take long, just effort.
     
  10. Blackslide

    Blackslide New Member

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    Time for some ASSets workout apparently. I'll have to see if it improves my mental position on when to take her out for a "spin"... April? Naah, maybe it's all sunny and peachy on the first of march? ;)

    Actually might end up with the bike this weekend.. Might even ride if I get that crazy. It has been snowing on and off, but the weather warmed up a bit.

    Riding on the storm
     
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  11. Blackslide

    Blackslide New Member

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    It was wet and slippery. Not so much fun on the longer stretch. But even more fun around town. Got about 600km on the clock.[​IMG][​IMG]

    Riding on the storm
     
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  12. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    Think Jen would disagree


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
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  13. Blackslide

    Blackslide New Member

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    Well, my only issues were numb fingers and toes (summer gear there, about 30-40F) and it was a pain trying to ride in the evening when it started slightly raining plus cars and trucks threw all the roadsalt, etc. on the visor. But I managed. I'll have to invest in warm boots and gloves + a rubber wiper or something for the visor.

    The few times I was a bit over the top on the throttle/gears and the rear got 'lively', were fun too ;)

    Riding on the storm
     
  14. A.M

    A.M Moderator Staff Member

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    That's what you have to do! Just get out there and ride and find the little ways you need to make it better for you. Sounds like you got some mental practice as well!

    So way to go! There are some gloves that have a wiper built into the finger. Maybe you can find one of those. I have one, but the best thing for me is just to use the palm of my hand anyway. Or if I'm going fast just look side to side let the rain and let the rain roll off the visor.

    +1 on the pics!
     
  15. Bat-1

    Bat-1 New Member

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    If you're looking for winter riding gloves with the little built in wiper below the thumb check the snowmobile section. They tend to have those, and not being targeted at us rich motorcyclists are cheaper.
     
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  16. Blackslide

    Blackslide New Member

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    Thanks for the hint! I was going through some shops buy didn't find anything decent in the "sale" section. Most of the "Next season" gear for snowmobile folks are insanely expensive here.

    Riding on the storm
     
  17. Bat-1

    Bat-1 New Member

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    I meant to include an exclaimer: "Lower snowmobile pricing may not apply in Finland or other nations proximate to arctic circle."

    Lol.
     
  18. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    There are several "Winter" riding gloves, usually gortex, that have the built in wiper on the left pointer finger. I have ha a couple pair now. The gloves do kep you quite dry too so long as you tuck the gauntlets under the sleeve of your jacket.

    I also frequently coat my visor with Rainex. That allows the rain to run off much easier. Like AM said, turn your head sideways as far as you safely can while riding and that will promote the run off of rain on the visor.
     
  19. Blackslide

    Blackslide New Member

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    I was going to coat the visor with something, but was told not to use a product we have here for windshields, as it smears the visor. I'll have to see if I can source that Rainex stuff.

    I do turn my head sideways like an owl from time to time, does wonders at highway speeds, but doesn't work when you're crawling with the traffic. The gen3 windshield also creates a narrow area of pressurized air behind it, so moving up and down blows some water off the visor too. It becomes problematic mostly after dark, the dirt/water/salt mist that other vehicles throw at you makes it almost impossible to see anything. Wiping it off works for a while bit the crud starts to stick easily.

    As it gets dark as night around 3-4pm. I might ditch the smoke visor in favor of the clear one..

    But as I'm stuck at work again, it was probably my last riding weekend for this year anyhow.

    Riding on the storm
     
  20. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I suspect that all the rain repelling products are much the same. I kinda recall reading somewhere that it should not be used on plastics but I have been using it since I started riding back in 2006. I used to commute year round 100 miles round trip. Our weather here in the Lower Fraser Valley of BC Canada is remarkably like yours. Rain often. When not raining, it pours, but sometimes a drizzle. Otherwise it is showers and very occasionally sunshine.

    Raninex may be specific to Canada only. I think it is available in the USA as well but like I said, probably the same stuff under a different name over there. I wold go get you some and send it to you but it comes in a plastic bottle that I am sure wold not survive the pressure of air mail and leak all over the place and cause some shit roar with the posties somewhere.
     
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2018
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