Thanks for all of your unknowing help! Need a touch more.

Picked up my new '10, DCT, on January 3rd, $6k off on clearance. I purchased all the accessories online, except heated grips and the accessory outlet. I bought at the right time, stumbled on a manual model for $9,999 on a local want ad site. I was looking for a project, not a new bike . . . I wasn't looking for trouble, it found me!

I read MCN and Rider primarily, and a Vintage BMW mag as my forever bike is a '66 R60/2. I love Hondas, my first bike was briefly a Z50, followed closely by a sweet and indestructible SL70. I like all bikes, had five already, never thought I'd own a brandy-new VFR1200.

I liked it the moment I first saw it in whichever mag. I was slightly miffed at the reviews, but this is a unique bike in a time when outstanding machines come from so many manufacturers competing for defined niches in the market. This bike is a new niche of its own, especially the DCT.

Since I found this deal on January 1st, when everyone was closed, I had time to do serious research online and find out what real-world users had to say about the machine. I was curious about the dual clutch transmission versus the manual transmission. Since Porsche had invented the first dual clutch transmission I had ever heard of, back in the '80's, I have been fascinated with the concept.

Thank you to all the real contributors to this forum who shared their perspective, this forum was invaluable! I found a local dealer with a DCT model that was willing to honor the $6000 discount offered on the manual, which I found at a second local dealer at the same discount I had found at the first dealer. I rode the DCT model 3 miles in 15° weather and put it in the back of my truck and brought it home.

So, not being able to ride it for months to come, here in Maine, I've enjoyed installing what appear to be very good quality accessories. Little finesse was required, little to no tweaking, all but the tire hugger fit perfectly. Never had the pleasure of doing so much on a brand new machine, plus every part within reason is now polished, waxed or corrosion protected. Can't wait to get it dirty!

Although I didn't get either of the electrical accessories, I did spring for the harness. I guess the instructions for how to hook up the harness come with the accessories, because they don't come with the harness.

Could someone be so kind as to advise the proper connection point for the harness? It looks like there's a blank cap on a plug next to the battery, but it has so many locking tabs on it I don't want to assume . . . Please and thanks!

The rear tire hugger had uneven clearance with the tire. My fix for the problem was to make a soft plug from a ball of paper and a little tape, and put it between the tire and fender. Within a few days, it appears as though the plastic has memorized its new position.

What I'd like to see before launch time are two things, other than where to plug that harness. Both fender issues.*

The front fender extenders available seem about half as big as I'd like, probably a bummer I'll live with, but I may try combining part of a second one??? I live on a granular sugar sand road, amazing what gets launched onto every horizontal surface in a couple hundred yards, radiators love it too.

Similar fantasy part for the rear fendering. A nice rubber bellow? between the hugger and fender would stop so much crap from getting all over the suspension and swingarm. I may just try a shower cap to see how much it catches. I like riding more than cleaning, and besides, it's so freaking clean!

And what to do to cover that feather-scratchable black paint on the tank . . . future project.

Thanks again, and how 'bouts that plug location new vfriends?

 

hey Slash2, i scanned the instruction sheet for the 12v harness but having trouble posting to this forum... if you shoot me an e-mail i'd be happy to email back the pdf files....lsharkmix@verizon.net.... dealer did mine but it doesn't look too hard

 

the connection is made on the left side of the steering head near the air box intake cowl

 

Thanks much! Am away from the bike for a week, look forward to seeking it out. Glad I didn't mash up that other plug (that looked like such a good candidate)!

 

How bout you boys post up some pictures of these so-called motorcycles you claim to own?

 

Done?

 

Granted, the pic is pre-accessories . . . so their is truth in what you detect!

 

Puh-leeeez. Anyone can post up a picture of a brand new bike sitting in a garage that's way too clean on top of a sweet lift. Let's see some of these mods you made.

We are willing to accept pictures of scantily clad women if you have no pictures of the mods.

 

the plug under the seat with the black cap is the diagnostic hook up

 

here's mine no mods yet

Akro slip on, Bazzaz Z Bomb and Zfi coming soon ... zero gravity SR light smoke and Michelin PR3s that's about all i'm planning

 

tried the K&N filter but it made already lean stock mapping even worse, went back to stock till ZFI is installed...also unhooked exhaust valve cable from servo makes stock exhaust breathe a little better and sounds good at low rpm

 

Nice job, Ishark. I like the side by side of old and new.

 

that's an original 1983 it was the first one at the dealer in NJ..i bought it the day the issue of Cycle Magazine came in the mail with it on the cover !!! 36,000 miles.. runs great !! getting a carb rebuilt and replacing the factory clutch this spring....thnx Pliskin...Morris co. huh?? i'm in Rockland co. right on state line..in your area often...if u see the vfr in front of Jimmy Buff's on rt 10 that's me !! i make the pilgrimage often...let's ride one day

 

We're almost neighbors!

We'll definitely get together for a ride. We head up to Bear Mountain every now and then. Always good to meet new VFRriders.

My office is in Morristown (Harding, technically, but most people don't know where Harding is). Jimmy Buff's can't be all of 20 minutes from me. Its been a while since I had a good Italian hot dog. Damn shame its going to rain tomorrow. With a high of 58, would be a great mid winter day to take the bike out. I don't care about the rain, but there's still a fair amount of salt on the roads out my way. I really don't feel like having the bike covered in salt spray.

Looking forward to it.