First VFR... Think I'm in love

I was in the market for a sport tourer.
I had been envisioning a nimble iron horse shooting down some back roads with a girlfriend on the back.

Last bike was a 1500cc Vulcan. Seemed ideal only it rode a mid 70s Chevrolet.

I really wanted something that didn't scrape parts on mild sweepers and make make me look 20 years older. Yeah I'll take refined performance and suspension over looking bad going slow any day. Never was one for the whole rebel without a cause thang.

So I was looking hard at Triumph Sprints. Admittedly i dig Brit bikes. I really love the cafe racer look and even if the design didnt work for me- the least i could do is buy a bike from that proud heritage and designed by real enthusiasts.

I phoned a very very respected independent mechanic. He suggested VFR.

"What year?"

"Any. Doesn't matter. Minor changes, bulletproof and is a great little bike. Trouble is people don't sell em."

I found a nice 03 with 26k, well maintained and with a Stain Tubes exhaust for 3,100. Really wanted ABS but for the price how could I pass it up?

I googled... Do I really want a crotch rocket??

I YouTubed to hear the exhaust... Maybe I really DO want a crotch rocket!!

I took it for a test ride, gave it a little throttle and nearly fell off the back. Snapped the throttle shut and railed my nuts into the tank. Not only was i thoroughly unfamiliar with this kind of performance... The guy put vinyl protectant on the seat

I felt like I was doing push-ups to keep myself back off the tank. I nearly walked away from the purchase. But I'd already read here so much about people doing tours on them that I figured I'd get used to it. (Thank you thank you thank you...)

Guy didn't want to sell, but had a young child and wasn't riding much anymore.

He kept reiterating how much he wanted to keep the bike... And made me promise to send pics when I do stuff to it.

I've ridden maybe 100 miles thus far and I swear after 20 I felt love for this machine! Is it possible? Was I mistaking adrenaline, the forward lean and push-ups for some other recreational activity?? What's the deal??

Well gotta find out... How lucky did I get??

So today I uh did some interesting things.

Like... Fitting into tight spaces

Like... Nearly going under the back end of a truck

That was on the way out....

Met with a much more experienced rider and he suggested I keep testing my limits reasonably- but not stupidly.

On the way back...

Got in a tuck and rolled heavy on the throttle. Uh, where have you been all my life!!?

Man what a ride!

My first linked turn is forthcoming... I might just propose...

Uh to a Honda engineer... Not the bike... That would be weird

 

I'm new as well to he VFR, only about a thousand KM's so far. My passion to ride has gone up X10, if he bike could only cook I might marry it to.
Looks like the weather in our neck of the woods is finialy coming around. Enjoy and be safe.

 

A warm welcome to the Madhouse from the far side of the Pond.

I should warn you that in time honoured fashion you are going to be ragged until you actually post up some pictures of your VFR!!! Some folks won't believe a word you say until you do! So get that camera out now!

Skimad

 

I'm stoopit excited about this thing. I see you have the newer one. Very nice!

Eventually I want to get bags too. I have some hard Pelican cases (think plastic suitcase) I was thinking about mounting up either one as a trunk or two as panniers. Something tells me it won't look right though and ill have to pay Givi money unless I can suffice with soft bags.

First- want a Bluetooth so I can hear my iPhone's GPS. Then heated grips, then a trunk and bags and a gazillion other things including "advanced" riding lessons. I want emergency moves drilled to the point of second nature.

People definitely can't judge my speed and proximity as well as when I rode the chrome lazy boy with that ginormous wind screen.

Jeez what was I thinking? Why not just order cataract safe wrap around sunglasses, velcro ortho shoes, a package of tennis balls and call it a day.

 

Welcome to the forum and the bike. I suggest to avoid a mess, that until you are a little more used to this bike, you wear a condom. Yes, the experience for the first timer is orgasmic. Seriously though, I am sure you are not going to tire of this bike too soon. If you haven't taken the MSF course yet, then do so. Be aware that this bike is top heavy so be careful with your balance when stopped or at low speeds. Someone here has had lots of experience picking his up off the ground because of just that.

For side bags, watch Craigs List or whatever for OEM or Givi saddle bags. I believe the OEM are actually made by Givi. I used soft bags for several years on my 06 and just recently bought a set of OEM's. The soft work quite well. Just be cautious as to where you tie them down. Get ahld of me if you want pictures how I mounted my soft bags.

 

Welcome! I'm new to the VFR world myself (previous a couple 954s). Just piked up a 06 with 26kmi and loving it so far!

Just picked up a set of givi's myself:



Went with the matte black (a bit cheaper than colored), $740 total from motorcycle-superstore.com including removable side mounts. free shipping

I will warn, the mount that goes on the license plate bracket took some modification to fit (removing the plastic spacer, and the rubber grommets then drilling out the holes and using a bit larger bolt).

Good luck!

 

I just bought an 03 VFR a week ago today,and I know how you feel,I can't stop riding the thing,any opportunity I'm gone,weather has been sunny and dry here so it's ideal for hitting the twisties.
Must upload a pic or two myself,welcome aboard anyway.