Hi

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by edk, May 9, 2015.

  1. edk

    edk New Member

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Joined:
    May 9, 2015
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Hi all,

    I am new to this forum and soon I am a (hopefully) proud owner of a 1998 VTR Fi in red colour, with 43.000 kms.
    Honestly to say yesterday I have test ridden a Honda VTR1000 and the VFR800. Both great bikes with own character. The choice was so difficult it made me nuts and could not sleep for at least 3 nights thinking about the pros/cons of both bikes. I think with only a few hours test riding both bikes then to make a choice is still not easy, at least not for me.
    So finally I decided to go for the VFR800.
    My previous and current bike is a Yamaha XJ900F from 1992. Had this one since 2004. Alse great touring bike but looks outdated and I feel I am into something more sporty riding / sporty looking and newer build year.

    Time will tell of the VFR800 is the right choice for me. I ride daily traffic in cities, 60 and 80km roads, and highway sometimes, so actually all kind of roads here in Holland. If I feel the VFR is not the bike for me after some months, I go for a VTR1000 of 2002+ for sure.

    So that is in short the history of me and my bike(s).
    I hope to have a great and wonderfull learning experience on this board.

    Cheers,
    Erik
     
  2. adeyren

    adeyren New Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2014
    Messages:
    122
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Worcester UK
    Map
  3. VFRnewbie

    VFRnewbie New Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2010
    Messages:
    130
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Devon, UK
    Map
    :welcome:

    Good call! You're not gonna regret that decision, I'm sure. They're superb bikes.

    Hope you enjoy it. May I gently suggest you post a few pics of your new acquisition? There are some here who won't believe it exists without documentary evidence... and we're all happy to see a new member.

    Happy riding!
     
  4. TNRabbit

    TNRabbit New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2013
    Messages:
    1,024
    Likes Received:
    13
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Woodford, VA
    Map
    Welcome to the BEST generation~

    VTR is an awesome bike for sure but the VFR is more versatile plus your back will thank you after a long ride~
     
  5. edk

    edk New Member

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Joined:
    May 9, 2015
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    vfr800_1_50.jpg vfr800_2_50.jpg vfr800_3_50.jpg vfr800_5_50.jpg

    Here are pics of my "new" bike which I will buy at the end of next week !
    Erik

    By the way; should I move these photos to a new photo gallery, or should I leave them here ?
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2015
  6. duccmann

    duccmann Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2010
    Messages:
    9,214
    Likes Received:
    910
    Trophy Points:
    143
    Location:
    SoCal
    Map
    Very nice, great choice and check out the June addition of Cycle World
     
  7. VFRnewbie

    VFRnewbie New Member

    Country:
    United Kingdom
    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2010
    Messages:
    130
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    16
    Location:
    Devon, UK
    Map
    She looks good! Although obviously the black ones are faster... :rolleyes:

    IMAG1157.jpg

    Nah, leave the pics where they are, but feel free to post some more wherever when you've picked it up. And make yourself at home, you won't find a more knowledgeable bunch of people on these bikes than round these parts!
     
  8. edk

    edk New Member

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Joined:
    May 9, 2015
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Thanks for the compliments of the looks! I will post more photo's when I have the bike home. Probably at the end of this week :)

    Only minor issue during the testdrive of my VTR was a battery problem, possibly due to a broken voltage regulator. I showed the bike to some family members; they happen to live in the same street. First visit done and starting, no problems at all. After visiting the second place and leaving, when I wanted to start the VFR, just one big tick/click and a little rattling sound under the seat which I beleive is from the starter relais ? Pushing the horn or the headlights make the LCD screen in the cockpit? dissapear.

    After that, I immediately called the dealer shop and they picked me and the bike up (and then I stepped onto the VTR1000 for a test ride). Although I rode only about 35 kms on the VFR800 during this test ride so far, before the battery problem occured. I have enjoyed the time I was riding. So I could not have more time to testride this VFR.. But hey... later on I decided to go for this machine ! :) Even I could only test it for a little time.

    Ofcourse the dealer will fix this and also deliver the bike with a maintance job like new oil incl. filter, new spark plugs, liquid check and possible renewal of brake fluid and coolant. Tires were still very good, almost new. They will deliver the bike in a proper way.

    Exhaust system look ok too, only minor rust on the collector and other parts of it look ok as far as I could see. All bolts had no damages from abuse with wrong sized tools, no sign of rust anywhere.
    Maybe I will take te complete exhaust of someday, and clean totally (with metal polish or with drill and some coton wheel on it with polish) to make them shiny again. Not sure yet if that is worht it . I think this way I can see very clear if the exhaust is damaged somewhere because of corrosion. Then I can hav that repaired, I have a friend who can fix this if needed.

    So general state looks good for its age. Radiator has no leakage and looks in good condition. Chain and sprockets look ok, but I will inspect them more closely next week.

    I have 3 months guarantee on the bike, but I allready have plans to openup the buddy seat and look after dirty electrical plugs/contacts and cleam them apropriateley. I will also check the Voltage regulator. If its not a MosFet type I will buy one and do a mod with big heatsink plate and thermal paste between them, so hopefully I wil never have this famous problem with charging errors with battery or blown regulator and/or overheated battery.

    At least I can allready order a regulator and carry it as spare under the buddy seat just in case. So I can change it whenever it fails.

    Another small thing I discoverd was that a plastic clip of the buddy seat comes loose after a little while. I mean normally both front sides of the plastic from the buddy seat have a clip which attach / are hooked under the tank. Only the left side comes out of its position from underneath the tank and when I get off the bike I can clearly see the plastic hook being outside the tank on the left outer side. It should stay under the tank actually. I have mentioned that to the dealer and they will look into it.

    What about standard storage space, is there some room for a decent chain lock to store ? On my old XJ900F I could store my chain lock under the rear end of the backseat cover, so I did not need to put in in a tank bag. I am curious if I can fit the chain lock somewhere without the need of other storage solutions like tank bag or suitcase on the bike.

    I hope you understand what I mean, I do not know the exact words for these things.

    Last thing I would like to share is I am thinking of buying a second hand after market exhaust pipe, from brand "Bos". It has a deeper lower sound than the original exhaust/silencer. I can buy it for 95 euro. When mounted it is neat direct under the middle of the backseat end. I think the price is attractive.
    But I have doubts about the decibel level is generates. In Holland cops can give a fine for too loud sound, or you could loose your numberplate registration and then you have to make the bike original and have it rechecked. Cost lots of time and money which I am not waiting for...

    What are your experiences with exhaust noise level checks by the police and if so, did any of you get in big trouble by this ?

    Greetz, Erik
     
    Last edited: May 10, 2015
Related Topics

Share This Page