Discussion
I see. Good work with the £9.99 bag!
With respect to cc, I’ve used a throttle grip in the past which has worked well. I keep forgetting to use it nowadays, despite being under the saddle!
There’s also another system which I’ve seen advertised that riders seem pleased with. I’ll try and locate the details.
Interested to know more about your trip to N Africa.
With respect to cc, I’ve used a throttle grip in the past which has worked well. I keep forgetting to use it nowadays, despite being under the saddle!
There’s also another system which I’ve seen advertised that riders seem pleased with. I’ll try and locate the details.
Interested to know more about your trip to N Africa.
Hugo Stiglitz said:
Biker9090 said:
I'm currently in Adenau on mine.
Friday- Poperinge, Ypres, Sanctuary Wood, Bruges and Sint Niklaas
Saturday- Nijmegen and Arnhem
Sunday- Overloon, Nurburgring and Adenau
Lane splitting around Ghent at rush hour in sheet rain was "interesting". The wind through Holland and Germany today was genuinely frightening, 270kg of VFR blown around like a rag doll. Also got flashed at indicated 86kph (roughly 83 real) in a 70 zone, albeit on a front facing camera only...... Really quite disappointed with myself in that (thought it was higher).
Blimey, my old R1200RT was pretty rock solid in the worst sideways gusts Friday- Poperinge, Ypres, Sanctuary Wood, Bruges and Sint Niklaas
Saturday- Nijmegen and Arnhem
Sunday- Overloon, Nurburgring and Adenau
Lane splitting around Ghent at rush hour in sheet rain was "interesting". The wind through Holland and Germany today was genuinely frightening, 270kg of VFR blown around like a rag doll. Also got flashed at indicated 86kph (roughly 83 real) in a 70 zone, albeit on a front facing camera only...... Really quite disappointed with myself in that (thought it was higher).
I'm really tempted to buy a VFR1200..
Biker9090 said:
bolidemichael said:
I had a different experience when riding from Normandy to Germany a couple of years back (detailed on this thread somewhere). When it's turbulent, I knock down a gear and throttle into the wind; I find that the momentum and acceleration keeps me stable and swift, if I gauge it correctly. It doesn't strike me as though there's anything inherently susceptible to wind on the VFR.
I think it was just overall power of the wind tbh. Danger to life extreme gusts warning. Those massive windmills were being spun round like nothing else across the planes. 
myvision said:
McWoody69 said:
Nah, no pics as I don't want to hijack this thread but it's a red one, so near identical to the OPs and the same as my previous one though it was a GT and this one isn't....but has loads of extra's.....like brake/clutch levers, hugger, cruise control throttle grip thing like that Kaeko(?) thing. (I was wondering what that thing as, so it'll be interesting to see how that works out)
Unlike the OP, I try to get the youngest, best condition example I can, and I really nailed it this time as the new one is showroom at 25K miles on a 15 plate.. can't quite believe how clean it is.
The previous example I had, we put about 15K miles on it and got as far as Venice and it was meant to be my forever bike but redundancy put paid to that plan, and in between we had a Sprint GT that was good, but the VFR is great so we're more than happy to be back again.
I get what others say about the VFR but for me it's a 400mile a day machine that goes about as far on a tank as I ever want to...has performance that exceeds my abilities and never misses a beat......oh, and to my eyes is a thing of beauty.
There really is very very little to not like with it and I don't exepct to be changing this one....
What is the difference with a GT one then?Unlike the OP, I try to get the youngest, best condition example I can, and I really nailed it this time as the new one is showroom at 25K miles on a 15 plate.. can't quite believe how clean it is.
The previous example I had, we put about 15K miles on it and got as far as Venice and it was meant to be my forever bike but redundancy put paid to that plan, and in between we had a Sprint GT that was good, but the VFR is great so we're more than happy to be back again.
I get what others say about the VFR but for me it's a 400mile a day machine that goes about as far on a tank as I ever want to...has performance that exceeds my abilities and never misses a beat......oh, and to my eyes is a thing of beauty.
There really is very very little to not like with it and I don't exepct to be changing this one....
I wonder whether mine is a GT or not now i didn't know they did a GT one I thought they were all the same?
Akrapovic exhaust, full luggage and touring screen. Perhaps others that I cannot recall.
black-k1 said:
bolidemichael said:
iirc it was a later run out model where they chucked parts from the inventory at it.
Akrapovic exhaust, full luggage and touring screen. Perhaps others that I cannot recall.
Didn't they increase the tank capacity at some point in the model life? Was that related to the GT variant? Akrapovic exhaust, full luggage and touring screen. Perhaps others that I cannot recall.
No, that wasn't related to the GT version.
Biker9090 said:
bolidemichael said:
I’ve been riding around Surrey and Sussex extensively this weekend and my MCT suspension has handled it brilliantly.
It wasn't bad by any means - vastly better than the OEM V Strom suspension I test rode - I just couldn't get the nice medium that enabled brilliant cornering but absorbing the worst bumps. Just could have done with more adjustability, I think this is the issue. When I was slower and pushing myself less I didn't appreciate the adjustability range of the different shocks. Now I could tell it needed more rebound but less compression at times - something I can't do on the R1 shock or OEM fork adjusters.
Have to say this is the only bike I will genuinely be sad to see go. I think it's been the most reliable vehicle I or anyone else I've known have owned. Not once has it EVER failed to start or get me home (1 punctured rear tyre as an exceptipon). Oh, how I wish they had made an updated Crosstourer.....
A pretty cool overnight micro tour was enjoyed on Friday, one that had been planned since October — a tour of Ariel motors — perhaps you recall my February sojourn to reccy the destination; starting nice and early at 7am, panniers loaded and pre-load jack up five clicks, accordingly, as due to a shift in plans, I needed to leave Somerset early on Saturday in order to fly to Bilbao at 9.20am from Gatwick…
in Farnham, we took a route composed of almost entirely back roads to get to Yeovil. It was like being back in time, so nice travelling through the countryside and on roads with an absence of punitive monitoring tech, that makes motoring so cumbersome on today’s major roads.
as you’d expect on a ride with a small like minded crew of bikers, there were some giggles on the way, beginning with the ‘King’s Somborne Ford’
into which the ride leader on a GS gallantly waded, only for the wading to become submerging as we looked on in astonishment as to how deep it was possible to go… myself on the VFR and another on a new-to-him XR weren’t having any of it, but number four on his ‘adventure’ spec GS dived in like a tramp on chips. They made it! Us two remaining landlubbers meandered round and found them outside a rather grandiose church (not depicted in these images but you can google it if truly curious).
Following that, we stopped for a short break in Fordingbridge — the local bakery had just popped some cheese and bacon turnovers out of the oven, so we swiped the lot and munched happily whilst giggling at the boating expedition.
On we proceeded, admiring our leaders ability to locate the goat tracks on any landmass — much as he did back in France for our absolutely sodden and knackering (but enjoyable!) ride down to Aigle in Normandy, back in 2022. One highlight was [utl]zig zag hill|https://maps.app.goo.gl/gMFVbx59AhqRi5rr8?g_st=ic [/url] , which we approached from the east, evidently. A fast sweeping road with splendid views which of course, were glimpsed at whilst trying to keep pace.
The next few giggles came from yet another ford, this time forewarned with a red sign stating ‘NOT SUITABLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES’. Of course, the warning was as alluring as honey to a bear, so off we plodded — tentatively.
Messrs GS were the proverbial pigs in mud
Your intrepid correspondent found it quite slippery
Whilst Mr XR just thought ’b
ks to that, I’ll take the footbridge’!
There was also some wild garlic growing, one of my favourite leaves on which to chew… just don’t overdo it!
After filling up with fuel — 14L for me — and checking in to the charming Haselbury Mill, we headed off for our tour of Ariel Motor Co — started from a shed around twenty years ago, they’ve got three models — in addition
Ariel Atom
The now discontinued Ariel Ace, which uses the same VFR1200F engine as in my bike but with a different ECU
they’re making the final two Ariel Black edition at the moment
and the awesome Ariel Nomad
One of the cool things about this tour is that the techs are happy to chat — I managed to blag myself one of their plaques, it’s one man per vehicle.
Immediately after the tour, the guys from SAM were waiting to lead us to ‘Leather and Lace’ in Chilton Polden for a delightful dinner of a bap filled with shredded roast pork, stuffing, apple sauce and crackling. Lush.
It’s quite an interesting place! Songbirds everywhere, too.
Before heading back, I filled up ready for an early start… I set my alarm for 4.30am and my eyes opened at 4.28am! Got changed in the dark so as to not wake my roommates and tip toed out — I was on the bike by 5am and took the precaution of wearing my Scott waterproof over jacket for both protection against the cold morning wind for a temperature of around 5°C and it was damp, having rained overnight. However, once I jumped on the bike it did seem a little breezier than anticipated… oh yeah, that’s because my helmet was on the ground! Oops!
At 5.04am I set off and ventured with trepidation onto the damp and dark rural A356 with some very tight bends around fields and not so inviting with cold tyres. But on we plodded and onto the A303 with its long roadworks and unnecessary (for 5am) average speed cameras — 50, 30, 50, 30…. 30mph on the empty road at that time is risible. Onwards, the road unfolded as dawn threatened to break — there was drizzle forming but with the excellent Scott jacket, three layers of merino (thanks Aldi!) and my ancient Rukka drop liner gear, I was cosy and focused… so on we pressed.
Harder the rain fell, daylight broke and visibility increased just as the rainfall was trying to deny me a clear view of the road ahead, still we kept going — as Stonehenge rose imperiously from my near side, the conditions became torrential. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 were very stable and refused to aquaplane, the VFR was running true, the riding position comfortable and the engine was on song — so I opened the throttle a little wider and mile by mile we were soon flying; by the time we entered the M3 normal speeds seemed too slow and I was eyeing up the time — 6.30am and twenty miles to go until the M25… I probably had time to go home for a quick change and jump in the car before heading to the airport!
As I approached home and spotted the petrol station, it reminded me to glance at the fuel gauge — it was flashing on empty after only 140 miles!
I arrived home at 6.54am
when I filled up… probably the most that I’ve ever put in!
I’d calculated that with this rate of consumption had I not looked down at my fuel gauge and carried onto Gatwick beyond Cobham Services, a real possibility as I was so focused on timing, I would’ve run out of fuel somewhere on the M25… there were a theoretical 2.41 miles remaining!
At the time, I was wondering what the hell I was doing on the bike at 5am… in hindsight, having the road to myself on the fabulous A303 was just so gratifying, not all the best experiences on the bike are in perfect conditions! Oh and as a bonus, the rear mudguard is still in situ.
in Farnham, we took a route composed of almost entirely back roads to get to Yeovil. It was like being back in time, so nice travelling through the countryside and on roads with an absence of punitive monitoring tech, that makes motoring so cumbersome on today’s major roads.
as you’d expect on a ride with a small like minded crew of bikers, there were some giggles on the way, beginning with the ‘King’s Somborne Ford’
into which the ride leader on a GS gallantly waded, only for the wading to become submerging as we looked on in astonishment as to how deep it was possible to go… myself on the VFR and another on a new-to-him XR weren’t having any of it, but number four on his ‘adventure’ spec GS dived in like a tramp on chips. They made it! Us two remaining landlubbers meandered round and found them outside a rather grandiose church (not depicted in these images but you can google it if truly curious).
Following that, we stopped for a short break in Fordingbridge — the local bakery had just popped some cheese and bacon turnovers out of the oven, so we swiped the lot and munched happily whilst giggling at the boating expedition.
On we proceeded, admiring our leaders ability to locate the goat tracks on any landmass — much as he did back in France for our absolutely sodden and knackering (but enjoyable!) ride down to Aigle in Normandy, back in 2022. One highlight was [utl]zig zag hill|https://maps.app.goo.gl/gMFVbx59AhqRi5rr8?g_st=ic [/url] , which we approached from the east, evidently. A fast sweeping road with splendid views which of course, were glimpsed at whilst trying to keep pace.
The next few giggles came from yet another ford, this time forewarned with a red sign stating ‘NOT SUITABLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLES’. Of course, the warning was as alluring as honey to a bear, so off we plodded — tentatively.
Messrs GS were the proverbial pigs in mud
Your intrepid correspondent found it quite slippery
Whilst Mr XR just thought ’b
ks to that, I’ll take the footbridge’!There was also some wild garlic growing, one of my favourite leaves on which to chew… just don’t overdo it!
After filling up with fuel — 14L for me — and checking in to the charming Haselbury Mill, we headed off for our tour of Ariel Motor Co — started from a shed around twenty years ago, they’ve got three models — in addition
Ariel Atom
The now discontinued Ariel Ace, which uses the same VFR1200F engine as in my bike but with a different ECU
they’re making the final two Ariel Black edition at the moment
and the awesome Ariel Nomad
One of the cool things about this tour is that the techs are happy to chat — I managed to blag myself one of their plaques, it’s one man per vehicle.
Immediately after the tour, the guys from SAM were waiting to lead us to ‘Leather and Lace’ in Chilton Polden for a delightful dinner of a bap filled with shredded roast pork, stuffing, apple sauce and crackling. Lush.
It’s quite an interesting place! Songbirds everywhere, too.
Before heading back, I filled up ready for an early start… I set my alarm for 4.30am and my eyes opened at 4.28am! Got changed in the dark so as to not wake my roommates and tip toed out — I was on the bike by 5am and took the precaution of wearing my Scott waterproof over jacket for both protection against the cold morning wind for a temperature of around 5°C and it was damp, having rained overnight. However, once I jumped on the bike it did seem a little breezier than anticipated… oh yeah, that’s because my helmet was on the ground! Oops!
At 5.04am I set off and ventured with trepidation onto the damp and dark rural A356 with some very tight bends around fields and not so inviting with cold tyres. But on we plodded and onto the A303 with its long roadworks and unnecessary (for 5am) average speed cameras — 50, 30, 50, 30…. 30mph on the empty road at that time is risible. Onwards, the road unfolded as dawn threatened to break — there was drizzle forming but with the excellent Scott jacket, three layers of merino (thanks Aldi!) and my ancient Rukka drop liner gear, I was cosy and focused… so on we pressed.
Harder the rain fell, daylight broke and visibility increased just as the rainfall was trying to deny me a clear view of the road ahead, still we kept going — as Stonehenge rose imperiously from my near side, the conditions became torrential. The Michelin Pilot Sport 5 were very stable and refused to aquaplane, the VFR was running true, the riding position comfortable and the engine was on song — so I opened the throttle a little wider and mile by mile we were soon flying; by the time we entered the M3 normal speeds seemed too slow and I was eyeing up the time — 6.30am and twenty miles to go until the M25… I probably had time to go home for a quick change and jump in the car before heading to the airport!
As I approached home and spotted the petrol station, it reminded me to glance at the fuel gauge — it was flashing on empty after only 140 miles!
I arrived home at 6.54am
when I filled up… probably the most that I’ve ever put in!
I’d calculated that with this rate of consumption had I not looked down at my fuel gauge and carried onto Gatwick beyond Cobham Services, a real possibility as I was so focused on timing, I would’ve run out of fuel somewhere on the M25… there were a theoretical 2.41 miles remaining!
At the time, I was wondering what the hell I was doing on the bike at 5am… in hindsight, having the road to myself on the fabulous A303 was just so gratifying, not all the best experiences on the bike are in perfect conditions! Oh and as a bonus, the rear mudguard is still in situ.
Edited by bolidemichael on Monday 29th April 23:15
Edited by bolidemichael on Friday 3rd May 15:53
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