New, actually first, bike for me
Discussion
As you'll note from my profile, I've been around on PH for a bit 
, not as long as the old hands, but long enough.
I don't know if I should admit this, but I will anyway, I got my bike licence way back in May 2008, but never got around to getting a bike. This was due to a number of reasons, security at my old house, finances and time as life and work have kept me very busy.
The first time I rode a bike after passing my test was in April 2014 when my mate's Street Triple needed to go in for a service and he was away for work. Almost 6 years since passing my test. Needless to say I was hopeless. Should really have gone back for some refresher lessons, but I managed to get to the garage and back without coming a cropper.
Since then I've ridden it (the Street) on and off when I've had the opportunity, usually the odd hour here or there when it's been left unattended outside the office
In April this year my mate and I were in Vegas on business, had a few days spare, so did the mid-life crisis thing and hired Harleys. I found it a little unwieldy at first, but as the first day ended up being a 560 mile round trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (no, not the sensible close location of the Skywalk), I soon got used to it.
Since been back I've been on the hunt for a bike as the bug has been biting. I was tossing up various ideas, mostly VFR's, Sprint 955i's, Fazers and similar.
Last week a reasonable looking 1998 VFR popped up on eBay at a bit of a bargain price, so, to cut a bit of a convoluted story short, I'm now the proud owner of a silver, slightly tatty, bike (at long last). It's currently sporting a hideous wing rack, which will be removed shortly, although it also came with a full set of panniers, so I'm thinking a longish trip away might be on the cards in the not too distant future. Top box will get some use initially though.
First impressions are that it's a lot more grown up than the Street. NSL speeds are effortless, but it's more unwieldy in the twisties although not at all difficult to ride, and more of a handful at very low speed.
I need to find a car park to practice some low speed turns etc I think.
Anyway, here's a couple of photos of it. It's been cleaned since these were taken, but it's not in too bad a condition. Got a cracked top fairing, but I can live with it.
, not as long as the old hands, but long enough. I don't know if I should admit this, but I will anyway, I got my bike licence way back in May 2008, but never got around to getting a bike. This was due to a number of reasons, security at my old house, finances and time as life and work have kept me very busy.
The first time I rode a bike after passing my test was in April 2014 when my mate's Street Triple needed to go in for a service and he was away for work. Almost 6 years since passing my test. Needless to say I was hopeless. Should really have gone back for some refresher lessons, but I managed to get to the garage and back without coming a cropper.
Since then I've ridden it (the Street) on and off when I've had the opportunity, usually the odd hour here or there when it's been left unattended outside the office
In April this year my mate and I were in Vegas on business, had a few days spare, so did the mid-life crisis thing and hired Harleys. I found it a little unwieldy at first, but as the first day ended up being a 560 mile round trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon (no, not the sensible close location of the Skywalk), I soon got used to it.
Since been back I've been on the hunt for a bike as the bug has been biting. I was tossing up various ideas, mostly VFR's, Sprint 955i's, Fazers and similar.
Last week a reasonable looking 1998 VFR popped up on eBay at a bit of a bargain price, so, to cut a bit of a convoluted story short, I'm now the proud owner of a silver, slightly tatty, bike (at long last
). It's currently sporting a hideous wing rack, which will be removed shortly, although it also came with a full set of panniers, so I'm thinking a longish trip away might be on the cards in the not too distant future. Top box will get some use initially though.First impressions are that it's a lot more grown up than the Street. NSL speeds are effortless, but it's more unwieldy in the twisties although not at all difficult to ride, and more of a handful at very low speed.
I need to find a car park to practice some low speed turns etc I think.
Anyway, here's a couple of photos of it. It's been cleaned since these were taken, but it's not in too bad a condition. Got a cracked top fairing, but I can live with it.
I had a red FiW as my first bike. Really liked it and very sorry it got written off in a smidsy.
Stripping the rear hub down and reassembling it I think remains my most adventurous spannering to date.
I suspect the rear shock was a bit stuffed on it in retrospect as the VTEC that replaced it handled a good bit better even taking into account it was an "improved" model.
Stripping the rear hub down and reassembling it I think remains my most adventurous spannering to date.
I suspect the rear shock was a bit stuffed on it in retrospect as the VTEC that replaced it handled a good bit better even taking into account it was an "improved" model.
moanthebairns said:
I've never heard of you tbh and I'm never off bb. But hello and nice bike. Is that everyone on a Honda now?
Nice intro keep posting.
Sorry I meant PH in general not BB specifically. Nice intro keep posting.
Loon I'm 41 so was 34 when I got my licence. I'm old enough that I'm over most of my 'stupid', I think!
Welcome and I would say... get some training in and practice a bit.
Make sure your tyre pressures are correct. Make sure your tyres are in good condition. Apart from the usual servicing enjoy the V4 goodness.
You'll soon be back in the swing of things. Good choice on the bike. You have to have or have owned a Honda to be taken seriously in this forum.
Make sure your tyre pressures are correct. Make sure your tyres are in good condition. Apart from the usual servicing enjoy the V4 goodness.
You'll soon be back in the swing of things. Good choice on the bike. You have to have or have owned a Honda to be taken seriously in this forum.
Thanks folks. Loving it so far. Obviously taking it steady, although just got soaked in a bit of a downpour, but I work outside a lot so rain doesn't bother me much.
Still making all the usual novice mistakes though, but am getting there. Slow speed stuff is the thing I'm finding difficult, but there's a big car park here at work that's quiet after hours, so I'll have a bit of a play in the evenings.
I have a bit of additional training planned, a day doing BikeSense (like Bike Safe but over about 6 hours) is on the cards soon. Not sure what I'll do after that, but getting plenty of practice in will definitely be part of my plan
Still making all the usual novice mistakes though, but am getting there. Slow speed stuff is the thing I'm finding difficult, but there's a big car park here at work that's quiet after hours, so I'll have a bit of a play in the evenings.
I have a bit of additional training planned, a day doing BikeSense (like Bike Safe but over about 6 hours) is on the cards soon. Not sure what I'll do after that, but getting plenty of practice in will definitely be part of my plan
dibblecorse said:
Welcome .... nice bike
I'd leave the rack on, they come in quite handy, also get on eBay and see if you can get a top box, way more practical than panniers day to day in my experience ...
Thanks. It's wearing its miles quite well I think, barring the slight damage to the top fairing on the RHS. Needs a service and a bit of TLC in the coming weeks but I will get to that.I'd leave the rack on, they come in quite handy, also get on eBay and see if you can get a top box, way more practical than panniers day to day in my experience ...
It came with a top box too, forgot to mention that, which I've already filled to the brim today
. I was just thinking of getting a mono-rack as it looks a bit neater. Priorities first though, and my money will be going on a service kit initially.If it's anything like my VFR800 which was grubby when I bought it, it will clean up very well. Plus a little Satin Black Smootherite on things like the stands will finish it off nicely.
Looks like it's got stainless headers already & with it being an early one, no cat to worry about.
Just be prepared to owners to refer to it as the Johny mirrors model
Looks like it's got stainless headers already & with it being an early one, no cat to worry about.
Just be prepared to owners to refer to it as the Johny mirrors model
I don't think it has stainless headers, they look rusty to me. Might just be filthy though. I have yet to get the fairings off. I'll wait until my service kit gets here before I do that.
ETA: looks like you are right. They appear to be stainless, although there's light surface rust further inside the fairings and on the front headers. They've probably been on there a while, as the bike is 17 years old.
Just needs a noisy can now. Again something that will have to wait.
ETA: looks like you are right. They appear to be stainless, although there's light surface rust further inside the fairings and on the front headers. They've probably been on there a while, as the bike is 17 years old.
Just needs a noisy can now
. Again something that will have to wait.Edited by Super Slo Mo on Tuesday 21st July 15:26
Nearly a week since the last post! Nothing much to report really, not been out over the weekend, but went to the office today on it, and took a 30 mile detour on the way home. Bear in mind the office is 4 miles away
Anyway, I've noticed it seems to have a bit of a weave from the rear on occasion. Sometimes it's just when slowing down, which I've put down to road surface issues, as it's happened twice in exactly the same place, so could be a white line or tar join.
Today though it seemed to do it at constant speeds, nothing massively fast, but just feels like the back is moving left-right a bit, just occasionally. I wondered if it was the swing arm bearings needing replacing?
Could, of course, be wind hitting the top box, although the cross winds felt a little different I thought. Speeds were only in the 40-60 mph region.
I'm debating going to work on it on Sunday, 170 miles each way, but then on the other hand, I'd like to service it, and perhaps give it more time to see if any other issues surface before going on a bit of a long run on it.
Anyway, I've noticed it seems to have a bit of a weave from the rear on occasion. Sometimes it's just when slowing down, which I've put down to road surface issues, as it's happened twice in exactly the same place, so could be a white line or tar join.
Today though it seemed to do it at constant speeds, nothing massively fast, but just feels like the back is moving left-right a bit, just occasionally. I wondered if it was the swing arm bearings needing replacing?
Could, of course, be wind hitting the top box, although the cross winds felt a little different I thought. Speeds were only in the 40-60 mph region.
I'm debating going to work on it on Sunday, 170 miles each way, but then on the other hand, I'd like to service it, and perhaps give it more time to see if any other issues surface before going on a bit of a long run on it.
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