Street Fighters / Bitsas - Experience / Insurance

[V8RX7]

I've mostly owned modified cars so am aware of the general issues but what are people's experiences with street fighters / Bitsas (bits of this and bits of that)

I want to keep my speeds down hence a naked bike appeals - I'm considering a Street Triple / SV650

But I love the V4 sound and have come across a few VFR750 street fighters - typically with uprated suspension / brakes

How likely am I going to end up with some evil handling thing - bearing in mind I'm not aiming to set lap records.

I presume I'd need a specialist bike insurer too.

[bogie]

Would have thought a VFR based bike will handle at least as good as the original bike, just with more leverage on the bars perhaps. insurance may be more specialist and resale is always a niche market.

There are plenty of factory options to choose from though in all capacities/prices.....Speed triple with a few mods or for more poke an early MV Brutale 910 is 140bhp before you add pipe/filter/map etc. A lot of bike for a few grand.

...dont kid yourself it will keep your speed down though....sure you wouldn't cruise at 130 leptons without a screen for long on the autobahn, but for A/B road riding you will end up going just as fast, just as easy as you do on a sports bike

[CousinDupree]

Have a look at the later Honda Magna V45 / VF750C bikes.

They had the VFR engine and went really well. Plenty of rough ones for a grand or so which would look good de-blinged.

[V8RX7]

I've looked at the Magna but with the quad exhausts it ruins the sound and I'm not sold on the looks.

I have considered the earlier VF500 but nice ones cost more than a VFR for what seems to be a lot less bike although I'd like to try one to see.

Lockdown means more time to look at bikes without the ability to test them I've spent days reading reviews and watching youtube !

[CousinDupree]

Sure, how about a VMAX?

[gareth_r]

You don't have to swap the front forks in order to build a streetfighter...

You could build it with the stock suspension, then do futher mods in stages.


This is a useful page >>>> https://www.allballsracing.com/forkconversion

It will give you an idea of which steering stems would easily fit your headstock, although it will not tell you the length of the stem or the length of the fork legs or the offset of the yokes.

Edit, because I forgot to add...
An early (oil cooled) Bandit might be a good, if predictable, choice. No water cooling apparatus to worry about and probably easier to work on than a VFR.

Edited by gareth_r on Saturday 2nd May 23:39

[V8RX7]

Thanks - Vmax is heading in the wrong direction increased price, weight and speed

It was more than most of the ready built street fighters seem to have had a more sporty front end already fitted - then then seem to travel worryingly low mileage... VFRs have had CBR1000 / Fireblade / GSXR etc

[S2r]

My S2r currently has forks and a rear shock from an ST4s (so Ohlins shock and TiN multi adjustable front forks), full Termi exhausts, aftermarket indicators and mirrors, a K&N, power commander, DP ECU and most of the bodywork has been changed for carbon fibre. I don't do a lot of miles, am of a certain age (oldish) and with everything declared it's still less than £150 per year FC.

Last year when I advised them that I'd swapped the standard suspension, the price didn't even change. Speak to a broker who deals with modified stuff and it's surprisingly cheap.

As for suspension, get it set up / rebuilt by someone (I used MTC) as that'll be cheaper and easier than trying to get other stuff to fit

Edited by S2r on Monday 4th May 19:56

[V8RX7]

I've seen what I want - going to buy it Wed - yes it is essential

Spent hours on the internet and phone - most won't consider a significantly modified bike even though they advertise that they will - Bennetts messed me around for ages before refusing to quote.

My KTM 450 insurer (with 2 yrs no claims on it) wouldn't touch it, my KTM 690 insurer (with zero no claims) added it on my policy for £79 !