The first time I ever rode a motorcycle on the streets was Nov 2007(after 2 rides at the MSF class). It was 40 miles from the dealership to my house, and I was hooting for joy the whole way home. I put on a steering damper one month after I purchased the bike to help with what I felt was a "loose" feeling while turning. It could have been since I was a noob, but I wanted anything that would help. I'm 190# which is well over what the suspension is tuned for. It just doesn't "feel right" while cornering. Maybe it's my lack of skills(just hit 4000 miles today)...on the last leg of the ride today I switched bikes with my buddy...2006 VFR. After I got used to the riding position, I was taking turns smoother and faster. After the ride my friend said my front suspension feels REALLY soft. I know the VFR is a lot heavier and has adjustable forks. I'd like to get my bike to handle better. Getting new springs put in next week, will this and/or clip-on's change the cornering dynamics of the bike dramatically? And getting a new bike is not an option...I'm keeping this one forever!!
Me too [thumbsup]
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=3882.0
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=4318.msg66590#msg66590
Your bike's suspension is characteristically soft. Still capable but not any where near the stiffer and adjustable damping of some of the higher line bikes. You can either have your front forks rebuilt and tuned to you or modify upgrade to the higher zoot items. Same for the rear shock. It makes a day & night difference.
I own a 6th Gen VFR also and have had it for 4 years now. The bike is a marvel of engineering in many ways. The bike is heavey yet Honda somehow nailed the suspension. How is it that you can have a super compliant suspension that sucks up bumps mid corner or anywhere for that matter without transmitting it to the rider. All this and it is still firm and provides feedback to the rider. I have owned many bikes and riden many more and the 6th gen vfr is the best suspended bike by a mile. My Monster is no slouch and out handles the heavy VFR but at a cost in compliance. The VFR is like on rails and doesn't get upset by much. I have 30 thousand on mine and it feels like brand new.
(http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v82/33/120/645381125/n645381125_147873_8757.jpg)
The VFR is one of the best made motorcycles ever...enough said.
Your Monster is not made to corner aggressively. You mentioned clipons and respringing your forks...yes, that will help. You need to get more weight forward and clipons + raising the rear help with this.
Thx for the feedback...I'm gonna get the suspension tweaked this week, and will hit the twisties again to see if it helps.
I have an 03 VFR that I've had for a few months and while I've tried to love it all I can say is that, to me, it lacks the character of the Monster. It's highly competent but I found that I'm putting mine up for sale because 9 times out of 10 I'd rather take the Monster out. I'm thinking of upgrading the suspension on my Monster so the VFR just has no more place in my garage.
+1 on the VFR's... excellent bikes, i rented one in Vancouver, BC once and rode it up to Whistler, it was excellent. I've thought about buying one ever since and still might. I think I'd go for one without the VTEC personally though (5th gen), the one I had was 6th gen and the VTEC annoyed me a bit. For those who don't know it runs on half the valves until about 6500rpm (iirc) and then it kicks the rest in, so you had to be careful about what gear/revs you were at in corners.
My first street bike was a VFR 750. It was cool. specially those gear driven cams.
fwiw, vtec doesnt open more valves, the cams accually have 2 sets of lobes and vtec switches between lobes. most times they have to compromise between low end or top end power, vtec allows them to have both. but yes, because its an older technology of variable valve timing, its very abrubt and can get ya into trouble.
interesting, thanks for clarifying that knightrider! that makes more sense actually..
Quote from: stopintime on June 21, 2008, 06:42:16 PM
Me too [thumbsup]
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=3882.0
http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=4318.msg66590#msg66590
yay my thread got linked ;D /endthreadjack
I also owned a 1986 VFR 750 which Honda campaigned it superbike and took many titles with Fred Merkel , Wayne Raney, Bubba Shobert, and it even won the 1990 Daytona 200 on the 1986. ( times out of ten I take my monster out and yet I won't sell the VFR as I dont need to and I will have it for a long time as the monster is no match for it on the open road as a sport tourer. The Vtec is neither hear nor there as it is plenty fast shifting before 7 grand. I disagree with the Monster not being made for aggressive cornering part too as the only Monster I have tried is the 696 and it handles superbly, just a stiffer suspension than the VFR. People might want to concider that the 6th gen is a step in the sport direction compared to the 5th gen. The suspension was stiffened and generally out handles the 5th.
Hey, I've got an '86 VFR too...a really awesome machine for it's day. I think the monster is actually faster down a twisty road, but it feels a lot more nervous.
Quote from: AleksT on June 22, 2008, 11:57:51 AM
I have an 03 VFR that I've had for a few months and while I've tried to love it all I can say is that, to me, it lacks the character of the Monster. It's highly competent but I found that I'm putting mine up for sale because 9 times out of 10 I'd rather take the Monster out. I'm thinking of upgrading the suspension on my Monster so the VFR just has no more place in my garage.
+1
I traded rides for a while with a riding buddy who has a 6th gen VFR. I thought it was very bland. I couldn't wait to get back on my S2R. [moto]
Ya, your right, it is in style to refer to a VFR as bland. I guess it's the thing to do when something is that close to perfection....lol. Like I said, right now 9 times out of 10 I jump on the Monster. I guess bikes are like women, when you get to ride a nice one that your parents would like you'd rather the slut that has a bit of wild in her.
Quote from: monsterduc on June 22, 2008, 07:42:15 PM
+1
I traded rides for a while with a riding buddy who has a 6th gen VFR. I thought it was very bland. I couldn't wait to get back on my S2R. [moto]
It's supposed to feel bland it's a Honda sport/touring bike. Hence the touring part.
I love mine ;D
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk291/mediascope/Bikes/IMG_0126.jpg)
(http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/kk291/mediascope/Bikes/IMG_0127.jpg)
With the whine of the gear driven cams and the bark of the exhaust it's definitely got some spice. That being said, it's not a monster [evil]
Adam
mmmmm......The sound of a v4 [clap]
Quote from: bulldogs2k on June 23, 2008, 08:04:40 AM
mmmmm......The sound of a v4 [clap]
with gear-driven camshafts.
(http://i28.tinypic.com/311pceb.jpg)
i have a '92 vfr, it's a great bike. it might not have "character", but it sure as hell is comfortable and really easy to control for a 500+lb bike.
Quote from: j.davis on June 23, 2008, 11:36:12 AM
with gear-driven camshafts.
(http://i28.tinypic.com/311pceb.jpg)
What rearsets are those? Exhaust? Brakes? ;D
Quote from: knightrider on June 22, 2008, 03:37:17 PM
fwiw, vtec doesnt open more valves, the cams accually have 2 sets of lobes and vtec switches between lobes. most times they have to compromise between low end or top end power, vtec allows them to have both. but yes, because its an older technology of variable valve timing, its very abrubt and can get ya into trouble.
While in automotive cases you're correct, on the VFR it does change how many valves are open. Early car VTEC (B,D,H,F engines) switches between two sets of lobes, but the VFR VTEC switches between opening 2 valves and all 4. This is part of why they're a MAJOR pain in the ass to adjust the valves on compared to many bikes.
Love mine too!!
Gear driven cams, carbs, analog gages, AND a NACA duct ;D
Wish I could figure out how to post a photo on this new site??
You are right about the valves and the part about being a pain in the ass. I read the other day guys are getting 80,000 miles without needing a valve adjustment.
Quote from: DrDesmosedici on June 23, 2008, 12:17:43 PM
What rearsets are those? Exhaust? Brakes? ;D
Harris Performance Products Ltd. http://www.harris-performance.com/ no longer available
M4 slip-on http://www.m4exhaust.com/ no longer available
PFM rotors http://www.dragbike.com/news/01-00/product_twobrosbrakes.htm probably no longer available
Quote from: j.davis on June 24, 2008, 07:42:27 AM
Harris Performance Products Ltd. http://www.harris-performance.com/ no longer available
M4 slip-on http://www.m4exhaust.com/ no longer available
PFM rotors http://www.dragbike.com/news/01-00/product_twobrosbrakes.htm probably no longer available
Thanks. A buddy of mine (who I bought the VFR from, actually) has PFM's on his Aprilia. Really nice stuff.
I'm probably going to find a set of Ohlins R&T's from an RC51 to put on the front and do some ... Things this winter [evil]
Beautiful bike! [thumbsup]
Adam
I thought they did away with the gear driven cams years ago and went to a timing chain. I know that i've seen a timing chain tensioner on a newer model.
Quote from: MendoDave on June 24, 2008, 09:42:36 AM
I thought they did away with the gear driven cams years ago and went to a timing chain. I know that i've seen a timing chain tensioner on a newer model.
'02+ (6th gen VTEC) was the start of chain driven cams / VTEC.
Adam
I'm probably going to find a set of Ohlins R&T's from an RC51 to put on the front and do some ... Things this winter [evil]
Beautiful bike! [thumbsup]
Adam
[/quote]
I had Traxxion Dynamics rebuild my forks with F2 (or F3) internals and caps, new springs, emulators, etc., which were direct bolt-on units, gave me preload and rebound adjustability, and transformed the front end, while allowing me to keep the OEM triples, brakes, etc.
Another view for you.
jD
(http://i32.tinypic.com/fcjpu1.jpg)
I put a set of Staintunes on my 02 but even though the outlest hole is the same as the Termi the VFR remains too quiet due to the catalytic converter.