Question for the high milers

I know nothing about serious high mileage. What I do know is those beemer's look dodgy.

I ride about 800 miles a week on average but it varies quite a bit, onther than my vacation I don't do any real long trips, weekdays I do my run around work errands, that could be just the 35 mile round trip to the office & back, or I could be out checking jopbsites and put 300 miles on in a day, I don't ride much on Saturdays, worse day of week for traffic, and I have my household errands. Sundays is a sport or leisure ride, usually between 300-500 miles,

As opposed to the VFR which by all accounts would excel at those things too?

Defo - although the figures 0-100 aren't hugely different between a SV and a Viffer 800, they feel miles apart.

I used to love going from 40 zones to derestricted areas in 3rd, open it up leaving it in third, and it would be at 100 in what seemed like not very long at all (officer I'm obviously talking kmh....).

Damn good in the twisties too, even though they are a fair bit heavier than SVs - 208kg as opposed to 169.

Originally Posted by ijeffery

Damn good in the twisties too, even though they are a fair bit heavier than SVs - 208kg as opposed to 169.

You only notice that when you're pushing it around. I barely noticed the weight difference when moving.

Originally Posted by mysteryjimbo

VFR's are an excellent touring bike and commuter. I'd love one.

My only comment is that i've heard they chew through their chains a bit quicker than an SV

My VFR is on its second chain and sprocket set, I changed the first at 27,000 miles the bike is now at 68,000 and the current chain is still good.

Scottoiler was tailormade for the VFR and gives an amazing chain life.

What's the stock suspension like on pre-vtec VFRs? I take it there's preload adjustment and rebound damping (like the new ones) so you can soften it up for 'work' then firm it up for saturday afternoon blats? Is it a spanners/screwdriver job or are there remote preload adjusters?

Also, any recommendations from the (ex-)viffer owners here of the best websites for info/messageboards relating to it?

Originally Posted by Patch

My VFR is on its second chain and sprocket set, I changed the first at 27,000 miles the bike is now at 68,000 and the current chain is still good.

Scottoiler was tailormade for the VFR and gives an amazing chain life.

To be fair. I bought the cheaper and simpler Loobman and i haven't had to change a chain since.

Chain oilers are a great investment.

Originally Posted by Ceri JC

What's the stock suspension like on pre-vtec VFRs? I take it there's preload adjustment and rebound damping (like the new ones) so you can soften it up for 'work' then firm it up for saturday afternoon blats? Is it a spanners/screwdriver job or are there remote preload adjusters?

Also, any recommendations from the (ex-)viffer owners here of the best websites for info/messageboards relating to it?

Stock suspension is "basic" at best and normally passed its best before date by 20,000 miles. Adjusting the standard suspension is done with a C-spanner but is a 30 second job, frond suspension is done with a coin or screwdriver on the top cap adjuster.

The absolute best mod you can do on a VFR is fit ohlins. Fitting Ohlins is not cheap, about 500 quid front and rear but entirely possible if you have the basics of mechanical knowledge. There is also a good discount from Harris Performance for members of the VFR forum at BikersOracle.com

The only other thing to bware of is the exhaust collector box. on the 98 and 99 models it is made of mild steel and rots like a good un. 2000-2001 have stainless ones. aafter market collectors are about 350 quid but a bugger to fit, I have done three and every one of the gave me problems.

www.bikersoracle.com/vfr

An example of one for sale on the forum there

http://www.bikersoracle.com/central/...read.php?t=619