Triumphrat

maxorbit · 08-25-2012, 12:50 AM

Thanks for the reply DAveM. They also said they'd give it the 24K tuneup ( valve heck) and new front rotors.The old rotors aren't warped but they have "sticky" spots.

Macduff · 08-25-2012, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danall

I can offer a perspective of one who previously owned a 1998 VFR(non-vtec) for a number of years, eventually owned a 2007 Sprint ST till i totaled it earlier this year, now I'm back on a low mileage 1999 VFR. Yes i considered hanging up riding after my recent accident, but after a few weeks of no riding, couldn't take it any more

Pretty much agree with everything you wrote although I'm pretty sure the VFR and ST are actually lmost identical weights. Maybe a couple of KG more for the ABS ST. It's just that the ST carries its CoG higher up. I've become used to it but it's still very obvious during low speed manoeuvres where the VFR felt more neutral.

I think the 1050 makes you lazy but having just done a 600 mile weekend on twisty roads in the Scottish highlands, it was a bit of a blessing to leave the bike in 4th and ride the wave of torque. The VFR would have required more gear work but the engine was a joy to use right up to its red line and decent performance was available from 5k.

When I got my VFR, I'd moved from a Bandit 1200 which had a nice slab of torque and had made me very lazy

DaveM · 08-25-2012, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxorbit

Thanks for the reply DAveM. They also said they'd give it the 24K tuneup ( valve heck) and new front rotors.The old rotors aren't warped but they have "sticky" spots.

Sounds all good max.

Well I hope you don't just hang out in the hoolligan forum now

and come back with S3 stories and pics

UnklFungus · 12-03-2012, 02:21 AM

Thread from the dead.

I just thought I would update this as I have now had the VFR for some months. Well, I like it. It is a gas hog though. I don't know why exactly, but it is. As for the VTEC kicking in, meh, I am used to it and it's fun. If I am on a twisty road, I merely keep it above 7Krpms and it's a non issue. That's where all the power is anyway and it is very easy to make minute adjustments mid curve etc with the revs up and since it's rev limiter kicks in at 12,500 rpms, you still have a lot to play with.

However, this is where it sucks the fuel up. With my RS, even with higher revs, it still uses less fuel and even with a tank that is a little smaller, I can get more miles between fill ups.

Some friends and I did a 250+ mile loop, most of it was sweeping canyon highways and I came to really like my VFR then. A long day indeed, but man does it handle. Once I figured out that I need to basically keep my chest low by the tank, head by the mirror when I am leaning off, I managed speeds greater than I have before. I did not have much discomfort on the bike at all, even with all of the miles.

It's a similar feeling bike to my 00 RS, as far as seat, pegs, bars etc. However, as I mentioned before, there is a torque difference with the advantage to the RS. This is most noticeable at low speed. I don't know how much an ST weighs, but the RS is lighter than my VFR, maybe because it is an '05, but I can't really tell a difference. I am able to maneuver both bikes at very slow speeds equally well.

I enjoy them both, I can't say which I like better. I just wish that the aftermarket exhausts were less expensive for the VFR, because with a set of Leo Vince SBK slip-ons the VFR sounds like a V8 at lower rpms. I haven't heard one yet at high revs, but down low it gives you chills! However, my RS has a TBR slip on and at around 7k up it is an eargasm.

I can't fairly compare the two right now as the suspension on my RS is worn out at 53K miles, so after I get it Tmod'ed, I'll prolly update this thread again.

phdean · 12-03-2012, 12:56 PM

Never owned a VFR myself but have heard that the valve adjustments can be very expensive. Anybody have first hand knowledge of that?

UnklFungus · 12-03-2012, 02:26 PM

IF you ever need to get one, yeah it can be expensive. However, there are many bikes out there with 100K miles that have never needed one.

danall · 12-03-2012, 08:34 PM

Non-Vtecs valve adjustments are no more complex (or costly) than the ST or most any other shim under bucket design. Now with VTECs if it is only a clearance check and adjustment is not needed, then it is not bad, but if adjustment is needed that's where it gets spendy or time consuming, I think the book shop hours for VTEC adjustment is in the range of 6-8 hours.

maxorbit · 12-03-2012, 10:37 PM

At $95/hr shop rate here that hurts, although I suspect the 1050 is in the same range time wise.

ontarget · 12-05-2012, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danall

Non-Vtecs valve adjustments are no more complex (or costly) than the ST or most any other shim under bucket design. Now with VTECs if it is only a clearance check and adjustment is not needed, then it is not bad, but if adjustment is needed that's where it gets spendy or time consuming, I think the book shop hours for VTEC adjustment is in the range of 6-8 hours.

I get to find out this winter. With my Sprint at 16,300, I will attempt to check/adjust the valves with my Haynes manual close at hand. With my non vtec VFR, I will not even check them till I reach 50,000 miles. Earlier this year, I was in a quandry about which bike to keep. I love them both for many of the different reasons outlined in this thread. (although I did put 3000 on the vfr, vs 7000 on the Sprint) I decided that life is short, and decided to keep them both. For the record, my fifth generation VFR has 6 speeds. Ride safe, Dave

Macduff · 12-06-2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ontarget

I get to find out this winter. With my Sprint at 16,300, I will attempt to check/adjust the valves with my Haynes manual close at hand. With my non vtec VFR, I will not even check them till I reach 50,000 miles. Earlier this year, I was in a quandry about which bike to keep. I love them both for many of the different reasons outlined in this thread. (although I did put 3000 on the vfr, vs 7000 on the Sprint) I decided that life is short, and decided to keep them both. For the record, my fifth generation VFR has 6 speeds. Ride safe, Dave

I wouldn't recommend waiting to 50k with your VFR. On mine the valves were supposedly done at 16k but I never believed the dealer so I eventually got round to doing them at 23k. 10 of the 16 needed adjustment and all had closed up. I did ride it fairly hard using the full rev range on most rides which may well have been a factor.

I've read plenty of accounts that once the initial adjustment is done, they rarely need any further changes.