Sold a Suzuki and bought a Honda

[JMHJ]

It looks like a BMW at first glance.

I thought the same about the new exhausts when I started doing bikes again late last year (and started noticing). There's a ZX-14 at work with stock exhausts and the impression (overall) is "man, that's an ugly bike" (lol). Idk the year but it's way newer than mine.

I've got Micron 4-1, and PO said it was a lot of weight savings over the 4-2 original system.

Wonder what the V4 sounds like, even with aftermarket exhaust? I've ridden '84 Interceptor 1000's twice, briefly. Maybe a lot different than that 2010, but I didn't dislike the sound. Might've taken a little getting used to.

That's starting to get into the "multiple bike disorder" zone, as the instructor for the course I just had characterized it - I want on of these and one of those, and one of this one, and yeah. Let's see, a V4, and one that goes potato-potato-potato, and... He was a Harley guy and had to settle for that.

[Rob S.]

It looks like a BMW at first glance.

I thought the same about the new exhausts when I started doing bikes again late last year (and started noticing). There's a ZX-14 at work with stock exhausts and the impression (overall) is "man, that's an ugly bike" (lol). Idk the year but it's way newer than mine.

I've got Micron 4-1, and PO said it was a lot of weight savings over the 4-2 original system.

Wonder what the V4 sounds like, even with aftermarket exhaust? I've ridden '84 Interceptor 1000's twice, briefly. Maybe a lot different than that 2010, but I didn't dislike the sound. Might've taken a little getting used to.

That's starting to get into the "multiple bike disorder" zone, as the instructor for the course I just had characterized it - I want on of these and one of those, and one of this one, and yeah. Let's see, a V4, and one that goes potato-potato-potato, and... He was a Harley guy and had to settle for that.

I couldn't agree more. The basic, mandatory pair for me is a big bore inline four and a gorgeous Sportster. But how about a Kaw 750 2 stroke triple (and the 500)? And a V-MAX (or two) couldn't hurt.

A CBX next to a BMW six. An Aprilia V-4 and a Ducati L twin. Am I leaving out any major configurations? A vertical twin should be included, but I could pass on the 'thumpers.'

That should be enough for me. I mean, I had enough difficulty deciding which to ride when I had the Sporty and the 11E.

[trevor]

So I thought I would update you on the VFR1200F.
My original plan was to fly to Thunder Bay Ont and ride it the 3000kms home. But I reconsidered after contacting a local motorcycle hauler about shipping the bike to me. The cost was $1500. I couldn't fly there and ride it home for that...not with flight, motels, meals and gas. Plus they agreed to bring a box of extra parts.... So they picked up the bike Sept 1st and delivered it to my door Tuesday Sept 10th.






I think the VFR and K1300R compliment each other well....

[Rob S.]

Trevor's got one of them magical garages. Always room for one more.

[trevor]

So I get the bike on a Tuesday with plans to ride it to Kaslo BC, about 750kms to meet up with friends.
My plan was to leave later Wed afternoon so I could take care of a few things at work and take the bike for a little ride first. Boy am I glad I did.
I was on the highway and the rear tire went flay on me...scared the crap out of me...bike was weaving all over the place...got it to the side of the road and was real close to a friend's bike shop...limped it there for him to fix it. We notice the valve stem was cracked. Put a new one on. The valve cap was a tire pressure monitor cap...bigger than normal and we noticed it was hitting against the rear caliper ever so slightly but probably enough over time to make the valve stem fail.
Took the that off...So at 4pm I head out to the ferry to catch the 5pm...wasn't feeling very confident on the bike at all....and got close to the ferry terminal and noticed I forgot to put my little throttle clip on it for cruise control...and this bike with the forward riding I would need a break.
That was enough for me to bail and turn around go back to my place and grab my k1300r. I just did not feel right taking the vfr without having ridden it more.

So I get home the following Monday from my trip and Tuesday I take the vfr out again...ran some errands in town and on the way home on the highway my bike starts to act like I'm treading water again...I struggle to get it off the highway to the ditch where I can't believe I didn't drop it.
You guessed it...front tire flat! Same thing, a cracked valve stem. Yeah I can't believe I didn't check it either ..lol.


Called my buddy's towing company and once again brought it to my friend's bike shop....he said "Again"??? Lol...
Needless to say I wasn't happy with the vfr so far....I texted the guy I bought it from to tell him what had happened.....he did an a gentlemanly thing and transferred me $500 for my troubles. He felt terrible.

[trevor]

So after getting all this crap taken care of I decided to take it up island this weekend. Saturday was me and Janice's 15th anniversary of the day we met. The day that my life changed forever for the better. Everything good in my life is because of meeting Janice.
Our plan was to take the RV up the Quadra Island (300kms) Friday....and she said "why don't you ride your bike and I'll drive the RV, that way we'll have the bike if we want to go somewhere"....I love her so much.
On the way up I still didn't feel confident until I had gone about 100kms up island....still freaking out about the tire issues.
Anyway once I felt comfortable that nothing else was going to happen I sat back enjoyed the awesomeness underneath me...wow, this is an amazing motorcycle. So smooth, tons of power and torque. And it sounds amazing. The clip ons were actually not that bad on the highway.
It's safe to say that this is a keeper.

Ferry to Quadra Island....AKA hippyville lol



On the island. I have never been there and was glad we went.



Awesome campground too





And our Oreo is still kicking and quite enjoys camping





Life does not get any better

[Cipher]

The best way to tour on a bike. Three guys three bikes and a modified ford econoline van. rotate van drivers stowing bike in the van. Beautiful in case of a breakdown of any one bike.
Yes sleep in the van to save money.

yours is a bit higher end though. BC is beautiful. It causes Jurassic Park fears in me. I expect a dinosaur to jump out and bit me in half.

[trevor]

Ha, ha. That's the way to motorcycle tour! What a weird shakedown though, strange to have that happen just as you start riding it. Did he just change the tires? Oh never mind, I reread it, probably fatigue finally caught up to the stems being beat by the valve caps. I bet the original owner hadn't ridden it in a few years.

Yeah he had not rode it much at all...last year he bought a 3rd generation Busa....I just got unlucky...or lucky depending on how you look at it

[Grimly]

That dog looks resigned to sharing his garage with yet another m'bike.

[trevor]

Little update on my Honda...that still sounds weird..lol
The clip on bar riding position is not for me...to much on my wrists and I need a bit more upright riding position. So I ordered a bar conversion kit from LSL in the Netherlands....a kit recommended by several vfr1200 owners.
Got it installed and a huge difference. Added factory Honda VFR1200 grips still in the box I found on facebook market place.
Also installed the frame slider kit that came with the bike. Not crazy about it but can't imagine trying to replace that fairing.
Also installed a givi top case plate....the Honda one is too small for big trips and I'd like to keep it looking nice.
Hooked up the heated Corbin seat...wow does it get hot!
Reinstalled the carbin fibre rear hugger...it was crooked when I got it.
I'm really loving this bike...

[trevor]

Update on the vfr
Decided to do a valve inspection (dealer wanted $2500 just to do the valve inspection),,,Honda says to be done at 28,000kms and mine on has 23,000kms but I wanted a baseline on this bike...as thought the valves were in spec...moved a couple to get them in the middle of spec....wow what a job and thankfully I had a good friend that I trust help me....
Fairings on this bike are something...they are beautiful for sure...one reason for that is because they hid the fasteners so well...took lots of before pics.
Also did a full coolant flush. New plugs and thermostat even though neither was needed but I figured why not while I'm in there.
Also new brake pads all around....and new gear oil
And you'll get a kick out of what I found in the air filter,,,,lol....bike was kept in a barn and not ridden much for a couple years....mice! Thank god I don't have to worry about that in my garage.....can't believe the bike ran as well as it did..









Cleaned up that beautiful exhaust while there





Also installed a taller Givi windscreen



First ride

[rphillips]

OOOhhhh, Love the last Picture, you thought about this weeks Pic of the week?... Sure glad for the air filter !!!

[Rich82GS750TZ]

Trevor, I’m at the same place with valve inspection on the Tiger. Dealer told me $900+ for the service which also includes air filter, plugs, coils, etc. And I thought that was too much. I bought the service kit for $174 and will do it my self. Last night I bookmarked the various areas in the service manual that I’ll need to reference and there are some good videos about. There is so much to remove just to get to the valve cover. Then, if any shims need changed, it’s cams out. A whole other can of worms. I’ve been procrastinating. I really have to get on it.

thanks for sharing the great pics.

[trevor]

Ha, ha: Nothing makes me appreciate working on an old Suzuki like working on my Honda does either.

Lol.....I must have said that a dozen times while doing this job! I'll never complain about working on my old bikes again... LOL

[Baatfam]

Trevor, I’m at the same place with valve inspection on the Tiger. Dealer told me $900+ for the service which also includes air filter, plugs, coils, etc. And I thought that was too much. I bought the service kit for $174 and will do it my self. Last night I bookmarked the various areas in the service manual that I’ll need to reference and there are some good videos about. There is so much to remove just to get to the valve cover. Then, if any shims need changed, it’s cams out. A whole other can of worms. I’ve been procrastinating. I really have to get on it.

thanks for sharing the great pics.

Ha....A few years after I bought my '01 Triumph TT600, I had a valve gasket leak. Had to unbolt and lower the motor to get the valve cover off. Also needed to make a special tool for the motor mounts. I love Triumphs, but yah...sometimes it's tricky.