i had some time today to go for a ride. snapped some pics of the bike. it is a new 2008 honda vfr800 interceptor with abs brakes.

i got the optional saddlebags thrown in as part of the deal. they are very useful. each one has enough room to carry a full-face helmet. they come off of the bike in less than 10 seconds each. gotta say that they do drop the "cool factor" by a couple points though.

the first few times i rode the bike, i was on the freeway not realizing i was only in 3rd gear. on the highway, i can go like 45 mph with hardly touching the throttle. took a bit of adjusting but i am used to it now. i really like the sound when the vtec kicks on at 6500 rpms.

gotta say that it takes some of the fun out of the twisties. it handles it with little drama. "almost" making it boring. cranking the throtte on the ninja and taking the turns was a lot more fun.

haven't taken the wife on it yet. was supposed to be tomorrow, but my job screwed with my schedule.

anyways, sorry for the rambling. here are some pics:

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/motorcycle/DSC_0034.jpg http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/motorcycle/DSC_0032.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/motorcycle/DSC_0041.jpg http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/motorcycle/DSC_0031.jpg

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/motorcycle/DSC_0023.jpg http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/motorcycle/DSC_0026.jpg

Very nice looking bike. I like how the bike's "personality" changes with the addition of the hard saddle bags.

I would have kept the 250! :p




nah, nah, nah... beautiful bike. :D


hope the wife likes it as well. thanks for the pics.
ride safe.

the first few times i rode the bike, i was on the freeway not realizing i was only in 3rd gear. on the highway, i can go like 45 mph with hardly touching the throttle.

Nice bike, :thumbup:
Yeah, It's great not having to run thru the gears like its a diesel big rig.

Nice Ride. Love the Silver!! :thumbup:

I had to pick between a black one and a silver one when I bought my 06 VFR . I went with black . I think the silver is better. It dose not show the road dirt as much .(Not that I let it stay dirty for more that an hour after getting home)And I just think it is very classy. The VFR is a wonderful bike It rules the highway.

I did the same thing the first time I rode it . I was just riding along about 75 80 mph when I realized I was in 3rd gear!

Kewl, nice bike Gary. We will have to go riding if or when I ever get back down island.

nb

Beautiful bike! It has a vtec? Wow!

mmmmm... vtec. :drool:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_geC920GCq38/SoZIVBHF6iI/AAAAAAAAF3k/1AlLnJxsIdE/s640/DSC00284-1.JPG

Lovely :D

I wonder how it looks like in the bike..

I love the dual undertail exhaust! Also, I noticed you have a different type of swingarm than is usual. I've heard of them before, but I can't seem to remember what they're called. Regardless of that, what do you think of the swingarm? Any differences?

Kewl, nice bike Gary. We will have to go riding if or when I ever get back down island.

nb
thanks. yeah we definitely gotta go for a ride if you ever make it back here.

Beautiful bike! It has a vtec? Wow!

yeah, it goes from 2 to 4 valves at 6500 rpm. the change in the exhaust note sounds pretty cool.

Very nice looking bike. I like how the bike's "personality" changes with the addition of the hard saddle bags.
thanks. the bags really makes it look like the sport-tourer that it is. without it, it looks like a regular sport bike. i prefer the look without the bags, but i really love the added storage without having to wear a backpack. i haven't taken off the saddlebags since i installed them... except to snap the pics.

I would have kept the 250! :p
nah, nah, nah... beautiful bike. :D
hope the wife likes it as well. thanks for the pics.
ride safe.
thanks. yeah, i still miss the 250. too bad i don't have the parking space for it. i would have liked to have kept that as my fun bike. if the vfr is still painful for the wife to ride, i don't know what i will do. i guess ride solo.

Nice bike, :thumbup:
Yeah, It's great not having to run thru the gears like its a diesel big rig.
i am still breaking it in, so i am taking it easy. luckily it only has a 300 mile break-in period. curious to see what she will do. nothing crazy. on-ramp merging and stuff.

Nice Ride. Love the Silver!! :thumbup:
thanks. also had a chance to buy a new 07. they came in metallic red or a red/white/blue combo. i really like silver/black so the silver was an easy decision.

I had to pick between a black one and a silver one when I bought my 06 VFR . I went with black . I think the silver is better. It dose not show the road dirt as much .(Not that I let it stay dirty for more that an hour after getting home)And I just think it is very classy. The VFR is a wonderful bike It rules the highway.

I did the same thing the first time I rode it . I was just riding along about 75 80 mph when I realized I was in 3rd gear!
do you still have your vfr? for 09 they brought back the black, but none were available. that is ok, i like the dark silver better anyways.

I love the dual undertail exhaust! Also, I noticed you have a different type of swingarm than is usual. I've heard of them before, but I can't seem to remember what they're called. Regardless of that, what do you think of the swingarm? Any differences?
thanks! i love the dual exhaust too. i thought the mufflers would be hot, but i can touch the heat shields with my hand without getting burnt.
as for the swingarm... i don't know if it has a special name. all i know is "single-sided swingarm." i really like the look of it. supposedly, it makes changing the tire really easy. also, adjusting the chain is easy. you don't have to worry about the left and right alignment being off. of course, it makes my rear stand useless. gotta sell it. good thing is that the bike comes with both a side stand and a center stand, so cleaning and lubing the chain will still be easy to do.

oh one more thing that i really like about this bike is that to change the pre-load, there is a knob above the right passenger foot peg. you just turn that left or right. no need for a wrench.

one bad thing is that the headers or the engine does get really warm. my right leg was getting uncomfortably hot with the riding jeans. my textile pants have built in heat shields so those work. i bought some oakley fire safety underpants. feels like spandex, but now i don't feel the heat when wearing my jeans anymore, so problem solved.

one bad thing is that the headers or the engine does get really warm. my right leg was getting uncomfortably hot with the riding jeans. my textile pants have built in heat shields so those work. i bought some oakley fire safety underpants. feels like spandex, but now i don't feel the heat when wearing my jeans anymore, so problem solved.
Yeah, I think thats a given with any four cylinder stuffed into bodywork.
Mine runs up to 212 degrees in traffic and feels like a furnace blowing thru the vents in the sides when the fan kicks in.

whoa gary!...nice dat buggah!

congrats! be safe! :ride:

Yeah, I think thats a given with any four cylinder stuffed into bodywork.
Mine runs up to 212 degrees in traffic and feels like a furnace blowing thru the vents in the sides when the fan kicks in.

i really do not experience this, oddly enough..

back on topic - i love your VFR.......ALOT

i really am thinking hard about one of these as my next bike for its touring ability with enough sporty nature in reserve for fun. i like the connie14 and st1300 but don't think i really want or need one that big. the 800cc V4 on the vfr and size are right in the middle.

BTW, get a set of akras on that thing and listen up - AMAZING

looks great!

thanks guys

Yeah, I think thats a given with any four cylinder stuffed into bodywork.
Mine runs up to 212 degrees in traffic and feels like a furnace blowing thru the vents in the sides when the fan kicks in.
in stop and go traffic, mine got up to 222 degrees. :eek: on the vfr forum, i found that it is completely normal though. i have heard that a richer tune will drop the operating temp by about 10 degrees or more.



i really am thinking hard about one of these as my next bike for its touring ability with enough sporty nature in reserve for fun. i like the connie14 and st1300 but don't think i really want or need one that big. the 800cc V4 on the vfr and size are right in the middle.

BTW, get a set of akras on that thing and listen up - AMAZING
i had it narrowed down to either this bike or the bmw f800st. basically something sporty that i can still take my wife around with. seeing and sitting on them side-by-side at the dealership, made the decision easy for us. while nice, the bmw looks boring by comparison. also, the honda's engine is supposed to run a lot smoother. while researching which to buy, i came across this video:
TrKKDGxg-Ag

as far as the akrapovics, i don't think they make them for the vfr. i am thinking of going with the leo vince carbon fibers later on. i hear that the carbon fiber shell won't transmit too much heat to the saddlebags.

thanks guys


in stop and go traffic, mine got up to 222 degrees. :eek: on the vfr forum, i found that it is completely normal though. i have heard that a richer tune will drop the operating temp by about 10 degrees or more.


On mine it won't trip the HIGH temp warning until 248* F so no worries.
Try some Engine Ice ,it lowered mine

engine ice ("http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/4/72/7374/ITEM/Cycle-Logic-Engine-Ice-Coolant.aspx?SITEID=MSN_Engine_Ice_Coolant&WT.mc_ID=10007&WT.srch=1)

i have heard mentions of engine ice. thanks for reminding me. gonna do some research on it.

CONGRATS!! on the new bike.....Looks sick!!!! :thumbup: Are you gonna keep that rear fender?

very nice looking bike. what's the max speed on one?

CONGRATS!! on the new bike.....Looks sick!!!! :thumbup: Are you gonna keep that rear fender?
thanks. yeah, i am planning on keeping it. it doesn't look as bad as the stock ninja one. also, i learned my lesson after riding in the rain on the 250 with the fender eliminator.

very nice looking bike. what's the max speed on one?
thanks. i believe the specs said around 154 mph. way more than i will ever be able to use. i believe it was set-up more for mid-range power rather than top speed. still learning about the bike.

finally, some pics of the beast! congrats gary

look at the ass on her!!

finally, some pics of the beast! congrats gary
thanks! :)

look at the ass on her!!
she does have a pretty fat ass with the bags on, but boy are they convenient! :)

oh. btw, here is one more pic that was taken today. went riding to the west side of the island with a couple friends.

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/DSC_0001-5.jpg

Damn man, nice bike.
I've always wanted a VFR 800, they look awesome, sound amazing, go fast and all the while being comfy!
What more can one ask for? :thumbup:

"go Gary go"!!!!

just a small update. my bike was getting up to 245 degrees in stop and go traffic. i ended up getting a power commander and engine ice and now my bike has never gone above 220 degrees. i am used to the heat and it doesn't bug me anymore.

also put in a k&n air filter, grips, puig screen... i ordered a -1 front sprocket and a speedo healer to fix the speedometer.

anyways, here are some pics of me riding from a couple weeks ago. :) i really love the way she looks... especially without the saddlebags.

btw, those are cortech riding denin/leather pants. also, i am wearing icon shorts and icon knee/shin guards... just in case you guys get on me for wearing jeans. :D

http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/ZF-3756-77884-1-001.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/ZF-3756-77884-1-002.jpg
http://i116.photobucket.com/albums/o8/sound_wavez/ZF-3756-77884-1-003.jpg

man she looks good as hell with or without the bags

I miss my VFR

:kewlpics: Gary, bike is looking good. Can't wait till I get, who knows when, and we can go riding again. Where were those pics taken?

nb

Beautiful Bike.

thanks everyone. i appreciate the compliments... eric, why did you sell the vfr? these bikes don't seem to be too popular, but i don't really understand why. i guess possibly because it is a sport tourer and not a super sport?

my main beef with this bike is that it is pretty heavy... although, it is only a factor when i am trying to walk the bike back into a parking stall.

chris, that is at sandy beach. there is a photographer who hangs out there on the weekends. he takes pics of bikers going by. his website is www.808shots.com. dkstariob told me about it.

I love the dual undertail exhaust! Also, I noticed you have a different type of swingarm than is usual. I've heard of them before, but I can't seem to remember what they're called. Regardless of that, what do you think of the swingarm? Any differences?

Actually, it's a "shaft drive" as opposed to being "belt" or "chain" driven. Most shaftdrive swingarms are single sided but there are many single-sided swingarms that still use chains (Ducati, for example).

actually, my bike is chain driven. i wish it had a driveshaft. it would make maintenance simpler. the all-new vfr1200 is shaft driven.

i guess the upside of being chain driven is that i am able to change my gear ratio with a simple swap of a sprocket (i just got email confirmation that my -1 sprocket shipped today :D)

Oh yeah... I see it now. :) Someone was parking one nearby several nights last week and I noticed the shaftdrive so I didn't look at yours too closely. :)

I don't know what kind of maintenance goes into a shaftdrive model but someone on these forums was complaining about theirs recently as if it was way too much trouble. :confused:

Edit: Ah! Here it is (http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?p=116442#post116442)...


...
http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t249/bluehilo/Motorcycle/J3264x2176-34962.jpg
...
BTW... the BMW has been sold. (I hated shaft drive!)
...

i think the maintenance of the driveshafts are minimal.

i think the main problem with many of them is that the response is not as quick as a chain driven bike. also supposedly there is some lash when you release and then open the throttle again. this is just what i have read. i have never ridden a bike with a shaft before, so i could be wrong.

i read that the newer bmw, the k1300 is supposed to have a dampener that reduces that effect. the new vfr 1200 has some sort of system that also reduces the backlash. i would imagine that would be the trend from now. idk.

Never heard a Goldwinger complain. ;)

I noticed that some shaft-drives have a true reverse gear. I'm sure it helps when engineering that.

I've owned several shaft drives, but they were all Hondas.. other brands may be different. There is almost no maintenance to the shaft drive. It is very smooth, much less lash compared to chain drive. When you goose it, the rear of the bike lifts and you loose traction easily (this is why they would suck for racing). I think the lift is from the pinion gear trying to climb the ring gear.

great in that color. amazing that the VFR started its life in 82 or 83 as the v45 interceptor and was honda's all out sportbike. Years of refinement later it might be heavier but bike of the year many years.

great in that color. amazing that the VFR started its life in 82 or 83 as the v45 interceptor and was honda's all out sportbike. Years of refinement later it might be heavier but bike of the year many years.

Back in 83/84 the Interceptor was the bike to have on the street or on the track.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk274/enzo_f1/HONDAPOCONA.jpg

Here is a fast guy in front of a not as fast guy. Both on Interceptors back in 83 at Pocono.

Nice bike. I keep telling my girlfriend that after I pay off the R6, a sport touring bike that is comfortable for both of us to ride is on the list.

I've always loved the look of single sided swing arms.

thanks matt. yeah, the ride is really comfortable for my wife when we ride together. when you do decide to get a sports tourer, maybe you could look into the new honda vfr 1200f. not sure if you heard about it, but it is the replacement for my bike. i think it is supposed to have like 170 hp.

don't know how i feel about the headlights, but it is slowly growing on me.
this vid starts out kind of dumb...
Tf1MnAZKPIw