Setting my hair on fire.
 

Yes, this post is just an excuse to show off my new pride and joy. No, I don't have a thing for orange pearl metallic 4cyl Honda touring bikes... it was just a coincidence. I do love the color though. It POPS in the sun. Anyway, I brought it home today. It's sad to see the Goldwing go, but it's really nice to have an EFI bike, and something so pampered that it still has new bike smell, even when its 8 years old. I have wanted a VFR1200 ever since they were introduced, even though my plan was to get a NEW bike, this is good enough.

One thing I really need to get used to though is the power. This is the most powerful bike I have ever owned at 170hp, and just lightly breathing on the throttle makes this thing pick up speed beyond my comprehension. Getting on the highway on the way home I gave it maybe 1/4 throttle in 5th gear and went from 60 to almost 100mph faster than my Goldwing goes from 60 to 70. Around town I really have to be careful...it takes 1 second to end up in felony speeding ticket ranges.


It needs new tires, and I am not a big fan of the exhaust on it. I think the only other gripe I have is the suspension is too soft for me, but I expect that with every bike I buy because of my size, so a new rear shock and some magic in the forks are on order as well.

I love it though. This is the first bike I have ever bought that I actually wanted to own. Usually I buy something and spend tons of money turning it into something else and upgrading it. This needs very little for me to be happy, and I love the styling. I also love the factory panniers, they mount and dismount with the turn of a key and lift of the handle and instantly transforms into a sport machine.

Sweet bike! I've been eyeballing the VRF line for awhile, but I'm not ready to pull the pin yet. I'm with you on the muffler; I'm betting the same person who picked out the muffler applied the Punisher decals. My son would love it. :D


Did your Wing go to someone who will properly appreciate all you've done to it?

Nope, my wing is still in my possession. I am leaving it up for sale on my goldwing forum for a little while. No hurry to sell it, and I want to make sure ot goes to a good home.

I honestly dont mind the punisher badges. I like the punisher, and itnis really subtle.

Very nice Dan!

Viffers are pretty cool bikes. I like the V4. They require very little maintenance as they have hydraulic valve trains. Oil changes and air filter every few years along with spark plugs. They rarely seem to have carb issues. I'm not sure if Honda put filters on them or not.

It is! Thank you.

The 1200 motor is a little different from the other VFR engines. Both in cylinder layout and firng order. They setup the rear 2 cylinders on the inner rod journals, so they are closer together to make the engine thinner at the rear. The valvetrain actually uses roller rocker shafts for the exhaust valves, so there are valve checks that have to be done. Thankfully, in typical Honda fashion, they are every 16,000 miles.

It's also EFI, and yes there is an air filter lol.

If you skip ahead to about 50 seconds, this video goes into a little detail on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKPDuy16V7c

It is funny how the VFR1200 did not last very long as a sport touring bike. It ended up as an adventure type machine after the new 800 came out. Nice bike none the less.

Just *slightly* more advanced than CG motor.

:lmao:

The F (sport version) ran from 2010 to 2016, but the last 2 years were basically carry overs from 2014. It was a bit of a flop. Honda made a great bike, but killed it with compromise in the worst way. Very powerful engine, but too soft of a suspension with only preload adjustment, so not the greatest sport bike. Ergonomics too heavily favor sport riding. It is still comfy, but it doesnt match the plushness of the suspension. High price tag, but almost no extra features to show for it and a very basic dash.

With a bit of work on the suspension and ecu tuning side of things, it really turns the bike into what it should have been. I honestly don't know why they didn't just rework the suspension goodies from a cbr1000rr to suit the heavier VFR is beyond me.

The X model had a few tweaks to make it a better adventure bike. A bit less HP, and a bit more torque below 4000rpm. Obviously cosmetic and suspension changes as well.

Only a little bit...

The CG is 10 times easier and cheaper to work on though. Which is appropriate since it has 10 times less power.

Was not sure when the F was discontinued...hell it was a surprise to suddenly see the X version popping up in the dealership when i went to go look at the 1200s again. But then again i still have my original "F" the VF750F that started the line up so no big loss from my point of view. Truth be told i thought i would eventually move onto a newer VFR from that bike instead i ended up on the Softail. Go figure.

The X was actually in development during the release of the F in 2010, and first started being sold in 2012. I think they had always planned on making more than one bike with the platform, which I think worked out well for them. The F makes over 40 more hp, but the X ended up being the more popular bike. I think a lot of that had to do with the X being a much more focused machine, and a much better comfy cruiser that can somewhat do fire roads and the like. Plus, it came in at the right point of the Adventure bike boom. So the F flopped, and the X is still a strong selling bike.

What I find kind of funny about the 1200's though, is how much of a love or hate it kind of bike it is, especially among VFR fans. The people that hate it think it's too big, too heavy, or the engine's new layout isn't correct for the family, blah blah. Those that love them (me) think their opinions are dumb.

Trying to get this bike sorted out, which is why my Hawk has been getting no attention.

Even though Honda says this bike can go 8000 miles between oil changes, I have some Pro Honda HP4S 10w30 and OEM oil filters on the way. Some Motul DOT 4 fluid to flush the brakes and clutch, Redline Lightweight Shockproof 80w90, an air filter, and I ordered some new tires for it yesterday, some Bridgestone T31 Battlaxes.

Also doing some lighting upgrades when I have the fairings off, and I will be sending the ECU off to Guhl motorsports for a reflash when I take the panels off to do said lighting and air filter.

Put the Corbin seat on that the bike came with after giving it a good clean up. Much much better, in both comfort and looks.
https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...81&oe=5B403A4A

Whoo, that thing is beautiful. Keep out the throttle so much. We want you around here a while longer. Yes flashy paint attracts flashy lights, ask me how I know (warning only fortunately).

Dan, love the looks of this bike but that exhaust has got to go. The stock can is a huge, ugly, chrome, wedged shape monstrosity, though. I've seen the Akrapovic on one and it looks nice but, I would imagine, pretty pricey. Maybe it's the carbon look that's throwing it off for me. Is that just a cover?

I don't disagree with you. There are two problems with the aftermarket exhaust options.

1. Most don't work with the factory panniers, they will either take up the space the panniers sit in, or melt them. If I didn't want to keep them and use them, then I would just toss a Competition Werkes GP exhaust for it and call it a day. It will be loud, but sounds REALLY good.

2. The ones that do fit all look bad. Even the Akrapovic low mount for said Panniers looks hideous, and honestly doesn't sound that great.

There is ONE exhaust that I like the look and sound of that does work with the Panniers. It is probably the best looking exhaust made for this bike as well. The DAM exhaust, which will cost about 600 bucks from Belgium... Seen here.
http://shaunsaxonblog.com/wp-content...016_161201.jpg

I do plan on getting my hands on one here soon.... BUT. I have other priorities. First big priority is sorting out the suspension, which just took the number one spot after my left fork seal started leaking. Not a big deal, I was going to do the suspension either way, but I was going to wait until next month. It just got moved up.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...43&oe=5B34BE67

But hey, at least I have nice new Bridgestone T31 Evo GT spec tires for the bike to not use.
https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...61&oe=5B40CD82

Back to the DAM exhaust. 3 things I like about it.

1. High quality. Dam systems are fully stainless steel and hand made. Every bike they make an exhaust for is fully engineered to the bike with full dyno and road testing.

2. Sound. They give this bike a good smooth tone, and on top of that, they aren't obnoxiously loud. Only hair over 95db without the silencer, and 92db with it, which is actually quieter than the stock exhaust lol. This massive two brothers exhaust currently on the bike is 101db for comparison

3. The styling just matches the bike. The lines match the body perfectly AND expose most of that rear wheel. It also makes the bike look much more elegant and sporty. The stock muffler is so big it makes the bike look chunky.

This is probably the best sound recording of said exhaust on a 1200. The 1:45 mark he switches locations and you get a much better feel for the sound. I can almost promise you that you still don't hear the real sound, but its going to be close. A lot of the deeper tones are muted vs. reality, and after hearing a Two Brothers recording, vs what I know my bike sounds like, very different.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8c2Zu6Br4g

I need a loop recording for my bed time

Nice music

You and me both. The 1200 has kind of a love it or hate it exhaust note. Some people think it sounds like a chainsaw at low revs and too much like an I-4 at high revs :hmm: To be fair, it has a different crank configuration and firing order, so it doesn't sound like half a V-8 like the VFR800 and 750, so lovers of that noise tend to be the biggest critics.
VFR 800 noise for comparison:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfwCETllE-A

Me, personally, love the noise. The crank and firing order were taken straight from a Moto GP engine, and at high Revs, it sounds exactly like it. I have the hardest time not accelerating unnecessarily from every corner or stop. :) The 1200 is also a much smoother engine as a result, and far more linear in power.

Just because I brought it up earlier. This is the Competition Werkes GP Exhaust for the 1200. I love the raw sound at high revs. It's just too bad it doesn't work with the stock bags.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXyYlCJvjgo&t=56s

Careful there Dan, I envision flashy lights in your future

I know what you mean , I have to resist the urge on my strom, technology is grand on these new bikes.

Pft. I obey all laws on the road. :hehe:

To be fair, I won't be doing much of anything on the road with it for at least a month. I went and stripped al of my suspension off to send it away for tuning by a shop that specializes in these. Could I do it myself? Maybe, but I don't have the time and this bike is a pain in the butt to take apart - yay plastic body panels.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...81&oe=5B29D970

I did finally find an exhaust that suits all of my desires, but I have to wait for them to release it for sale. Coffman's is making a shorty for them.
https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...90&oe=5B6D11BB

Yes... it will be loud. Thankfully they do have a silencer for them that makes them about as loud as the current Two Brothers, which I can live with. I can't imagine the ear bleeding without it, but I will just have to find out.

Finally was able to mail off my suspension today.

In the meantime, a few other mods and tweaks.

There is an engine under there somewhere...
https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...06&oe=5B5F3289


My mission as to delete the PAIR valves, hoses, and solenoid. Took 2 freaking hours. The front unit was the worst. Airbox, ECU, a plastic cover, and a bunch of clips have to be removed, half of which can just barely be reached. Technically you are supposed to remove the throttle bodies to get that plastic cover I mentioned off...but I am lazy and just struggled with it for 20 minutes. I am starting to remember why I like old bikes. :ohno:

Anyway, I did eventually get it out and got the block off plates in. What a silly system. A Dual valve unit on the front cylinders, and 2 single units on the rear cylinders.
https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...78&oe=5B6CD461

The ECU will be mailed off Monday for it's reflash, and hopefully I will have the suspension back by the end of the month.

In that time I just want to do my lighting upgrades - HID lo beam and LED high beam as well as adding a USB charging port and my Steering Stem RAM mount.

I have that PAIR system on my CB500X. So far it's not causing any issues with the OE exhaust. I can hear some faint popping when engine braking from 9000 rpm down to about 7500 rpm. There's no aftermarket exhaust available that meets my personal requirements for my CB-X.

I like the bike quite. Where I ride I can get a noise ordinance ticket, trespass ticket, or worse kicked out. It's not technically a private area, but it is considered an area for locals and people associated with certain equine groups. I neither have a horse nor am I considered a local. I only live about 17 miles away in another state. There's also the issues with being in areas that require a forestry approved muffler with a spark arrestor.

My bike doesn't have the stock exhaust, so it pops, snarls, and crackles pretty bad, especially below 4k rpm. Combine that with already lean factory tuning and you can imagine.

It's also necessary in order to get a clean reading on the Dyno.

I am glad I don't really have to worry about noise ordinance where I live. I still try to be considerate of my neighbors, but I can't stand whisper quiet exhausts either. I am pretty sure that Coffman's shorty exhaust will be insanely loud with the baffle out, but according to the owner of that bike, the type of baffle they use is very effective at cutting down the noise to a reasonable level. I think he said it is 103db with the silencer in, which is close to the same as my open 20 inch long Two Brothers that the bike came with lol.

As far as exhausts on the 500X, I think the Arrow exhaust looks really good. Plus Arrow actually makes well engineered systems that give a lot of flow without a ton of noise.

My V Star Classic 650 has a similar system, AIS, and it made the bike sound awful with the factory exhaust. Any time the throttle was released it started backfiring through the exhaust like mad. I removed the AIS and up'd the main jet one size. It never pops or backfires at all.

It has been one long wait, but finally my forks and rear shock are on their way back from DMr. He got backed up and then forgot to install the rebound valve upgrade, so that added an extra week on to my wait time. He was nice enough to toss in the rebound upgrade for free to make up for it. 1.1kg front springs and a 1300lb/in rear spring (heavy duty!) on the rear shock with it's rebuild and revalve. The heavy rear spring is partly because I am a fat giant, but also because I told him I do plan on trips with up to 80lbs of gear on the back. So I got told to turn the remote preload adjuster down to around 5 clicks for just me, and then as many up as needed when loaded (around 20-25 out of 31)

I honestly cannot wait to get this bike back together and see how it feels with properly tuned and sprung suspension. The stock suspension was like riding on marshmallows.

The Coffman's exhaust - I am currently waiting on the batch to come back from ceramic coating, and they will send me an invoice. I may end up regretting how loud the exhaust will be, but at $230, it's not as big of an investment as the DAM system. If I end up not liking it I can probably find another owner to sell it to to recover a decent portion of my money.

Coffman shorty in the mail, and I got these guys in today. Just need my ecu back. I cant wait...

Got the suspension all back together today.
https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...37&oe=5B76C86B

Then got my Coffman's pipe installed. Here are a couple of examples for scale, including a side by side with the Two Brothers it replaced.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...93&oe=5B99BB02

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...de&oe=5B891473


I think it looks awesome. I can't wait to get my ECU back so I can put this bike back together and ride it again.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...a6&oe=5B9AE668

"Just the TIP?" :hehe:


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Z6JMoqbNBFY/hqdefault.jpg

I almost bought the Coffman for my CB500X. I like stealth to much. Plus we have a lot of areas here with 24/7/365 noise ordinance.

The funny thing with the Coffman's exhausts is that how loud they are depends on who you ask.

I do know that with both the internal baffle and end baffle removed, they are ridiculous. With both installed, they actually aren't too bad, but they are about as loud as I would want to go on the street.

Roadworthy now and cleaned up. The new pads were fun to install. First time dealing with 6 piston linked brakes that are 4 piston front, and 2 pistons with their own little tiny pads linked to the rear pedal. Took about an hour. Not really sure I want to park it at work though... I guess I don't have much of a choice, let's hope the thieves in the area aren't in the mood for a big loud bike.

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...f1&oe=5B8F1D06

https://scontent-dfw5-1.xx.fbcdn.net...59&oe=5B86B0E6

She sure is purdy! :D That looks like a bike thief's dream. You might want to hire an armed guard.

That's my fear with taking it to work.

From what I read in your other thread I wouldn't feel safe bringing I to work either.

They now have a security guard in the lot at all times, and I used a little of the donated funds to buy a pair of those alarms you linked and put one on this bike and the other is waiting for a new Hawk. Combined with the lock and chain setup a buddy gave me hopefully it will be a little safer now. I need to figure out how to adjust the sensitivity on it, but a quick test shows it to work if anybody moves the bike a little bit.

I guess we will find out.

Well that's good to here. Is he carrying more than one flashlight? :hehe: Not a bad alarm for the price.

[QUOTE=Megadan;281467] I need to figure out how to adjust the sensitivity on it, but a quick test shows it to work if anybody moves the bike a little bit.
QUOTE]
There is a way to adjust it. I'd have to look through the instruction.


Edit: Found it. Push the bell button in the red control until beeps, then released, wait until hear 4 different beeps combinations. Choice one, pushing the bell button once after you heard the desired set up. 4 means max. sensitivity, 1 means min. sensitivity.

Set it to max. Now its perfect.

The security isn't armed unfortunately, but being in the lot should be enough to keep the opportunists away.