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I'm thinking about getting a motorcycle to ride with my girlfriend while I'm college. I've been on the fence for a while, but her dad is moving to Mexico and just offered to sell his Honda VFR750 to me for "whatever I can afford". I don't want to lowball him because the bike is in excellent condition, but I can really afford around $2000. It needs new front brakes and the carbs synched/tuned but other than that it seems pretty flawless. It was his daily driver up until now and was kept up in good condition its entire life. I'm new to riding and plan on taking proper safety courses and getting full armor and learning on her Ninja 250 before taking the 750 anywhere. I've been wanting one for a while but never had the testicular fortitude due to living in Southern California around some of the worst drivers in existence, but with gas prices as high as they are and as cool as bikes seem to be, it's slowly drifting me in this direction. What are your guys' thoughts on a Honda VFR750 for $2000? I'm an extremely safe driver and won't do anything stupid. I know it's a large bike to start with but driving around the 250 should theoretically give me the starter skills necessary to be safe with it.
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Aug 3, 2011 01:08
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| # ¿ May 6, 2024 08:42 |
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Thanks for the advice, guys. It's a '94. It would be replacing my car in Santa Cruz. I always have my dad's extra car to drive around if need be. I'm looking for about $4k for my car and should be getting around 3k with my unemployment settlement with Starbucks for back pay. 2k is about as much as I can afford for a bike before repairs and armor. He's fine with that because he's moving out of country and I'm his daughter's boyfriend, after all.  Just have to figure out who would want to buy my car. (1975 Volvo 240 with a 16v turbo engine) 
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Aug 3, 2011 21:10
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Need help identifying a bulb for my HID's. The mounting tabs on one of them broke and need to be replaced ASAP.    They're bulbs that already have pre-built wires into them. They came from a kit using Hella modules and CQ Lighting ballasts, but they're no longer in business and I have no idea who would stock these  I've never seen tabs like that before.
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Mar 9, 2012 22:52
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It's Z3n's old aftermarket bodykit with aftermarket HID's and modules. The company that produces the ballasts went out of business years ago and I am at a loss as to what I should be putting in there. Upon further research, it seems to share the connector with an H8/H9/H11 bulb design, but I unfortunately have no idea what the differences are between these types.
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Mar 9, 2012 23:15
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SaNChEzZ posted:Bring it to autozone/pepboys and compare with the halogens they have there? Good idea! I'll do that now. I had a brain fart and realized I'm only looking for the housing type; I can order the correct bulb online when I find out what I need.
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Mar 9, 2012 23:20
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I still sometimes accidentally shift into neutral while accelerating from a stop.  At least it's not nearly as bad now that I have a bolt clamping down my shift linkage
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Mar 10, 2012 10:46
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I'm honestly looking to phase out my car since I never use except for when it's raining (and only because I have leathers and not a touring setup yet). If I am to have one motorcycle for everything, meaning twisties, commuting everywhere, groceries, and 400-500 mile trips every so often, what are my options? I am happy with my SV650, but I'll say that it's pretty cramped, especially for long distances. This won't happen for at least a year or so, but I might as well start research now. I figure I'll have about $6k. So far, the best candidate I have found for this is the Honda VFR800ABS non-vtec, but any insight would be awesome, including "keep the SV, get Givi cases and bar risers and a higher seat for your lanky rear end"
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Mar 17, 2012 02:40
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I'm pretty much addicted to lanesplitting in all the bad ways. It's like living real life with noclip. I'd prefer something I could remove the side bags on and have no issue lane splitting in traffic/up to stoplights when I'm just around town but still have the option for side bags when necessary, hence my idea of the VFR800. My friend has a newer Concours 14 though and that thing is super nice and the ST1300 doesn't look half bad either. The R1150R looks pretty interesting, but aren't BMW's in general extremely expensive to maintain? How much is insurance on sport-tourers versus standards? As it stands, my car is only $18/month to cover so it's almost nothing to keep around, but it gets 16/city and 23 highway.
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Mar 17, 2012 10:49
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The Tuonos are goddamned sweet. But what's the real difference between the V4R and a 1000R with the new Rotax engine they put in? And aren't they even more expensive to maintain than BMW's?
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Mar 17, 2012 22:05
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What do you all recommend for insurance? I'm 22, had my license since I was able to get it (and my M1 since September) and have never gotten a ticket. Progressive seems less expensive than Geico but I'm not really sure what all these different policies entail. 
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Apr 30, 2012 09:05
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thylacine posted:Do you have car insurance or renter's/home owners insurance? Bundling is the way to go. Full coverage on my bike is $80/6 months(lol adventure/dual-sport insurance is cheap anyway) because we have other stuff on the policy. The problem is that my car is under my dad's insurance policy. I'm wondering if I could add the motorcycle to his policy and keep me as the primary rider... paying $30/month right now for theft and liability only. I'll also look into PSIC. Thanks!
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May 1, 2012 09:07
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An observer posted:Thanks for the advice re: sv650, guys. I started on an SV650 with my only previous experience being a manual car and riding a bicycle when I was (way) younger. I feel that the power is extremely manageable at all RPM's because you're not getting any surges at weird RPM's. The power is definitely there, but I could ride the bike all day long accelerating at a snail's pace if I wanted. It only goes as fast as you want it to.
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May 7, 2012 06:38
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lowcrabdiet posted:How well will the experience transfer to my SV? having ridden with my friend while he was on his s1000rr, I'd say "a change of underwear"
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May 7, 2012 22:27
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SV650's use cable clutches.
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May 27, 2012 08:49
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My hands are huge. What are my options for aftermarket grips? The stock Bandit ones are basically the width of the bar. I put an r6 throttle tube on my SV and I really liked the width of that. I mean, I could, uh, always put an R6 throttle tube on the Bandit... right? 
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Jun 7, 2012 00:14
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What is proper upshifting for a Bandit 1200? With my SV650, it wouldn't allow me to upshift unless I had a bit of throttle, but the Bandit 1200 likes the throttle completely off to smoothly go from first to second to third. If I give it any throttle at all while upshifting it feels like gears are lightly grinding. I don't know how to describe it other than that. Is this normal? Not that I'm gonna be clutchless upshifting any time soon but it's nice to know how your gearbox works.
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Jun 9, 2012 08:16
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So when my bike is cold, I sometimes here what sounds like something in my engine whipping around. I'm guessing it's the cam chain or something similar but I could be wrong. It only happens when it isn't warmed up. Is it something I should be worried about or is this normal? Bike is a Bandit.
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Jun 12, 2012 18:09
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It's not really a sewing machine sound. It sounds like something whipping around randomly in my crank case. It goes away when I give it a bit of gas but when it's still cold and I bring in the clutch it makes the whipping sound again. The taptaptaptap from the valves is there, but I can really only describe it as above. I wish I could describe it better.
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Jun 12, 2012 20:02
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Thanks for the advice, MotoMind. I use that for my cars, actually! On the subject of stethoscopes, silicon vacuum tubing works great for diagnosing vacuum leaks as well. Z3n's heard it too I'm guessing so it's definitely that though. Thanks, guys!
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Jun 12, 2012 20:43
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You could try soaking it in WD or another penetrating lubricant (ha) then using a hammer to smack a socket on it. That's worked a few times for me when working on cars.
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Jun 15, 2012 20:04
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Crayvex posted:Just buy a Sena SMH10 $165 http://www.amazon.com/Sena-Bluetooth-Helmet-Communication-System/dp/B0052YQMLA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1339850513&sr=8-2&keywords=smh10 Is the SMH10 the one that you can plug your headphones into instead of using the speaker pads? Z3n impregnated one in my helmet but I'm looking to upgrade to the earbud one for trips.
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Jun 16, 2012 21:04
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Z3n posted:You just need to pick up on of these: But what about the battery / button part? 
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Jun 17, 2012 01:10
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Is there a difference between the Bandit 1200 and Bandit 600 valve covers? I can't find any 1200's for sale but plenty of 600's. But my new head gasket will be here Monday and my spark plug cover gaskets later this week.  Oh and what are my options for larger grips? My hands are so large that I can't even fully wrap around the handlebars because the tips of my fingers touch my palm.
Knot My President! fucked around with this message at 09:08 on Jun 17, 2012 |
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Jun 17, 2012 07:26
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Sir Cornelius posted:I think there might be. Are there any stamps on the cover you've got? There's 3 different part numbers for Bandit valve covers. One of them is for both 600 and 1200 while one of them is 1200 only and has the breather placed a tad off. There's also a slight difference in the rise for the valve-chain spokes and chains. A 600 cover might fit, but I certainly wouldn't bet on it. The reason I need a new valve cover is because it was not made of massive brute elephant hands; one of the breather bolt threads stripped which is now creating a fine leak down the side of my engine and onto my exhaust. My options are to either helicoil it, re-tap it, put some RTV or JB on it, or get a new cover entirely if I can find one for cheap. Once this is done, I need to put on a Cometic gasket for the 1216 kit since the previous owner ran the stock OEM headgasket and not the one that comes with the one Dale Walker sells on his site. While I'm in there, I might as well do the valves... and the clutch and exhaust gaskets since both parts came with the bike. But once that's all done it will be perfect. Perfect. 
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Jun 18, 2012 10:02
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infraboy posted:I've had my suspension setup by Rob at Evolution suspension in Santa Clara by the San Jose airport, definitely knows his poo poo too. best 40$ spent on 2 of my bikes. Where do you live? I'm in Felton and looking to get my Bandit's suspension dialed in for the summer. I think I'll check this guy out!
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Jun 18, 2012 11:22
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Some guy in AI actually did a test and found that the Harbor Freight torque wrenches are within 5% spec of the Craftsman ones. For a fifth the price, I'd gladly go with one. Of course, he didn't test it after several uses... 
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Jun 19, 2012 19:10
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What the everliving poo poo is that smilie?   For the same price you can just get a torque wrench and not have to worry about batteries or Harbor Freight electronic components rattling loose and setting your garage on fire or something
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Jun 19, 2012 22:50
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Brakes are easy-- several bolts and a few clips and you're golden. If you've never done it before, I'd recommend having a friend show you since everyone knows how to change brakes and once you see it done you'll have a full understanding of it.
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Jun 21, 2012 20:05
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I will back up everything Cornelius is saying as being completely true. I use it consistently for engine work on my cars. Afterward make sure you get a shop vac and carefully suck out loose shavings before removing your cotton/other catching device and masking tape. You can never be too careful, really.
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Jun 24, 2012 23:58
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I'd run a dry chain over a goop chain. That gunk is horrible and sprays everywhere. Previous owner gave me a can of chain wax and it's nearly impossible to get off of hands, clothing, shoes-- everything. If you have motor oil lying around, that's another great option for chain lube.
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Jun 26, 2012 20:32
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the walkin dude posted:Now and then with my 2001 SV650, it would give me a slight hesitation when I twist the throttle, like a half second's worth, before accelerating. I checked out under the gas tank two weeks ago and saw through the de-snorkeled air filter cover that my air filter looked dirty. I plan to check deeper tomorrow, but was wondering if the slight-hesitation issue could be from that? What RPM does it occur at? If it's consistently at a certain RPM then it might be a flat spot and you might need a rejet if it hasn't been done already. I had this issue myself, anyway.
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Jun 29, 2012 01:42
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I stirred some poo poo on BARF by saying parallel twins are boring. Seems like people like them because they have tons of "overrev" which I can only assume is lingo for "bike loses horsepower in the topend" which seems really lame and not that likeable at all The engines are buzzier and have less torque and get worse mileage than SV's, from what I've found. I think it goes without saying that torque is the most fun you'll have while riding in 90% of the environments you're usually in, too. edit: Those jets seem way too rich for a de-snorkel. Mikuni 142.5's are like the highest I've heard of anyone having to rejet to for any airflow and slipons.
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Jun 29, 2012 19:13
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Ah. I'm unfamiliar with dual exhausts so I can't really comment. Still, hesitation is usually an AFR issue, but I don't know what else it might be since I'm still learning the wizardry that is carburetion.
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Jun 29, 2012 19:36
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Red Robin Hood posted:OK so I guess my question is: if the bike hasn't been driven in about a year or so should I charge the battery first? It's always a good place to start. Seafoam in the carbs/tank never hurts either.
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Jul 10, 2012 23:32
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Red Robin Hood posted:The reviews on that poo poo are insane. Can I use it in my truck as well? I have an '89 Mazda B2200 that I feel should run better. Should I slosh some of this in the gas tank? Yeah, totally. It is just an engine cleaner/fuel stabilizer but it is great at cleaning out bad gas as well.
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Jul 11, 2012 00:09
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needknees posted:Etymotic ER6i. Still my fav and my original set I got nearly 4 years ago is still kickin Seconding this. Been using my pair for four years and they are excellent. I wish they had more bass but hey, you can't complain for the price/quality.
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Jul 12, 2012 21:33
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You can get octane boosters at local auto shops for like ~$3 that should fix that problem. Easier than emptying the gas or dealing with bad gas for a whole tank.
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Jul 14, 2012 20:52
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Air compressor!
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Jul 18, 2012 22:03
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In the MSF course the teach that something like only 1% of accident fatalities happen on highways. 
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Jul 22, 2012 05:32
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| # ¿ May 6, 2024 08:42 |
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I was in the same boat entering the MSF: The most experience I've had riding anything was a bicycle I owned when I was thirteen. Once you get the hang of it it's pretty straightforward though. She'll be fine on the next round.
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Jul 22, 2012 20:12
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