Ride Diary

VFR Quest

The annals of my search for a new ride.

3/24/2001

I went to Morton's this morning. The 92 they have is an abused bike; the fairing "damage" turned out to be a non-existent lower left fairing smashed to bits in their lot by an idiot who knocked down a whole row of bikes in domino fashion. The bike is sad and filthy, with lots of rust from sitting outside all winter. It looks like an abused puppy at the pound. I felt a little sorry for that unloved bike, just like the Charlie Brown X-mas tree. I rode it, it wouldn't idle without choke and the chain was nasty, causing all sorts of footpeg vibration at speed. If I were looking for a "project" and could get it at a knock-down price, say less than 3 grand, I might bite, but at a minimum I'd be looking at 600-750 dollars in parts and weekend elbow grease to get it up to a standard of maintenance I expect. I don't realize what a fussbudget I am about maintenance until I see what nastiness some people are willing to put up with. Bottom line: abused bike, head for the exits.

It was fun to ride though and the Micron can has a nice "note." All that V4 torque down low is hard to beat. Hops right up to 65-70 in third gear without batting an eye with seemingly endless roll ons and stable as all get out. When I don't ride a full-faired bike for a while it really wierds me out, especially at parking lot speeds. I found the 92 to be a little cramped, though, especially the reach for the clip-ons, and the heat ducting is a problem. I could feel the heat blast on the right side when stopped on a 55-degree day. Imagine mid-summer. I'm concerned that the "wind" pocket is too small. You practically have to put your chest on the tank to get much relief. The 94-97 are much improved, from what little I've been able gather.

That '00 they have is a SWEET bike. Two Bros. can on it. Not a thing wrong with it, immaculate condition. I'd be seriously interested if I had $7,200 to spend. They're offering it for $7,495, but would probably be willing to deal a little. I didn't ask to ride the '00, but if you're up there and express serious interest they'll let you ride it. It's kinda out in the country, so test rides are no problem. They also have Beemers to test rides, obviously. They're not pushy either, which I appreciate.

On the way home I stopped in Arlington to see a '94. The owner dumped it at low speed (not his fault, or so he says), cracking the left upper fairing, a little road rash on the left lower and trashing the whole rear cowling. Bike was _much_ better maintained than the 92 and the ergos are more spacious and to my liking. No riding it on the street since he didn't have insurance. In fact he didn't have insurance when he dropped it (stupid!). If I can find out how much it will cost for new fairings, I might make him a lowball offer and see what happens. I gather he needs money. The bike is rideable, but the fairings must be replaced. He's already been through one R/R. Bone stock except for a Two Bros. can. Does anyone keep the OEM exhaust on these things? Runs great, at least in a loop around his parking lot.

I've pretty much decided to focus my search on a 94-97 bike, not the earlier ones, due to the ergos, heat ducting and sheer age. (I've already got a ten-year-old bike, and it's paid for, thank you very much). There's a fellow on DC-Cycles with an SV650 for sale. I may go kick the tires and ride it, just to be sure I've not been hasty in ruling it out. It's a pretty big leap from a NH to a VFR. The NH still feels like a comfy old shoe. You'll probably feel like you're learning to ride all over again if you get the VFR. I know I will.

3/31/2001

I saw another '94 VFR this morning, way out, 60 miles away in Southern Maryland. Nice to have an excuse to take a long ride once the rain cleared out. The owner seemed amazed that I would ride for DC on a chilly day and he and wanted to know all about electrics, the "secret to an 11.5 month riding season" as I said. Thirty something owner, wife, kid. Selling because he really wants a ZX-11. He seems mechanically adept and the bike is in good shape. He has a manual that's actually looks like it's been cracked open a time or two. Took it for a spin around the neighborhood, including an empty parking lot to get a feel for low speeds. It's as easy, if not easier, to pilot in tight turns than the Nighthawk. Took some sharp turns and did some panic stop braking and swerving. You've got to appreciate a bike that doesn't go into a deep dive every time you squeeze the lever. That reassures me about the Viffer in city traffic. I've realized that I've been using the instruments and mirror on the NH as reference points to determine how far I've turned the bars at low speeds. That's why frame mounted fairing throws me for a loop a little bit. Those mirrors just don't turn!

The only show-stoppers with this bike: a cracked rear cowling, a few dings and scratches in the tank and he seems reluctant to lower the price accordingly and more ominously, the turn signals blink faster if you goose the throttle. To me that says "voltage spike" and could be the sign of the R/R going south. I'll think about it, but I'm not ready to make a move just yet.

There's an absolutely cherry 94 with low miles, never down, etc., lots of extras in Salem, Va., near Roanoke. Priced lower than the bikes up here too. I've traded e-mails with the owner, but it's a four-hour ride/drive and I think I'll need to be ready to make a commitment if I make the trip, i.e. cash in hand. We're not there yet, pending sale of various assets. I can't take out a bike loan right now. We're trying to improve our credit score because interest rates are falling and we would like to refinance the house soon.

4/4/2001

None of my options for a clean 94 and later VFR seem to be panning out at an agreeable price. I'm thinking about attending a bike auction on Sat., though, just for grins.

So, here's an idea I'm toying with.

I'm seriously thinking of buying the cosmetically challenged dark blue 92 VFR at Morton's (provided they'll come way down on the price) replacing that busted lower cowling piece and making it an urban assault vehicle. Nice and dark, no logos except the ones on the tank. Fit it out with PIAA lamps on the front, GIVI wingrack and cases, get rid of those dorky rear turn signals and replace them either with GIVI turn signals or other aftermarket ones (even the NH ones look better!) or putting them back in the tailpiece, as God and Honda intended. I doubt the inspectors at the DC DMV will know the difference. For my situation a bike that doesn't say "steal me" in bright red flashing neon is a good thing. Lower insurance too. I about choked on some of the quotes for newer bikes.

Whadya think? A nice little manageable project? Budget crotch rocket with plenty'o'thrills and chills, but practical for touring and commuting, even comfortable two-up with the GIVI backrest thingy and maybe a Corbin or Sargent seat. With the GIVI cases I can pile on a lot more camping gear that my current rig. All the money not spent on buying the bike can go into accessories.

[About a week later, the perfect bike crossed my path, here in the city, immaculate, low miles, so I bit]

4/15/2001

It's a done deal. I gave the guy a deposit check this afternoon after a 90-minute test ride where I really put the bike through its paces on the GW Pkwy, DC freeways and a few twisties. Speed limits were exceeded. 95 VFR750, bone stock, 14 K miles, perfect condition. It doesn't need a thing, unlike the other bikes I looked at. It's a little lean right off idle, but that's par for the course in stock trim. It will be mine when the tax refunds come, hopefully by the end of the week.

The bike is a real ball buster above 7K RPM. It'll do 70 in third gear, no problem without getting close to the red line. It's pretty mild mannered below 6K, but about 7 of 8K, Katy bar the door. LOL. Unfortunately, it's also a literal ball buster when you get on the brakes hard. I need to adjust my riding position or look at Sargent or Corbin seats. The old family jewels get jammed into the tank under hard braking. It should be a great bike to grow into, as long at the regulator doesn't melt down. I'm excited, it feels like it's prom night and I'm 17 again.

4/28/2001

I sold the Nighthawk this morning, at the ungodly hour of 6:15AM. Needless to say the buyer was really motivated to come then, just before I left for instructor training. The buyer is a DC cop who's getting it for his brother, who doesn't speak a word of English and just hung back while I talked about the bike. They chatted a bit in Spanish and paid the asking price, $2400 no questions asked, no haggling, and the deal was done. He just wanted to hear it run and make sure. Anyway I will deliver it to him after MSF instructor training tomorrow evening and that will be that. I needed it to get back and forth to MSF training.

I'll probably pick up the VFR Monday night. Woo hoo. Then look out. Just what this town needs, another hell raiser on a ubiquitous red VFR. :)

Instructor training is a bit grueling, but a lot of fun. We were there from 8 AM to 6:30 PM and I'll leave the house again at oh-dark-thirty tomorrow morning.

I'm kind of sad to see the NH go and I will be nice to have one more jaunt tomorrow out to Sterling. I will always have a soft spot for that bike, since it was my first. I might buy an 80s shaft drive NH someday to use as a beater around town. Now my affections have turned to the VFR and I look forward to getting to know that bike.