I'm a bit of a shortarse too and the VFR looks like one of the few bikes I might be able to consider as a replacement to my ST1300 to allow a bit of less stress dirt road travel. Thanks for going to the trouble, great info
@@wheresmytowel-te3gz The exact reason I bought it was to allow me to continue on riding when the road turned to gravel or dirt. It’s not for serious off road adventures, in my opinion. It is however a supreme touring bike, extremely comfortable and long legged.
I have the same bike, I also recently changed the fluids) But it is better to look at the instructions, everything is done a little differently there) Experience is our everything!
Just found your channel and I am enjoying it a lot. I agree about the ABS, I had the same experience with some loose gravel on the road after re surfacing, and when I used the brakes to slow for a corner, there was nothing! I ended up in a ditch, bike on it's side, with no damage luckily, and was thankful that I had some mates there to help me get it back on the road. Like you say, the damn thing is HEAVY. But as the suspension guy told you, great tourer, but lousy suspension. I upgraded mine to fork internals from Racetech and a Yacugar shock. Now it is a really great tourer.
Yes, the ABS nearly bit me on my most recent ride up and down some dirt in Victoria last week (working on videos at the moment). I really benefited from the better suspension on this most recent trip and it even improves the ABS into corners problem.
Those coolant fillers are usually tucked away but that one looks so frustrating to use! Like some sort ‘fix’ - crappy design Honda. Loving the videos 👍
Best thing I ever did was upgrade my suspension... Was in two minds before I did it. Going forward, I will be factoring in the cost of the upgrade to the purchase of any future bike... 🙂
Dude, you look just like the Aussie actor Bryan Brown... I found fork cartridge kit onhe YSS website, but they don't list a shock for the 1200x, only the 800 Cross Runner. Can tell me what shock you purchased?? Thanks for taking the time to make this video - I appreciate it. Eric, Washington State, USA
@@ericmiller6804 Strewth, I wish I looked like Bryan! The shock is a MZ456. Here’s a link to the Australian website. yssaustralia.com.au/motorcycle/28740-693504-mz456-mono-shock.html#/452-monoshockweight-75_95kg
Should you have put the after market suspension on before your trip around Australia? You must love the bike as to keep it and modify it after your big lap. Great video btw.
Fantastic Bike, would never sell mine so went for Nitron TVT for the forks and Nitron R3 rear with the hydraulic preload, was expensive here in New Zealand but as I said, never going to sell.
@@abitofadetour7315 that xtra weight gives the bike a superbike frame and an excellent shaft drive that is devoid of jacking due to swing arm pivot location. A thoughtfully developed bike by Honda 👍🏻
@@abitofadetour7315 that xtra weight gives the bike a superbike frame and an excellent shaft drive that is devoid of jacking due to swing arm pivot location. A thoughtfully developed bike by Honda 👍🏻
I use an Airhawk and with that I can ride all day without too much “busted arse syndrome”. Without it two or three hours is about it, but this is a problem common to most bikes that aren’t full dress tourers, the kind that come with ashtrays and lots of chrome bits.
Hi just went with the same suspension set up as you have and just about to go around OZ in May so have found your channel great. Can you share your suspension settings?
I’ve been fiddling around with the settings a bit and at the moment have both rebound and damping about 10 clicks out from maximum and three (I think) clicks of preload from minimum at the back.
Unfortunately not. That is a hydraulic preload adjuster on the original shock and the YSS has a collar type adjuster. Having said that it wasn’t much use on then original so I’m not missing it!
I use the torgue wrench for things that are not obvious to me or that other people have mentioned they have over torqued and ruined, such as the shaft fill plug which is very low torque. For the most part though I use my judgement which might not be a great idea but I seem to get away with it!
New to the channel, working my way through it all, great stuff. I'm in the process of getting a steed after 10 years with no bike, inm my early 50's and fancy another one. I'm going to try to do my own simple maintainance work, it's an older bike (2008 1200GS) so I'm thinking along the same lines - do I need these things to change oil, coolant, fluids etc.? I can get a couple of torque wrenches to cover the range I'll need for about $90 each, and looking at the manuals it seems EVERYTHING has a recommended torque number.. As a bloke I like buying tools.. which may be the answer right there.. that or I shouldn't have looked at the manual ;)
@@paulcarmichael7892 I do the simple, obvious stuff like fluids and filters, spark plugs etc. Torque wrench for non engine internals I think is optional if you possess some mechanical sympathy and aptitude, but it can never hurt to do it properly and they do make a satisfying noise. Valve clearances and stuff like that I leave to the experts.
@@abitofadetour7315 When I was in my early 20's two of my best friends were motorcycle mechanics and that let me dabble a bit on my own bikes - they were there to help with the hard bits! So valve clearances is something I'd happily have a go at, even though it has been "a while".. Electrics on the other hand is black magic, I watched your horn video with the relay you explained very well, I thought, what you were doing and how it worked. I've got a quadlock setup including wired charger head coming, shouldn't need a relay but if it does I think I understand how to do it. now. Thanks for the content, looking forward to more Tassie stuff. Ride safe everyone :)
Apparently just after its been graded it's pretty good, according to various people we ran into around there. It hadn't been graded in some time when we went through!@@grahamcairn8379
You would think that for the Dollars you pay for a new bike these days that they would put decent suspension on from the get go! Harley Davidson is the worst offender!
I should have put the Harley shocks beside an aftermarket one to give an idea of the size of them; puny little things like you'd expect to see on a 250. You can understand basis suspension on a cheap bike but on an expensive bike like that you have to wonder what's going on.
Not sure what you’re referring to here? Is it my brake pedal action? I might not have mentioned, I’m not a trained mechanic and any advice given is only general in nature and you should consult your own financial advisor.
![[#2024MAMA] G-DRAGON - 무제(Untitled, 2014)+POWER+HOME SWEET HOME+뱅뱅뱅+FANTASTIC BABY | Mnet 241123 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ox29z5Nf1Uk/mqdefault.jpg)
I'm a bit of a shortarse too and the VFR looks like one of the few bikes I might be able to consider as a replacement to my ST1300 to allow a bit of less stress dirt road travel.
Thanks for going to the trouble, great info
@@wheresmytowel-te3gz The exact reason I bought it was to allow me to continue on riding when the road turned to gravel or dirt. It’s not for serious off road adventures, in my opinion. It is however a supreme touring bike, extremely comfortable and long legged.
Nothing better than working on your own bike, nice job well, well done...
I have my limits, but simple stuff like this is quite good fun I agree.
Awesome! Motor, suspension/handling are the first two factors I look for in a bike. Ride safe…
Agreed. I can’t use the power very often but I can enjoy the suspension all the time.
I have the same bike, I also recently changed the fluids) But it is better to look at the instructions, everything is done a little differently there) Experience is our everything!
@@vyacheslavbida2883 Instructions are for beginners! I only reach for the manual when something goes wrong.
@@abitofadetour7315
Yes 100%😂
Just found your channel and I am enjoying it a lot. I agree about the ABS, I had the same experience with some loose gravel on the road after re surfacing, and when I used the brakes to slow for a corner, there was nothing! I ended up in a ditch, bike on it's side, with no damage luckily, and was thankful that I had some mates there to help me get it back on the road. Like you say, the damn thing is HEAVY. But as the suspension guy told you, great tourer, but lousy suspension. I upgraded mine to fork internals from Racetech and a Yacugar shock. Now it is a really great tourer.
Yes, the ABS nearly bit me on my most recent ride up and down some dirt in Victoria last week (working on videos at the moment). I really benefited from the better suspension on this most recent trip and it even improves the ABS into corners problem.
Those coolant fillers are usually tucked away but that one looks so frustrating to use! Like some sort ‘fix’ - crappy design Honda. Loving the videos 👍
Definitely feels life an afterthought.
Just the look of the new front suspension is a visual upgrade worth doing 😊
Agreed. The red twiddly bits are nice to look at.
Best thing I ever did was upgrade my suspension... Was in two minds before I did it. Going forward, I will be factoring in the cost of the upgrade to the purchase of any future bike... 🙂
I’m right there with you. I’ll be leaving the exhaust standard and upgrading the suspension from now on.
Dude, you look just like the Aussie actor Bryan Brown...
I found fork cartridge kit onhe YSS website, but they don't list a shock for the 1200x, only the 800 Cross Runner. Can tell me what shock you purchased??
Thanks for taking the time to make this video - I appreciate it.
Eric,
Washington State, USA
@@ericmiller6804 Strewth, I wish I looked like Bryan! The shock is a MZ456. Here’s a link to the Australian website. yssaustralia.com.au/motorcycle/28740-693504-mz456-mono-shock.html#/452-monoshockweight-75_95kg
Should you have put the after market suspension on before your trip around Australia? You must love the bike as to keep it and modify it after your big lap. Great video btw.
Yes, yes I should have! Its a great bike and it'll be taking me down to Tassie next year no doubt about it.
Fantastic Bike, would never sell mine so went for Nitron TVT for the forks and Nitron R3 rear with the hydraulic preload, was expensive here in New Zealand but as I said, never going to sell.
Its a great bike, no doubt about it, and with the new suspension even better. If only they'd made it 30 or 40 kilos lighter....
@@abitofadetour7315 that xtra weight gives the bike a superbike frame and an excellent shaft drive that is devoid of jacking due to swing arm pivot location. A thoughtfully developed bike by Honda 👍🏻
@@abitofadetour7315 that xtra weight gives the bike a superbike frame and an excellent shaft drive that is devoid of jacking due to swing arm pivot location. A thoughtfully developed bike by Honda 👍🏻
at the end "... what else would it need?" I love my CT, but hate the seat with a passion lol.
I use an Airhawk and with that I can ride all day without too much “busted arse syndrome”. Without it two or three hours is about it, but this is a problem common to most bikes that aren’t full dress tourers, the kind that come with ashtrays and lots of chrome bits.
Hi just went with the same suspension set up as you have and just about to go around OZ in May so have found your channel great. Can you share your suspension settings?
I’ve been fiddling around with the settings a bit and at the moment have both rebound and damping about 10 clicks out from maximum and three (I think) clicks of preload from minimum at the back.
Great stuff thanx.
Does Your new rear suspension got an adjustable wheel like the orginal ?
The Power Of Dreams ❤
Cheers from Norway
Unfortunately not. That is a hydraulic preload adjuster on the original shock and the YSS has a collar type adjuster. Having said that it wasn’t much use on then original so I’m not missing it!
Fab, very impressive.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, its appreciated.
Question, did you use a torque wrench at all or just nipped things up to what you thought?
I am debating if to buy on or not
I use the torgue wrench for things that are not obvious to me or that other people have mentioned they have over torqued and ruined, such as the shaft fill plug which is very low torque. For the most part though I use my judgement which might not be a great idea but I seem to get away with it!
New to the channel, working my way through it all, great stuff. I'm in the process of getting a steed after 10 years with no bike, inm my early 50's and fancy another one. I'm going to try to do my own simple maintainance work, it's an older bike (2008 1200GS) so I'm thinking along the same lines - do I need these things to change oil, coolant, fluids etc.? I can get a couple of torque wrenches to cover the range I'll need for about $90 each, and looking at the manuals it seems EVERYTHING has a recommended torque number.. As a bloke I like buying tools.. which may be the answer right there.. that or I shouldn't have looked at the manual ;)
@@paulcarmichael7892 I do the simple, obvious stuff like fluids and filters, spark plugs etc. Torque wrench for non engine internals I think is optional if you possess some mechanical sympathy and aptitude, but it can never hurt to do it properly and they do make a satisfying noise. Valve clearances and stuff like that I leave to the experts.
@@abitofadetour7315 When I was in my early 20's two of my best friends were motorcycle mechanics and that let me dabble a bit on my own bikes - they were there to help with the hard bits! So valve clearances is something I'd happily have a go at, even though it has been "a while".. Electrics on the other hand is black magic, I watched your horn video with the relay you explained very well, I thought, what you were doing and how it worked. I've got a quadlock setup including wired charger head coming, shouldn't need a relay but if it does I think I understand how to do it. now. Thanks for the content, looking forward to more Tassie stuff. Ride safe everyone :)
@@paulcarmichael7892 I’m happy someone found my dissertation on relays useful!
hey! you installed the front wheel and calipers in wrong order. calipers first - tighten axle bolt after - see service manual
You’re no doubt correct, I didn’t bother to read the manual! Luckily the wheel and the brakes are both still on.
How much was your suspension upgrade?
From memory it was about $1800 Australian dollary doo’s plus fitting cost of about $300
For context, how tall are you? Do you still own the VFR?
@@bruiser6479 I still have it and I’m a lofty 5’ 10”.
@ 5’ 10 is a respectable height. Good to hear the Honda is still part of your life. I quite like the look of the Transalp 750.
@ It’s perfectly average. The VFR will be going soon, I’ve just got to get around to giving it a proper clean and taking some photos.
Awesome now you should enjoy doing hells gate again 😂
Never again. It still haunts me.
@abitofadetour7315 Fear enough. I have watched a view videos on that lovely bit of road and funny enough know one said anything good about it.
Apparently just after its been graded it's pretty good, according to various people we ran into around there. It hadn't been graded in some time when we went through!@@grahamcairn8379
You would think that for the Dollars you pay for a new bike these days that they would put decent suspension on from the get go! Harley Davidson is the worst offender!
I should have put the Harley shocks beside an aftermarket one to give an idea of the size of them; puny little things like you'd expect to see on a 250. You can understand basis suspension on a cheap bike but on an expensive bike like that you have to wonder what's going on.
@@abitofadetour7315 Maximum Profit for minimum effort I'd say!
18:54 wtf, really?
Not sure what you’re referring to here? Is it my brake pedal action? I might not have mentioned, I’m not a trained mechanic and any advice given is only general in nature and you should consult your own financial advisor.
top stuff fella 👍
Glad you liked it.