Heli bars are a good call actually, I haven't found myself in pain after a trip on the vfr yet but they're definitely on my list to change. Thanks for the comment!
Great video man. I'm heading up to Portarlington to check one out today. I've just heard so many good things about those gen 5s. Hopefully she's in good nick and I can take her home. Yup ya boyo!
More of a want than a need haha. I think a voltmeter would be handy one alright. I could warm up my bike from my bed with a keyless ignition too lol. Might have to start shopping ;) Thanks for watching!
You have done some good mods. I like the extra LED lighting. Discreet but effective. I like the wind deflector. At first I thought it was an MRA screen as it looks similar, but they are very expensive. The foot pegs look a nice edition as well. Has the rectifier been upgraded to a MOSFET one? Check the main connector blocks and wiring around the battery to see if they are ok. If they are brown and melted then you need to do this asap. Also check the stator/generator as well as the windings melt when the rectifier is failing. Maybe you have already done this? How many miles has yours done? Frequent oil changes are the key to keeping these engines in fine fettle. Don't neglect the service items, like front fork oil, the single sided swing arm adjuster as it can seize if neglected. Like any bike look after it and it will look after you. Were you able to mount the side luggage racks (Mine are Givi) no problem with the high level BW silencer so they don't come into contact with each other? I'm keen to know as I can't decide whether to take the risk and go for a high level BW exhaust like yours or be safe and get one in the std position. I am looking at soft luggage something like the SW Motech Blaze panniers. I figure if I drop the bike they will suffer and cause less damage and might even protect the bike. You need heated grips, Oxford ones. I resisted for many years as I don't ride in winter but fitted some last year and I now think what took me so long! They are very welcome on cold mornings or evenings and long rides. Really easy to fit. There's good FB group for the VFR. UK based, but contributors from all over. Maybe you already joined? facebook.com/groups/1680347095563071 Thanks for making your videos. Sub'd.
Cheers Alex! I added a 30mm spacer to the givi rack to spread it apart, it still rubs the can and is a very tight fit but I'm happy with it. Definitely go for the high level, its a shame to hide that lovely wheel!! I bought the bike with 18k miles, put 8k on it over the last year and so far no issues to report. To be fair, reliability was a main factor in choosing the 5th gen vfr, and its stood up to its name. Im worried for electrical gremlins but prepared at least with the wealth of information available. The previous owner fitted a new touring tech rectifier after misdiagnosing a dead battery, so I have the original if problems arise with that luckily. Your right, the wind deflector seems to use the same hardware as MRA, but at 1/5th of the price haha
@@RHauto The much better rectifier you need is an FH020A Mosfet type. There's a lot on the FB VFR owner's group I gave you the link to. Lots of good advice and helpful owners on there. I would check out your bike's charging circuit as it is a weak point of the VFR, what type the rectifier is (it will be stamped on the rectifier somewhere), the stator, electrical plugs and wiring of the charging circuit asap to make sure it is all ok. I would fit a MOSFET rectifier if it doesn't have one already. I have one to go on mine from a Yamaha MT09 2017 iirc. It was definitely a genuine Yamaha FH020A one. The Honda ones are old type shunt types that aren't man enough for the job and over heat causing the plugs, wiring and stator windings to melt and burn. Plus Honda's wiring isn't that great either. They weren't very good at electrics. You must be fairly handy if you changed all your dash bulbs to LED. I couldn't do that. Yes the high level exhaust has the lead by a nose at the moment 60:40 to the std position simply because as you say of being able to see the lovely rear wheel and single sided swing arm. I am thinking at the moment that if I get a high level can, BW might also supply me with a shorter link pipe so I can swap for the std position when the time comes for ease of fitting luggage. That would seem to be the best of both worlds. Not ideal but it could work. Whether I'd actually do it would be another thing. 18k is not too high a mileage and you've enjoyed 8k on it since so you now have a good feel for your bike. Oil changes are key on these engines with the gear driven cams. Wish I had bought an MRA screen before Brexit as the cost to supply the UK, if indeed they still do, would incur a hefty mark up. I guess you being in Ireland and still in the EU means you wouldn't have any additional charges on top. I think the MRA screen with deflector is about 180€. I think mine still has the original screen. I am 2nd owner and only just under 6k miles. Bike is mint still like new. I don't ride in winter or when the roads are covered in crap. I'm fortunate in that I have other options. ATB. Thanks for making your videos of your VFR. Enjoy.
"Anudder ting dat I trew onta dis boik" - proper Irish accent you have goin' on there fellah. No offence meant btw, I'm a Manc so I probably sound like a real "northern monkey" to a lot of the "soft southern party frock muppets" out there eh? but it makes me smile thinking about how our American cousins get on with "understandin yerz an dat" ya know ?
RH Automotive, I just installed my Givi top box rack mount and side case mounts. Very easy job, but the Givi-supplied instructions are a bit unclear. I was able to figure it out though. I would like to install a wind deflector as well. I have a ‘98 also. I love this bike. Thanks for sharing your mods.
The instructions are confusing alright haha. Oh man the deflector makes a huge difference, definitely worth the investment and they look somewhat better than the touring screens. Thanks for the comment 😁
This is the closest I could find, hope that helps! www.ebay.ie/itm/134000852658?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=5282-175127-2357-0&ssspo=XfK8oyBtSbq&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=-9LlKcwMSi-&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Hey, its a cheap copy of the ram style mounts, like this; www.ebay.ie/itm/Ram-Motorcycle-Bike-Handlebar-Rail-Mount-X-grip-Holder-Gps-Cell-Mobile-Phone-New-/134600773796?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p4429486.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0
I changed the headlights for Yellow LED's, as people see you and you don't disapear behind your lights. That often happens with white-light. Yellow saves lives, white kills.
Twin headlights will bring it the dear I hit 3 in 2 months on rocket 3 because the spacing is small it registers as a car but far away so they run out I hit one at 60 broke toe in two places then spent 2 hrs wheezing trying to get foot into a narrow boat
Useful vid! Any link to the wind deflector? Upgraded the helmet and added earplugs made a huge difference to wind noise but I want more! Feels good not to be so tired after a ride
Please help me out by hitting Subscribe if You've enjoyed the video 😎
Man just casually wheelieing the VFR800. Love it!
Great video! I have Heli bars on mine. Huge increase in comfort. I just did 1,000 mile trip and my wrists were fine. Highly recommended.
Heli bars are a good call actually, I haven't found myself in pain after a trip on the vfr yet but they're definitely on my list to change. Thanks for the comment!
Great video man. I'm heading up to Portarlington to check one out today. I've just heard so many good things about those gen 5s. Hopefully she's in good nick and I can take her home. Yup ya boyo!
You won't be disappointed, I assure ya. Best of luck and hopefully it works out. Cheers for the comment!
You need heated grips and keyless ignition. I put a voltage monitor on mine and gear indicator. Nice bike
More of a want than a need haha. I think a voltmeter would be handy one alright. I could warm up my bike from my bed with a keyless ignition too lol. Might have to start shopping ;) Thanks for watching!
Voltage meter is a good idea or a spare RR under seat... heated grips are absolutely horrible 😫
Your previous review and install of the Black Widow Exhaust convinced me to buy one myself. Thanks!! Looks and sounds great!!
Awesome, I'm sure you'll enjoy it :D
Nice vid, one of the main channels that convinced me to buy my 5th gen👍
Glad I could help :) Best of luck with it!
You have done some good mods. I like the extra LED lighting. Discreet but effective.
I like the wind deflector. At first I thought it was an MRA screen as it looks similar, but they are very expensive.
The foot pegs look a nice edition as well.
Has the rectifier been upgraded to a MOSFET one? Check the main connector blocks and wiring around the battery to see if they are ok. If they are brown and melted then you need to do this asap. Also check the stator/generator as well as the windings melt when the rectifier is failing. Maybe you have already done this? How many miles has yours done? Frequent oil changes are the key to keeping these engines in fine fettle. Don't neglect the service items, like front fork oil, the single sided swing arm adjuster as it can seize if neglected. Like any bike look after it and it will look after you.
Were you able to mount the side luggage racks (Mine are Givi) no problem with the high level BW silencer so they don't come into contact with each other? I'm keen to know as I can't decide whether to take the risk and go for a high level BW exhaust like yours or be safe and get one in the std position. I am looking at soft luggage something like the SW Motech Blaze panniers. I figure if I drop the bike they will suffer and cause less damage and might even protect the bike.
You need heated grips, Oxford ones. I resisted for many years as I don't ride in winter but fitted some last year and I now think what took me so long! They are very welcome on cold mornings or evenings and long rides. Really easy to fit.
There's good FB group for the VFR. UK based, but contributors from all over. Maybe you already joined?
facebook.com/groups/1680347095563071
Thanks for making your videos. Sub'd.
Cheers Alex! I added a 30mm spacer to the givi rack to spread it apart, it still rubs the can and is a very tight fit but I'm happy with it. Definitely go for the high level, its a shame to hide that lovely wheel!! I bought the bike with 18k miles, put 8k on it over the last year and so far no issues to report. To be fair, reliability was a main factor in choosing the 5th gen vfr, and its stood up to its name. Im worried for electrical gremlins but prepared at least with the wealth of information available. The previous owner fitted a new touring tech rectifier after misdiagnosing a dead battery, so I have the original if problems arise with that luckily. Your right, the wind deflector seems to use the same hardware as MRA, but at 1/5th of the price haha
@@RHauto The much better rectifier you need is an FH020A Mosfet type. There's a lot on the FB VFR owner's group I gave you the link to. Lots of good advice and helpful owners on there. I would check out your bike's charging circuit as it is a weak point of the VFR, what type the rectifier is (it will be stamped on the rectifier somewhere), the stator, electrical plugs and wiring of the charging circuit asap to make sure it is all ok. I would fit a MOSFET rectifier if it doesn't have one already. I have one to go on mine from a Yamaha MT09 2017 iirc. It was definitely a genuine Yamaha FH020A one. The Honda ones are old type shunt types that aren't man enough for the job and over heat causing the plugs, wiring and stator windings to melt and burn. Plus Honda's wiring isn't that great either. They weren't very good at electrics.
You must be fairly handy if you changed all your dash bulbs to LED. I couldn't do that.
Yes the high level exhaust has the lead by a nose at the moment 60:40 to the std position simply because as you say of being able to see the lovely rear wheel and single sided swing arm. I am thinking at the moment that if I get a high level can, BW might also supply me with a shorter link pipe so I can swap for the std position when the time comes for ease of fitting luggage. That would seem to be the best of both worlds. Not ideal but it could work. Whether I'd actually do it would be another thing.
18k is not too high a mileage and you've enjoyed 8k on it since so you now have a good feel for your bike. Oil changes are key on these engines with the gear driven cams.
Wish I had bought an MRA screen before Brexit as the cost to supply the UK, if indeed they still do, would incur a hefty mark up. I guess you being in Ireland and still in the EU means you wouldn't have any additional charges on top. I think the MRA screen with deflector is about 180€. I think mine still has the original screen. I am 2nd owner and only just under 6k miles. Bike is mint still like new. I don't ride in winter or when the roads are covered in crap. I'm fortunate in that I have other options.
ATB.
Thanks for making your videos of your VFR. Enjoy.
I love the irish accent, i also love a turd light😂❤
"Anudder ting dat I trew onta dis boik" - proper Irish accent you have goin' on there fellah. No offence meant btw, I'm a Manc so I probably sound like a real "northern monkey" to a lot of the "soft southern party frock muppets" out there eh? but it makes me smile thinking about how our American cousins get on with "understandin yerz an dat" ya know ?
No offence taken haha. Hopefully a bit more soft spoken than some of the northern accents ya hear, I can barely understand that myself! :P
RH Automotive,
I just installed my Givi top box rack mount and side case mounts. Very easy job, but the Givi-supplied instructions are a bit unclear. I was able to figure it out though. I would like to install a wind deflector as well. I have a ‘98 also. I love this bike. Thanks for sharing your mods.
The instructions are confusing alright haha. Oh man the deflector makes a huge difference, definitely worth the investment and they look somewhat better than the touring screens. Thanks for the comment 😁
Nice video, have you got a link for the phone holder as I can’t really find any for the price you said, tah!
This is the closest I could find, hope that helps!
www.ebay.ie/itm/134000852658?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=5282-175127-2357-0&ssspo=XfK8oyBtSbq&sssrc=2047675&ssuid=-9LlKcwMSi-&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Hi, I didn't quite understand. What type of phone mount are you referring to? Do you have a purchase link?
Hey, its a cheap copy of the ram style mounts, like this;
www.ebay.ie/itm/Ram-Motorcycle-Bike-Handlebar-Rail-Mount-X-grip-Holder-Gps-Cell-Mobile-Phone-New-/134600773796?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p4429486.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0
I changed the headlights for Yellow LED's, as people see you and you don't disapear behind your lights. That often happens with white-light. Yellow saves lives, white kills.
Thats a good idea! Yellow also adds more contrast compared to the Cool White, making it easier to see in the dark :D
Where did you get your lights? I also need a new rear housing for my project bike.
Which LED’s did you use as I’ve just bought a 98 VFR and want to change them as well. Thanks. T
When you switched your front headlights to LED was it plug and play or did you have to add another piece of hardware?
Yes, the headlights were a direct replacement with the LED units. These are the ones I used:
imgur.com/a/7elFB4f
8 huntret
Twin headlights will bring it the dear I hit 3 in 2 months on rocket 3 because the spacing is small it registers as a car but far away so they run out I hit one at 60 broke toe in two places then spent 2 hrs wheezing trying to get foot into a narrow boat
Useful vid! Any link to the wind deflector?
Upgraded the helmet and added earplugs made a huge difference to wind noise but I want more!
Feels good not to be so tired after a ride
Heres the wind deflector :
www.ebay.ie/itm/293374889056?hash=item444e818c60:g:FMsAAOSwtmJd83Qd
Thanks for the comment!
вентилятор на реле напряжения?
cant you phone-addicted guys carry it in a backpack or pocket ?? they do not belong mounted within a riders view as theyre a big distraction.
I mount mine solely for the purpose of navigation with the audio routed through my helmet. It's only a distraction if you let it distract you 👍
Its just navigation and radar warnings for me. All other apps are disabled when driving.
@@acvn-hg9gy so no booty calls while ridin ?
@@jerryeinstandig7996 i'm afraid i wouldn't have to worry about those haha
Is that a black widow exhaust?
Yup, it's the 400mm can, I just removed the sticker.
@@RHauto awesome, I love the high mount look and the carbon, but good grief the sticker really drove me away from it
what brand is the phone holder please ?
It is unbranded. Here is the link : ebay.us/kXytOM :)
How far away is McDonald's?
Not far, but I took the scenic route for your viewing pleasure. Haha
Wtf your in Whitecross
Just passing through 🤪
Is this feen from cork? 😂
Hon da rebels 💪
The worst luggage I've ever seen on a VFR. Wow, how ugly!
Ah it depends what you use them for. I chose Aluminium over plastic luggage for strength and security since I use it for work