HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted December 24, 2011 04:13 PM
Death of a Motorcycle (a happy ending)
Merry Christmas All,
OK Confession time, I’m afraid my 2002 VFR has died. I’ve invested over 1500-2000 dollars into it over the last 2 years in the hope to bring her back to life.
I think I’ve mentioned this before but this bike fires up and idles perfect but as I throttle her up she gets to maybe 2500-3500 rpm before stalling. I think I have replaced almost every electrical part, sensors, and pretty much any part that I believe would cause this problem including new injectors, fuel rails, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel regulator, heck you get the point, only to have the bike do the same thing it did 2 years ago. You know after 8 years of pretty hard duty I guess I should not complain I feel I've gotten my $9499 out of it. Interesting I paid less for my 2009 VFR $9000 it was a leftover but new.
Last Month a good friend of mine with a 03 VFR was in a crash (he is OK, protective gear is great) but his bikes body work is in bad shape. The engine appears to be fine so it just seems to make sense for me to sell him my bike so he can rebuild his. I’m blessed my wife says that I can pick up cheaper bike from ebay or craigslist if I sell my 02.
I’m going to miss her, I guess there is one small chance that I might get her back on the road, and we’re going to install the CDI & CPU from the 03 VFR as a last chance try. I’ve already replaced both but at this point there is nothing to lose.
It’s hard to say good-bye but it’s easier to let go with friends….I doubt a ZX-14 is in my near future but maybe a ZX-11 or ZZR-1200. Sorry guys once a touring guy always a touring guy.
09 VFR 24,255 miles
02 VFR 121,300 miles (most likely the last mention)
Merry Christmas all
Robert
  
|
Seno
Pro
BANNED FOR LIFE!
Posts: 1230
|
posted December 24, 2011 05:52 PM
Holy Shit 121K...
____________
2012 Black 14R -> Completely done!
|
HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted December 24, 2011 07:07 PM
OK this may take a couple tries, I'll post a couple historical pics over the years.
My baby still looks pretty good if I may say so myself
First seconds left before the VFR enters a 6 figure mile count.
then the big moment Oct 2007
for those who read metric
next pretty big milestone
and the final pic taken earlier this week.
|
Seno
Pro
BANNED FOR LIFE!
Posts: 1230
|
posted December 24, 2011 07:36 PM
 Edited By: Seno on 25 Dec 2011 03:36
Sweet!!
____________
2012 Black 14R -> Completely done!
|
jarhead
Expert Class
Posts: 418
|
posted December 24, 2011 07:45 PM
Edited By: jarhead on 25 Dec 2011 03:46
Man the VFR was a fantastic bike, I am sure you will miss the bike but not the wandering if you are going to make it to your destination. Good luck with your search, the new body style Connie as well as the Yamaha are really a nice bike. You just can't go wrong with the ZX11, still one of my favorite bikes of the many that I have owned over the years.
|
joseph702
Zone Head
Posts: 598
|
posted December 24, 2011 09:11 PM
got a mint zx10 1989 around 10,000 miles were u at?
|
HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted December 25, 2011 04:13 AM
ohhhh, a ZX10, you know I really like those bikes. I've never been with the in crowd, OK lets be honest my taste sucks but that 747 hump in the gas tank is sexy to me.
Well seeing I've already screwed by credit I'm going to admit I like the pipes on the 14 too. It's like the nerd you knew in school who is nice to all, except when it's time to not be nice. "Hey did you see that McFly, he just knocked out Biff". Coarse I'd change it to Mc Kaw and Busa,
Rob
|
LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
|
posted December 26, 2011 01:55 AM
VFR is a great bike...
Robert:
Whatever you do I'm sure it will end up being a the right choice. I had a '03 VFR before it..died at the hands of a elderly driver who...didn't see me here in Central Florida, lol. Cashed the insurance check and bought the 14. Great handling bike, fun on back roads and road trips. Great memories of North Georgia from my '03.
In many way the 14 always reminded me of the VFR, just with a bunch more power and therefore and "ideal" improvement on a very refined and capable bike. Keep racking up the miles bro.
Leo
____________
'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
|
HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted December 26, 2011 05:18 PM
Leo,
Yea the VFR is a great bike. I agree here is a pic of my 02 VFR and my 06 ZX-14.
I often wonder what would have happened if I'd did not get a job 80 miles from home. My VFR went 87K before I needed the valves checked vs the ZX-14 needed the adjustment at 15K and as I approached 30 K they were in need of tuning again. The VFR was pulling close to 50 MPG the ZX-14 was a little closer to 38. I did get 44 one time the wind blew me home.
In talking about it now it sounds a bit trivial but when I had to fill up every day the difference was 3.4 Gals a day vs 4.3 Gals I started depending more and more on the VFR and with a bike with 90+K it seemed to make sense to think about a bike with better MPG. So back to the VFR I went.
I have seen a ZZR-1200 I like, but a lot of things are going to have to happen between now and when I can consider my next bike. Next week I going to try the last ditch effort, if nothing comes of that I need to sell the old VFR then I can get serious.
Are you getting the New ZX here in Orlando? I never hear of the Deals some of these guy get around here.
Rob
09 VFR 24,399 miles
|
blackbullet76
Pro
Posts: 1134
|
posted December 26, 2011 09:57 PM
If i had my choice of an old school bike, it would be a ZX-7 or a ZX-11
____________
2007 ZX-14 black
Brocks s-meg exhaust
PCIII w/track map
BMC race filter
Flies removed
16 tooth front sprocket
Speedohealer
APE cam chain tensioner
Vortex rearsets
|
LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
|
posted December 27, 2011 01:57 AM
Deals...we'll see
Rob:
I bought the '07 in Kissimmee from Kawasaki/Victory dealer. Got a great deal on that bike at KMS so I am going to give those guys a shot 1st on the 14R before I look out of town since we have history. Other than KMS, this is no store locally I would bother with.
Probably will pull it all together in the March/April window depending on where it comes from and availability of a blue one. Also waiting on my Italian friends to release an exhaust for it. Btw, I have a friend with a pristine '95 ZX11 in that Candy Brandywine color. Sure the 14 is bags faster, but it's still a great bike. Same guy has a '06 14 custom painted that same factory Brandywine color. Perfect color for these bikes.
Leo
____________
'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
|
HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted December 27, 2011 06:29 PM
Mr Bullet,
I rode a ZX-7 in 1995, (my favorite version...again there goes my taste) and that bike was fun but definitely for a younger man. I just could not imagine touring on that puppy. The ZX-11 now that's right up my alley Hydraulic clutch, center stand. Here a question I don't know, does the 1993-2000 ZX-11's have a internal oil filter or twist off? Changing oil on the 91 and 93 I think they were called "C models" had their moments.
Leo,
Yea KMS (I think it is?) has earned my respect as well. I have connections at Seminole but homework is required. I bought my VFR there and used ebay as my guide, however I would not feel comfy about using a Ebay ad on a brand new ZX-14. I bought my 09 VFR for 9K in July 2010.
I was in Kissimmee last month and the salesman tried to convince me I needed a 11 zx-14. I did not have the heart to admit that if I were going into debt it would be for a 012 ZX-14, and yes I'm keeping the nerd pipes thank you very much. By the way they wanted $9999 for the new 2011 ZX-14, not too bad for a walk in customer.
Rob
09 VFR 24,413 miles
|
LeoVinceZX14
Expert Class
Thankfully...its paid for...
Posts: 386
|
posted December 28, 2011 03:22 AM
Rob:
In the past I have shopped all the local dealers (Seminole, Orlando Cycle Center, etc), but they collectively never stepped up with deals that indicated that wanted to sell...me a bike. Ended up at KMS and at the time, got a good deal ($11,200 + tax) for the '07 back in June 2007. We are agreed on the finance/debt thing. Just doesn't make sense to me either to buy the 14 over the 14R unless the additional cost is the barrier for someone, given the clear upgrades embedded in the new bike.
Nothing wrong with running OEM exhaust (just too quiet for me) especially on the 14R because you tour alot. That said, Leo Vince is very modest, yet distinct exhaust note below 5,000 rpm so not at all a problem on longer hwy trips with or without ear plugs which I generally...don't use. I have done 12 hour trip days with LV exhaust without any ear/noise issues.
Good luck,
Leo
____________
'12 14R SE
PC V
Custom map
BMC filter
Leo Vince 4-2-1 w/ carbon can
Sato frame sliders
Supersprox 42T
Cox radiator guard
DID 530 X-ring chain.
|
HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted December 28, 2011 08:05 PM
Edited By: HiMile14 on 29 Dec 2011 04:11
Leo,
You nailed it, I don't feel the passion at the other dealers. In fairness I do frequent the dealers 7-10 times a year so most know who I am, and realize that if I were interested I'd bother them.
It's interesting 2011 is the first year I have not bought a bike since 2005.
2006 I bought the ZX-14,
07 traded the 14 for the 06 VFR
08 traded the 06 VFR (Electrical issues) for new 07 ABS VFR Burgundy
09 bought a used RWB 07 for 6k I could not resist.
10 traded both 07's in on the 09. (One of the 07's was sold as a street purchase 4.5K) and the remainder was financed.
I financed the 09 for 3 years and that should be paid off in less then 6 months. In 2012 there will be a new bike in the stable just a bit older and more loved.
Rob
|
blackbullet76
Pro
Posts: 1134
|
posted December 28, 2011 10:39 PM
HiMile, I just like the looks of the ZX-7, never rode one before. I almost bought a 95 ZX-11, but the guy backed out because he realized he priced it way too low. He asked $1500 for it because his daughter bought it and left it at his house and she owed him money. It had been sitting for a while and need some TLC, but was nice. He found out what he had and asked for alot more...I passed on the deal
____________
2007 ZX-14 black
Brocks s-meg exhaust
PCIII w/track map
BMC race filter
Flies removed
16 tooth front sprocket
Speedohealer
APE cam chain tensioner
Vortex rearsets
|
HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted December 29, 2011 08:10 PM
Wow,
$1500 for a 95 your right about getting one heck of a deal, I see on craigslist (Orlando "Ninja") there is a 91 with the red strip for that price, but I've been warned about buying anything over 20 years old. Be ready for some costly surprises.
I was thinking about posting the entire history of the 02 VFR later this weekend It will take some time but I think it might be interesting....sometimes it pays to be a nerd.
I will try to put some time together Friday Night.
Rob
|
HiMile14
Expert Class
Posts: 424
|
posted December 30, 2011 07:23 PM
Ok I just filled my coffee cup and pulled up my second computer so I can read off the milestones.
Let me start by saying this bike was bought in Canada and never had a warranty in the USA. Honestly until recently I really never though twice about that, for the most part VFR's are pretty bullet proof.
On Friday February 8 2002 I was given the ok to pick up my new bike from customs and without missing a beat I rented a u-haul and bam that puppy was in my driveway. The Florida tag agency was a bit of a challenge, they need to inspect the bike before they give it a clean bill of health. I asked them several day before customs cleared her for a 20 day temp tag and they said they would first need to see the bike. Explaining to them that was why I needed the temp tag the agent proceeded to call her supervisor. I explained I could take the plate off another bike and bring the bike to them but I thought that was illegal? She got the point and in my kitchen sat a 20 day temp tag just waiting for the new bike to arrive. I think I pissed off the guys at customs and they were not really willing to clear the bike Tuesday afternoon something my custom agent expected them to do. So around 9:30 PM I completed filling the oil and the 02 was alive.
Oil changes were pretty regularly changed every 8K as suggested in the owners manual and up to the last full 8K run @ 116,063 mile mark this puppy never burned a drop of oil.
5/31/03 27,016 mi I replaced the Chain and front brake pads.
7/19/03 32,086 mi I replaced the Spark Plugs for the first time
1/2/04 40,260 mi I replaced the Chain for the second time.
On 1/5/2004 I Hi sided the VFR. seems that whole cold tires on a cold day caught up to me. I was unsure about my 02's future with 41,510 miles. The Insurance company said they would replace the crashed parts and this was when the color went from black to purple.
In Feb 2004 I replaced the fuel filter and front tire and fork oil then I was ready to continue.
4/20/04 43,980 mi, I replaced the rear brake pads
6/4/04 47,802 mi, I check valves for the first time and replaced the plugs and coolant for the first time.
7/31/04 50,810 mi, I replaced the oil with Am-oil first time
8/21/04 51,702 mi Chain
12/4/04 56,824 mi Air FIlter (first time)
2/9/05 58,797 mi Front pads and bleed
2/19/05 59,234 rear shock (first time)
3/25/05 61,225 new Battery (first time)
4/1/05 61,403 fork oil (Very sloppy with tight rear end sloppy front end)
4/25/05 63,301 mi Chain
8/14/05 70,478 Fr sprocket (second ? when the first was done) & Chain
9/14/05 71,504 mi coolant/air filter/fork oil
10/5/05 72,475 new fuel line (first time)
3/1/06 79,601 All brake pads, Spark Plugs
2/21/07 87,589 first major tune up needing 3 new buckets, coolant
4/21/07 89,677 fork oil, front sprocket, chain
also replaced both front switches
5/15/07 91,000 front bearing failed
6/3/07 91,943 speed sensor replaced
7/21/07 94,758 fuel filter replaced
9/28/07 96,305 RR, Stator and battery replaced (maybe a record for a VFR)
11/18/07 100,950 fork oil, shock, and both sprockets (I wanted to see if I could get the rear to travel 100K... it did)
3/15/08 107,862 fork oil new springs, coolant spark plugs
4/20/08 109,415 entire electrical harness
2/14/09 118,996 fuel filter
Then on 3/4/09 I blew one of the coils and spark plugs and for the most part this puppy has been out of normal riding since. That last year of riding was really a tribute to Honda, I pretty much gas and go and that bike never left me stranded even when it drove home over 40 miles on 3 cylinders.
My notes included far more but I did not think it was relevant to today's post.
Happy New Year All
Rob
09 VFR 24,449 miles
|
|
|
|
|
HOME
NEW TOPIC