FIRST LAP: My '99 Honda VFR around the Nürburgring Nordschleife Onboard lap

[@rolandreimann6592]

I’ve had a new VFR in 1998 with 98HP and Cat. Sold in 2002. After my son was grown up, I get 1997 French model with 107HP and without Cat. Still driving and loving it.

[@btgmoto]

Hey Roland, I've plans to release the true 107hp, watch this space!

[@mickeymouse4897]

1998/1999 had no Cat, later 5th Gen 2000/2001 had emissions control & Cat.

[@btgmoto]

​@@mickeymouse4897 I am in Germany. This is a German bike. We got the cats before the 2000/2001 update. We also got 98hp instead of 107hp. The updated bikes kept the cat, AND got 107hp. It's a small group, from a world-wide perspective, but German bikes do exist, and they really do have cats and are rated at 98hp in 1998 and 1999 frame numbers.

[@dwk2618]

@@btgmoto интересно, я не знал об этом. думал только в Японии занижали мощность.

[@theghost75]

‘Ol gal just singing a lovely song. What a treat

[@nickrider5220]

Uprate the suspension, delink the brakes and stickier rubber and you could do anything with that bike 👍🏻 Lovely riding Dale, especially with inadequate rear damping 😮

[@btgmoto]

De-linking the brakes is a such a big task, but it's really up there after inspecting my rear disc!

[@richarddepledge960]

HONDA VFR on song. great video. honda quality engineering at its best.

[@Scarletpimp72]

Great video! On the linked braking there is a ratio dial to adjust the percentage of rear brake when pulling front and vice versa. Its near right hand side near bleed nipple under the tank. To back off the severity of the rear linked braking.

[@btgmoto]

I did NOT know that! Definitely gonna have to check that out! Thanks!

[@SteveChippyPaine]

I thought it was simply a division of brake caliper pistons. Interesting.

[@mickeymouse4897]

Nope! Wrong

[@Antanix]

can you put a link to an image?

[@volt8684]

Sold my 1999 in silver 3 yrs ago because my skeletal problems. Hearing this makes me pine. The non vtec is the best bike ever made. Thanks for a nice smooth trip not frenetic able to appreciate it much more. 24 yrs old and what a looker. When I see these new bikes Matt black 😢😢😢. Thing of beauty

[@btgmoto]

I'm happy to be riding it, and happy to be sharing it! It's a really great bike. It's aged nicely.

[@Antanix]

I was about to sell it too. With various modifications and a thumb brace, I was able to keep it.

[@footyfan1248]

I did the Ring on the same bike 😃thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@LassesGlasskiosk]

lovely! cant wait to get back to the ring :) if you run out of video ideas a video of some nice motorcycle roads around the area would be much apriciated ;)

[@btgmoto]

This is actually already on my to-do-list - a '7 best roads AROUND the 'Ring' type of thing

[@LassesGlasskiosk]

@@btgmoto How Nice! wil def check them out when i go back in july!

[@meetmobility]

​@@btgmotogive me a shout and I'll meet you for a cuppa. (Bonn - based RC46 owner here.)

[@jgclara1972]

I've got a 1999 and it's been on the list to ride it there for some time. I guess it will happen soon. Thank you for the video. You just got another subscriber.

[@btgmoto]

Have fun! Thanks for the sub! I did make another video specifically explaining how Touristenfahrten works, just in case you didn't do it before :)

[@jgclara1972]

I have seen it and also commented on it.

[@syncrosimon]

Love my 88 FJ. It’s a bike with character and one of the sweetest engines ever made!

[@btgmoto]

Definitely great bikes. All the way up to the latest FJR, which lots of Police forces still use.

[@TheJmebe]

Lovely calm and within the limits ride. Very nice to watch.. Had two 5th gens an 8th gen briefly, and now a 7th gen. I love the look of the 5th gen the most, sound of the gear cams and riding position. The 6th gen is pretty close although not as good to look at. Underseat exhaust is nice but removes a lot of storage space. The 2nd 5th gen just needed an upgraded reg/rec (as all Hondas do from this era) and was running S22 tyres - it was scraping pegs everywhere. Personally, i grew to appreciate the linked brakes. For the road i think they work incredibly well. Only pain was when id had the calipers refurbed and needed to refill/bleed - there is a trick i was missing with having to have the second master cylinder held at IIRC 15 degrees to allow bubbles to flow up. What a PITA! Normal flushes should be fine. Just was starting to get concerned about availability of parts and desire for ABS that made me want to get the newer model. Still miss the RC46 though..

[@volt8684]

I could not get on with the brakes when I learnt trail braking

[@btgmoto]

The CBS is a good system for the road, and I didn't have any complaints until I took the bike to a track. As said, trail braking with CBS feels very odd, as it's trying to drag the rear tyre into the bend... not sure what I'm going to do about it yet. Will investigate this 'bias' valve that some people have mentioned.

[@TheJmebe]

@@btgmoto didn't know that was a thing, but thinking about it, guess that's exactly what the proportioning valve does. Is there adjustment on it, or does it require opening up and putting a different jet or whatever.. like a carb?

[@laz1go286]

Great vid! You're so lucky that you live close to such an amazing, legendary track. I've had a 107 hp 99' version of this 800 VFR here in Australia. It was track only, no mirrors, lights, Pirelli slicks on etc.. Had a full system, no CAT obviously and a carbon muffler. The sound was intoxicating, orgasm to the ear every lap. However mine overheated all the time during a 20 min session. I usually started the sessions at 80 degrees Celsius and finished with 115C. Which is an overkill IMO. It cannot be good for any street engine if the block gets that hot. So after 2 years and numerous track events we parted ways and bought a Daytona 675. Which is an absolute track weapon compared to the VFR. Not only faster and much lighter, it doesn't overheat, and sounds amazing too. I guess overheating is not so much an issue in Germany? 🤔

[@btgmoto]

Yeah overheating is not such a thing here. But still surprised to hear that. I guess I'll find out more in summer!

[@BladeRicsi]

Hi there, first time here. Nice bike, awesome driving skills👍

[@btgmoto]

Thanks and welcome!

[@KrazyKanucker]

Nice Dale. Single side swing arm reminds me of the ducati 916 when it came out. Such a beauty.

[@btgmoto]

Yeah, it's a cool bike!

[@JIMWSMITH]

Just sums up what great bikes honda made back then . That v4 was in its eliminate.

[@btgmoto]

Yes indeed!

[@fizzyridertoo]

You were having entirely too much fun. Some of us were stuck in the garage, rebuilding a knackered front wheel on a DT250B, and some of us were hooning it up on the Nurburgring. Bugger.

[@btgmoto]

It's a hard life, but I do as I must, to keep the channel alive ;)

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

Still have my 99 I bought in 2000 and loving it

[@roybatty2030]

Well ridden, a pleasure to watch. The VFR is such a legend, had a couple in the 2000s, now tempted to get another…

[@btgmoto]

Definitely a great family of bikes, and weird that no other manufacturer went at the genre so hard. I mean, it's overengineered to the max

[@TrophyMann220]

Nice and smooth ride, here for fun times not lap times , thats a Nice attitude. 😊👍

[@btgmoto]

Thanks 👍

[@Cacuf]

Awesome Bike, great riding. This is how the VFR needs to be driven. Loved the video!

[@btgmoto]

Glad you liked it!

[@juliansmith1608]

My view of the braking is to look at the fire blades stopping power, which is only around 3 meters stronger. So I've got all that back with modern tyres plus ebc discs and ebc hh sintered pads. Servicing the brakes makes the most improvement twice a year imo. And avoiding braking until the fluid boils! Enjoying.

[@timhicks2154]

That’s doing really well that VF! I remember my Honda VF500F2 being a bloody quick bike for a 500. I wheelied away from a Porsche Turbo, 2-up, left it behind. I think you’ll be needing 2 new tyres then…..

[@btgmoto]

Yep, definitely want some new rubber on this, and a rear shock with damping that works would be great too! The bike's definitely worth making 'just right' IMO

[@garybroom8418]

Good effort, such calm commentary ! Well done

[@btgmoto]

Thanks!

[@douglasalexander4348]

Those early Hondas were so good, just sold my old cbr600 but only because I wanted a naked summer bike. The VFR would be my choice for a sports tourer now.

[@btgmoto]

They're great budget sports tourers, for sure

[@RikkyTang]

A gentle bimble in the countryside, what's not to like!

[@btgmoto]

Easy warm-up lap!

[@johnbellamy6449]

had one of these in the same colour scheme ,lovely engine .

[@btgmoto]

Indeed it is!

[@Antanix]

Owner of a red '98 FI. Hideous gas mileage, fantastic V4 midrange. Easily pops a no-clutch wheelie even with a 120 kg rider like me. I have thumb arthritis, so i had to install an Oberon clutch, risers and extra padding on grips. Still my pride and joy after 80.000 km. Still have to replace the rear shock, it's completely stiff.

[@rossevans7646]

I need a VFR 800 in my life. My mate has one with over 100,000 miles on it now

[@btgmoto]

Great bikes. I've done 8000kms since this video. Need to post an update!

[@oldhairpin]

That brings back some fond memories of mine on the NS. I'm certain you can de-link the brakes.

[@btgmoto]

Definitely going to investigate all the options!

[@sugarrfree]

Super clean ride, fantastic bike 👌 all the best

[@btgmoto]

Thanks, you too!

[@vaughandavey4553]

I'm not sure but I believe the Vtec calipers are a straight swap for those on the earlier 800 and have more front brake bias than the early ones, so that might solve your blue disc problem. It is of course possible to delink the brakes. A time consuming but not expensive job.

[@btgmoto]

Thanks for the tip! Will check it out

[@mickeymouse4897]

V-tec calipers use different piston sizes as does master cylinder , so not interchangeable, system is piped up different too.

[@yo3429]

Relaxed ride, well done :) I putted a Wilbers rear suspension into a 2001 Sp1 with a spring fitted to my weight, front fork still original Showa with max. preload. Works really brillant. Think about cleaning the brake calipers and service them with new sealings, seems as your pads stick to the discs a bit much.

[@btgmoto]

Thanks, I'm certainly considering upgrades. If the pads were sticking to the disc, it might be the seals, you're right. But I can definitely feel that the bike is using a lot of rear brake when I'm pushing hard on track. On the road, it's not a problem, as I don't brake that much. Will check it all out, regardless.

[@yo3429]

@@btgmoto Then you know, DCBS is working :) Simply forgot the VFR got it too. My X11 Coffee Racer has the same system, a nightmare to evacuate the air on my bike but OK if it's working. For track use certainly not ideal (service time, line hassle and seldom ues the rear brake on track)

[@AsantePE]

Alright I will go for a test ride today, but hearing and seeing this, this bike will be my world travel bike :D

[@btgmoto]

Have fun!

[@nonyabusiness4151]

Did you buy it?

[@SteveChippyPaine]

I really should take my RC46 down there. The track is just 30 minutes away from me but I've never had the courage. I'll watch a few of your videos again and then , maybe, 2024 is the year!

[@btgmoto]

Yep, it's not far, but it is a bit wild in midsummer. Thanks for the sub!

[@ridervfr2798]

Never liked the linked brakes on any of those Honda bikes, glad my viffers are old enough where that was never even on the drawing board being 90-93 and all. Wish I could get one of mine (have 2) over your way to ride the "Ring." All my VFRs have upgraded suspensions and fork internals. Nice riding!

[@btgmoto]

Yeah, I think that it's worth investing money into the suspension on this bike. Some bikes, they don't warrant that. The Honda does.

[@mickeymouse4897]

Honda raced on linked brakes way back in the 80's, hence yrs of development before hitting production, nothing wrong with it, bike is more controlled under heavy braking, love it or hate it, it works & works well, may not be suitable for racing on these days, as only used on Honda touring models like VFR's/Goldwings/ Pan European / Blackbird etc.

[@ridervfr2798]

@@mickeymouse4897 the added maintenance and length of time it takes to bleed a system like those are heinous. If you want to get braided lines it is costly. Every time I would take an St1300 , vfr or anything elae with those brake systems on it and would only use front brakes under big braking, the rear wheel would chirp, lock for a nano second. Not a fan, been there done it.

[@Gooney87]

The Nurburgring on two wheels. You're a braver man than me Dale. When we were over with the F650GSses two years I briefly (briefly!) considered doing a lap, but decided that maybe my second-ever track outing on two wheels shouldn't be the Green Hell. And then I came back a year later and did it in an overweight American Police car, but that's beside the point. xD

[@btgmoto]

Hi mate! Thanks for the sub! :D

[@grenphelps7455]

You do know that you can get a kit to get rid of the linked brakes, they sell them at jaws, a black bird specialist,

[@btgmoto]

I'll google for it!

[@danielnewton2821]

Hey bud great video and great lap. Shame you didn’t have new tyres on but I suppose the brakes were a limiting factor anyway

[@btgmoto]

New brake discs are on, which is stopping the forks from bouncing off the bottom as the warped disc grabbed the brakes. Loads better. Still needs tyres and a shock tho!

[@danielnewton2821]

Aaaaaarrrreeggggfhhhh. Please put some tyres on 😬 I don’t care what anybody else says I put the best tyres I can get on my bikes. Every one else can run whatever crap they want but I buy the best I can get. I know all the wankers will come out and give me a hard time but I think it’s cheap insurance. Thanks again for the great video and I can’t wait to see the next one ☝️

[@achraf9946]

Bro you are going crazy fast ! Cold old tires worped brakes and still pushing.

[@btgmoto]

Hahah not really. That was a solid 9 minute lap, the lap record here is 7... but thanks!

[@gordonhutchison9647]

Sold mine last year 2000 model, and regretting it, only had 23,000 miles on the clock, had an arrow exhaust, which sounded awesome.

[@btgmoto]

Wow! 23,000km is nothing. Hopefully you're happy with the new bike!

[@twoeyedbob]

Without a shadow of a doubt this was the best all round bike I ever owned .in red obviously ,late 750 was prettier but 800 was a better bike .😁 Got the vtec powered cross runner now but it ain’t built like a proper Honda of old

[@btgmoto]

I've had my eye on those a while! They look like fun! Would you recommend it?

[@twoeyedbob]

@@btgmoto I like it ,I’ve just never gelled with it in the same way I did with the 97 750 or 2001 800.fitted yss shock and nitron (I think ) fork springs.heavy bugger like all Honda v4’s ,comfy,sounds good with akra ,needs screen upgraded for most as Honda seem to have tested it with a 4ft Japanese guy .😁 Much more flickable than 1200 crosstourer which is a proper teleport machine .

[@miguelherrmann8569]

What exhaust is that? It looks really nice 😊

[@andydutton1566]

Will be watching this closely, got a 98 VFR with 85k miles on, love the thing. Put a maxton shock on it and it changed the bike, wanna do something with the front end, but not really sure if just fork springs or a complete overhaul.

[@btgmoto]

Springs, oil and a service will help. I have to admit, I'm eyeing up CBR600 forks tho.

[@andydutton1566]

@@btgmoto does that mean delinking all the brakes if you fit cbr6 forks?

[@mickeymouse4897]

Great mod for 5th Gen is Firestorm fork internals & upper fork caps, linear 9.5n springs, 7wt oil 100mm air gap, transforms the front end no end as you gain rebound damping adjustment... fork brace makes a noticeable difference too, if u can find one.

[@tvr419]

That looks like fun! Im not really a racer do, and taking my 47 hp Moto Guzzi V7 to the ring doesn't seem like a good plan 😅

[@btgmoto]

The Guzzi can handle a few laps, but the traffic in TF is still tough on a novice track rider

[@bigbadpod]

Man, I need to slow down..I ride like that on the way to work!😅

[@TheZaxx]

The combined braking system on my 2000 VFR800 worked great, but I deleted it. I didn't want the complication and extra weight. Just one of many mods.

[@darksidemoonoi6601]

Greetings from Thailand, excellent video, impressive controlled skill on the bike, could you please tell me which helmet you use, which microphone do you use and which camera you use as your speech is very clear with hardly any wind noise

[@btgmoto]

Osmo Action 3, DJI Mic. Helmet is an Arai RX7V

[@kenlilly-hh8kn]

Hi great video, great old vfr800fi's I also have 99 with 20k miles , what camera are you using. Looking forward to your VFR updates

[@btgmoto]

Thanks! It's a DJI Osmo Action 3

[@197ben]

Very interesting I’m heading there for my first bike visit in August, I can’t decide between taking the gsxr1000 or VFR, nice to see they are capable should I decide on the comfy option

[@btgmoto]

Good choice to have! If you're riding in a public sessions, and it's your first visit, I'd just take the VFR. The GSXR1000 won't go any faster. You could lap it on a CB500 and still not hit full throttle for your first laps ;)

[@btgmoto]

Oh, and thanks for the sub

[@darrenlucas2768]

Great bike buddy.....it's on my list of ownership. Respect for anybody doing the Ring.....it can chew you up and spit you out...been twice myself but,I think I'm done.

[@mattmutane5502]

Nice lap Dale! :D Good to see the old girl earn "the sticker" (though I'd guess you don't bother with that sort of thing - that's for the tourists, right? ;) (you being an honorary local? ;) :D )) Makes me wanna scratch the VFR itch I wish I had at the time and never did, even more!! So, new tyres, de-linked brakes and a replacement (or rebuilt) new shock and you're good to go!? :) (looks like the rear shock was quite limiting in places? (Pflantzgarten in particular!!?? :o )) Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed that immensely!! :) :D Also good to see the old @HideoutLeather jacket still going strong! My old Crowtree is the same, but I have plenty of newer Hideout kit also... FTW!! :) :D

[@btgmoto]

Yeah, the rear shock is a limitation, as is my lack of trust in the tyres. They've been flat-spotted in the middle pretty badly. The hideouts are my old 1-piece suit, made in 2006! I have new leathers coming this year, but that's the subject of a whole video!

[@arrow0872]

As a previous owner of a ‘04 VTEC, I loved this. Such cracking bikes the VFRs. I assume the Daytona 660 plan is no longer, is that the case?

[@btgmoto]

It's still on order, but I've got to ride the demo first

[@cpuuk]

Riding the dream 🙂

[@btgmoto]

Honda: the power of dreams. Also, this colour scheme is to celebrate the 50th anniversay of... the D50, and the D stood for Dream!

[@kjeldsamsung]

Once a again a great vid! I have a question are you now allowed to use a gopro on your helmet and bike?

[@btgmoto]

Pretty sure you're not, I have a Insta GO 3 on standby for when I can't use my lovely 4k DJI Action 3

[@mikefordham6546]

Do you have a PB at the ring ?

[@btgmoto]

Low 7s in cars (I did that for a living), and mid 7s on bikes (when I was younger/dumber)

[@dpajc056]

Big stones to take that on the ring with other tourists cars. I wouldn't dare unless it's the latest modern fully electronically equipped superbike.

[@btgmoto]

Luckily I've been doing dumb stuff like this since before ABS and TCS was available ;)

[@hypermotardking]

how you get back there so quick 😂

[@btgmoto]

I live here! 😄🫡💪

[@hypermotardking]

@@btgmoto oh shit… assumed you were uk based and just darted to the ribg cuz you loved it so much 😂😂

[@btgmoto]

@@hypermotardking That's exactly what I did from 2004 to 2008, but I moved over early '08 and lived here ever since!

[@CunningStuntsGoFast]

@@hypermotardking watch out kal , when we do a lap this summer the virus might catch you too . .

[@hypermotardking]

@@btgmoto im coming last week in May.. maybe you can be my guide 🧐

[@blackline66]

Hi mate. Where are you based?

[@btgmoto]

15 minutes from the 'Ring, but I run tours all over the world

[@dominikv6221]

I am not a big fan of moto, but I must admit that this video was quite cool. I wish you a safe season at NRing. :)

[@btgmoto]

Same to you! And thanks for the sub!

[@BikeThrottleOfficial]

Don’t get into the habit of clutching it up out of the cones. Learned the hard way, gearbox hates it on those.

[@btgmoto]

Well... not sure that's the clutch causing gearbox failures, it's more likely to be forced shifting under full load a couple of times*, exacerbated by a tight chain. I've certainly noticed that hurrying the gearbox on clutchless upshifts on my bike is not an option. Has to be load-unloadALOT-load to get a good shift. Otherwise it can/will pop out or grind. * i.e. shifting while wheelying, but not totally unloading the 'box

[@BikeThrottleOfficial]

@@btgmoto a recently tightened chain was probably the cause but it put me off wheelying one again. For a few days…

[@juliansmith1608]

Don't forget to swap out the front pegs and rear wheel nuts to 6th gen folks.

[@JJsAutomotive]

Children, take your seats. Grandpaw Dale is in session.

[@btgmoto]

Alright there, whippersnapper, now you listen to me... (mumbles incoherently)

[@chr11sf]

👍

[@btgmoto]

🤞

[@magna116]

What could be more dangerous than street riding along with cars in traffic? Riding track with skittish weekend warriors in cars!

[@btgmoto]

I don't think anybody thought the Nurburgring was the safer option ;)

[@jannisya3143]

Dont forget....this is a Stock Bike with any years .... any points at the Nordschleife are dangerous for suspensions...wheels and other...stay sharp on this track

[@btgmoto]

Like I said in the video, I did spanner check it before doing 240kmh 🤣

[@WebbRacingdotcom]

Nice lap on a classic bike. Thanks for the ride, Dale.

[@btgmoto]

Any time! Thanks!