VFR guys - handling question 16" front 18" rear ti

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 3:41 pm

There was a discussion started in Market Watch which will eventually drift off into oblivion because that's how that forum is set up.....

Please, I'd like to hear from anyone with personal knowledge, or a link to what Honda states on the subject.

Quote:

DOHCRob wrote:
So, you want to run an 18" in the rear and a 16" in the front? Have you ever read why Honda dumped that concept they had on the VF Interceptors?

DOHCRob wrote:
I was talking about a 16" front and a LARGER rear in the SAME bike.

Silversurfer1050 wrote:
I understood that.

I had not heard of it being a problem. I heard it resulted in bikes turning in quicker, which I would just see as a performance consideration, personal preference element. I couldn't find "why Honda dumped" it using Google.

What's your take on it?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 3:50 pm

My '84 VF1000F has a 16" front and 17" rear. The '83 VF750F that I had and sold had the 16" front and 18" rear. I like the way both bikes handle and have no issue with them. Keep in mind that I don't race or beat the crap out of them. Perhaps in those applications the tire sizes are an issue. Personally, I love the way my big Interceptor handles and consider it a beast in comparison to my beloved 1100F.

Tom

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 4:22 pm

I road raced both versions of the Interceptors with 16 inch front wheels........... it was a pretty radical change going from a 19 inch front tire like on the 79-82 CB750F's or the 18 inch front tire on lots of other period bikes. It was done for quicker turning which it accomplished and most people liked. The trade off was high speed stability over bumps, the 16 inch tire could be an issue, especially without a steering damper.
Most bikes went to 17 inch tires front and rear by the late 80's, that continues on today.
Honda again tried the 16 inch front tire on the 1993 CBR900R and continued for a few years as well.
Moto GP was using 16.5 inch wheels and tires, until they also went to 17's this year.
I personally liked the 16 inch fronts, but would think tire choices now are fairly limited.

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 5:20 pm

My 5th gen VFR has to be near the top of my favorite of all time bikes. LT1100 was great but stupid at slow speeds, Fs are OK but you guys keep them near the top, CZ was a warrior of great report. VTR 250 was great fun. CBX550f as well.

Whats that got to do with tire size. 21 to 16 in fronts. My long ass cafe 900 had 17s front and rear, it was pretty awesome handling imho. Reduced front rake with inverted, smaller wheel longer wheel base, do the math. It was not a race bike.

Being really a dirt biker I still have the tendency to muscle the front end around so a bit slower steering is not a problem. That combined with smaller front wheel sometimes makes the front feel like its' gonna tuck in at initial push on the bars. That may be paranoia and tuck never really happened. as above just my preference. I'll stick to 17s mostly for tire choice.

Posted: Thu May 19, 2016 6:24 pm

The problem issue is, that with the small diameter 16" and a significantly larger rear, it creates a geometry where the steering becomes "tippely". Yes, it is quick, but the downturn is, that turning beyond a certain point and the bike suddenly "falls" into the turn. This is critical especially at low speed turns, e.g. in parking lots or when making a right turn on red. We had quite a few VFs coming in the shop with damage form the bike falling over like that.

CB1100F Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 2105 Location: Oz

DOHCRob wrote:

We had quite a few VFs coming in the shop with damage form the bike falling over like that.

Probably due to numpty riders I'd wager. The OD of 16" tyre is practically the same as the 17". I've had 16s on both my VF1000F and first gen VFR750F with zero issues both touring and scratching.

Posted: Fri May 20, 2016 8:42 am

You want to have a look over at VFR World, they have a topic that has been running for some years headed "you dropped it how many times?" I think one bloke is up to about 10. Most of these drops are slow car park type of things, doing U turns and the like, moving it around in the shed

CB1100F Joined: Feb 17, 2009 Posts: 2105 Location: Oz

And read about more numptys? No thanks.

Posted: Fri May 20, 2016 1:06 pm

Some of us are blessed with more skills than others.... Rolling Eyes

Posted: Fri May 20, 2016 7:36 pm

They do have a nasty habit of turning in on themselves at low speed. They are top heavy with a full tank of fuel. Just sold mine because it didn't feel like I had control of it when moving slowly

Posted: Fri May 20, 2016 9:11 pm

It has more to do with having a higher center of gravity than a 16" wheel and at low speeds this becomes pronounced.

Captain

Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 5:21 pm

norm wrote:

You want to have a look over at VFR World, they have a topic that has been running for some years headed "you dropped it how many times?" I think one bloke is up to about 10. Most of these drops are slow car park type of things, doing U turns and the like, moving it around in the shed

OK, I'm going to look for the link.

Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 5:23 pm

Captain wrote:

It has more to do with having a higher center of gravity than a 16" wheel and at low speeds this becomes pronounced.

Captain

Interesting point.

Thanks for the replies guys.

Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 5:31 pm

norm - ...this it?

http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/index.php?/topic/80717-just-dropped-my-vfr/#comment-992270

Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 1:13 am

Silver, no that is not it, that is the VFRD site the other is on VFRWorld, looks like about the same stories though. I will see if I can dig up the link

Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 1:20 am

Try this one
http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthread.php/44298-You-dropped-it-how-many-time!?highlight=you+dropped+it+how+many+time

Posted: Mon May 23, 2016 2:13 am

I don't experience any of the issues that everyone is talking about. Circumstantially these are the same as a 17 inch setup. I was concerned but a 120x80x16 is the same diameter as a 120x 60x17

Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 3:23 am

norm wrote:

Try this one
http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthread.php/44298-You-dropped-it-how-many-time!?highlight=you+dropped+it+how+many+time

I couldn't just click the link. I did a search for "dropped" though. They discuss that like the Blackbird guys talk about breaking the tool pouch strap (big rubber o-ring).

...a lot.