VOR info

[diesel59]

I've been looking at the 02 VOR's. They seem like really sweet machines, and everything I have heard so far has been very positive. Would love to get any more info or experience any of you might have. Parts availability, reliability, power delivery etc. I want a bike with lots of power, but don't want that yz 426 type of hit. I need all the power without all the excitement. Bike will primarily be use for desert and some trails. Thanks.

Craig

 

[grissel]

Looks like more Vor's are getting around now in the US and Australia.
Keep a eye on the forums, i think the Vor posts are going to increase.

 

[vntgmx]

if your really serious...buy one....you'll like it....they are very reliable & I can guarantee you'll be the only kid on the block with one :D

 

[weimedog]

I've lived with a couple of 450 Enduro Demo's on and off since last summer. Any questions --- ask.

They are rugged machines. I talked to the dealer who handles the demo in Colorado. They torn it down at aprox 2000 miles. The hard parts were virtually as from the factory. Only visible wear was things like clutch. I know that bike was hammered.

Good handlers and smooth power are also characterisics these bikes have. The rear shock is much better than I expected...better for woods riding than the Ohlins they replaced despite what you may read or hear. That high speed compression adjustment makes the difference. The forks are OK but you need to drop the oil level a little. (email for details) My 2002 hasn't had the time on it yet for me to really know much more.

Any of you folks in this area interested in a VOR are welcome to take a look and even go for a trail ride. I have plenty of space to play trail bike with. (right now its a mud fest...raining and the snow is about gone...WHERE IS THE WINTER!!!! I expected the winter from hell from what the Locals said before we moved here from Colorado....)

My 2001 has been very reliable. I don't even get that "fuzz" on the magnetic plugs anymore. Haven't since around May of 2001. Solid machine. (I have been using Mobil One 15w50 since break in.) The only things I have replaced are tires, plastic, and handle bars. ( a result of crash damage) I did have a few dingers. I posted a bunch relative to real time experience earlier this year in the product review and on this Euro Thread. My opinion hasn't changed. For that matter I've put my money where my convictions are.

Anyone interested in having a VOR directory? A compiled list of folks who have made that step? Info like email, location, basic bike data such as jetting, setup, problems etc? I could keep track of basic stuff if no one else had the time or space.

 

[diesel59]

thanks

Thanks for all the info guys, I think you all are right, more and more Americans are likely going
to catch on to these unique bikes.
Do any of you know how the VOR 530 might compare to say a KTM 520, motor and chassis characteristics. - that KTM seems
to have pretty desireable power for an offroad bike. My buddy just got one yesterday, so I'll probably
be able to find out about it myself. I'm wondering how the VOR would compare, do any of you
know first hand?
Weimedog, I would like to hear more about your 02 as
you get more time on it. I am waiting to see how my tax return goes to determine when I
will make my purchase. The idea of a VOR directory sounds pretty cool, I guess I won't
be much help until I have one though. Also, anyone know of any VOR dealers in the CA area,
I have one (VOR orange county) but would like other options to compare. Thanks again,
Craig

 

[Arby]

For what it is worth Dirt Bike mag just tested 8 thumpers in what they called
middleweight shootout. They tested the 426, DRZ, KTM 400, XR400, TM400,
Husa, VOR and Verm. KTM was their favorite overall. They liked the Husa too. The Vor was a 503 I believe. They loved the motor but I think they said
it was one of the heavier of the bunch and maybe didnt want to turn. But
anyway they did seem to like the VOR.

 

[vntgmx]

hmmmmmmm..... a VOR owners directory...sounds good to me....I'd be in..let us know...

the dirt bike test was the '02 450 enduro...faired pretty well imo...lets face it VORs are for very few folks....but thats doesn't make em bad just unique!!

 

[Arby]

I am pretty sure that the VOR was not the 450, because they mentioned
the fact that the VOR had the highest horsepower of the bunch because
it was the 503cc. They may have mentioned that a 450 was coming. I
wish they had the new Cannondale E440, the Husky and the Gas Gas to
include in the test.

 

[weimedog]

The VOR in the Dirt Bike test was a 530. The 530 Enduro is a real mellow tune. Its setup to have a nice bottom to midrange powerband. Guess what...It does. It still has the same 38mm carb the smaller VOR's have which may limit the top end some in favor of low end power. Even so it (predictably) made the most HP of any bike in that test. But the real key here is the VOR made its best power (Over 40HP) from 5500 RPM to 8500RPM with the peak at 7000 RPM. For comparison, the Yamaha and TM didn't get to 40HP until over 7500 RPM and reved out until almost 11,000 RPM. The power bands are just completely different with a completely different focus. They had a power peak of 46.7HP for the VOR. The next highest was a Vertimatti at 45.1HP. I have to believe that no one would really notice the difference in peak power between the VOR, Vertimatti, and TM. They would notice the difference in type of power and location of the power in the RPM range more. I think the Dirt Bike guys did the right kind of thing because the mix of motorcycles, their focus and capabilities were just so diverse. Hard to make a comparison from a competitive sense so they just reported the characterisitics of each motorcycle. I can't imagin trying to anything different...

I hope that a hop-up shop digs into a 530 someday. There is big HP potential in those motors for desert guys, super motard guys, circle track racers, etc. Motors can be had from VOR to build around.

My 450 does turn quite well. Those VOR's are also very stable. I ride mine in the really tight stuff, open field grass track, and I have a field where I have topped 80MPH with that 450. It works very well in the grass track sections. Very forgiving bike.

The one thing you have to do is check that the oil level in the forks is no more than 4.7 inches from the top (compressed and all that). If you don't the front rides a little too high. I also slide my forks up in the triple clamps "one" ring on the 2002 and 2 rings on the 2001. (THREE on the 2000's!)

The Enduro with all the lights, battery, e-start is heavier than the 2001's. But they turn much better anyway. Mostly because the 2002's have tighter geometry, you can slide way forward without interfering with the shrouds on the 2002's, and the 2002 VOR carries its weight really low.

Actually the Dirt bike test didn't say anything about handling. For that matter they didn't imply any handling characteristic, instead they focused on the ergo's and motor which they liked. They only critisized its weight. My bet is a more extensive test will happen in the future. A 2002 VOR feels lighter than the 2001's when you ride it even though its gained over 15 lbs. Its very easy to change directions on the new ones. I only feel the extra weight when I have to hual it out of a mud hole or from a brush pile.

I personally prefer the 450 over the 530. The 450 is more than enough power for me and I like the power delivery of a 450. Anymore would just tire me out.

But these are my opinions....different strokes for different folks..

 

[diesel59]

Good info weimedog, Do you have any ideas for dealers in the CA area? Right now I am in touch with VOR orange county,
but would like to have some options. Also, how would you compare the VOR 530 to the KTM 520. I am accustomed
to bikes in the area of 600cc, so I like lots of power - but I like it smooth. Thanks again for all the great replies, keep them coming.

Craig

 

[grissel]

Ive had my 2002 530en for 2 weeks now, awesome bike but like all bikes they need dialing in. The rear feels fine but i cant get it to turn into a sharp rutted corners like i would like.It wants to push but if i turn in more it will understeer and dive on me. My forks are set to 12mm from top of triple clamp to top of fork.
Also the speedo cable bracket on the enduro model is only wire tension bracket that sits in a grove in the fork leg. This is prone to pop of (6 times now) and end up in your wheel, but i download the vor manuel in pdf and it shows the speedo as a digital unit with a magnet pickup. but ive only got the cable drive facomsa unit? The 400, 450, and 530 share the same carburettor,a 38mm Dell'Orto but this maybe ok for the 400 or 450 but seems
a little small for 525cc. And now a tip for you home mechanics, the vor users a Cu Be2 valve seat, this material is known to be cancer causing so if you do your own head work, wear a mask and gloves if you are doing the seats.
As weimedog has pointed out, these engines have great prossibilities to make serious power, and a register or web site on part interchanging and owner mods would be good. ie I cant find a list of the different cam grinds and specs as we used to build our drag motors on a program called Dynamation. You could change cams, header sizers and lengths, compression, rod length then run a cycle on the program to give a hp torque curve. we would then build these motors (v8 chevs) and dyno them, and the hp would be 3 to 5 hp from what Dynamation said. But it is a complicated program and you need flow figures for your head. I saw a Vor 503 2001 supermotard at my dealer getting a full giannelli exhaust and 41mm keihin fcr carb fitted. i think the owner will dyno it and i will try to get the figures.

 

[iainross]

I'm about to buy a new bike and am seriously considering a vor. A local dealer has 2 2001 503 enduros which are in my price range but I have a few questions.

Are they really as easy to start as everyone says and how about if you stall them?

I've only been riding off-road for a few months (but several years on road) and want something that won't punish mistakes too much. The dealer says the vor is quite forgiving. Is this right?

At the moment I take the car to work but there is a possibilty of a change of job later in the year. This could mean getting stuck in traffic or using the bike for a 20 mile commute including 10 miles of dual-carriageway. Will the vor cope with this in terms of reliability and maintenance, and will I cope with the bike on this sort of journey. I can only afford 1 bike and I know I will have to compromise somewhere. I might be able to run to a second set of wheels though.

I'm riding mainly woods and trails on an old kdx200 at the moment but hope to try an enduro later in the year.

Iain