From all of the surfing I have done on the forum over the past year and a half, I do not seem to recall many R/R or stator failures on 2001 model year 5th gens - which is what I own and thus the interest. I'd like to formally collect data on this (as has been done with the 6th gens) and make an educated decision on proactively doing something with my bike, or leaving it alone.
As of 11,000 miles there have been no issues on my 2001, even after adding an aux fuse panel, GPS, Stebel, and grip heaters.
Hopefully the information proves useful to other 5th gen owners out there!
My R/R died at around 45,000 miles. The stator on a friend's 99 5th gen just fried itself. I don't know anyone over here with a Y2K 5th gen. I replaced the R/R with what they told me was the improved version of...so perhaps that's what the Y2K 5th genners have and they solved the problem. The R/R is definitely different in shape... the fins get progressively higher from the edge to the middle. Wierd to see the stator go on the 99er... the early VTECs were/are more famous for that.
Did not Vote as there's no option for No Failure. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
Had several 5th gen and have almost 70k on my 6th gen with no issues(not on wood) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)
Mine is a '99 with 30,000 miles and the r/r crapped out at about 29,000 miles. I replaced it with a new OEM part.
My RR shorted out at about 20,000 miles. Replaced with an aftermarket part. I've always had low voltage problems (12.5 to 13v), and last year replaced the stator. Still low voltage, finaly replaced all the conectors, stator to RR and RR to battery, with hard wired system, and voltage 14v.
Basically when the RR starts to go south you will find that your batteries seem to be going bad before their time. Then your bike will get you from point A to point B but you will not make it from point B back to A.
BrittC, Feb 20 2009, 02:16 PMFrom all of the surfing I have done on the forum over the past year and a half, I do not seem to recall many R/R or stator failures on 2001 model year 5th gens - which is what I own and thus the interest. I'd like to formally collect data on this (as has been done with the 6th gens) and make an educated decision on proactively doing something with my bike, or leaving it alone.
As of 11,000 miles there have been no issues on my 2001, even after adding an aux fuse panel, GPS, Stebel, and grip heaters.
Hopefully the information proves useful to other 5th gen owners out there!
This survey is a great idea - maybe it will help figure which years are more prone to eat the electrics.
MD
I didn't vote either as I have not had any problems with either of my Y2Ks. One is showing about 23k and the other about 14K. In addition to the cat and smaller headers the '00 and '01s also have slightly different wiring with regard to the R/R circuit. I don't know what the differnce entails but they seem to have fewer failures than the '98-99' models.
What a timely survey. I've bought a 2001 with 13k km on it in mint condition in Darwin!
The greatest concern to me self delivering the 4,500 km home is the worry of the RR giving troubles, and not having the facilities to overhaul the electrics before the trip begins.
Looks like I can forget that being trouble and worry about the water and potholed roads throughout Queensland and Northern Territory due to massive rains. And of course there is my poor old arthritis riddled knees and back.
there should be a no problem option added for this to mean anything at all.
you notice you only have 14 votes, out of at 147 views. so maybe max 10% of the bikes actually have had this problem at all.
98 no problems 13.9 volts out at 3,100
Well,
It would be great to have accurate statistics on these subjects. To know how many VFR's were actually sold each year and what the failure rates really are.
It is very interesting to hear folks chime in with their personal experience.
Got my 01 in Dec of 02. Honda Milpitas had 01, 02, and 03 models on the floor. I got the last new 01. I have 55K with no electrical failures on the bike. So the real punch line here is that the bike has the ORIGIONAL battery.
Don't be like me and treat your bike(s) like farm implements.
Spring is just around the corner,
Cheers, .. ... .. . .
MikeC
Baileyrock, Feb 20 2009, 02:45 PMDid not Vote as there's no option for No Failure. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
Had several 5th gen and have almost 70k on my 6th gen with no issues(not on wood) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)
Shut your mouth!! lol
2000-2001 has the same style R/R as the 2002+ models do, in regards to having a sensor wire.
I have sold maybe 3 2000-2001 R/Rs, but I have sold probably 20 1998-1999 models. Same is true for the VFRness....many more 98-99 sold than 00-01
My 1st 98 had 10,500m and a dead r/r when purchased, (Thanks VFRD for the heads up when shopping) . Deer smashed that one. The 2nd 98 had 6500m when purchased died at 11,800m. Should I vote twice? LOL.
Some thought needs to be give on how the system was maintained through out its service.
Flip
My 98s R/R went out a few months ago with only about 20,000 miles on the clock. Then on Christmas day the connectors on the new one went up in smoke. Now I've got one thats hardwired in place and everything seems to be going well. I didn't shop R/Rs as much as I probably should have though, I just took what they said was the newer replacement, and all i can remember about the difference between the two is that they're a different color. Fins on the new one are probably bigger, but my memory sucks.
99'
Replaced the R/R 4 times total. The first 2 times were with the same OEM part. The third time was an alternate manufacture the last time was the OEM upgrade (big fins) and that's when the stator and wiring harness (due to a crash) got replaced.
Also the R/R plug has been replaced with a wire connection block since the plug showed some discoloration due to heat.
So far so good!
Guess I'm an anomaly... had to replace the stator on my 2000 at about 50K.
That said it may have been precipitated by a loose battery connection. Why did I let a dealer install the battery again?
R/R at about 60,000 km
Replaced with one from a 2004 CBR600RR
Will a '00-'01 R/R work on a '98? What does the sensor wire sense?
No vote by me, yet.
My '00 has over 80k miles, so I won't be too surprised if something fails. Nothing is forever.
I do have a spare r/r, though seldom carry it with me, unless on a long, multi-state trip.
Have replaced the battery a couple of times and have a spare at home on a charger, just in case. Heat, cold and vibration will kill a battery, as will lack of use, like during all the crappy weather we've been having.
I wonder if the use of additional electrical gear, like heated clothing and grips (I have both), affect the life of the stator. Anyone care to offer their knowledge on this?
My opinion,
Alot has to do with how well the stator leaves the factory, and vibration and heat breaks down the shilac. There was some say that certain synthetics oils cleaning ability also is hard on the shilac. If you notice most stators fry at there upper end , seems they run hotter in that area.
My Last bike, fried a stator at 20,000 mile , the longest I ever heard anyone go on that bike to failure was about 29,000 mile, and as little as 5,000 mile. The bike was run exclusive on castrol R4 , staor was immensely clean, but it did fail as a result of the shilac breaking down at the 2 oclock position on one of the coils.
For the most part VFR stators seem to be fairly sound , The RR's the issue. My 06 ABS is pushing 55,000 mile, and is completely stock, no blues connector fix or nothing.
I run electrics, and havent seen any detriment as of yet, I recently checked my charge wire and its in great shape.
I also have a radar dector which reads voltage, it varies from 13.8 to 15 volt. as the RR seems to adjust as you go, that probably takes load off the wiring from too much sustained current IMO, as many seem to bypass this and direct wire.
No issue for me as of yet.
I did replace the battery at 45,000 mile, cause it got weak
Since I could only vote once: My 98 RR failed and replaced it with a Electrosport unit which fried in a week. Replaced that with the updated OEM Honda unit and had no more problems after that with charging. I also did some wire mods to the battery.
When I got my 01, it was having charging issues too, but it was the stator. Replaced it with one from Ricks and did the same wire mods from RR to battery and grounds and have had no problems since. (knock on wood)
End of thread · 22 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 6 Mar 2009