I purchased my 2002 VFR (non abs) about 3 years ago. I now have a little over 22 thousand miles on it. I am wondering what types of things I should keep an eye out for or just replace before it bites me (if any). Here are the specifics on the bike.
All recall work done by Honda dealer
Remus Titanium exhaust
No other mods (Seargent seat, diff wind screen but nothing that will effect reliablity)
The bike has performed well with one exception: It has always had a tendancy to stall when "bilpping" the throttle, particularly after a hard run. Other than that the bike has been perfect. I have done nothing but ride it, change the oil, tires, brakes,chain, sprokets., normal stuff.
Just looking to the future maintenance that may be required??
Any input is greatly appreciated
Q
I've also got an '02 that I bought in '07. It's got about 25k miles on it now. The only things you didn't mention are flushing the cooling system and replacing the clutch and brake fluid. Oh yeah, and then there's the issue of having your valves adjusted. They're supposed to be checked every 16k miles beginning at 16k miles. A lot people don't have this job done. For starters, it costs something like $800+ to have the job done at the dealership.
A lot has been said on this forum as to whether or not it's really necessary to have them checked. The general consensus is that it's not necessary and that so long as your bike is running fine, don't worry about it. A number of people that have had theirs checked were usually told everything was in spec. Some people on this forum that did their own valve adjustment job found out that only 2-3 valves were out of adjustment and even then, it was insignificant. Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.
Quinn, I think you could use a starter valve sync along with new spark plugs and an air filter if you haven't already changed them.
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on 31 January 2010 - 09:53 AM, said:
Quinn, I think you could use a starter valve sync along with new spark plugs and an air filter if you haven't already changed them.
I agree with seb....it shouldnt stall on the blip. it really is a great machine in that it doesnt need to be touched much. havin had ait a couple of years, i would definitely do the following:
1. check brake pads
2. flush clutch, brake fluids (and bleed both) and coolant
3. check that all fasteners are tight...they vibrate loose from time to time
4. inspect chain and sprockets for wear....are you lubing/cleaning this from time to time?
I have had my 03 since 05 and besides those things and the ever lessing of wealth that occurs through my tire replacement, i have not done a single thing to my bike for maintenance....gotta love a honda!
The bike should not stall. Check your idle speed........if it's too low it could contribute to this problem.
[image: View Post]johnmark101, on 31 January 2010 - 11:12 AM, said:
The bike should not stall. Check your idle speed........if it's too low it could contribute to this problem.
The stalling would worry me. I don't know what would cause that, but idle speed is an easy adjustment. There is a black plastic knob just above and to the rear of the right side engine cover, you simply turn this.
What is your idle speed at?
I wouldn't worry about the valves, but I would definitely check the chain, and consider flushing all fluids.
Thank you for the input. In reading your replies, here is some additional info:
Chain/Sprockets cleaned and checked regularly
Air Filter is K&N and gets cleaned/re oiled every other oil change
I have tried adjusting Idle to fix the problem of stalling on throttle blip by adjusting the idle.
I was at 1200RPM and went to 1500...still had same problem. I have 3 seasons on the bike now and have never figured out why it does this occasionally ??
As for the valve adjustment...I was told to watch my fuel consumption...the moment it spikes (for the worse) you are probably due an adjustment.
Plugs/wires it could use...Do you think this and a starter valve adjustment could cure the problem w stalling out when blipping the throttle....
My Fiance just bought me a Sergent seat for Xmas - I plan to keep this machine for years to come....
[image: View Post]Quinn, on 31 January 2010 - 04:58 PM, said:
Thank you for the input. In reading your replies, here is some additional info:
Chain/Sprockets cleaned and checked regularly
Air Filter is K&N and gets cleaned/re oiled every other oil change
I have tried adjusting Idle to fix the problem of stalling on throttle blip by adjusting the idle.
I was at 1200RPM and went to 1500...still had same problem. I have 3 seasons on the bike now and have never figured out why it does this occasionally ??
As for the valve adjustment...I was told to watch my fuel consumption...the moment it spikes (for the worse) you are probably due an adjustment.
Plugs/wires it could use...Do you think this and a starter valve adjustment could cure the problem w stalling out when blipping the throttle....
My Fiance just bought me a Sergent seat for Xmas - I plan to keep this machine for years to come....
I didn't mention plugs because they aren't due until 32k. As for traditional spark plug wires, you don't have any. It's not like older bikes with spark plug wires going to a distributor with another wire going from the center of the distributor to a coil. On our bike, each spark plug has it's own coil with electrical wires running from the coil(s) to the ECU. The ECU, in turn, controls the spark.
[image: View Post]Quinn, on 31 January 2010 - 05:58 PM, said:
Thank you for the input. In reading your replies, here is some additional info:
Chain/Sprockets cleaned and checked regularly
Air Filter is K&N and gets cleaned/re oiled every other oil change
I have tried adjusting Idle to fix the problem of stalling on throttle blip by adjusting the idle.
I was at 1200RPM and went to 1500...still had same problem. I have 3 seasons on the bike now and have never figured out why it does this occasionally ??
As for the valve adjustment...I was told to watch my fuel consumption...the moment it spikes (for the worse) you are probably due an adjustment.
Plugs/wires it could use...Do you think this and a starter valve adjustment could cure the problem w stalling out when blipping the throttle....
My Fiance just bought me a Sergent seat for Xmas - I plan to keep this machine for years to come....
Mine has done this twice in the past 6000 miles. Both times while I was pulling into the driveway. I assume she just knows she is home and shuts down for me. No?
My Fiance just bought me a Sergent seat for Xmas - I plan to keep this machine for years to come....
Dude...................If she bought you a Sargent, you need to keep her for years too......... :beer:
Mine has died a few times. It's usually hot / humid outside and I've usually been out on highway and come into city stop / go traffic. It's almost like a short vapor-lock.
ki-speed
[image: View Post]Goosechef, on 31 January 2010 - 05:37 PM, said:
My Fiance just bought me a Sergent seat for Xmas - I plan to keep this machine for years to come....
Dude...................If she bought you a Sargent, you need to keep her for years too......... :beer:
I plan too!! She is one of a kind that really loves motorcycles. On our first date we went on a rather long sport ride - at that time I had a Honda Superhawk. She liked that bike - For the last 3 years with the VFR, it is now hard to romove her from the bike - she loves it. She bought that seat as much for her as she did for me I think.
We went to a pro AMA Supercross race one time - When the gate dropped for the first round, she took a big sniff of the burnt race fuel and said "God I love that smell!"....My friend looked at me and said "does she have a sister?"...Just to be a smart A#$ i said "Yes, but she's ugly and she rides a Harley!"
As for the maintenance advice - Thanks guys....spring can't come soon enough!
Q
[image: View Post]ki-speed, on 31 January 2010 - 08:02 PM, said:
Mine has died a few times. It's usually hot / humid outside and I've usually been out on highway and come into city stop / go traffic. It's almost like a short vapor-lock.
ki-speed
Fuel injected vapor lock, eh? ;p
I honestly don't know what would cause this.
?? As you can see from the comments above I am not the only one experiencing this problem. I have talked to others as well....Never did come up with a solution. I have tried High Octaine fuel, Adjusting Idle...I wish I had an answer to that one.
If the stalling happens after you've been running her hard at high RPMs, I believe the problem is low oil pressure from oil thinning. Try running a heavier weight oil and see if that fixes the intermittant stall issue. The stall issue also happens to race cars from oil thinning.
Flash
[image: View Post]Quinn, on 01 February 2010 - 04:19 AM, said:
We went to a pro AMA Supercross race one time - When the gate dropped for the first round, she took a big sniff of the burnt race fuel and said "God I love that smell!"....My friend looked at me and said "does she have a sister?"...Just to be a smart A#$ i said "Yes, but she's ugly and she rides a Harley!"
LMAO, beautiful!! :+1: on the sister.
[image: View Post]flash1034, on 04 February 2010 - 10:05 AM, said:
If the stalling happens after you've been running her hard at high RPMs, I believe the problem is low oil pressure from oil thinning. Try running a heavier weight oil and see if that fixes the intermittant stall issue. The stall issue also happens to race cars from oil thinning.
Flash
That is VERY interesting. It usually does happen after I have a "spirited" run. Only after the bike is hot and has been at high RPM...What you are saying makes sense, worth a try.
Thank you for the input!
Quinn