VFR 750 Voltage Issue, Please Help!!

Hi all,

So the bike (vfr 750 '95) wouldn't start the other day due to the battery having run flat. As I have just replaced the reg/rec I assumed the battery had suffered and was not holding its charge, I tested it and confirmed this. So I went on my merry way to pick up a new battery at my local garage.

After they installed the battery we fired up the bike and tested the voltage which showed 15.5. The guys told me that was way to high (all lights were off) and that it should be showing 14.4v max. We assumed that the new reg/rec was faulty so tried another which also showed 15.5.

As the bike was in warranty at the dealer I bought it from I called them up and asked them what I should do as I had been advised not to ride it as I would burn out the new battery. I ended up having to fork out 80 quid for a van to get it over to the dealer. Two days later I get a call from the dealer telling me that the voltage is within normal limits and that the bike is fine.

I'm now down a new battery and 80 notes for the carriage, and the dealer is telling me there's nothing wrong with the bike. The warranty is up this month and I'm due to pick up the bike on Monday so before I do I just wanted to check if anyone has had this issue or can enlighten me as to what the correct voltage range should be on a '95 750 when running.

This has been a huge and costly ball ache and this is way above my home mechanic skills, I have one bike shop telling me one thing and another telling me the opposite. If anyone can help me out I'd be hugely appreciative!

Thanks in advance!

The Honda Shop Manual (admittedly an American version I have) for the VFR750 FR-FV model quotes 13.5 - 16.0 volts at 5,000 rpm with a warm engine and charged battery. (test on page 15-5). The same appears in the Specifications on p 1-14.
So, the 15.5 you were told is within the manual specs..
However, that does seem a bit high to me, and I'd be keeping an eye on the battery acid level and measuring the charging voltage every day to make sure it didn't go higher.
I don't understand why you should be the cost of a battery down if the bike is under warranty. I trust the R/R was fitted under that too.
I suggest you buy a Haynes manual to have these details for yourself, or a Honda Shop Manual.
As a final comment, why not make use of the more local www.bikersoracle.com/vfr site based in the UK? There are excellent techy articles there to combine with those here. Say "Hello" to me there.
HTH

I think you're good to go. Mine does 15.3/4 when it stars up and goes down to 14.7 within 15 to 20 seconds. The thing to look for his how LONG it stays at 15.5. I've had a Suzuki GSXR 750 R/R on my 750 for over 4 years with no problems. If I'm not riding it (or on a road trip) it's on a Battery Tender. Probably the single best thing one can do to prolong battery life.

+1 to the bikersoracle vfr site, lots of good info from across the pond.

I think you can download a service manual here for your gen. I find it very useful.

Some things to consider: if the shop says 15.5 is fine, then it sounds like they'll be happy to fix anything if they're wrong. I'd also strongly recommend a voltmeter of some type. R/R's can reek havoc, and I always feel better knowing the status of mine. I've read too many horror stories.

Since 15.5 is within spec (per Steve), then I say roll it. But I'd act quickly if it ever creeps up.