2014 Vfr Caution

I've seen a couple of emails on the google VFR list saying the same thing. One fellow had an issue on a test ride.

Woah, that is a potential nightmare situation for Honda. I'll be keeping up with this for sure! Those wheels look fantastic, but there is no excuse for this.

That's pathetic.

Looks like we are on the brink of a major lawsuit/recall

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Really? That's surprising.

In our CAD/CAM world, and the number of years Honda has been building motorcycles, one would think that it would be fairly straightforward to design a set of new wheels.

I mean, they know the stresses involved, and have a wealth of information about existing wheel designs, and the strength they offer.

Durability and materials testing is absolutely a standard part of the production process, so WTH happened?

And, before anyone says anything, yes, I know, the wheels are manufactured by Enkei for Honda, but the same things apply.

Enkei is a major wheel manufacturer for cars and have been supplying Honda MC wheels for a long while.

RECALL !!!!

And WELCOME ....

Surprised they claim the wheels are bent but you never noticed any difference in handling. Odd situation and a major bummer on a brand new ride.

Can you detail how it was bent and what exactly to look for please?

y2kvfr

I've seen a couple of emails on the google VFR list saying the same thing. One fellow had an issue on a test ride.

Links? Cant find any trace of these.

Wow that is concerning. I love the wheels on the VFR as well those dark gold with thin spokes look fantastic. I didn't check mine before trading it back in 2 days later but I should have. Did you get the Deluxe or Standard? Hows the ride quality, I had all sorts of problems with the front suspension and with no adjustability I couldn't tolerate it.

I cant find anything about this subject but here. Id be interested in the links to.

i had a good look at mine and cant see anything wrong, only had it days though.

I will be looking out now.

Like any manufacturing it might be just a bad batch so could be a very limited number of wheels but it would be very disconcerting because a wheel failure can cause major rider damage so if there is a problem you would think Honda will action something very quickly. They do extensive testing & if the wheels had a design floor surely it would have shown up during testing because they don't just ride on smooth hot mix.

dfh

y2kvfr

I've seen a couple of emails on the google VFR list saying the same thing. One fellow had an issue on a test ride.

Links? Cant find any trace of these.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/vfr-list

It is a closed/moderated list, but here is a direct link (not sure it will work w/o a subscription):

8th gen wheel thread - Looks like Relic started the thread there as well.

zRoYz

Like any manufacturing it might be just a bad batch so could be a very limited number of wheels but it would be very disconcerting because a wheel failure can cause major rider damage so if there is a problem you would think Honda will action something very quickly. They do extensive testing & if the wheels had a design floor surely it would have shown up during testing because they don't just ride on smooth hot mix.

For sure, Honda did make the wheels ..

y2kvfr

dfh

y2kvfr

I've seen a couple of emails on the google VFR list saying the same thing. One fellow had an issue on a test ride.

Links? Cant find any trace of these.

https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/vfr-list

It is a closed/moderated list, but here is a direct link (not sure it will work w/o a subscription):

8th gen wheel thread - Looks like Relic started the thread there as well.

Can't get in, can you cut/paste so we can see? With Relic starting both threads my step with caution light is flickering on

I sent this thread to the 1 Dutch owner I know of a new 2014; he inspected his rims and sees nothing untowards. May that stay that way!

"With Relic starting both threads my step with caution light is flickering on", I agree, with no other sources yet I will watch for more examples but not condemn an entire new cycle model. Id be interested in seeing a photo of the wheels in question.

I am very skeptical about this.

Both wheels and the tire are damaged. Does not sound like a defective wheel. It would take a severe impact to damage the tire.

A new owner hits a curb hard, goes to dealer, is he going to admit causing the damage?

Was there too little air in the tire?

Was the bike test driven by others?

Years ago I worked for a major tire manufacturer, you would be amazed at the claims customers made when they brought tires in that blew out. In all those years I could always find a puncture in a blown out tire regardless of who made it, they were usually near the blow out, and on a close belt. Another was sidewall bulges and bent rims with obvious damage from potholes, curbs, etc. There are a few new VFR owners in the UK who have had there bikes for weeks now, see if any of them comment.

Mine comes in next week, I already have a VIN number and my insurance set up, all i need now is for it to show up at the dealer.

SHvar

"With Relic starting both threads my step with caution light is flickering on", I agree, with no other sources yet I will watch for more examples but not condemn an entire new cycle model. Id be interested in seeing a photo of the wheels in question.

On the VFR List thread Relic started, another person (also in Canada) reported the same sort of thing after he "hit a couple of expansion joints" on a test ride... :unsure:

Ciao,

well gen8 owners are waiting for some photos or explanation.........................

Anyone in Europe who has seen the same damage? They've had the bike for an extra few weeks. So far I hear crickets.... Maybe someone took that one for a very wild test ride, and you wonder why almost all dealers dont allow test rides.

Well i am still waiting to see the damage!! You ride a bike to the dealer for a service and you dont know you have bent wheels and a knackered tyre?. Hope relic posts back soon.

SHvar

Anyone in Europe who has seen the same damage?

Shouldn't we be hearing from the Down-Under contingent? I thought that's where Honda does its beta testing?

I'm Downunder and there's nothing wrong with mine.

Found out that Honda is promoting these rims as special. They are hollow aluminium which in this very statement does not make me think they are strong. I am awaiting a recall so hopefully I can get my $2,400 back.

Why are you awaiting? Have you not contacted Honda Canada and Honda Japan? :unsure:

Relic

Found out that Honda is promoting these rims as special. They are hollow aluminium which in this very statement does not make me think they are strong. I am awaiting a recall so hopefully I can get my $2,400 back.

Honda is promoting the whole bike as special. Its called marketing. Who are the wheels made by? Hollow cast wheels are not new tech & have a good record in service. You stated that the front tyre was inspected & found to be damaged. Had you checked the tyre pressure prior to riding the bike? If the tyre was inflated correctly & its sustained damage then its pretty obvious you hit something substantial on the road & you should be contacting your insurance company rather than screaming product defect.

Not a good start !!

The cbr1000rr rims are hollow and have been for years.

Yup my R1 front wheel is hollow as well. Even with the huge brakes, it weighs the same as the Vfr wheel! I have been throwing big clutch up wheelies at it all day every day and haven't broken it yet lol XD

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The wheels on the CBR600f4, f4i, 600rr, 929, 954, 1000, etc from about 1999 on are all hollow spoke cast aluminum alloy wheels, also the VFR1200 has them. In fact kawasaki, yamaha, and suzuki have used them as well many others on most of their sport bikes and other cycles for several years. This just happens to be the first VFR800 with hollow spoke cast aluminum alloy wheels.

I'm a bit skeptical about this.

A don't think a rim can damage a tyre.

Tyre and rim damage is from hitting something bloody hard.

I replaced my rear rim not long ago after hitting a huge hole, front went over it as I was gunning it.

It wasn't a crack or anything, but a dent on the left side, tyre was fine.

I suspect it hit something by owner, or before he got it.

Or someone who test rode it hit something (another reason I dont like test ridden cycles).

Yeah I have a dent in my old factory front wheel. The tire was fine after the impact and stayed balanced and held air fine.

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Time to update and close this issue.

There are only 2 incidents that I am aware of.

The dealer is supporting me and has never seen this before. He has still not received wheels from Honda to replace the ones he gave me of another showroom unit.

I had an engineer look at the wheel. He felt it should be given to a metallurgist to X-ray and examine. Too much money.

Someone said it could be a development wheel, I have unit #9.

A claim has been made to Honda, no reply I am aware of.

Insurance covered part of the damage, of course Honda did not.

I am the only person to drive this bike as I was there when it was taken out of the crate.

The pressures were checked when we took it out of he crate.

I am done. The bike is great and I am enjoying driving it.

Thanks for all the comments people have taken the time to provide, both positive and negative.

I'm taking delivery of my 8th Gen today. I am in New York City where the pavement maintenance makes most third world countries laugh hysterically, so if anything will be a test of the bike's fortitude this will be it. I'll chime in if and when I notice anything worrisome.

Most 3rd world countries donot have pavements, just dirt..... :-)

But having visited NYC twice, I catch your drift...

Dirt here would be an improvement over the pavement, especially after the damage wrought by this past winter.

Let's see if my wheels are still straight and intact by 8pm. That would be about three hours of riding. :wink:

I am in New York City where the pavement maintenance makes most third world countries laugh hysterically, so if anything will be a test of the bike's fortitude this will be it.

Ever driven on many Pennsylvania roads, my last trips to NY state I enjoyed how smooth some of your roads were in comparison (at least from what I saw from the PA line all of the way to Syracuse). I regularly get bumped around pretty hard on many of our roads, sometimes its part of the fun to dodge potholes riding in PA (not really). Im sure NYC has plenty of nice "tank traps" to negotiate while riding also.

Dutchy

Why are you awaiting? Have you not contacted Honda Canada and Honda Japan? :unsure:

+1 Do not wait ! Call now.