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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
Posts: -1,167, Visits: 2 |
| I picked up my 2003 VFR in late May and now have about 1600 miles on it, so it should be just about broken in nicely by now. I'm not experiencing the same level of joy and satisfaction as the rest of the reviews I've read on this site. Don't get me wrong, I love the bike, use to have a 2001 F4I, and this one is so much more comfortable to ride. But I can't help but feel that something is not right with this bike. Shifting from first to second and then sometimes into third is never as smooth as I would like, seems like no matter what I try, I just can't find the sweet spot. I spoke to another 2003 VFR rider that I happened to meet briefly one day and he told me that he changed his sproket to a 16 tooth (may have been a 14 tooth, I can't remember) and this helped greatly; according to him. I was rushed, he was on the way in and I was on the way out, so I didn't get as many details as I would have liked. Can anyone elaborate on this type of fix or cure. Another thing I don't like is the way the motor sounds "tinny" under acceleration, is this normal for a V4? This is my first V4 so I don't have a clue. The bike also seems to get a little slugish around the 5500 to 5800 RPM mark, giving it a little juice when I feel the bike do this takes care of the problem, but it dsen't like to cruise in this RPM range. Maybe I need to take the bike back to the dealer and have one of their techs take it for a test ride, or maybe I just need more time to get use to it. But I can't help but feel that something ain't right. Any response(s) would be greatly appreciated, I want to start feeling the "love" for the bike like the rest of you do. Ciao for now.
Ari |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
Posts: -1,167, Visits: 2 |
| I bought a 2002 interceptor, still new out of the box about 3 weeks ago, and have 16,500 miles on it. It was pretty well broken in by the 600 mile oil change, which i did myself. This is the first "sport" bike i have ever ridden, and I love every mile of ridding it. Befor this, I had owned 2 gold wings, and ridden many many other street/cruiser bikes all over the country. With that said, I feel the shifting is quite smooth with the VFR, even compared to the gold wings. (Just my opinion.) I must admit, though, it does take a certain level of controll and ease by the operator to make it smooth. The VFR's trans and clutch system seem very tight, so lazy and thoughtless shifting can cause a little jerking through the gears. As far as your bike seeming a little sluggish around 5 to 6 grand, I partially agree. the new VFR's do have some downfalls, and thats one of them. Honda claimes that the VTEC system ensures more low end tourque and power, but if you read very many reviews, since Honda started using it on the VFR last year, there has been very little, if any power increasein the lower RPM ranges, along with little or no fuel millage increase. HOWEVER, this dosn't change the fact that I LOVE the bike! This winter, I plan to make some minor modifications, including Staintune exhuast and a Power Commander. Im expecting this will help a little with lower rpm power, and plus, should get rid of that infamous tinny sound you too complain of! (Stock exhaust systems in my opinion are always tinny, probably due to the massive thick metals used, and tight emmisions/noise restrictions.)
Alan |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
Posts: -1,167, Visits: 2 |
| Hmmm... just want to make a correction... did I say 16,500??? IN 3 WEEKS?!?!?!?! Naw... I meant 1,650. That would be more than amazing, even on a GL1800!
Alan |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
Posts: -1,167, Visits: 2 |
| I too am a little dissapointed in my vfr-vtech. Almost turned it around to take back to the dealer after picking it up. Forget about smooth shifts and it runs very sluggish around the 5500 rpm range. Not at all comfortable on the bike pulling gears from a stand-still..it feels like it wants to stall when I start out..really have to work the throttle to prevent stalling. Stay above 6000 rpm on the twisties and highway and it runs like a champ. Anxious to see how it runs after the first scheduled checkup but so far very disappointed. Hoping your vtech runs better than mine.
greg |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
Posts: -1,167, Visits: 2 |
| 1)Go to www.vfrdiscussion.com for a lot of discussion of the problems you've mentioned.
2) I've heard of the hard shift from 1st to 2nd, but I don't think changing a sprocket will help that. I changed to Mobil 1 oil and that improved my shift quality somewhat.
3) I've never heard of the "tinny" problem, vibrating heat shield?
4) The flat spot you describe between 5500 & 5800 is normally noted in the 4000 range. It's probably due to a lean fuel mixture which could be helped by a Power Commander.
I have a 2001 non-VTEC VFR so I'm not an expert on your bike, but from what I've read the new VTEC bike is sweet handling but the engine has a few bugs.
Brian Fletcher |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
Posts: -1,167, Visits: 2 |
| Hey Ari, I had a 2002 vfr until it got stolen last month, and it was the best bike I've ever owned. Mine also had the same problems as yours except for the exhaust sound(maybe a loose bolt on the heat shield?). The dip in the rpm I'm told is normal for all bikes because the manufacturers have to make it conform to noise and pollution regulations, but the power commander should clear it up. For me, I didn't change the exhaust pipes because the power lag didn't really bother me, and it's really expensive.As for the shifting problem, I don't think changing sprockets will do anything for shifting. It took me a while, but I found that pre-loading the shifter before pulling the clutch in helped, or I just power-shifted.Also I switched to Motul semi-synthetic oil, and this helped tremendously. It really was a great bike, so enjoy it!
Roy |
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Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 3/5/2007 10:44:31 AM
Posts: -1,167, Visits: 2 |
| To be quite honest the VFR is quite hard to get used to, I have a 99 and a 02, and the difference is minimal. If you used to riding a straight high performance street bike, such as a CBR or GSX-R, the VFR is going to feel very different. The gentleman whos spoke of the gears being tight is correct. The VFR is a bike you have to be tough with. I have ran the hell out of my 02 and have gotten nothing but good feedback. The only problem i have had is the bike just stalling out like some have mentioned, and what scares me is that it has done it on the highway. Aside from that maybe not so small problem, this is by far one if not the best bike i have riddin. Only thing they messed up on was the vtech and that it's not a 1000.
Tim Perez |
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