New to the Interceptor

[katat58]

Ok folks - talk at me. I've just purchased my first Honda, the 06 Interceptor and am new to this forum. So far I am pleased with the bike but it does take some getting use to. I was riding a Suzuki Kanatuna for the past two years and wanted something with more up to date technology, comfort and looks. Now I read in this forum that the 06 has had some problems with power transitions and a recall on wiring harnesses. Would some of you please update me. I purchased a two year warranty with the bike so the harness should be covered if need be. I've yet to receive an owners manual with the bike but one is supposed to be coming (so the dealer says). What type of oil is required and how often should the valves be adjusted? This is a great forum and the VFR rules!!!!

[WhiteKnight]

Welcome to the group Katat. The wiring harness was a recall and your dealer should be able to take care of that, if it has not already been done to your bike.

Regular dino oil, as long as there are no friction reducing additives in it, will do just fine. Someone else will correct me if I am wrong, but I think the valve adjustment schedule is every 16,000 miles. The power transition is the RPM (6000 I think) where the VTEC kicks in. Some poeple like it some don't, some think it is a harsh transition. I have heard that a Power Commander 3 (PCIII) can reduce the harshnesss or eliminate it altogether, but I have not ridden a 6th gen, so I cannot confirm nor deny that.

[drewl]

Welcome aboard. If you bought the bike from a dealer, the recall may have already been done. I believe most dealers make a punch mark on the vin tag after the number to signify the work. If not, ask the dealer. They should take care of it for you.

[GreyVF750F]

Do not use automotive oil in your motor. Use oil made for motorcycles only and you'll have a better shifting trans and longevity on the motor. The auto oils don't have the amount polymers, zinc or phosphorus to protect the metal to metal contact parts. The transmissions use the engine oil for lubrication. That's were the rub comes in. The meshing of the gears breaks the polymers down the fastest and takes away on the protection of the oil. DO NOT use any additive,no matter what they say, because it will most like play havoc with your clutch plates. My 83 has 52k on with the original cams and no oil line mods except and updated (larger) oil line banjo bolt from Honda. (service bulletin). The bike has basically used Spectro/Golden Spectro oil in it it's whole life. This oil was formulate for motorcycles only. I knew one of the guys that helped formulated it and he started my education years ago on oils. I tried auto oil once. After 500 miles I drained it and never used it again. Here's a site for basic/advance oil info. Bob Is The Oil Guy
But he dosen't get in to the properties for motorcycles that I have found. Welcome to the life of Honda, their great bikes, the V's.

[porcupine73]

Welcome and congratulations! If you register free at Honda's ahm-ownerlink.com and you can download your owners manual in PDF format. (If you want a fresh printed copy you can get that from helminc.com)

The power transition thing you mentioned is the VTEC engaging. It engages at around 6800 rpm on my '07; other years I think are a little different. On my '07 anyway if I am on the throttle more than 1/3 or so it feels like a slight power loss for about one second before it kicks in, then it sounds like you just went wide open after VTEC engages. If just gently on the throttle and letting it ride up rpms slowly the VTEC engagement seems very smooth but then if you are on throttle that light no need to let the rpms climb that high anyway.

[katat58]

Thanx guys for the info. I've already blocked off the Pair valve as per this forum and the transition when the V-Tech kicks in is so much smoother. Yes, I too notice a slight hesitation if your light on the throttle, however, if you really get on it the hesitation is minimal if noticeable at all. Ok dino oil it is. No one specified what weight to use, which is???? I used 10-40 in my Katana and it was oil air cooled, that's what Suzuki recommended. And no, I've never used automotive oils in any of my bikes. I'm calling the dealer Monday to inquire bout the wiring harness. Was this recall initiated by Honda for all dealers to comply with and do the dealers charge you for the labor or does Honda pick up the tab. They should!!

[katat58]

Hey everybelly

Just did a search on the wiring harness recalls. It only effects 2002-2005 models, so I'm good to go, got an 06. To initiate the search just type in - wiring harness recall honda interceptor - you'll get all the info you need.

[mello dude]

Originally Posted by katat58

Thanx guys for the info. I've already blocked off the Pair valve as per this forum and the transition when the V-Tech kicks in is so much smoother. Yes, I too notice a slight hesitation if your light on the throttle, however, if you really get on it the hesitation is minimal if noticeable at all. Ok dino oil it is. No one specified what weight to use, which is???? I used 10-40 in my Katana and it was oil air cooled, that's what Suzuki recommended. And no, I've never used automotive oils in any of my bikes. I'm calling the dealer Monday to inquire bout the wiring harness. Was this recall initiated by Honda for all dealers to comply with and do the dealers charge you for the labor or does Honda pick up the tab. They should!!

oils - well how often do you plan to change oil? Dino good, synth better. Opinions everybody has one. Do a search and read to your hearts content.

MD

[katat58]

I plan on changing oil and filter every three thousand miles. Yes I know synthetic is better and you can use it with longer intervals. I've done a ton of research on oils and pretty much have my own opinions as to what I'm going to use. I purchased a prepaid maintenance plan for the next 36 months and will have the dealer doing all required maintenance. Just curious as to what weight oil is required for the Interceptor?

[mello dude]

Originally Posted by katat58

I plan on changing oil and filter every three thousand miles. Yes I know synthetic is better and you can use it with longer intervals. I've done a ton of research on oils and pretty much have my own opinions as to what I'm going to use. I purchased a prepaid maintenance plan for the next 36 months and will have the dealer doing all required maintenance. Just curious as to what weight oil is required for the Interceptor?

10w - 40 in normal climate and 20w - 50 in very hot clims. There is a very good chart in your owners manual.

I like Mobil 1 synth motocycle specific oils. I buy it by the case at Autozone.

MD

[ewryly]

Welcome, Katat. I ran dyno for the first couple of thousand miles (three oil changes) and synthetic since. There are some very entertaining oil threads

[katat58]

Ah yes, the owners manual, of which I don't have as of yet! My bike being a previously owned Interceptor didn't come with the owner's manual. The stealership is supposedly going to send me one. Had I had the owners manual I wouldn't be asking these stupid questions, I can read. Sorry, just had to vent, don't take it personal. I'm a bit pissed that the dealer is dragging their heels on getting me the manual.

[geronpg]

Welcome to the site, and good luck on the manual. I've heard guys say the dealer promised them one.... My used '04 didn't have one, so I bought the tech manual ($60).
I just had the wiring harness recall done, and it was free. They replace a part of the wiring harness, and if the bad thing has happened that the recall is to correct, they replace another portion, also.
Not to make anybody mad, but I ran my '82 V45 sabre on Castrol GTX 20w-50 (car) oil for over 50,000 miles with no problems. I did the valve adjustments myself, and watched the cams carefully. But I changed it and the filter every 3,000 or 6 months.
Ride safe and have fun,
G

[godefroi]

AMSOil Synthetic motorcycle oil, or Shell Rotella-T synthetic. The Rotella-T is about half the cost of the AMSOil. Remember, Rotella-T runs in engines (commercial diesel) that are designed to last more than a million miles, and that cost more than your bike new to rebuild.

This is the page you should read on oil. It's got all the info.

[someguy]

AMSOil Synthetic motorcycle oil
amazing stuff when used with their filter.
you won't be disappointed.

[katat58]

I down loaded the owners manual and the shop manual off the VFR web. I also went to the stealership Saturday and canceled my three year prepaid maintenance plan. After reading the required maintenance intervals for the VFR I didn't need to pay the dealer $400 a year on retainer for maybe two oil changes. I'll change the oil and filter every 3000 miles myself. The valves don't have to be checked but once every 16,000 miles, it may take me two years or more to put that many miles on the bike, so I'll adjust them myself when the time comes. When that time arrives I'll have sufficient knowledge to do it. I changed oil my self this weekend, used Castrol 4T motorcycle oil in 10-40w with a K&N oil filter. I'm gonna run dino oil for the first 3000 miles or so then switch over to synthetic. I like the K&N filter cause it has a one inch fitting on the end for ease of installation and removal and it's a very well built filter. I'm mechanically inclined and can do everything short of a rebuild myself and long as I've got a good shop manual.