Are there any VFR 800 VTECs that have not experienced RR failure?

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by 25thVFR800, Sep 14, 2017.

  1. 25thVFR800

    25thVFR800 New Member

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    I am planning on changing my RR over the winter. Preventative maintetnance - I have no current issues.
    I have a 2007 RWB 25th with white wheels.
    Bike has 13,750 miles.

    Just wondering out loud if anyone out there has not experienced a RR Failure?
    More specifically for 2007s

    Thxs and ride safe.
     
  2. Diving Pete

    Diving Pete Member

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    No, on my 2008 with 42,000m. I did however put a voltmeter on the dash.
     
  3. RhINO

    RhINO New Member

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    I have an 06 which I think has the stock one after 24k km. (Mm?)

    Skickat från min E5823 via Tapatalk
     
  4. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    You will need to inspect all coonections for corosion and evidence of overheating., the cause of most electrical problems.
     
  5. Hero Danny

    Hero Danny New Member

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    My 03 had no issues, but I had a voltmeter installed and it read 12.8 volts under load typically. I went ahead and got the wiring harness recall done and it then jumped to 13.1 After that I installed a VFRness and had the reading at the battery and I have been getting a consistent 14.5 ever since.

    Next step is to add in a mosfet rectifier but I think I'm good for a little while. Also di-electric grease can only help so when I do my PCV I'm going to redo those connections as well with the grease.

    I'm all about preventative maintenance it seems with the VFR's it's not so much if but when.

    Wiring harness recall was free, volt meter was $10. VFRness was $90. A mosfet will probably cost me $150 when I decide to do it. Either way everything will be $250 a lot cheaper than a rectifier, stator, and battery. Also not being stranded on the side of the road is a nice plus.
     
  6. mlap5150

    mlap5150 New Member

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    I have an '02 with 43k+ miles, stock except for a slip on and the recall done. No RR issues here.
     
  7. Allyance

    Allyance Insider

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    Here is the stator connector that commonly overheats, this is from my 2003, notice the slight discoloration on the center pin from the heat. I used a emory board trimmed to fit in the opening to clean the contacts. Helps if you remove rough sand paper on one side.
    Stator burnish.jpg
     
  8. vdrive

    vdrive New Member

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    my vfr was purchased new in 1998,by keeping the battery charged ,inspecting critical electrical connections from time to time & making sure all are clean & secure ,i have not had the slightest problem with any stator or voltage issues .have only needed to replace battery 4 times in 19 years .also when a battery starts to get weak its time for new battery as riding with a low state of charge will put excess strain on the stator ,regulator & any related wiring & connections which can cause melted connections,blown regulators ,etc.i recently went thru a major disassembly of my bike & found ALL connections to be clean & good as new,not bad for a 20 year machine.
     
  9. Cadreamin

    Cadreamin New Member

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    Like above - 2003 I found it needed recall and a go over, like stated by a fellow 03 owner - got all the recall work done - stripped it down, thoroughly cleaned it out and all dust removed - haven't installed a VM but it is running about 13.1 when I check it - from what I am learning about this bike is perhaps it's best to keep it clean, make sure the connectors are properly placed to avoid heat issues....7k miles when bought close to 11k and it doesn't show any issues yet....but open to upgrades if needed
     
  10. 25thVFR800

    25thVFR800 New Member

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    Thanks guys.
    Just checked my battery with a VM at 12.9 after 4 days without a start.
    I agree keeping the battery in good shape will aid RR in longer life.
    At first site my battery is failing I'm slapping in a new one.
     
  11. OCLandspeeder

    OCLandspeeder New Member

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    I have a 2007 RWB VFR800 like yours. Mine has 49,800 miles and still running the OEM RR. I did replace the stator around 44k miles just for preventative maintenance (it was functioning fine).

    I just replaced the front CCT and the old one looked damned good and wasn't malfunctioning but I wanted to do it just in case. Next on my to-do list is the rear CCT. Then the R/R will be next...again due to mileage. If your bike only has less than 40k miles on it I wouldn't worry about replacing the RR, stator, or CCT's.

    If I were in your situation, I would buy all of the above plus the thermostat as funds allow over the next 12-24 mos. And then just replace them all at once after you get passed 40k miles whether they need to or not. That's because removing the throttle body makes replacing the stator/front CCT/thermostat much easier/possible. You only want to remove that TB once and not touch it for a while. And while you have the TB off, may as well replace the vacuum hoses and the TB rubber boots.
     
  12. PawnBoy

    PawnBoy New Member

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    I've owned mine from 10,000km to 40,000km and haven't replaced the RR yet.
     
  13. zombie

    zombie New Member

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    My 2002 had the wiring recall done this spring, found it to be so bad that they rewired the whole bike under warranty. Original RR as far as I know. Plan to upgrade the wiring this winter though. Mine has 90,000Km on it so far.
     
  14. duccmann

    duccmann Member

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    No issues BUT at 35k updated my RR before I got stranded.
    If you do decide to upgrade check out
    www.roadstercycle.com


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  15. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    I have a theory that there is nothing inherently wrong with the R/R or indeed the charging system on a VFR. The Japanese designed the system to be balanced but throw that balance off with a bad ground, dodgy connector or a dying battery and bad things start to happen. Most of those "bad things" will culminate in a hard working and over heating R/R.
     
  16. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    I agree with Mr Jim on this; once a connector corrodes then overheats and then melts allowing (for example) the three stator phases to mix and mingle, Bad Things will happen. Clean, corrosion-free connectors are the key, which means preventative maintenance e.g. dielectric grease.
    Don't cross the streams!
     
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  17. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    Good safety tip!
     
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  18. OCLandspeeder

    OCLandspeeder New Member

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    I also have a theory that the Stator benefits from regular oil changes, as well as a bike that is not run often in hot weather and sitting at 220 degrees F for long periods in stop and go traffic. Having a sufficient flow of good, cooler oil is always good for a stator.

    I recall when I owned a BUELL 1125R (liquid cooled Rotax designed V-twin motor). On year two of its production, Buell suddenly upped the output of the Stator for the 1125 series, but did NOT increase the volume of oil running through it. Result? Burned stators within 30k miles! It was so consistent that there was a technical service bulletin issued for it! Erik Buell Racing eventually improved the design but only AFTER H-D killed Buell Motorcycle Company.
     
  19. Big_Jim59

    Big_Jim59 Member

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    Sufficient oil flow to cool the stator is such a good idea. Heat kills electrical components.
     
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