5th gen list of recalls, service bulletins, etc

I'm looking to buy a 5th gen. Has anybody compiled a list of inherent problems that should have been fixed because of a recall or service bulletin, or because it's just something that needs to be fixed that Honda won't admit to? Grum mentioned faulty wiring. Did Honda ever admit to that? Thanks in advance.

 

Don't you realise the 5th gen was the best bike ever? I can't believe you are asking such a question!

I've owned a couple and I don't believe there are any faults as such but like all bikes, some bits can fail, notably the RR which will leave you either with no charging or too much and cook the battery. The alternator 3P plug is a weak point that gets wet, corrodes then overheats, but it is easy enough to cut out and solder replacement wires with heatshrink to prevent a recurrence. Alternators can fail, possibly as a result of the melting connector mentioned, but they happen on lots of bikes. The linked brakes aren't a fault but they are unforgiving of lack of maintenance, which can cause the centre rear piston to seize or drag. Apart from that...perfect!

I can guarantee that the cam chain tensioners NEVER fail on this model...

 

I think that comment needs some clarification!
Don't know that I've ever specifically stated the 5th Gen has "faulty wiring" or blamed Honda for that!

Other than suggestions to help people repair faulty/burnt wiring associated with either the common Main Fuse B issues, or the common R/R and Stator connectors, or the common earth block issues. And don't forget, we are dealing with +25 year old design technology.

Agree with Terry once these matter are easily sorted the 5gen is virtually bullet proof. Stator and R/R issues are common on many bikes not just Honda.

I may have also stated that with the 8gen that "All the electrical issues that plagued previous gens have been addressed"
The 8gen having forced oil cooling on the Stator, lighter electrical loads, better sealed connectors and an extremely stable MOSFET microprocessor controlled R/R, have all added to the electrical reliability of the 8gen.

 

The rectifier regulator is one of the easiest issues to address. If you find a low mileage example of a 5th gen for sale, like 30K or less, the first thing to do when getting it home should be to pull the tail plastic. Inspect the wiring, plug and what rectifier regulator is installed. If the original regualtor is still in there, get a modern MOSFET replacement and install it immediately. Don't wait for the original to fail and kill the stator coil. I say low mileage VFR concern, because with a high mileage VFR the previous owner has probably fixed it.

My list of complaints are really minor annoyances with my favorite bike of all time.

The plumbing for the coolant system. I swear new home construction plumbing is probably less complicated. A thermostat pod that requires removal of the throttle bodies to access. There are dual radiators and tons of hose clamp connections which are just more potential leak points. It gets even better on the 2000-2001 with two extra coolant lines going to the fast idle unit running right up the middle of the throttle bodies. Those two aren't shown on the following drawing. I've installed a full hose kit on a 2000. It wasn't the best time I've had with a VFR.


The headlight bulbs are another minor grievance. Proprietary and expensive 45/45W H4 halogens from Honda. The bottom two alignment tabs are spread a different distance than normal H4's you'll find at the local auto parts store. You can just bend the bottom two tabs inward on standard car 60/55W H4 bulbs and save money. Those extra watts have never caused any issues that I'm aware of.

The PAIR system and linked brakes are an annoyance for some owners. They've never bothered me.

 

good one

 

I've had mine for 23-years now and the only fault I've ever dealt with is the rectifier. Since fitting the VFRness it's not been a problem since.

Absolutely nothing goes wrong with these bikes, as long as you change the oil and service it regularly, it'll go on forever.