Vtec info

Is there a 6th Generation that has had the intervention of the Vtec smoothed out?

I like the body style but shy away from the vtec issues.

Is there also a massive increase in the maintenance costs due to the vtec?

Thank you

 

The 06 onwards 6th gen had the transition smoothed I believe; these can be identified by the clear (not orange) blinkers and the white ring on the speedo. I can't say that I am the least bit bothered by the transition. I quite like the character, and I find the 6th is the smoother/quieter bike, and more comfy. I have disconnected the PAIR valves and I think that has made the power smoother as well.

Checking the VTEC valve clearance is less than fun; not really complicated, but very time consuming. If you are a handy DIY type, not really a problem, but will be costly if you pay someone else. The 5th gen valves probably take about 1/10th of the time (excluding access parts removal) and if there are clearances to change the VTEC needs new buckets vs a cheap shims. The rest of the maintenance is very similar.

I do agree that the 6th has great styling!

 

I always chuckle when people have an idea in their head that the VTEC transition is going to be like hitting the powerband on an NSR 500.

 

VTEC sure seems like technology for the sake of marketing. When in play mode, the bike is certainly happier to be kept over 7k, but nothing really bad happens exiting a corner when the VTEC valves kick in aside from an interesting sound.

 

Yes its called the 8th Gen!

 

Hmmm, maybe, or maybe you've just been drinking the Koolaid. Why does every othe modern Honda use 4-valves fulltime?

 

Back to the question of a massive increase in maintenance costs
If you compare it to the 5th gen:
Valve clearance check:

• Remove seat, tank and lower fairing
• Remove cam covers and crank end access cover
• Rotate engine and use feeler gauges

Shim replacement

• Unbolt cam saddles, remove cams
• Replace shims as needed
• Refit cams and saddles

to the 6th gen
Valve clearance check:

• Remove seat, tank and lower fairing
• Remove cam covers and crank end access cover
• Loosen camchain tensioner
• Unbolt cam saddles, remove camchain and cams
• Fit VTEC stopper pins
• Refit cams, camchains and cam saddles
• Release camchain tensioner
• Rotate engine and use feeler gauges
• If no change needed, you still need to remove the VTEC stopper pins:
• Loosen camchain, remove cam saddles, camchain and cams
• Remove VTEC stopper pins
• Refit camchain, cams, cam saddles and release camchain

If shim replacement is needed

• Loosen camchain tensioner, unbolt cam saddles, remove camchain and cams
• Replace shims as needed in standard valves
• Buy new VTEC cam buckets as needed at US$25 a pop (I needed 7! took two weeks to get the parts, no riding!)
• Refit cams, camchain and cam saddles, release the chain

Refit camcovers, fairing lower, tank and seat. Vow never to buy another VTEC bike!

 

A well tuned 6g will stomp the shit out of a 5g.

Not the best video quality but this is what my 6g sounded like after I did a little work to the head and the tops of the pistons. Problem today is that you can't get the good parts anymore.

6G VFR

 

Sorry I questioned you MD; this is what it says in the manual: