Are There Any REAL VTEC Problems or Issues?

After seeing the new RWB color scheme for the '07 VFR, I decided that I
wanted to upgrade my '99 VFR. About 2 weeks ago, I became a member of
this site so that I could start researching the 6th Gen bike since I
hadn't really kept up with it. I read a lot of negative comments about
the bike, in particular about the VTEC, but they just seemed to be
opinion - not based on fact, and of which, most seemed to come from people
who didn't even own a 6th Gen bike with VTEC!

So, I then decided to do some more research outside of this site. I
must say, that after everything I have read and especially the bike
reviews, I did not come across anything that was truly negative about the
bike. In all cases, it was stated that the 6th Gen bike was at least as
good as the 5h Gen bike that it replaces and in most cases, it was
stated that it was more refined and with improvements.

The only comments regarding the VTEC was that the bike didn't seem
anymore powerful than the 5th Gen bike, but that was followed up by saying
that it was likely due to the fact that Honda widened the gear ratios.
My thinking about that is the simple fix would be to gear the bike
down.

So, I would like to ask if anyone has experienced any real VTEC
problems or issues. If the negativity I have read is based on the fact that
it is added complexity to the bike with no huge performance gain, then I
think people need to remember that the VFR has for a long time now been
Honda's flagship bike for technology and this is just another addition.
This is why I now have 3 VFRs.

I did go to the Honda dealer a couple of days ago and order my RWB '07.
I can't wait until it comes in!

 

IMHO .... I've had no problems with the VTEC (5000+miles) nor have I heard or read of any. If you want this bike to go, keep it between 5 & 7000 .... 7 to 10,000 it really goes. I have an 05 and the VTEC kicks in at 6800 (if the tack is correct) and the transition is really smooth (less so on deceleration). I've tried crusing up and down slowly at the transition point and have found it to be a smooth transition .... but then I havn't experienced deceleration deep in a corner (or not deep for that matter). When it kicks in under exceleration, it is so smooth as not be be a factor mid corner(in my experience). There is a nice sound change. I find the bike really likes to rev and is so smooth, it could care less what rpm I'm running at ... the diff seems to be in the sound and strength of exceleration.

 

I have had ZERO problems with my 05' V-TEC. I just recently came back from a Pashnit ride and it preformed flawlessly. I was able to keep up with some of the less crazy riders without a problem. I think that most people knock the V-TEC bikes because they don't consider it a "pure VFR". The gear driven cams were a big issue for some. IMHO Honda would never release a bike that was markedly worse than the previous generations model.

I plan on running my Silver 05' until the wheels fall off! :biggrin:

 

I've noticed, as well, that many of the folks panning the 6th Gen ride other models.

Oh well, opinions are like a**holes.........everybody's got one.

This a**hole loves his VTEC!!!!


Rex

 

Having gone from a '03 Gen 6 to a '99 Gen 5 in '05, found the Gen 6 is incrementally better in nearly all areas especially in its snickier controls and stiffer Front Forks. The 2 area's the Gen 5 is better is in nicer FI fueling and butter smooth midrange power delivery with no VTec Step, as I like to ride the Mid range curve from 5k to 9k in " normal " twistie riding while using minimum gear changes have found this suits my riding style.

Gen 6 owners I know have reported they have fixed the both issues with PC3 and o2 eliminators on the earlier VTec's and from '06 Honda has smoothed out the VTec step on the latest but without riding either earlier modded & later factory improved can't say, try it out and compare for yourself and yes I do still count the Gen6 a good VFR and must admit loving the new Tri colour scheme so can see your attraction. :smile:

 

I have absolutely no problams with the vtec after doing a pair valve block (eliminating some emisions crap) transition is way smoother before it was somewhat abrubt depending on how far the throttle is cranked. with your 07 honda claims to of fixed that problam if not its a simple fix. its a great bike contray to some of the 4th and 5gen guys,enjoy your new ride! ..........i cant get enough of mine.........

 

There's no doubt that the gear driven cams were great and the noise of the engine was unique, but now we have the VTEC which too produces a new engine sound that too is very distinctive. If I want to hear the gear whine, then I jump on my 2nd Gen. If I want to hear the VTEC, then I jump on my 6th Gen. It's a win - win for me.

Also, I do agree that the VFRs do get incrementally better with each new release. Honda has been around for a long time and they know what they're doing. I am sure that if Honda does produce a 7th Gen, then it would be naive of me to believe that it would not be incrementally better than the 6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd or 1st Gens. It's called evolution.

 

I have come back to Honda and am thrilled- buy it and ride the crap outta it. It has never let me down.

 

Wow. This was one of my first posts way back in October and I truly wanted to know what the perceived VTEC issues were before I bought the bike. As I assumed, the problems are not major (mechanical). They are more perception and opinion. I can say that the '07 VTEC transition is very smooth and I do not find it to be a problem. On my daily commute, there are a couple of turns where I am in 3rd and 4th gear when the VTEC kicks in during mid-turn. It is not overwhelming or hard enough of a kick where it does anything funny to the rear wheel or stability of the bike. It is a very nice and smooth ride. Also, the added expense of the doing the valve adjustment just doesn't seem to be so much more where it would prevent most people from buying the bike - at least not myself.

 

Too funny, I never even looked at the date of the original post.


Rex

 

My 03 VTECH transition is very smooth. I installed a TBR exhaust and a PC3 and the transition was so abrupt that I took both off. Now looking a BOS exhaust. Other than that, not a single issue (so far).

 

I never even looked at the date or who started the thread ,your right thats just too funny. Im sure stewart by now you have your own opinoin of your not so new gen 6 seems like you like your different rides.

 

Looks like i brought the disscussion back from the dead. I never looked at the date either! :biggrin:

V-TEC's RULE! sorry...

 

Yes, I do. I like the VTEC. Much of the criticism that I read was opinion. I was more concerned about whether there were any real mechanical flaws or issues. We lost the gear driven cams, but gained the VTEC. I'll take it. I can't wait to see what the 7th Gen brings us (hopefully).

 

I love everything about my '07. A little hard to work on(body work has to come off just to change the oil). But, if that's all I can find to complain about, must be preety d@mn good.

 

Vtec power

I too bought the 2 bros exhaust & pwr commander. I love the harsher vtec transition. Now I added 2 teeth to the rear sprocket & get a nice jump at the stop lite. Whatever the reasons you have for buyin a VFR just know its one of the best sport-tour machines out there.

 

I love this bike first off. I was getting some difficulty holding exact throttle at 5k, and the 7k "boost" was a bit abrupt leaned over. My bike also had 1 tooth smaller front sprocket and Staintune pipes BTW. I took it to a trusted Tech. We synched the starter valves, put back on stock sprocket and it is noticeably improved.

He recommended AGAINST doing any pair valve block as you are effecting system after all gasses are burnt anyhow, and he definitely recommended against rewiring to get to "open cycle" or whetever. I bet the 5th Gen engine MGT is a bit better, but especially changing sprocket I think smoothed out problems.

I do think some folks have had bad efi issues but it seems rare.

 

Then only thing I don't like is you have to pull cams just to check valve lash on VTEC.

 

Honda's own weight specification quote only 5 Kilo's (11lbs) difference between a Gen 5 and Gen 6 VFR without ABS or Hard Luggage, certainly couldn't feel any weight difference when riding them as they both feel lighter to me than their fat weights suggest.

Owning the 2 Gens back to back to get the Gen 5's handling feel and to quicken turn in to a similar level the Gen 6 had out of the box had to change the Gen 5's fork oil to slightly heavier grade and dropped the forks through the triple clamps to 12mm.

Will admit the Gen 5's bars are a little lower standard so give the impression of a slightly sportier lean forward riding position which might explain the difference between the two.