Confused about aftermarket mirror replacements - what is the best match to OEM?

I've been reading many of the forum threads about replacement mirrors for my 2002 VFR. Some mirrors mentioned appear to be shorter than original. After all the posts, I'm still unclear which brand and model # would give me the same look AND length as the original factory mirrors. Can someone tell me what and where they ordered mirrors that are direct replacement to the OEM version? Any actual experience with these replacements would be appreciated. I like to keep the bike as stock looking as possible. Thanks

 

I just bought some today. I went with Emgo, and got the carbon look. On their website they have a complete catalog, make sure you get the ones for the 2002+ VFR. They sell them in black and carbon. I have not gotten them in yet, should be here by the end of the week and I will post the results.

 

Firstly I would like to say Hi and welcome to the MadHouse:welcome:

If you get time it would be nice if you can mosey on over to the introductions thread and tell us more about you and post up some pictures of your bike. It's a good idea to update your forum profile (right at the top right) to add in the specs of your bike and a rough location city/state so they appear with all your posts and if you ever need help you may find there is someone nearby willing to swing by and offer advice/assistance in return for a few beer tokens.

:focus:

Yes many of the cheaper mirrors on eBay etc. have a shorter stem and to be frank are useless as you can't see anything behind you - just your arms - a brilliant example of style over practicality.

Fortunately in Europe there is a firm called M&P who sell "OEM replica mirrors" for the vtec models, at less than half the price of ones from Honda, which are pretty much identical to the original ones.

If perchance you have managed to have one snap off - then maybe next time spend time getting the pinch bolt tension right - that's the allen(hex) key one at base of the mirror stem. (The allen head may be hidden by a plastic plug which you just prise out.) Sadly when setting up a new bike most dealers take the easy option of just bolting them down tight which of course means they will snap off with pressure and you have to buy a replacement from them.... What you should so is make sure the bolt tension it is just snug enough to hold the mirror steady in normal use but still able to swing round when firmly pushed - if you clip a car wing mirror whilst filtering through traffic or the bike tips over.

Hope that helps




SkiMad

 

I'd love to hear how the Emgo mirrors workout for you. I'm hoping they are very close to OEM in length and angle. Please share your thoughts when they arrive later this week. I will probably order if your review is favorable. Thanks

 

I have one replacement Emgo and as far as function it works great. After a couple years the color will fade a little.
Its hard to see any difference. Look at any of my pics. Mine got broke two weeks after buying my bike new. Tractor hit the mirror and broke the stem.

 

++++++++1
:welcome: to the nuts house mate
Make yourself like at home and let us know if you have any question or concern
Thanks Skimad for your outstanding job :thumbsup:

 

MichaelD, Do you happen to have the Emgo model/part number? This is where there seems to be some confusion depending on which forum/thread I read. The mirror on your bike is exactly what I'm looking to order.

Thanks

 

I got mine from Motorcycle Superstore. There part #
Left sku328354
Right sku328355.
At the site you just put your bike info (make, model, year) and it will take you to the parts .

 

MIchaelD,

Thanks for the sku #s. I just placed an order at Motorcycle Superstore as you suggested.

 

Let us know when you get them on.

 

Hery the bike I just bought a 2006 abs model -the original owner put on some extended mirrors on it-don't forget they can be pushed back for parking. My bike maybe here on Tuesday if the shipping company drops it off.:clock:

 

So we get pictures on Tuesday...


:focus:


So back to the topic - aftermarket mirrors.




Until someone actually has purchased an item and compared it side by side with an original from Honda, you are trying to judge on the basis of wording/low resolution pictures to figure out whether or not something described as an OEM replacement is actually worth purchasing. Some may look fine in the advert, but when they arrive they look awful in terms of colour/finish, indeed others are physically shorter and nowhere near the same shape as the original Honda ones.

So folks its great to hear that you have some replacement mirrors on their way. It would be a real contribution to the forum, if you can post up some side by side photos, along with price/source/part number, and your own views on them.

I am sure others will be interested if you do manage to identify a reasonable quality/price alternative to the stock one from Honda - which currently cost £55.50 each (plus delivery) - OEM number: 88120-MCW-D01

By way of comparison, I know you can get a fairly good aftermarket mirror from David Silver spares for around £30 (including post in the UK) and I think they have an outlet somewhere in the USA.
David Silver Spares - Parts For Honda Motorcycles - Honda VFR800A3 ABS VTEC 2003 Mirror, Left hand





SkiMad

 

:chaingun: You haven't got the bike yet......
Riding season close to an end.

 

I go by temp not what time of year it is-its close to 70 here today, I am only going to get temp plates-just to get the bugs out,but it look like the OEM parts come up short sighted, oh the bike does have heated grips and a double bee windscreen-its a bit better than oem in the cold weather.. Mind ya-I don't ride far in cold weather maybe just 5 miles:whoo::spy:

 

I ordered the exact mirrors MichaelD recommended above. After installing them on my 2002 6th gen, I can say that they are just what I was looking for. I'm not sure what OEM mirrors look like since the previous owner had non-oem mirrors installed but these look like they came from the factory based on what I would expect to see from Honda. They look great, are long enough to see well behind the bike, and I have no regrets. Thanks to MichaelD for posting the exact SKU to use.

 

Skimad said:

"Sadly when setting up a new bike most dealers take the easy option of just bolting them down tight which of course means they will snap off with pressure and you have to buy a replacement from them.... What you should so is make sure the bolt tension it is just snug enough to hold the mirror steady in normal use but still able to swing round when firmly pushed - if you clip a car wing mirror whilst filtering through traffic or the bike tips over."

WOW! that information is right on...do not know why I hadn't figured out this simple fix...

 

Just fitted a pair of aftermarket shorty mirrors for an rc51 /f4i on my 02 vfr800. Look great. Slight angle off, but tgeir dropped so much lower their out of your face. They look great. Just thought id put that out there.

 

This post is.................

 

Do the same thing with the mounts to your levers... I loosen each side, and then snug it back up and a just touch more - the idea being if you tip it over, the lever assembly has a chance to pivot out of the way rather than breaking something off.. like the lever OR the perch assembly with your hydraulics on it.

 

Hey I'm glad they worked out for you. They look just like he factory mirrors, I only installed one and you really can't tell one from another.