Lack of power

Hi,

This past weekend I bought a 2000 VFR, it looks like it is brand new! It starts immediately, has very smooth idle, runs very linear. I heard from some other VFR riders that this bike comes alive at 7000 rpm, but mine doesn't. It stays very smooth, no hiccups, no vibrations, just perfect, but you have to shift down 2 or 3 gears before you're comfortable passing a car (feels like it is pulling a trailer, or maybe, compared to a car, like the emergency brake is on).

I also ride an SV650, and I'm convinced that the SV has more power than the VFR, which just doesn't seem right. We got absolutely horrible gas mileage, worse than my Mini! It got around 27/28 mpg on an interstate trip from FL to GA. Does anyone have any suggestions what might be wrong with this otherwise showroom bike? One more question: When you only have the lowbeams on, is it using one or both headlights? We lost lowbeam on the way home.
Thanks for your input.
Andrea

 

Probably wouldn't hurt to have a major service and change plugs air filter and have the SV's balanced, other than that you could try a Italian tuneup...

Regarding the Headlights, on a Gen 5 on Low beam both Headlights should be on.

 

Thanks for the info! We'll go over the bike tonight and do the plugs, filters etc. on our own before I take it to the Honda shop.
Andrea

 

It pulls to some extent, but it pulls very slugglishly. Not a good, hard pull like I would expect. We'll replace fuel and air filters and see if that makes a difference...
Thanks!
Andrea

 

Now matter what the mileage or condition, any bike that hasn't been in my posession is getting a complete tune up regardless. Since a tune up should be in your future, it will rule out common items.

There are only 3 things an engine needs to work: fuel, air & spark. Anyone of the 3 can be a culprit for power loss. Lets examine each further.

Fuel
Changing the fuel filter is fairly simple and a clogged one will make the engine bog down & surge. Is that what's happening to yours? Make sure all your fuel lines & fuel tank are debris free.

Air
The Airfilter is a simple & cheap item to change. A clogged air filter will decrease mileage & reduce power accross the board. It will be a very slow degredation & shouldn't cause your symptoms unless it's horribly caked up. Does the flapper door in the air box move freely?

Spark
Change the plugs (make sure new ones are properly gapped) & check your plug wire connections. Use some di-electric grease on the connections. This stuff is available in any hardware or auto parts store. Check the wires with a multi-meter. I don't know what the resistance should be but the wires can be a reason for loss of power. All 4 should be very close to the same ohms. If they are not or one is way off the others, that is a likely culprit.

If you still don't have power after all that, I would suggest that your oxygen sensors are bad. If they are, they will tell the ECU that too much/not enough fuel is going into the motor & the ECU will change accordingly. The symptom of bad O2 sensors will be the same accross the board & may possibly improve or get worse once the bike warms up. Obviously, the sensors are a tad pricey so I would rule out the lower cost items first.

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

...and compression, but we'll hope that he's got that.

5th gen should pull hard to make the front wheel feel light through 1st and 2nd....sounds like she needs a good tune up.

 

It could be a plugged cat converter.

 

This might sound silly, but when you have the air filter out, twist the throttle and make sure that the injector butterflies (throttle plates) are opening all the way.

 

Damn good advise all across the board. Keep us posted on how it goes, that way we here and all others will know whats what. And yes the VFR will hands down spank a SV650, so somethings a miss, that and you should see around mid 40s for MPG.

 

It should slide you back on the seat when you roll on in any gear. Not drop you off the bike, just slide you back. Yesterday I was messin around in 1st gear and she wanted to pull clean away. And on the highway as well, passing a car 2 days ago in 4th gear I rolled on and before I knew it I was nearing 100mph.
Have her checked out.

 

I'm not so sure, going from a SV650S to a new Gen 6 in early '04 up to 7K the SV seemed as quick if not a little quicker, using the 8>11k the VFR has will eat the SV though. This was often born out riding with a buddy on a Gen 5 at the time who would often drop back a little exiting a low speed corners under full acceleration but regain my six by mid straight.

 

Thanks everyone! I'll report back with the problem. I'm really amazed at all the responses and appreciate them! Nice community I found here!
Andrea

 

other than that you could try a Italian tuneup...

what the hell is an italian tune up:bs::gun3:

 

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_tuneup

Basically you just redline the engine and keep it there for an indefinite period of time in order to clean out the carbon build-up. But I would listen to KC-10's tips and replace the air filter, spark plugs, and check the fuel pump/filter. The VFR is fuel injected so you wouldn't really benefit from a italian tuneup.

 

Just throwing this out here because it hasn't been mentioned yet, if you're used to riding the low end power of a V-Twin like the SV650, then the VFR might feel a bit lacking because of its weight and higher up RPM power range and smoother pulling engine (unlike V-Twins which are more shaky).

But if you're really only getting the mileage you described, you've definitely got something to look into!

 

Are you saying that fuel injected bikes can't have carbon build-up? ::unsure::

 

Well,
I'm playin' possum today and have started opening her up. The air filter is spotlessly clean. The exhaust pipe shows no sign of buildup, also very clean. Fuel filter is on order and won't show up till next week. Getting ready to replace spark plugs. So far, this machine looks like out of the showroom, even under the tank...
Have any of you permanently removed the flapper (variable intake port)?
Thanks,
Andrea

 

What it does is this: It pulls as expected up to 5000 rpm. Beyond 5000 rpm, nothing changes. The bike keeps pulling at the same rate. There is no "top end" rush. Know what I mean? It's kinda hard to explain....
Andrea

 

Lack of power - No more!

He was running on 3 cylinders! One of the spark plugs was bad. I put in a new one, and he's running like a banshee now! And he earned his name over the last few days.... Since he was playing possum, that's his name now!

Thanks again for everyone's help! Hope to see ya'll in the mountains one of these days!

Andrea in Athens