Differences in model years in 5th Gen?

Thanks for the info all. I think I'll choose based on year model and accessories/mods fitted, and if I get my colour, that's a bonus...

 

I know that in the US, the big difference is the mirrors and the choke/enriching deal on the left handlebar (98-99). I have heard that the fuel injection was "refined" in 00-01 but I don't really know what that means. I would go with color. I love my 00 Yellow even though VFR's are traditionally red. Also love the looks of the non-US Spec blue VFR's!

 

On the 98-99 it is not an enrichener or choke, just a fast idle lever. Hell, I can't remember the last time I even used it.
The ignition barrel looks different on the 2000+ bikes in Canada, but no HISS.
Personally, I would take the pre 2000 bike, and grab a pair of mirrors off of Honda (cost is less than $110US for all you need to get). You get the lighter, bigger exhaust this way as well. You don't get the little VFR logo on the tach though.

 

well, since your question looks answered, what are the body differences in the Gen 6 bike ?

 

Should also mention that Gen 5 Mk1 does has 4 main advantage's over the Klingon Mk 2:

1) no Cat.

2) no O2 Sensors.

3) Fast idle lever instead of the 'wax unit' which is the automatic fast idle on a Gen 5 Mk2's which has been known to fail and expensive to replace.

4) No Cat, ok know its listed first but as its such an important point its worth listing a second time. :biggrin:

 

Could not agree more with the above - and it has taken this far into the thread for someone to say this. The weight difference between the two models because of the cat is around 2kg!!

 

So, to sum up...

'99:
No cat
No O2 sensors
Simpler ignition system
Manual control fast idle/cold start system
Condom mirrors
Known R/R issues

'01:
Cat
O2 sensors
H.I.S.S.
Auto fast idle
Metal mirrors
Possibly resolved R/R issues

Are these basically the only differences?

Is there any difference in the injection system APART from the fast idle? Does it make any difference in real world riding once the bike is warm?

What if any advantages are there to having O2 sensors?

Thanks

 

1 Yes. The oxygen sensor-equipped bikes go into closed loop mode under certain running conditions (warmed up, cruising down the highway).

2 Not really.

3 Lower emissions (Not necessarily because of the oxygen sensors, but because of the catalytic converters. You need the oxygen sensors to keep the cats from burning up.)


Other considerations:

The older bikes cost a bit less to mod because you can use a Power Commander II instead of a PC III.

The 98-99s also weigh a bit less because of the lack of catalytic converters.

There have been reports of the Rube Goldberg wax units that control the high idle(on the 00-01s) as being a bit failure-prone and they're a major bitch to get at in order to change them.

I can't speak for everyone else, but I pretty much NEVER use the fast-idle lever on my '98. You just don't need it. Even on 30F degree mornings it starts with press of the starter button and a quick blip of the throttle and idles fine with no drama whatsoever.


HTH,
Jake Harsha

 

Thank you very much to all who have replied to these questions.

Based on the answers I'm going to chase a '99 model with low kms in Yellow. There's one available at the moment, and I'm banging my head in frustration that I have to wait 3 months before getting the finance...

 

Guys, I have a question for you. I think there is a difference in "years" between the US and Britain, i.e., a '98 US model is an 800 bike, but a '98 British model is a 750 model (back one year). If yes, then the '99 model would be Britain's first fuel injected Interceptor. Not sure about the Aussie models. Am I correct in this assumption?

 

well heres a few things i noticed. In the haynes repair manual it states that the 98 and 99 have a few lbs more trq. Also my friend who has a 98 i did notice a small difference too. The instrument cluster (tach and speedometer) the numbers are different and italicized. These are little thigns besides the others already listed.

 

Reminds me, the 00/01 was small metal tags in the top left and right corners of the intruments plastic housing. Honda added these to stop its warping in hot sun....Then again have never seen a '98 / '99 with a warped cluster.

 

Australian 5th gen years are 1998 - 2001.

:smile:

 

A bit dark, but you can see the discolouration.
In the light it looks like an airbubble trapped under some clear contact sheet.

 

Can maybe see it better on the Gen 5 Mk2 tab pic link below.

http://vfrworld.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/4954/ppuser/188.jpg

 

Haha John...... you just did mate.

 

Ahhh, wasn't quite sure what your photo was of understand now. I had heard of early Blackbird XX's with dash warp issues before but not VFR's. :redface:

 

Very Timely Thread

Thanks for all the info on this issue. I am also looking at two fifth gen.s with a color issue. Red 99 10.8 k miles and new Michelin Pilots. and yellow 00 w 18K miles. Ridden both - - days apart and both seemed strong. Ran voltage test on both and the 00 was a steady 12.7 at idle, and a steady 14.6 at 3K and 7K, while the 99 was a steady 12.6 at idle but low 13's at 3K and slightly higher at 7K. Neither has service records. Both offered by private owners who seem reliable, but are not original owners and have not put many of the miles on either bike. Price is within $100 USD and 99 has some extras -- bar risers, throttlemeister, taller Givi shield, tank bra and small, black Givi bags.
Decisions, decisions. Can't decide whether to twin my red 01 or mix and match with the yellow? I know - buy 'em both?