Got my 99 back from the shop today.

What can I say, $250 later and it still feels the same.

I took it in to diagnose a rough running condition. They replaced the plugs, air filter and adjusted the synch valves.

It still shudders badly below 5k. I've felt v-twins that were smoother than this. Roll-on in 2nd or 3rd gear from 2500 will rattle the fillings right out of your head.

Before anyone says the bike is meant to be ridden above 5k, how on earth can you do that just riding around town? Takeoffs from a light or cruising at 30mph make that impossible IMO.

The mechanic said all the plugs are firing fine and everything seems OK, but I'm not convinced. He said ride it for a few days and get back to him if it still seems rough.

 

The VFR has a Redline of near 12,000RPM, its not made to be run around town at 2k.

Having said that mine is fine running around my normal City commute in the first 4 gears from 3.5k absolute minimum and in 5th & 6th from about 4k.

 

I'm just gonna have to take it back to another dealer. Not satisfied with the way this bike runs up to 5k. Every bike I've ever ridden was just fine in that rpm range, including inline fours. This thing feels like some wire is crossed...

My Magna doesn't feel *anything* like this.

 

Have you checked or blocked your Pair valves ?

I had an issue last year where my low to mid rev's went rubbish and average fuel economy slowly drifted down from 190miles before flash to a consistant worst of 140miles. :frown:

After my mechanic changed plugs, filter and re-synced SV's ( was due for a major service anyway ) with only a little improvment I checked my PAIR valves myself and found one gummed open, the gap visible by holding up to the light. After pulling them apart and cleaning with brake cleaner my fuel economy went straight back to 190miles and low to mid power returned to normal. :smile:

The reason for drop in performance due to PAIR valve leakage is down to spent exhaust gas making its way into the airbox.

 

No actually I haven't checked those. Interesting you say that, my gas mileage is in the low 30's just doing errands around town, so I'm having to fill up at about 150.

I'll break out the manual and see how to clean those out. Thanks for the tip!

 

Great post and info John. I am taking notes on this issue.

 

No problem was frustrated trying to diagnose my own problem at the time. I may not be the same as yours as my 140miles to flash was on tour. But it is an easy place to look at thats not immediately obvious.

When I asked a similar question to yours on the UK Forum was pointed directly to a Thread from UK VFR's Technical section from " '98 VFR800FiW to '01 VFR800Fi1 Regular Questions " titled " '98 VFR800FiW to '01 VFR800Fi1 Increase in Fuel Consumption and Loss of Power ".

Just follow the clear instructions from link below:

PAIR Valve clean Linky:
http://www.bikersoracle.com/vfr/forum/showthread.php?t=76563

 

I'm currently working on the PAIR valves now. Fair amount of crud in them but I didn't see any daylight from the reed valve. Haven't done the rear valves yet.

Here's the deal...the manual states air should NOT flow through A to B tubes in the drawing unless hooked up to 12v. The opposite is true on mine. Air flows until I hit it with 12v.

 

I rode about 80 miles today, didn't notice any difference at any speed.

Looks like I'll just chalk it up to being a rough running bike.

 

:frown: Unlucky..

One further simple question, does your VFR have its airbox snorkel, I noticed mine lost low and mid range power when I pulled the snorkel out for 2200miles before re-installing it again.

Lastly, you mentioned the SV's were balanced but was the bike shop used to balancing a Gen 5 VFR's and blocking off the PAIR valves during balancing ?

See UK VFR site link on SV balancing: ( also read the comment on chain tension )
http://www.bikersoracle.com/vfr/forum/showthread.php?t=77127

If all else fails your best bet is to find someone ( or bike shop) to swap over a similar milage Gen 5 and compare the 2 at similar Gears/Revs.

 

Honestly I don't know what procedure they used for the PAIR valves when synching. They just said two were slightly off but not much. It has the snorkel attached.

I'd like to locate someone with a gen 5 here locally to compare the two, but I'm pretty isolated and most people here have never even seen a VFR.

In your opinion, do you feel the bike is smooth like say...an inline 4 or ST1300? Odd thing, at idle I only feel two cylinders firing, sounds like a chug...chug...chug from the muffler. Give it a little gas, all 4 come online. But again I can't tell if this is normal unless I feel/hear another gen 5.

 

Whats your idle Rev's, when warm should be an indicated 1200>1300RPM ?

I'd say the VFR's V4 is naturally lumpier at idle than an IL4 but how mine or other Gen 5's compares to yours is impossible to say. Have you tried US VFR site " www.vfrdiscussion.com " to see if there is someone close'ish to compare with ?

 

Chris: Have you disconnected the negative battery terminal for say 30 seconds and then connected power againg to ensure all your electronics are reset? If you've got a EFI bike, maybe your brain got confused. - Paul

 

Once again, Nozzle, you've hit on a subject that's close to my heart. I've seen that "rebooting" the bike (cell phone, computer, car, truck, anything with a computer) will clear it out. A good battery unhook might just help.
It may have A.D.D. What was I talking about? Look at these pennies. Who was hotter...Mary-Ann or Ginger? I like cake. Marsupials do...because they're fast!!

 

I almost spit a mouthful of coffee :spit: trying not to laugh outloud when I read this. Wow, "Marsupials" on a Monday morning motorcycle monologue - that's alliteration. :madgrin:

 

I hope it made your Monday morning a little more enjoyable.