V Tech Transition

yeah i have noticed that but its usually only when hammering it hard in first and second gear.. and i do have a pc on mine but havent really found a map i like.. so that could be my problem.. im too cheap/broke for a dyno run right now

 

dangerous? no. unnerving when you're hustling through some twisties? yes. on my bike at least, there is a significant bucking sensation if you hang out around the transition RPM. of course, since it's my bike and i'm used to it, my simple fix is to not hang out at that RPM, especially whilst in a corner. but if you weren't used to it and you found the bike bucking back and forth as you're all but dragging a knee through a corner, i could see how it wouldn't exactly leave you as a fan.

Mike

 

I would say they are full of sh!t. I read a ton of reviews and articles on the VFRs and saw that often, I think this comes more from the rumor mill than actual experience on the bike.

My 06 has been nothing but smooth, sure when it kicks in there is extra power but at that point the rpms are clmbing and I am making it happen for a reason. I think if it is really surprising someone they are just not use to the bike, and are kind of cought off guard by it. I live in Florida :frown: so there are no curves to be surprised in but when it kicks in I know exactly when it is coming.

I think the designers probably put just a little bit of thought into the engine before mass producing it.

From what I have read here and everywhere else 99.9% of people who bad mouth the 6th gens are either people who do not own one , or own previous gen VFRs and just like to spout off about the mistake Honda made by redesigning the engine on the 6th gen. Perfect example, read the thread about the next gen VFR1000 it is not even out yet and guys are bashing it.:bs:

I have not herd many 6th gen owners bitching about THEIR bikes.

Just my thoughts.

Mike

 

I had some nice, deserted roads to take advantage of this weekend and spent the ride going mighty fast. Having been very familiar with the low and medium speed throttle response as well as some brisk accelerations, the addition of some (insanely) fast speed throttling allowed me to see the entire powerband in a bit more perspective. It solidified my feeling that the VTEC transition is, as others have said, very similar to other "normal" bikes...there is generally a fairly sharp power spike in most bikes. The V-4 tends to deliver power in a very linear way (that is one reason we all own a V-4); the VTEC just gives a bit of a kick that is mostly aural in nature but does increase the power to a (nice) degree. But, since there is the natural kick-in-the-butt acceleration in 1st and 2nd gears (that all bikes have), the increase when VTEC kicks in is neither upsetting nor more intense in nature than those 1st gear jumps. Like most of you, I see it as a unique and happy 6th Gen VFR trait. When your jacket is thwacking you in the chest and the white lines become dots during repeated runs at VERY fast speeds, the VTEC tranisition is put into perspective...a fun indication that you are only half way to heaven. Twist, hold, whooooosh! Repeat as necessary. Ah, GOOD KARMA!

 

My '07 vfr tries to jolt you off the bike at around 6800rpm. But, I wouldn't call it dangerous. I love it.

 

MD
I'd take the 4 valves all the time - as long as it didn't degrade low end pull.

Action

 

I like it when it kicks in at 6800rpm. It's like having two bikes in one! Yay!

 

I would prefer to have all 4 valves working all the time. I guess. But what I would really, really like is for the bike to weigh about 70 pounds less!

 

I think it is just wonderful as is. The Honda engineers have just a bit more on the ball than I do...the entire package of performance, economy, emissions, and seamlessness is just fine the way it is.

"...the more I look at it, the more I like it,
no matter how I tear it down,
no matter how I take it apart,
it remains consistent...
I do think its good..."
--King Crimson

 

As a new VFR owner, I found the VTEC transition abrupt, exciting, scary--all rolled into one, and remembered thinking that I should mindful of the transition in corners especially on wet pavement.

Now, my '07 VFR is fully stock. After switching fuel from premium to regular and two tune ups, the transition is smoother. Before, I noticed the lull (flat spot) just before the VTEC kicked. Now, post-2nd tune, the flat spot is gone and the transition is smooth (I really have a great mechanic). I now notice the VTEC from the exhaust note, slight vibration from the tank (I guess all those extra values opening and closing), as well as from the slight rearward suspension travel.

Long-story-short, I think moto-journalists are supplied with bikes in various states of tune, brimming with premium fuel. Any bike with strong characteristics will be dueling noted along with fictional projections (such as, "I could win MotoGP on this bike!" or “Ohmygawd, I almost keeled myself!”). The fear of unknown is always overstated.

As far as two- vs. four-value bike, I like the four-value setup, just not the fuel economy. I think VTEC is really a fuel economy feature—it gives you the power in the upper band, where you need it. Otherwise, you can Nancy along and sip fuel.

 

MD - id have VTEC all the time. I love riding the bike that way. Although it would probably overheat constantly.

The transition is certainly not dangerous though. Thats bollocks. I like mine.

 

hey MD, sounds like a great poll idea.

Im on the fence at the mo, when i first got my gen 6 i didnt like VTEC that much and would have preferred a normal 4 valve operation. Now that ive spent some time on it i quite like it and i cant honestly say i would want to change it.
I think this is perhaps where journos have a problem.
VTEC is differant to the norm and unless you are familiar with it, differant can often be impressionable.
Therefore it may tend to polarise opinion-either pos or neg.
i would say its comparable to getting off a 4 stroke and onto a 2 stroke(not literally) but you would think there was something wrong with a stroker if all you'd ever ridden was IL4 4 strokes.

They need to learn the ways of the force.....:vader:

 

The real danger is road debris like loose sand or tar snakes in a corner. If you ever felt your tire slip-n-grab around a corner you know that if the vtech kicked in it would probably break loose and cause a slide out instead of grab at that kind of crucial moment. THAT'S what they're really warning you about.

The solution has been mentioned. You should be in a low enough gear that the vtech is already ingaged going into the corner so you are accelerating and there are no surprises going to come at you.

Stan

 

Ok I've only just got my 05 Viffer and I reckon Vtec is a gas, I love the shit. Had it on my Accord Euro and now got it with more punch on my Vfr.
My riding ability is limited as this is my first semi sport bike but I already find that I can make the Vtec hit hard or smooth as i like. If am wide open the Vtec comes on with a kick, If I am not wide open the Vtec is a smooth as can be and I can only tell by the change in sound.
So for me unless I'm wide open in a corner (and why would you) the Vtec is not an issue.
As for all the Gen 5'ers and so on whingeing about Vtec I wish they'd just shut it. When I was waiting for my bike to arrive I had been reading all these horror stories here about how crap 6th Gen was and I was thinking I had made a huge mistake. Now that I've got her and seen how awesome it is I think they can all shove it and leave us alone.

 

Yes!!!!! 70lbs. less and 1" shorter. I'm only 5'8" and the VFR gets a lot of 'round town commuting. Vtech kick in doesn't bother me but I don't like the touchy throttle and lower RPM.

 

I have to say now that I have moved on to the 1300cc Suzuki motor I think somewhat different about the v-tech on the vfr. The Busa is very easy to get used to and has smooth usable power all over the place in any gear and at any rpm. Its just fast everywhere if you hit the gas. Not scary fast if you do not want it to be but a real kick in the pants if you desire. I understand why people dislike the v-tec a little more. I still think the 6th gens are great bikes for what they are. v-tech is a little quirky though and it might be a better more liked bike without it.

 

But what would they have to complain about? some people just like to bitch.

 

You're comparing apples to squid.