I own a 2000 VRF with 13000 miles on it. I bought it with 9000 miles back on May 27th 2008. Not long ago. Only paid $4000 for it, and it ran great with no issues. Recently, it is having a hard time starting. I will go to start it, and I will have to hold the button for about 5~8 seconds before it starts. When I first got it, I just pushed the button firmly, maybe held for under 3 seconds, and it would come to a roar. Also, I have noticed what sounds like a metal on metal vibration. It sounds like its coming from under the ignition. It makes me think that a key on my keychain on the bike it vibrating against the ignition cyclinder, but thats not it. After fully warm, the bike runs fine, but it seems like it is having a hard time getting higher in the rev range. In first gear it gets to 11k easily. But in any other gear, it feels like I am "forcing" it. I don't know how to explain it. Is there some work/maintenaince I should be doing? I use Lucas Semi-Synthetic Oil 10w40. It doesn't have friction modifiers, and lots of people tell me its not the problem. ButI never seemed to have these problems until my last oil change. About 1000 miles ago. I used a factory honda oil filter, and check my oil regularly. Any thoughts?
Ditto on that. If you are not sure if/when the plugs were changed, that is always a really good place to start. Even if they were changed prior to you getting the bike, their condition/color might give you an indication of other things that may be a problem. Edit: Now that I have thought about it a bit, can you trace the hard starting back to a particular instance, perhaps shortly after a fuel stop? The "metal on metal" vibration might be detonation, sometimes caused by poor fuel and/or a lean fuel mixture. A lean fuel mixture would also explain the hard starting and reluctance to pull in the upper rev range.
