'07 VFR800 - Won't start

I bought a 2007 VFR800A in April of 2009, new. It now has just under 2500 miles on it.

I've noticed the last few months, it's been a bit hesitant to start. Or, actually, to STAY running once it's been started.

I normally have to hit the starter and roll the throttle a bit to keep it running at first. After about 4-5 seconds, the engine revs up even higher and at THAT point, I can let go of the throttle, and it's fine.

This morning, however, I let go of the throttle before it had done the rev up thing. So it died.

I spent 15 minutes trying to get it running again, before giving up and taking my car in to work. There seems to be plenty of juice in the battery. Sometimes, if I give it gas and hit the starter, it sounds like it wants to start up... limps along for a second or two, then dies.

Anyone have any ideas?

This is my first motorcycle, and I'm not mechanically inclined -- so my apologies if I sound like an idiot.

 

Are you using the choke at all?

BZ

 

6th Gen's don't have a choke Bubba. I'm wondering if maybe we have some starter valves out of sync or fouled plugs... or if we are looking at something like a fuel pressure regulator here.

jmstone, no worries on it being your first bike or not being the most mechanically inclined. There are others here just the same as you and we will do what we can to help ya figure it out.

Does it only do this when the bike is cold? I don't necessarily mean when it is 15 degrees out, but after the bike has sat for several hours or overnight. Does it start fine once you have fired the bike up and it has been running for a while? As if you were to go fill her up with gas, shut it off while gassing up, then try to start the bike it would fire up without any throttle or hesitation?

How long has it been doing this? Could it possibly be some bad fuel and you need to drain the tank?

 

Hey, thanks for the replies.

To answer your questions, Meatloaf:

• It does seem to only it do it when the bike is cold. After sitting in the garage all night, first thing in the morning, I have to lay on the throttle for about 10 seconds when I start it up, before I can safely let go (otherwise it dies). Same thing after it sits in the garage at work all day. But after driving to the gas station and filling up, it starts just fine immediately afterwards.

• I'd say it's been doing this for about three months. That's a very rough estimate. It seemed to coincide with the temperatures dropping, or at least that's my remembrance. I suppose I just assumed it was a result of the colder weather.

• I've refilled the fuel tank several times since it started, so I don't think it's bad fuel. I have just been putting in regular unleaded... I didn't think it required super unleaded -- maybe it does?

 

Could it be a problem with the wax unit - not engaging the starter valves when cold?

You have warranty ( I assume), just let the dealer fix it. You shouldn't have to put up with that.

 

I'd say we can rule the gas problem out then and I'd lean towards something related to the starter valves such as the wax unit like kingsley suggested.

He's right. If you've got the warranty, use it. It most certainly isn't normal for it to be doing that. It is ten degrees out right now and I just started my bike up for the first time in a week. No problems out of it at all. Just had to crank it an extra second or two since it is cold out.

 

Back home now. I just tried again, and still no dice. So now I get the joyful task of trying to figure out how the heck to get the bike back to the dealer. <grumble>

I recorded what it sounds like, if anyone's interested. MP3 file is here.

 

Just for kicks, you might want to see if you have some fouled spark plugs. It sounds as if all cylinders aren't firing when it does start. If plugs are the case, the dealer will end up charging you labor and parts for that as it will not be a warranty issue. Doesn't hurt to spend a few minutes and pull em to try and save yourself some time and money.

As far as getting it to the dealer, I would personally ride it up there. However once you get there you wouldn't be able to show them on the spot your starting problems since the bike is warm. I'd say ride it up there, drop it off, and tell them you'll come by the next day to show em what it is doing. Just have someone follow you and bring ya back home.

 

I've got the service manual for the bike, so maybe I will try checking out the spark plugs, just to do what I can before resorting to taking it in.

I would ride it there, but I wasn't able to get it to start at all. That recording was me trying to get it to start (and stay running) this evening... after being left alone all day, and it just kept dying.

If the spark plug thing doesn't work, I did find a company that specializes in motorcycle towing here in Denver. They have one of those dorky-looking vans that are really tall. I can't wait to see the price. Heheheh.

Thanks for the help, though. I appreciate it.

 

Talk to the dealership that you are going to take it to. I've not met one that doesn't pick up or deliver bikes. If there is a warranty issue here where the bike isn't even capable of making it to the dealership for warranty repair, you might even be able to get them to bill Honda for the pick up of the bike.

 

The Honda dealership here on the north side of town doesn't do pickups/deliveries any more. I was told they did, but stopped it. No explanation why, though my first suspect is economy, followed by liability. I wouldnt mind if they gave me a loaner bike though....

 

change plugs first off and you should not have to touch the throttle at all on cold start up or it will mess up the choke system in FI.
best bet as it is under warrenty is to find a way to get it to the dealer and let them do all the repairs.
but from sound clip it seems not all clnders are lighting up.

 

I agree with 02VFR rider. There's no reason to touch the throttle when starting a fuel injected bike. True there are a few FI bikes out there that have manual chokes but yours does not, there fore no throttle. You may have 1 or more fouled plugs but don't assume your battery is fully charged unless you have it checked. I had a buddy who recently couldn't get his 06 gixxer 750 to run properly due to a bad battery. It would start but wouldn't run right or stay running without aggresive use of the throttle. He purchased a new battery and a battery tender after a load test was done. Pull the battery and have it load tested and go from there.

 

Is your FI light giving you any codes? Charge the battery overnight and change the plugs, also make sure your battery conections are clean and tight then see if you have the same issue. This may give you a better idea of what is going on with your bike and if you need to take it in to the dealership.

 

Charge the battery. Try starting and holding the throttle wide-open - see if you can get it to start that way, Obviously use some judgment when manipulating the throttle but really give it the gas when starting. Keep pumping that throttle and get her to start up. If that works, you probably have a leaking fuel injector - some injector cleaner should fix that. Otherwise get the dealer to fix it.

 

I also have an '07. That type of starting happened once or twice for me. You only have 2500 miles on it. Your bike is NOT broken in yet. Still very tight. When I had that problem I would turn the ignition on, let the FI light go off, then turn the ignition off. I would then turn the ignition on again, let the FI light go off again and then I would hit the starter button. Never touching the throttle. I think this helps build pressure in the fuel lines before actually starting the bike. I now have 5,800 miles and never have a problem starting. I didn't hit 40 mpg until I got over 3,500 miles. I now get 42 on a regular basis so I think it is just now broken in. I only use this procedure now when the bike is sitting a looooong time.

I agree with everyone else, if this doesn't work take it to the dealer. Your warranty will be up in three months. Make your dealer pick it up. Honda will pay. If the dealer says no. call or e-mail Honda directly in Torrence CA. Honda will not be happy the dealer is not helping you. The dealer will not be happy you made the call. Too Bad! This is a new bike and if the dealer won't give you service Honda will. There is no excuse for poor service and Honda won't tolerate it. How do you think they built this empire?

Rant over!

Maggot

 

Looks like most of the key points have already been said before, but as you are not a techy and its you first bike, its worth stressing that when normally starting Vtec models you should NOT use any throttle - just read and precisely follow the starting procedure as set out in the manual (its spelled out very clearly on pages 73-75 on my UK manual)

The FI system will work out if it needs extra revs or a richer mixture on its own and run things up accordingly. It just needs you to rigidly follow the start procedure and press the start button. If you add throttle you are actually overriding the system commands and hence in colder conditions the bike will stall. If you have been regularly using throttle to start it, then the plugs may indeed be fouled by now - so check they are nice and clean before chasing the dealer. NB As the manual explains only if you have flooded the engine should you crank the bike over with the throttle fully open - and if you do this regularly then your very expensive cat will be taking a hammering.

Its an almost new bike, so fingers crossed cleaning the plugs and following the right start procedure should get it running fine. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

SkiMad4x4
6th Gen Militia #218

 

Also if you normally have to give it some throttle the idle speed is probably set incorrectly. Or, you got some bad gas or water in the lines.

But I had a leaking injector on another bike and it happens a lot. It basically floods the cylinder and you have to hold the throttle open to let more air in to blow out the fuel and allow ignition. Then, injector cleaner removes the tiny particle that holds your injector open a couple thousandths or so.

 

In my opinion, just get it to the dealer. That's what the warranty is for. This doesn't sound like a simple/quick fix for the average DIYer. Sure, maybe it is something minor. But you shouldn't have to go chasing down the cause of the problem (unless you like doing that!). I wouldn't even worry about the plugs -- they should not charge you to replace them if needed. If a legitimate problem with the system caused the plugs to foul, then that's on Honda. I would absolutely not pay for them to change the plugs under those circumstances. Take pics of the bike before you bring it to them if you don't fully "trust" them in case of scratches, dings, etc. Just my $.02.