What is the normal running temperature for an 08VFR-800?

Hello People,

I ride an 08 VFR 800, however is has been overheating lately even on idle. This has been giving me some concern. It bursts into 250 degrees very quickly and the check engine like starts blinking immediately. This has made it very unattractive to ride.

Your kind suggestion is appreciated please.

Thanks.

'Tayo.

 

These bikes do like to run hot but I believe that is excessive. most people you talk to will usually say about 225 degrees is normal. Sounds like you have a thermostat issue. If you do a search of the forum I'm sure there is a "how to" some where.

 

I agree with Comicus. I have an '07 and it runs around 215-225 in the warmer months. I believe the fan kicks on around 220 (don't remember exactly since I haven't ridden it since Nov '09) and it kicks off around 210? 250 is very hot and I would suspect a thermostat issue too. I've ridden in 104 degree heat in the middle of the summer, in stop and go traffic, and it got up to 232, but never overheated.

 

the last seveal weekends have had temps in the low 60s to low 70s. on the back roads my '09 stays at 177 degrees. however, last summer in the heat i believe it mostly stayed around 200 on the backroads and around 215 during in city riding. it would get up to the lower 220's on ocassion if i got hung up at a bunch of stoplights. i try not to ride much in city traffic though other than to / from work.

gw

 

That is not right, Depend on the temp. and weather.
Cool to cold 150 to 165°
Warm to hot summer day 185 to 225
The highest I got during the summer is 230°
You might want to bring back to the dealer for them to check it out if it is still under warranty otherwise we can help you here on the forum.

 

Is your fan coming on? It should come on at 220 or so.

 

That is way to hot. Replace the thermostat and check. I have been in bumper to bumper trafic in 100+temps for an hour and came close to 240 degrees.

 

Is that temp when you are riding, or at a stop?

Mine is a 5th Gen, but I had it hit 250 once . Turns out my fan was "stuck" (maybe some debris got in there?) and it blew the fuse. Turned the fan blade manually and it un-stuck, changed the fuse, and I haven't had a problem since.

But I guess it really depends on the surrounding circumstance of when you are hitting that temp.

 

Seriously though.. .250 is too hot.

 

the thermostat should open at ~170, fan kicks on at ~210.

check ur fluid, see if it is full

start ur bike in the morning when its cold and let it slowly warm up
at 160 put ur hand on the radiator, when the bike hits ~170 the radiator will all of a sudden get warm, fast, as the thermo opens.

easy way to check if ur thermo is working correctly,


next let the bike get to ~210 and listen for the fan to kick on.

if the thermo and fan are working, i might be the water pump

 

I have an '08 also, like others have said, that is too hot. Something is not right.

 

There is now, as of last night! :nod:

Here is the DIY walkthrough I put together for replacing the thermostat on the 6th gen VFR:

http://vfrworld.com/forums/mechanics-garage/29432-thermostat-replacement-6th-gen-vfr800-vtec.html

It sounds as if your thermostat is stuck closed.

My 03 VFR will run ~170°F when cruising in this 40-50°F weather we're having here. Idling it will shoot up to 221°F or so before the fan kicks on.

First follow the info that snowcrossmxz posted. First thing to check is to make sure there is coolant in there and that it didn't leak out. Then check the radiator.

Is the fan coming on at all when it heats up past 220°F? If the temp seems okay when riding but will climb indefinitely at idle, it could be that the fan isn't working.

Regardles, it's an 08 so you are likely still under warranty. You should troubleshoot if it's the fan or thermostat or other, then just bring it to the dealership for repair.

 

I started a similar thread over at VFR Discussion. I was having the same problems, and got a lot of good, similar advice as what is being offerred here. The high temps were really irritating me.

I paid more attention to how and when I was shifting, and what gears and RPM ranges I stayed in. I found that by getting up into higher gears more quickly and cruising at lower RPMs (<6K), it made a huge difference in my temp. Where I was cruising along and consistently hitting 225-235F while riding in 3rd gear in the 5-8k range, by shifting into 4th and 5th gears and keeping the lower RPMs I am able to keep my temp around 180-190. As soon as I stop and idle, or do the traffic creep, temps hop up and fan kicks in, but once I get going again the temps drop down.

I know it doesn't sound like much fun, but I don't always stay in the low ranges. Just when I'm cruising.

Just my two cents. Good luck.

 

Yes, I have noticed (this is my first VFR), that they do indeed run hotter than any other bike I'ved owned (inline 4 supersports). I attribute it to the dual rad design and poor airflow at low speeds. I've added Water Wetter (I use it in my race bike and it works wonders), and lower degree fan thermo switch....so far, it seems to have helped quite a bit. YMMV.
Cheers,
Pozi

 

the issue lies in the placement of the radiators. the RC51 suffers the same problem. its a poor design honestly in my book.

but even at that, 250 is too hot. so ask yourself these questions.

is there enough coolant in the system?
is my water pump circulating the coolant?
is my fan kicking on?
is the coolant clean and fairly new?
is there any damage in the system tat may obstruct or hinder in any way the flow of coolant?

this sounds like a stuck thermostat, but I'm not positive, so verify the above. if the thermo is stuck, you have to change coolant anyhow. any Honda coolant frm the dealer should be sufficient, but ask to be sure.