Just Bought My New 2010 VFR1200 DCT - Very Dissatified (Also posted at VFRD Discussions)

Just traded in my 2008 Suzuki Bandit 1250 (loved it) for a 2010 VFR1200 DCT. On the ride home from St. Augustine to Jacksonville (approximately 35 miles) the bike got so hot it was almost unbearable. The temperature gauge remained at 3 bars (out of 4) and the fan cycled on and off most of the trip. The outside temperature was 86 degrees, per the dash gauge. The ride was at speeds between 45 and 65 MPH. It got so hot on the right side, especially along the subframe, just below the tank, that it literally almosted burned my calf. Is this normal? I never had any heating/cooling issues with my Bandit. For that matter, no issues at all. Also, the engine sounds really noisey and especially the transmission /clutch (especially in "D"). It only has 40 miles on it now and I realize I must give it time to break in, but I sure expected more from Honda's flagship. Help. any suggestions?

 

No personal knowledge and I am not the most mechanically inclined. But I should think that your next ride should be back to the dealership to check that out. It doesn't sound right to me. And any brand name of machinery can have the odd piece that has a defect. Don't turn your back on a Honda just over one incident. And BTW. I am not neccessarily fond of the 2010 either, but you bought it because it struck your fancy. Just give it a chance to meet your expectations.

 

I don't own one but I've read hundreds of posts regarding the 7 gen and not one of them has made mention of what you're describing. Previous generations have tended to run hotter than other bikes for what ever reason, but we're talking internal engine temp only and not to the degree that it could cause a person to get burned through normal riding. I think that the extent to which your bike is heating up definately warrants a trip back to the dealership for inspection. I would certainly say that what you're experiencing is not indicative of any VFR I'm aware of, including the 7 gen. A faulty thermostat out of the box, maybe?

 

I now have 3400 miles on my DCT, with 2 trips over 1000 miles in a myriad of (traffic) conditions and have not experienced the over heating you describe. The fan does kick in more frequently than other bikes I have had, and the indicator when warmed is always just a 1/2 block over midline, but remains there in even 94+ plus weather. My leg certainly does NOT get toasty, although i admit when in the hottest conditions, I do feel heat, though certainly not oppressively so.

The change to the Akrapavic' slip-on approx. 1000 miles ago has not seemed to alter the heat characteristics very much, perhaps a smidge cooler. Regarding the clunking in D... at very low speeds with little throttle roll on, I do experience a "clunk", from 1 to 2 and 2 to 3 if I am creeping along, but it is no more than had I shifted with a clutch, probably less so. In these situations I find the S mode or manually shifting is better anyway.

I wouldn't dismiss EVERY DCT VFR over your issues, but certainly take yours in to see what is going on.

Over 42 years of riding now, with 10 bikes currently in my stable, and perhaps 25 bikes in my lifetime, I can proudly say that the VFR1200F D (DCT) is quickly becoming my favorite bike, especially as a sport-tourer. Every mile I travel, I get an even greater appreciation for what this bike IS, and Honda's engineering abilities, and less concerned about what it is NOT. I have the other bikes for that. As a Honda engineer stated in an interview, if I may paraphrase... "the VFR DCT is not THE future in motorcycling, it is A future." I still love to shift via hand/foot... I love the interaction say with my R1, or Turbo Hayabusa and Vmax... the nuances of control that affords

... but the DCT is a technology one acquires a taste for, and you find greater and greater competence and savvy in utilizing the paddle shifters and smoothly integrating the D, S and manual shift modes on the fly, with a speed simply unmatched, and a smoothness that no "conventional" clutch can manage regardless of the rider's abilities.

It is almost however a new mindset when you ride and use the DCT, an evolution of sorts, that the rider needs to embrace and be open minded with. IF the rider can approach the DCT with an open mind, it will (surprise) make you smile, as you the rider get better and more "DCTified".

Do yourself a favour and do not feed into the anti 7th gen VFR fodder that abounds by many, the vast majority of which have 0 or relatively very few "test" miles on the bike.

... take your VFR into your dealer, be serious with them in finding out the issue, and if need be, speak to upper levels at Honda over your issues. I believe this bike is a big deal to Honda, and certainly is A future direction for products down the road. As such it is important. Keep an open mind, get your issue resolved, and learn the bike. It WILL reward you. Best regards and good luck.

 

I'd take it back to the dealer and have them look at it.

 

Thanks for all the input.

The St. Augustine dealer sent a driver to Jacksonville and trailered my bike back to their shop. Several hours later, a service writer called to tell me that my bike was ready. I inquired about their findings and was informed that at least 5 technicians checked and rode the bike and found that the high temperatures are normal. I asked how many bars were displayed and also what coolant temperature they observed or measured. He could not respond. I then asked him to go back into the service area and hold his hand on the frame for 2 seconds, just below the tank where my knees are positioned while riding. He refused, stating that all sport bikes get really hot in that area. I also asked if he thought it normal to ride at cruising speeds with 3 to 4 bars (out of 4) with the fan running most of the time. I asked what was the purpose of Honda engineers developing the layered fairing concept to deflect hot air away from the rider and direct cool, incoming air toward the engine? I explained to him that this "normal" explanation was not satisfactory and I requested the service manager and owner of the dealership to call me. I also requested that an appointment be made to meet with the official Honda representative for my area. I really want to try and keep the bike but the current riding conditions are unbearable and unacceptable.

Maybe my Bandit just spoiled me.

And yes, I always, always ride with a full face helmet, armored mesh jacket, full leather (perforated) gloves, long jeans and boots, regardless of the hot Florida temperatures. Safety first!!

P.S. There are no shacks in Ponte Vedra, only billion dollar mansions. Ha Ha!!

 

:-( Your reported VFR DCT heat issue is not typical from my personal experience, or other owner reports that I have read. Further I'm not impressed with your dealer's response, and would follow the next line i.e. Honda representative (or letter to Honda of America) as you have stated, if you don't think going to another Honda dealer might be more productive. Being at rest in traffic with ambient heat is one thing, traveling at cruising speeds and being baked (?) is quite another. Neither with my bike is an issue.

For comparison my '09 R1 DOES get very warm on hot days, but then certainly still not to the point of not being able (or wanting) to ride it. My VFR DCT does not come near to approaching those levels of radiating heat that the R1 does!

 

Dude take it back & put a stop payment on the down payment check. I'm not talking from 7th gen experience, just from common sense. You have a lemon and the dealer sounds like they are trying to avoid the obvious. Tray another dealer and if you dont have one close, contact Honda directly. Tru all bikes get hot but only when stuck in traffic and not moving. My 6th Gen gets hot (222) a few blocks from the house but the fans kick in and everything is fine. Give it back to them & let them fix it

 

Hmmmmmmmm........... op2:

 

Anbark - I thought you were going to give us some good news when I started to read "...the dealer...trailered my bike..." Sounded like the beginning of great customer service and not wanting to potentially do any harm to the motor if there was a heat problem. Unfortunately not.

Maybe they should have rode the bike - or ask them to ride it back to your place, rather than trailer it. Let the technician roast his nuts instead.

Since I don't have a 2010, I can't give my experience. But like others (because there is such an "interest" in this model), many of us have read pages and pages (and pages) of information, and I think this is the first time I've ever heard someone comment about that sort of heat. Not to mention, it appears Zilla has racked up some decent miles/trips already. If I was in your shoes, I'd be listening to what he had to say. Well thought out, good comparisons, and detailed information.

I hope you get it all sorted out.

 

Wow, seems like my motto rings true: NEVER BUY THE FIRST MODEL YEAR!!
Sorry but just my .02 cent opinion..
Being a Toyota Tech, I know this well. (I can provide stories)
Hopefully this is just a glich. Something easily fixed.... FOR THE NEXT OWNER OF THIS VFR!!
You should definately talk to all the higher "UPS" that you can and demand an explanation! Especially after hearing from ZillaMoto who has some experience on this.
Good luck and keep us informed!

 

I assume you rode the bike again after the bike was declared OK by the dealer, and are certain the problem has not been fixed? (Its not unknown for mechanics to spot and fix goofs they made when assembling bikes, but be too embarrassed to admit they messed up.)

As they insist the temperature is normal, you may want to test ride a similar model with another dealership. That way you will at least confirm there is something wrong with your bike.

As others have said, a faulty thermostat is the most likely culprit, but this is a new bike, so I am astonished the dealership did not swap it out, just to make sure it was not faulty.

I too would be very dissatisfied by the response of your Dealership. Whilst most are excellent, a few turn out to be little more than box shifters, with no interest once they have your money. At least you have given them fair warning that things are not right. The next step really depends on them. If their Service Manager does not bother to get back to you quickly to sort things out, then I would be looking up the regional/national Honda contact details to pursue the matter direct, and cut the incompetent dealer out the loop.

Finally it strikes me that if “it is normal” , surely Honda could be open to a serious lawsuit if an unshielded part of the bike is hot enough to scald riders/pillions? I suspect a terse letter from a lawyer might provoke an abrupt change in their Customer Service attitude, with the bike either fixed or replaced instantly and compensation offered for the inconvenience incurred.

 

you sound like you have had experience in California....LOL...okay . seriously, I think that is the right thing to do. get the bike back , ride it, if it still is way to hot I would DEMAND to speak to the higher ups, no sense in being stuck with a lemon...

Good luck

 

High temps plus a noisy engine just doesn't sound good, especially on a new bike. How many 1200's has your dealer sold? Maybe yours is the only one, so they have nothing to compare it to. Regardless, the statement about "all sport bikes get really hot in that area" is ridiculous. Kind of a catch-all phrase that really says, "we don't know what is wrong, but we do know this is costing us too much money, so please go away and stop bothering us".

If you send an email to Honda, provide a link to this thread; it might get their attention. Good luck!

 

Yes, this is the first and only VFR1200 they've sold.

 

Dude, remember motorcycle come in a box. If it's the first they sold then it's also the first one they assembled & it sounds like they screwed something up. Just by reading YOUR OWN words, you should take it back.

 

Most bikes in a crate require very little assembly. I'm not sure about the new VFR, but most sport/sport-touring bikes come fully assembled other than the windscreen and mirrors, sometimes a clip-on is not fully secured in order to fit in the crate. In some cases the front wheel needs to be installed. Cruisers are a little more labor intensive, but you still don't get into anything major. I highly doubt assembly had anything at all to do with the issues.

 

Mine As Delivered... unless the dealer drained the fluids/oil and swapped out a bad thermostat, there's nothing in assembly that would account for the reported issues.

 

Nice photo - I have always wondered what the new VFRs would look like when crated up. Anyway it appears to show these bikes are shipped virtually ready to ride. However in Europe it was common practice to ship "dry weight" bikes, in order to keep the shipping weight down, with the dealership responsible for adding appropriate fluids etc to meet the requirements of that destination. This avoided the factory having to produce different specification bikes to cater for cold climates or desert locations. I guess if the dealer failed to add sufficient coolant or spot an airlock in the coolant system it could create overheating issues, in much the same way as a jammed shut thermostat. One last thought - did any of the US models get caught up in the engine swarf recalls we had in Europe? The implication was that some engines left the factory with machining bits inside which could seriously overheat things if oil or water cooling galleries got blocked?

 

I looked through the "Recall Roster" sections in the recent Cycle World mags, because I remember reading something similar to the above. I can't find it, but I know I read it. I wasn't going to comment on it until I knew the details, but it seemed to me that it was limited to "early production" engines, and the fix was to replace the motor. If I manage to dig it up, I'll reference the issue.

Edit: This is even better:

http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/4573/recalls-for-honda-vfr-12oof-in-france-uk-and-italy


Honda is recalling several numbers of their new VFR 1200F in Europes that may present aluminium metal shavings in their engines that could cause engine seizure . So far the recall has affected VFR’s in France, the UK and Italy. 519 units in France, 392 in the United Kingdom and 165 in Italy (with 2 engines presenting this defect)

If you’re an owner of a new VFR and you should hear abnormal engine noise, even if you don’t live in one of these three countries, contact your local Honda Motorcycle dealer.

This statement is from Honda UK, but is applicable to all VFR owners worldwide:

“Honda is aware that some customers have experienced an abnormal engine noise with their VFR1200F.

“This was referred to Honda’s technical team for investigation, who found aluminium swarf (small shavings of metal) present in some VFR1200F engines. This issue potentially affects only VFR1200Fs manufactured over an identified and specific period of time. In total there are 392 potentially affected machines in the UK.

“Honda has notified VOSA and a recall is now in progress for the selected VFR1200F models, as the swarf could cause a potential problem with the engine and, in the worst case, possible engine seizure, due to the aluminium swarf restricting the engine oil passage in certain conditions.

“All registered owners of possibly affected machines will be contacted by Honda shortly and advised to contact their local authorised Honda Motorcycle dealer.

“An inspection of all the potentially affected machines will be carried out by checking the oil gallery for aluminium swarf. If no swarf is found then no further action will be necessary. If any swarf is found a new replacement engine assembly will be fitted.

“Honda would like to reassure that our customers concerns and our engineering quality standards are taken seriously and treated as priority and we apologise to customers affected by this issue for any disappointment or inconvenience caused.