04 VFR Downshift woes...

Just got my first VFR - havent really ridden it yet as its snow season here..

Odd question - is the VFR's Tranny a bit .... hmmm Notchy? I find it upshifts great - no worries - but down shifting -when I press the shifter - it just feels odd.. but does down shift no problem.. Just wondering if I something is bent..

I have been riding SS - F4, F4i, RR for the past few years and they are always - really sharp... this just worries me a bit..

It was pretty cold the day i tried it out - around 2-3deg.. on a fresh oil change...

any thoughts?

 

What kind of oil did you use? The vfr seems to be pretty pick about certain oils.

I can't comment on the 'notchi-ness' of the down shifting since I have not ridden any of the bikes you have listed, but my 5th gen seems as smooth as any I have actually ridden.

 

My '08 is about the smoothest transmission I've experienced. Can't be certain but the temp may be the culprit. I test rode the BMW S1000 with shift assist and it was not as smooth as a 6 gen without the assist.

 

The oil was just some JA MA spec 10W40 - cheap stuff I put in till next summer...

Maybe it was just too cold and the engine no warmed up enough... Spring is only.. 5 months away

 

On my 5th Gen, I certainly keep track of my oil changes so that I don't go over 2500 miles (personal preference), but I have definitely noticed a difference in the way she shifts during cold weather, or when the oil starts to get "used" - for lack of a better term.

What was the operating temp on the bike? Sufficient time to warm up?

 

How many kms on the bike?

City or highway driving?
Are you a racer or a cruiser.

My VF 1000r tranny was shot after downshifting for several years.

But I think your bike is waaaaaaaaaaay waaaaaaaay better.

 

It would say it wasn't up to temp I just started it and let it warm up for a couple mins. I then took it for a 2 km run to switch gears into second... - up was fine - down just seemed notchy... but I am really picky - I work in aviation so I am bit anal.. it only has 17,000km - or 10,500 Miles. The machine seems to be in good condition - due to the 3 piece hard bags installed - I would expect it was mostly highway miles for the beginning of its life.. The last owner only had it a month or so (he was a cop) - he did the odd little trip here and there - no more than 1000km .. I could see in the sight glass there was a bit of milky residue. I suspect from him riding to his house and the cop shop - 2 1/2km - wasn't enough to heat it up and burn off the condensation.. The Oil I removed from it - was fairly "used" but not milky or foamy.. so I dont expect Head gasket or anything -

 

If you're in T.O come by my place and well check it out.

 

Also keep in mind that it's a wet clutch and is therefore extremely sensitive to oil quality. Don't use any "moly" based oils, ever. The Honda line works pretty well but breaks down early. I'm waiting on another members tests to find out what the breakdown point is for Amsoil, but have heard very good things in regards to smoother transmission and clutch operations.

 

I ride in the winter in NYC and when the temperature goes below 32 degrees you gotta let the VFR warm up a bit. If the temp is below 32 degrees when I start my 5th Gen VFR it runs a little rough till the engine temp is about 100 - 110 degrees. My tranny does feel a little stiff in colder weather, but goes back to normal when it warms up. Last year my throttle froze on me overnight and when I took off for my morning commute to work I could only get the bike up to 35mph. After it warmed up things were back to normal.

 

on my 07 vfr, I find cold weather (below 10 deg c) causes the transition from 2nd to 1st to be 'notchy". that is to say if im not firm in going from 2nd to first, i end up in N. This goes away when the engine is about 80/85 deg C

JFYI im still on the Honda GN4 oil so far the only issue is when close to 4000kms from change the clutch feels different, but that could also be just me.

 

My VFR's have always been very sensitive to the age of the oil in the tranny. Very noticeable deterioration in feel of shifter lever after 2500-3000 miles. Let's you know it's time for an oil change.
My RC51 tranny is another level better than the VFR's in feel and slickness. You only have to start moving the lever with your toe and it "flicks" the rest of the way into the gear like magic, really really nice. I would rate it better than the VFR's shifter action with new or old oil.

 

factory pro shift star and detent arm.

 

Check the condition of your chain and sprockets.