I'm 25% back.

Been a while since I have been a part of these forums. I was in a bad accident about 14 months ago, where i got taken out by a pickup truck, that left my 96 totaled, and my body very banged up. It was a horrific experience.

I am back to a point in my life where I can at least start to think about motorcycles again. I don't know if will ever get in the saddle, however motorcycles are a part of my life, and I still like to keep current on the trends.

If the day came where i did ride again, I would probably be all over a 5th generation this time. I have been doing some light reading, and there seems to be a new savior in the R/R battle.

When I was riding my 96, the solution was a Ricks R/R with the VFRNess. I went through two R/R's in about 10,000 miles, however the next 25,000 miles were issue free after putting those two solutions in place.

Now it seems like there is a new player in town. A MOFSET R/R? Are peeps using one of these, coupled with the VFRNess for a 5th Generation?

Had a question about features for the different year releases. 5th Generations seem practically the same, besides in 2000/2001 where they got the updated fuel injection (closed loop), and the manual idle was removed. Any other differences that would make one grab a 2001 over a 1998?

If I found a 1998, 99 or 2001, with identical miles, what would make me pick the 98? Seems like a 2001 would be a better fit due to it being a little more fresh, including any wiring, plastics, and hoses....not sitting as long.

This post is a milestone for me. Never thought I would be back here.

 

good to see you are recovering, and welcome back

 

Welcome back!

Sorry to hear about the accident, but glad you are facing the demons, and winning.

Can't help you much on the 5th gen. questions, but I'm a tech. guy so the closed loop FI would always be my vote.

 

Welcome back. From what I've read the 2000 up has an upgraded R/R different than the 1999 and older.

 

Welcome back, it's good to see you in high spirits.

The 2000 and newer VFR's came equipped with catalytic converter while the 1998 and 1999 models were cat-less.

The 1998 and 1999 had fast idle levers (looks like a choke lever on the bars) while the newer models do not since they have an auto enrichment system to help with cold starts.

The 2000 and newer models also come standard with updated mirrors (non-condom type) which shouldn't be a dealbreaker since the updated mirrors are a direct swap with all older VFR's all the way back to the 3rd generation VFR.

As previously mentioned the newer model 5th Gens also had a voltage monitor added to the charging system to prevent damage to the R/R and battery.

Also the 2000 model is the only year made in Yellow (the slowest color)

Rollin

 

Welcome back and glad you're recovering.

Rollin Again was doing OK until he said yellow is the slowest color. Most say that out of envy. Or because he's from GA.

From my own experience, the R/R on the 5th Gen (2000 or otherwise) were no better. I bought my bike used with 5800 miles on it. it had an upgraded R/R from a Blackbird. That one failed too. I've now been running a MOSFET for about 3 years, along with the VFRness, and haven't had any issues.

My headers were also swapped out for those from a '99. Direct fit and no more cat. Had to trick the 02 sensors though with a quick $5 fix from Radio Shack (Ohm resistor).

If you really want to learn all about the R/R, and see various options (I like my R/R and VFRness, but its not the only choice), check out this thread.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/5th-gene...how-fix-common-regulator-stator-failures.html

 

:welcome: back :wave:
Sorry about your mishaps, hope you speedy recovery and get back on the saddle sooooooooooooooon :thumbsup:

 

Thanks for all of the replies everybody.

So looks like a big plus on the 98 is that it is catless. Are we talking about a 2 or 3HP gain here, without the cats?

2001 has closed loop FI, nicer mirrors (not a deal breaker) + voltage monitor (who knows how good this is).

So when it comes down to it, the bikes are practically the same, and nothing added or lost is a deal-breaker.

 

Welcome back

I have changed my R/R once with a Rick's. No issues since.
This is on a 2000 5th gen.

 

Welcome back, good that you have recovered enough to want to ride again. Afraid I can't help with your questions re the bike but you seem to know enough about VFR's to make the right choice. Keep us posted.

 

Welcome back mate. Can't help with the questions you have but can sure encourage you to get back into the saddle. Where did this happen. On the Sea to Sky? Hope insurance helped out with the financial issues I am sure you had to deal with.

 

Welcome back.

Its great to see your positive attitude. You know you want to buy one :vtr2:




Skimad

 

I put a MOSFET RR from a '06 R1 into my '98, and I had no issues with it. I've since written it off and the replacement (a '99) had the second or third Honda RR in it (20,000km bike), and it seemed like it wasn't very happy (lights in the gauges flickering at idle). I put in a Ricks MOSFET RR and a VFRness, and it has been perfect since.

As for '98-'99 v's '00-'01... No cat means less weight and better flow through the exhaust, but a cat means it shouldn't smell as much. Closed loop is good in theory, but I couldn't say if it's any better for highway cruising than the older bike because I've only ridden the older model (the O2 sensors are only used while cruising). The auto starter valve opener would be handy, but it's also another thing to go wrong/adjust, when the manual lever is bulletproof, but easy to forget (they both open the same valves in the throttle assembly, so there's no difference in that respect). Either way, you'll need a MOSFET RR, and a VFRness.

Fingers crossed for you to get back on a bike soon!

 

Welcome back! I have a 2000 and put the Mosfet RR kit from Roadstercycle.com in mine and it is absolutely rock solid. The RR he uses is the actual R1 Unit I believe. Easy install and I have close to 6K miles on mine and zero issues. 14 volts at idle and about 14.3 at 5K RPM's. Very stable set up.

 

Welcome back the forum!

As for your questions, I might be able to help. The 49 state 5th gen VFRs (no stinking California model) are for the most part are identical. 98-99 have condom mirrors, no cat and fast idle arm - as was mentioned previously by Rollin. 3rd, 4th, 5th, and most of the 6th gens charging system are fraught with issues. The VFRness is a good workaround that is 100% reverse-able. I didn't want a workaround, I wanted it fixed. My friend mello_dude & I just finished beefing up my 99's charging system and I feel a lot better about it.

First thing that needs to be replaced on any VFR (IMO) is the crappy R/R. I went with the FH020AA R/R and connector kit from Shindengen FH020AA Mosfet Regulator/Rectifier . Then I ordered all the 10 gauge wire, terminals, connectors, and fuses for the rest of the charging system.

Beefed up R/R connections


Battery leads and fuses


I also added a voltmeter so that I can check the status of the system whenever I want.


I swear the bike runs better now. Nice strong idle and a steady 14.3+ no matter the RPM.

 

That's something else I noticed after installing a Ricks RR and VFRness. If you can't get the juice to the battery properly, you won't get the juice to the injectors and ignition coils properly, and the engine won't run properly.