2007 VFR 800FI does not like cold

My 2007 VFR800FI does not seem to like cold weather. It smokes (white) for about the first 5 minutes or so. I heard that was normal in cold weather and was just moisture in the exhaust. The second thing is that it idles unusually high in cold weather. Even after the bike has warmed up it still hangs between 2500-5000 rpm. I think 1500 rpm is normal. Any thoughts?

 

Between 2500 and 5000.....................WTH
Where do you live, North pole....? Check your Thermostat might be stuck. Normal RPM is at 1200.

 

I run my VFR's idle at about 1400, to cancel the bike's tendency to stall during aggressive acceleration shifting. 2500+ is VERY wrong...

 

Feels like the north pole sometimes. It was actually only about 45 DegF. I will check the thermostat. Thanks!

 

Something is wrong. My bike doesn't do any of those things, at temps much lower than 45. I don't ride in weather that cool but will start it weekly. I keep my idle at 1100 rpm and once the bike has warmed to about 110, it stays right there. You're prob on with the thermostat.

Hey Cyborg, what stalling tendency are you reffering to? I've not experienced this. Did it happen after high mileage or some other specific reason?

 

Thermostats are a common problem with the Gen 6. So far two have failed on my 05, both in the open position fortunately. Changing them is a bit of a pain in the A--e as they are hard to get at.

 

Cold weather

I rode year round and some time it cold as 29° F, Haven't have anyt issue with the engine temperature. If I ride in cold weather the temp normally at 155 to 165, at cool weather temp ranging from 175 to 190. Hot summer it will reach to 225+

 

FWIW, the white "smoke" is probably condensation burning off, not smoke.

Harmless.

 

Will it adjust with the idle screw or does it jump around from 2500 to 5000rpm?

 

The white smoke is most likely condensation.The high idle is also normal if it dosen't do it for more than 10 -15 minutes.It will run rich on fuel the same as if the choke is on and will do so until it gets to normal operating temp,then it will switch from the computer presets and run on the sensors to ajust the fuel mix.My 05 does it all the time in cold weather.If it runs at 2500 to 5000 rpm for more than 15 minutes you have a problem.

 

No, it happened occasionally (an never for a shop tech to see). I'd power up, grab the clutch and shift gears only to have the engine shutdown by the time I released the clutch. Three shops couldn't find anything wrong and the problem was news to AmHon. It was like the idle was having problems catching the RPM drop and sometimes too late to prevent a stall. I'd sometimes see the RPM struggle in the 500 RPM range then pick up, so after one stall locked my rear tire and almost got me rear-ended coming onto a highway, I adjusted the idle from 1200 to 1350. The problem vanished and came back only after the local shop adjusted the idle back down during a service check. I adjusted the idle back up and the shop's got standing orders just what my VFR's stock idle is.

 

hmmmm I have sim problem, but when downshifting fast and using the lower gears to help slow bike. Once I shift from 3rd to 2nd or 2nd to first once i pull in clutch to make said shift bike dies.
not all the time but every once and awhile.
idle now set to 1200 rpm.

as far as org post.
my bike on cold day will idle high untill 110 degrees and then drop to 1200 rpm but your bike should run around 140 once warmed up not 110.

 

sounds like a problem with the wax unit. in cold weather the bike should start and then high idle around 2000 until the bike starts warming up past 100 or 110 degrees then it should drop back down to the normal 1200 rpm idle. my bike only does this when it drops below 60 degrees outside. which isnt very often... lol
a 5000 rpm idle is way too high even for the high idle circuit.
this is either a problem with the wax unit malfunctioning and raising the idle too high or possibly something else way off...

 

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Bastard!!! But I can't get out of the driveway without hitting 1000 corners, does that count for anything?

I'll have to keep my eyes open on that stall thing. I had never heard of anything like that happening. Thanks for the info Cyborg.

 

VT Viffer mentioned it, and it is most likely condensation burning off.

It has been cold, rainy and humid lately down here in south Louisiana, so I've been going out to the garage every other morning to start up the bike to let it run for a few minutes, at least until the condensation clears up. I get the light white smoke/condensation venting from the pipes too, especially during certain atmospheric conditions, but especially when the bike has been sitting for a couple of days or longer.

On a different note, be sure to keep your battery hooked up to a battery tender. Crank up your bike every once in a while if you're unable to ride it often enough. Once the bike warms up, rev the engine a little - there's certainly no need to redline it; just twist the throttle so it can idle around 3 - 4K rpm for a couple of 20 second intervals. If you have a Throttlemeister, it sure helps to hold the engine speed

Once everything dries up, that exhaust will clear up in no time.

Your thermostat definitely should adjust the engine speed to normal idle once the bike is warmed up. When the temps are in the upper 30's, at cold start, it takes my bike about 4 minutes before the 'cold idle' drops down to normal idle speed.

 

I clean forgot aboot my bike stalling out all the time. Adjusted the idle to 1400 and have not had an issue since.

 

Exactly like mine.:wink:

 

Fish, mine is nothing like that. My bike loves it in the high 40s low 50's. Unfortunately, I like it best when its high 60s low 70s...

 

+ another one mine too

 

say its not so. is this a silver only thing? haven't had any thermostat issues in last 60k. i don't think you ride yours enough:smile: