Simple questions - starting and meter buttons

Hi guys,

I'm a new owner of this V4 bike and have some questions. Before that, let me assure you I've used the search functions in this forum and downloaded and read the service manual. However, perhaps what I need is a User or Instructions manual which I can't obtain....

1. Normal idling is 1.1k rpm. However during cold start, I guess the EFI will initiate autochoke and idling will hover at 1.5-1.6k rpm. Until the engine temp reaches 60 degrees celcius.

Question is, is it ok to ride the bike when the idling is high i.e. when the choke is on? I'm asking cos the bike died (for no apparent reason) midway during riding twice but it restarted fine after that.

2. What are the functions of the Temp and Trip buttons? As of now I've managed to figure out that pressing down Trip button reset the odometer and pressing the Temp button toggles the engine/environment temp reading.

According to specs there's 2 odometer? Is there any hidden functions I can call out using these 2 buttons?

Thanks a bunch!

 

Tks! For point 1, when you rode off is the engine idling rpm at 1.1K or 1.5K?

Erm...how does the ECU determines choke operation? I don't think it's a simple engine temp reding. O2 level? Fuel level? I'm from Singapore and the humidity here never drop below 90%, is that a factor?

Tks again!

 

Hi and welcome,
Reg is right there are 2 trip odometers. to change between them just press and release trip button, it will toggle between trip A, Trip B, and the total mileage odometer. holding button resets the two trip odo's. if you press and hold both the temp and trip buttons the clock will start to flash and you can set the clock one button changes the numbers and the other changes between min and hours. I can't remember which does which right now but try one and it will be apparent. after you have the clock setturn off key and it will stop flashing and you will be set. so to speak. I think there is a place where you can order the operator's manual for the bike what year and what model is your bike?

 

Hi, mine is a 2000 VFR800, that's why I posted in this sub-forum.

Yeah, I can hunt down a user manual but frankly I don't need anymore information that isn't covered in the service manual. Except for the 2 questions posed of course.

Thanks a bunch. Still learning much about this bike. This is my first EFI bike and it seems much more complicated than the usual carb bike.

So...anybody can enlighten me on the choke operation? On a carb bike riding with the choke on will simply flood the carb. But on an EFI bike I can't turn off the choke! Do I simply have to wait till the RPM settle to a steady 1.1K?

To add on, yesterday when I press the starter the engine did not crank immediately! I was horrified. Switched on and off again, same result. The lights on the meter dimmed slightly so I know that energy is being drained to the starter motor, hence it can't be faulty switch or wiring. Tried again but this time I hold down the starter button and after a half second delay the engine cranked and it started..... Batttery? R/R? Or a fuel thingy i.e. is this normal? Should I be in panic mode?

 

I would look at the start button itself. Probably dirty inside. Contact cleaner will take care of that.
It is not a choke, it is a fast idle. It is controlled by a wax pellet that is heated by the cooling system (much like the mitsubishi cars of the 80's were). Just drive off with it on, no need to warm the bike up first.

 

Thanks for the info on the fast idle!

As for the abnormal starting, it can't start 2 days ago. Turn out the battery was weak. Took it out, charged it and now seems fine.

Weird though, is that the battery is less than a year old. I'll ride it for a few weeks to see if it happens again.

Somebody mentioned the VFR is easy to push start...you gotta be kidding me! :crazy:

 

Buy a battery tender .... if the battery is bad, you'll find out soon enough; if the battery is good ... the battery tender will keep it better ...

 

I don't worry about letting my bike warm up before I ride it, I just keep the revs under 4k until it will idle happily once the fast idle has done its' job. (Usually 2-3km)

It's easy to clutch start, just make sure that you're headed downhill.

:tongue:

 

Well it happened again but this time about 80 km from my country!

Bike died halfway. Just before it died, speedo and tacho was reading zero. Tried to restart but the batt was too weak to power the starter motor. AND the bikes I was riding with had sped off (I was the last bike), leaving me stranded in a foreign country, at night on a road cutting across some plantations, with no streetlamps.

Well luckily I managed to contact the group about 50 mins later (when they finally realise they have a missing bike!). And about this time the bike and battery has cooled somewhat, returning some power to the battery. BIke started, and I ride like the wind to join back my group.

Unfortunately, the batt is so weak and since no power is being produced by the bike charging system (i.e. dead R/R) I cannot ride with the headlight on! Have to wait for cars to drive by while I stay behind them, using their headlights to shine the way.

During this time, the bike isn't responding very well. I guess the EFI and the fuel pump were getting a bit cranky with the insufficient voltage. Which is quite scary as I was travelling around 140 km/h, in total darkness and with no headlamps.

So right now, I have a new battery and a new rectifier. And I had ridden about 200 km with a dead R/R and dying batt. Had I done more damage? Any checks I should do prior to fixing them on my bike?

Tks!
hansen