The last thing the Big Red needs is another reliability scare as happened with the first VF750F’s back then…names will have been taken you can be sure.
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Comments
teza51says
Been doing a lot of reading on your site Fezz finding it very interesting.On topic i do like the look of the new VFR be interesting to have a test ride when they arrive in Aus wonder what the seat height is.
Phil Hallsays
Thanks for the kind words. As for the VFR1200. They are here already. TJ’s have one, I’d be rocking up and asking for a test ride. I’ve already told Trev that, when I’m better, I’ll be putting the heavies on him for a ride. Seat height is 32.1 inches or 815mms.
gearsausays
Phil,
I purchased my HONDA VF1000R exactly 26 years ago on June 4th., 1984. One of the most expensive bikes at the time.
I had two sets of cams replaced in it at 4,000 km and 12,000 km. Fast forward 26 years, and HONDA is still having engine problems. May not be camshafts, but, makes one think. Of course,they only have two camshafts in the latest one, rather than four as in mine.
Nothing would make me rush out and buy a HONDA nowadays.
Quality control sure is slipping..
Phil Hallsays
No, I disagree with that, although I know what you’re saying. Quality control and inspection is much higher now than it was then. These days it’s the manufacturers that usually detect problems and arrange to have them fixed (as in this case). Back then, they only found out about it when owners’ bikes ground to a halt on the side of the road usually. And, in this litigation-conscious world, they are much more aware of quality control than what they used to be, too. And, if you look at the history of factory recalls in the last 5 years or so, I can’t recall Honda having any. If you haven’t had a close look at a 1200, I recommend that you do. The finish and quality of the construction sets whole new standards, in my opinion. At least they’re not breaking conrods like the Aprilia V4’s did. 🙂
sanopticsays
The older Honda’s like the VF1000R & the early 750 versions had faulty design oil supply problems which wore out the cam shafts prematurely.There were plenty of other bikes around that era with camshaft tensioner & electrical problems.
These days quality control is generally very good but like anything that is mass produced the odd problems do occur..
In the case of the new Honda 1200 there is nothing wrong with the bike it’s self it was a batch of crankcases that were not cleaned correctly leaving metal particles from the machining process in the assembled bikes.
I believe it’s about 300 odd bikes from England that are affected.
Phil Hallsays
Yeah, 392. I remember the kefuffle that the oil supply problem caused. There were a couple of companies in the States that actually made an EXTERNAL oil line kit that tapped into the crankcase and ran extra oil through lines to the top end. It was a common fix back then. See my comment below about Aprilia. 🙂
teza51 says
Been doing a lot of reading on your site Fezz finding it very interesting.On topic i do like the look of the new VFR be interesting to have a test ride when they arrive in Aus wonder what the seat height is.
Phil Hall says
Thanks for the kind words. As for the VFR1200. They are here already. TJ’s have one, I’d be rocking up and asking for a test ride. I’ve already told Trev that, when I’m better, I’ll be putting the heavies on him for a ride. Seat height is 32.1 inches or 815mms.
gearsau says
Phil,
I purchased my HONDA VF1000R exactly 26 years ago on June 4th., 1984. One of the most expensive bikes at the time.
I had two sets of cams replaced in it at 4,000 km and 12,000 km. Fast forward 26 years, and HONDA is still having engine problems. May not be camshafts, but, makes one think. Of course,they only have two camshafts in the latest one, rather than four as in mine.
Nothing would make me rush out and buy a HONDA nowadays.
Quality control sure is slipping..
Phil Hall says
No, I disagree with that, although I know what you’re saying. Quality control and inspection is much higher now than it was then. These days it’s the manufacturers that usually detect problems and arrange to have them fixed (as in this case). Back then, they only found out about it when owners’ bikes ground to a halt on the side of the road usually. And, in this litigation-conscious world, they are much more aware of quality control than what they used to be, too. And, if you look at the history of factory recalls in the last 5 years or so, I can’t recall Honda having any. If you haven’t had a close look at a 1200, I recommend that you do. The finish and quality of the construction sets whole new standards, in my opinion. At least they’re not breaking conrods like the Aprilia V4’s did. 🙂
sanoptic says
The older Honda’s like the VF1000R & the early 750 versions had faulty design oil supply problems which wore out the cam shafts prematurely.There were plenty of other bikes around that era with camshaft tensioner & electrical problems.
These days quality control is generally very good but like anything that is mass produced the odd problems do occur..
In the case of the new Honda 1200 there is nothing wrong with the bike it’s self it was a batch of crankcases that were not cleaned correctly leaving metal particles from the machining process in the assembled bikes.
I believe it’s about 300 odd bikes from England that are affected.
Phil Hall says
Yeah, 392. I remember the kefuffle that the oil supply problem caused. There were a couple of companies in the States that actually made an EXTERNAL oil line kit that tapped into the crankcase and ran extra oil through lines to the top end. It was a common fix back then. See my comment below about Aprilia. 🙂