Common Problems
Just like any new bike, people have reported some problems cropping up with their VTRs. So far none of these are more than minor annoyances, and none of them require immediate action.
Q: My VTR sometimes backfires and stalls. What's going on?
A: Most people find that their VTR occasionally backfires, particularly when blipping the throttle at low revs, or in the heat. This is normal for large-capacity V-twins with carburettors. What is happening is the engine is being fed more fuel mixture than it can handle before it has the chance to spin up and the mixture is "spat back" through the carburettors, causing a sound much like a backfire and sometimes causing the engine to stop.
To avoid the problem try being more gentle with the throttle, though even then you may still notice it occasionally.
Q: Even since I filled my VTR up it has run really poorly and sometimes stalls. Have I just got some bad fuel?
A: Probably not. The tank vent tube on the VTR seems to be quite susceptible to being clogged with fuel. Avoid overfilling the tank - it's tempting given the small capacity but can be bad news. In the short term running the bike with the tank cap open can get you home.
Q: If I pull the clutch lever in when travelling at speed the engine dies. What's wrong?
A: It seems to be related to ignition being retarded when the throttle is closed at high speeds. This causes the revs to drop lower than the normal idle and potentially stop the engine.
This problem has only been noticed by a few people as most don't tend to coast with the clutch in at high speeds. The best thing to do is to keep idle settings at the recommended 1200 rpm, blip the throttle on changedowns, and if you absolutely must coast for some reason keep the revs up with the throttle.
Q: I only get about 180km (110 miles) of riding before the "Red LED of Death" tells me to go and hunt for fuel. Is this normal? Can I do anything about it?
A: Yes, it's normal. No, you can't do anything about it. There has been talk of aftermarket tanks which would extend fuel range for touring but nothing is available yet.
Q: I've noticed white droplet marks around my oil filler cap. Where are they coming from?
A: This is apparently a common problem with VTRs, particularly when they are worked very hard. Coolant seeps around the seal of the water pump housing and comes out a weep hole, leaving the deposits you have seen. If this problem is appearing on your bike, speak to your dealer and they will have the seal replaced.
comments from the list
Q: How can I stop my arms, back and bum from hurting after a few hours of riding?
A: While the VTR isn't as aggressive in riding position as many sports bikes, it can be uncomfortable for use as a long-range tourer. Since a lot of people want the best of both worlds quite a few companies are offering aftermarket extras to make the VTR more suitable for touring -
Q: My clutch fluid seems to be turning black. Is this normal?
A: Some people report this happening, other people haven't seen it at
all. The best guess seems to be that it's the seals bedding in - this
is causing
some of the rubber material to be left in the clutch fluid. This
apparently isn't a problem in a low pressure system like the clutch
system, but since it may mask more dangerous moisture-related discolouration
it's probably worth draining your clutch fluid anyway.
comments from the list
Q: The sidestand seems too tall. I'm worried that the bike might fall over.
A: It depends on what you're used to. The bike rests at about a normal
angle for a Honda, though apparently it's a bit more vertical than some
other makes. It could be a problem if you park on uneven ground or on
a slope. Just be careful!
comments from the list
Q: I just checked my speedo and it turns out that it's reading quite a lot higher than the speed I'm doing. Is this common? What can I do about it?
A: The VTR's speedo and odometer are quite inaccurate. The speedo
commonly reads about 10% faster than actual speed, though don't rely
on this without checking it on your own bike.
comments from the list
Quite a few people have installed bicycle speedos on their VTRs. These
give a much more accurate reading and can be adjusted. They also
provide you with a much-needed second trip meter and clock.
Aftermarket speedos
Q: The mirrors look great but I'm having a lot of trouble seeing past my elbows. Do other people have this problem?
A: Yes, the mirrors are pretty much universally regarded as useless. Solutions vary from "lift your arms up when you look" to mounting convex mirrors in the far corner of the mirror to give a greater field of vision. Some people are planning modifications but nothing concrete has surfaced yet.
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