1200 Engine blown at 32000 miles???

[1996 Beeper]

Is this really possible? I honestly can't believe it.

Its making the worst noise I ever heard from an engine.

Please give me your thoughts on this, I'm actually in shock.

[swimmer]

We need fewer details.

[1996 Beeper]

4 hours ago, swimmer said:

We need fewer details.

 

21 hours ago, swimmer said:

We need fewer details.

Ok in fewer words  KABOOOOOOOOM.

[1996 Beeper]

Seriously though. I bought it with 9K on it put 23k on it without issue. Perfectly maintained synthetic oil always all maintaince done, kept indoors.

Driving down the highway 70 mph it started making a noise and it seemed to be chuging then it started getting louder. Pulled over as soon as I stopped it died.

Let it sit for a while tried to start it, it sounds like if you put a bunch of hardware in a blender. shut off called tow truck.

I said it sounds like a piston is off a rod but my friend who

is a mechanic said he thinks it spun a bearing.

THE QUESTION IS THIS is there an inherent problem with these motors or am I just the most unluckiest person you have ever met.

[Presson]

So what has actually broken? Difficult to form an opinion without details although many others have had good long life from the 1200 motor. 

[swimmer]

Except for those that suffered from the swarf in the engine problem, which I think was just in the UK and part of a recall, mechanical engine problems on these motorcycles is almost unheard of.

[1996 Beeper]

On 4/9/2025 at 10:48 PM, swimmer said:

Except for those that suffered from the swarf in the engine problem, which I think was just in the UK and part of a recall, mechanical engine problems on these motorcycles is almost unheard of.

Ok so if what you said is true that means two things. I am extremely unlucky and its well worth putting in a used engine because it should go 100000?

How many miles do you have on your 1200?

[swimmer]

4 hours ago, 1996 Beeper said:

Ok so if what you said is true that means two things. I am extremely unlucky and its well worth putting in a used engine because it should go 100000?

How many miles do you have on your 1200?

I put over 60k miles on my first '12 VFR.  Zero problems.  I was the original owner.  It's currently for sale by the 3rd owner with 82k miles on it. .  I bought my 2nd one last summer.  It only has about 9k miles on it. 

 

I think you are either very unlucky or there was some operator error by the first owner assuming it wasn't by you. 

[HispanicSlammer]

I had over 80k on the Veefalo.

[Marsman99]

On 4/15/2025 at 3:48 AM, 1996 Beeper said:

Ok so if what you said is true that means two things. I am extremely unlucky and its well worth putting in a used engine because it should go 100000?

How many miles do you have on your 1200?

FWIW, I had about 96K on my 1200 DCT when I gifted it to my son.  Not a single issue that wasn’t self inflicted.

 

I think your sitch is very unusual, I would think the VFR community would be very interested in knowing what you find is the root cause.

[paulmeisterpk]

I had 60k+ on mine when I sold it. Never a single motor issue or noise. I've never heard of an engine mechanical issue on these before.

[Viffy]

Unfortunately it isn't unheard of in Europe. No one has tied down what causes the failure, Generally, it only affects pre 2012 model years. A big end has failed on the crankshaft and has rotated around. The crankshaft cannot be reground. Honda don't sell oversize shells. Its a worry for other VFR1200F users.

[swimmer]

FWIW, someone posted a video on the vfr1200 fb page of them starting their motorcycle after letting it sit for year.  It sounds horrible, and obviously his engine didn't blow just sitting without running. Presumably he's got some sort of misfire.  So, you might want to check that you are getting a spark at each cylinder and check the plug condition.

[RC1237V]

Wow, sorry to hear about your bike.

 

My first thought was put a used engine in it, but those are $2K~3K and if you pay someone to do it, that may cost the same. If you have the room, maybe dismantle and part out the stuff people buy, wheels, fairings, seats, pipes, windscreens, forks, brakes, etc. All the smaller parts put on ebay for half what everyone else is asking and stuff will move quickly. You can use that money to go towards a replacement, since they are around $6K ~ $8K with similar mileage, even for the 2012's and 2013's. Or if you didn't love the bike, just move on with at least some money in your pocket...

 

I ride mine like I stole it, and it has never skipped a beat. Aside from a rock through the radiator, and hitting a deer (both well documented on this forum 😎), there have been no issues. Seems like it was just the 0.5% that was destined for failure from the day it left the factory, would be my guess.

 

 

[swimmer]

4 hours ago, RC1237V said:

Wow, sorry to hear about your bike.

 

My first thought was put a used engine in it, but those are $2K~3K and if you pay someone to do it, that may cost the same. If you have the room, maybe dismantle and part out the stuff people buy, wheels, fairings, seats, pipes, windscreens, forks, brakes, etc. All the smaller parts put on ebay for half what everyone else is asking and stuff will move quickly. You can use that money to go towards a replacement, since they are around $6K ~ $8K with similar mileage, even for the 2012's and 2013's. Or if you didn't love the bike, just move on with at least some money in your pocket...

 

I ride mine like I stole it, and it has never skipped a beat. Aside from a rock through the radiator, and hitting a deer (both well documented on this forum 😎), there have been no issues. Seems like it was just the 0.5% that was destined for failure from the day it left the factory, would be my guess.

 

 

OP still hasn't confirmed that there is actually mechanical problem with his engine from what I have read.

[manosmunchen]

On 4/8/2025 at 2:40 PM, 1996 Beeper said:

Is this really possible? I honestly can't believe it.

Its making the worst noise I ever heard from an engine.

Please give me your thoughts on this, I'm actually in shock.

Yes it is ,now i work on mine which deside to tear number 1 cylinder's connecting rod bearing.I will post my full story here,soon.

[1996 Beeper]

On 4/19/2025 at 5:25 PM, Viffy said:

Unfortunately it isn't unheard of in Europe. No one has tied down what causes the failure, Generally, it only affects pre 2012 model years. A big end has failed on the crankshaft and has rotated around. The crankshaft cannot be reground. Honda don't sell oversize shells. Its a worry for other VFR1200F users.

This is what I was afraid of .Its a 2010

[1996 Beeper]

On 4/20/2025 at 11:20 AM, swimmer said:

FWIW, someone posted a video on the vfr1200 fb page of them starting their motorcycle after letting it sit for year.  It sounds horrible, and obviously his engine didn't blow just sitting without running. Presumably he's got some sort of misfire.  So, you might want to check that you are getting a spark at each cylinder and check the plug condition.

It has never sat so I don't think that's it.

[1996 Beeper]

On 5/3/2025 at 12:49 PM, RC1237V said:

Wow, sorry to hear about your bike.

 

My first thought was put a used engine in it, but those are $2K~3K and if you pay someone to do it, that may cost the same. If you have the room, maybe dismantle and part out the stuff people buy, wheels, fairings, seats, pipes, windscreens, forks, brakes, etc. All the smaller parts put on ebay for half what everyone else is asking and stuff will move quickly. You can use that money to go towards a replacement, since they are around $6K ~ $8K with similar mileage, even for the 2012's and 2013's. Or if you didn't love the bike, just move on with at least some money in your pocket...

 

I ride mine like I stole it, and it has never skipped a beat. Aside from a rock through the radiator, and hitting a deer (both well documented on this forum 😎), there have been no issues. Seems like it was just the 0.5% that was destined for failure from the day it left the factory, would be my guess.

 

 

Thanks for the thoughts. I don't think I am going to go with the used engine I'm too afraid that one will go. I was wondering if you thought someone may buy the whole thing for parts? It does have the bags. I really wish I had the time to take it apart or part it out but have been so busy at work the only free time I have I use for riding. I do need to get some money to try to replace it with something.

[1996 Beeper]

On 5/4/2025 at 11:41 AM, manosmunchen said:

Yes it is ,now i work on mine which deside to tear number 1 cylinder's connecting rod bearing.I will post my full story here,soon.

I would be very interested in what you find and what you end up doing.

[1996 Beeper]

On 5/3/2025 at 5:29 PM, swimmer said:

OP still hasn't confirmed that there is actually mechanical problem with his engine from what I have read.

I think OP may be afraid to admit an issue that would result in having to replace engines.

[1996 Beeper]

The saddest thing about this story is my 96 runs so well and I was hoping this bike would do the same.

[swimmer]

16 hours ago, 1996 Beeper said:

This is what I was afraid of .Its a 2010

But you're not in Europe, so having this problem is practically unheard of.  And I actually think the issue was restricted to bikes sold in UK.

[swimmer]

16 hours ago, 1996 Beeper said:

Thanks for the thoughts. I don't think I am going to go with the used engine I'm too afraid that one will go. I was wondering if you thought someone may buy the whole thing for parts? It does have the bags. I really wish I had the time to take it apart or part it out but have been so busy at work the only free time I have I use for riding. I do need to get some money to try to replace it with something.

If you have an OEM hugger I will buy that off you.  It's start, LOL 

[1996 Beeper]

Do you guys know if a newer motor will fit in my 2010?

Like a 12 or 13? Is there any physical differences?

Saw one on eBay.