Shinigami

Oh, you're absolutely right, my mistake. By the way, the "fish wrapper" I was referring to is "Young Bike", the Japanese magazine.

Nothing wrong with a breakfast Guinness. A pork chop in every glass, after all.

That fish wrapper magazine has cranked out fake renders of “the next Honda V4” (and at least once, V5!) every couple years since at least 2006. Zero credibility. Here’s a notoriously bad example from 2008, in which MCN glommed onto a story that originated in Young Bike (without attribution and claiming an “inside source at Honda “) You can read this wretched pile of journalistic excrement here. https://issuu.com/motorcyclenews/docs/mcnsampler060808

I’m wistful over the departure of the VFR from the USA market, but as long as they keep building them in Kumamoto, there’s still hope. Unfortunately the Japanese domestic bike market has virtually collapsed. It’s perhaps 10 percent of what it was 20 years ago.

Thanks! Yes, the RF650 is a little bit overkill. But, I like overkill on items like that. I live in a very arid climate, and it’s possible to go up to 4 years between flushes, but I still stay with a two year interval. I have never had such low chain wear on my old 6th gen or on my current CBR600RR, 20k miles and the chains would be done, though I do pay attention to adjustments and lube. Despite everything being well within spec on the 8th gen OEM chain and sprockets, I just felt it would be prudent to change them out before the season really kicks off here. I’ve seen the results of failed chains, and want no part of that. Same with the spark plugs, the old ones looked great, but I hate to push intervals on items that can drop ceramic bits into a cylinder.

Got a bunch of things done all at once: New DID chain and Sunstar sprockets despite everything still being in spec, with the OEM chain and sprockets still looking good at 40,150 miles (!) (I only use Honda spray lube on the chain) New adjustable billet levers from Japan New NGK iridium plugs Coolant flush Brake and clutch fluid flush and replacement with Endless RF650 Endless PRO2 front pads New Honda OEM quickshifter (busted the peg on the first one) Honda synthetic oil and OEM filter Honda OEM air filter Then I went for a ride!

I'm just thankful they're still cranking them out in Kumamoto.

And it also comes like this, in Japan.

Well, exactly. At no time did they do anything except aggressively shill the thing. What's amazing is the Stockholm syndrome-like attitude of some of those who were left with nothing for their money.

I hope this ends well for you, but it looks like quite a steep uphill climb from here.

I've had mine four years now, warranty expired last year.

Mine look quite a bit like "Andrearonin"s post above. I've been meaning to get some self-sealing silicone tape to cover them up, as I would hate to have to install a whole new set. I do use them in spring and fall, as I do a lot of riding at high elevation.

You need to understand this isn't the typical sport bike. It's a relatively low volume bike. For example, Honda sells not more than 450 units per year of this bike in Japan. And because it isn't the typical "dropped-it-twice-got-scared-and-sold-it" bike, there isn't much of an after market for cowling parts, etc. Honestly, buying one in this condition, with no experience or ability to work on it yourself and apparently very little knowledge (or money, since it seems you are doing this as cheaply as possible), isn't a recipe for a successful outcome. Besides, one wonders about your priorities. For example- what's the condition of the engine internals and transmission? This is one of the biggest issues on a stolen/crashed bike.