Hi guys, Bit of non Triumph technical question but am looking at a discounted VFR 1200F and the owner has been honest in saying the 6th gear slips so he's happily just used the 5 gears. Is this a no go or an acceptable risk given the discounted price? Seems to be an issue looking round the Internet that some 2010 models had this issue.
I'd be surprised if the factory parts aren't up to it with it being a Honda so maybe down to abuse or the wrong oil. A new clutch (plates and springs) should sort it but do a bit of research on aftermarket uprated items if it is a known issue. Good torquey power and higher gearing for touring are all factors going against a clutch that is failing.
Thanks for the replies, always a funny one in the used motorcycle market as getting a mechanic out for an inspection is nigh on impossible. Any idea on cost on a clutch replacement, roughly?
Years ago, 1994 actually, I bought a Kawasaki GPZ305 to take to the Isle of Man the saturday before the ferry saturday I was supposed to be taking a borrowed Harris GPZ1100 but it turned out to be a shed. The 305 was in good condition so purchased and ideal for the task at such short notice except for a slipping clutch. Purchased plates and springs from Chesterfield Kawasaki, miles away from home but their parts department were open sunday mornings. Make sure you do your research, including pricing (main dealer would be a good starting point) but a failing clutch on its own and so priced accordingly wouldn't put me off. edit; a quick Google search suggests £120 for a set of plates so plus springs, gasket, oil and filter. I'd call it £200 parts at a guess, then it depends how able you are to save yourself labour costs.
Gearboxes don't slip, other than slipping out of gear completely. Here's a few parts prices, not ad expensive as I expected TBH. https://www.fowlersparts.co.uk/parts/5048091/vfr1200fa-2010-e-mkh/clutch-vfr1200f
Thanks for all your help guys. I rang a local garage for a quote as the valve clearance hadn't been done. That's a £1000 alone!!! They also suggested it could be related to the gearbox and if that is on the way out it might not be worth the gamble as that could be very expensive. Great of the chap to be very honest about this, I've decided to leave it. Seems a known issue on the 2010 models that Honda never owned up to.
Depends what he means by slipping.....is it slipping out of gear...thats bad.....is the clutch slipping....thats not as bad. If it a clutch slip....it could just need adjusting or its worn out. If its slipping or jumping out of gear....that could be expensive.
Agree with nickaxe Generally a slipping clutch will notice some what in all the higher gears. A gearbox problem totally different.
Just an update on this, the guy decided not to tell the next potential purchaser about the problem and he confirmed the horrendous noise in 6th gear (I found this by chance browsing the Honda Forum). He wasn't happy as you can imagine.
Interestingly enough the Honda Blackbird I'm close to agreeing a deal on turned out to be a Cat D after checking. Why can't sellers just be honest? Is enough to lose your faith in people. Although I'd rather chance it private than go to Superbike who seem to sell every other bike on autotrader these days.
Again be very aware and do your research, there seem very mixed reviews on that company and prices often seem attractive.... you need to ask yourself, why?
