10-14-2017, 08:24 AM
Update: Last two weeks I had 3 rides of 1 hour plus each with no issues. Cooler temps? But then a few days ago went for a ride and low idle returned after one hour, about 600-700RPM. Turned engine off, back to normal at 1000. I thought about waiting till next spring before talking to service at Honda dealer, but today was a nice day. So I wrote up a letter explaining the high/low idle issues, mentioned the IACV and throttle body assembly replacement fixes, made mention of this thread, highlighted a number of experiences folks here have had, and printed out the spread sheet. Beaverton Honda is a good 45 minutes from me in Gresham, so I figured that with any "luck" the idle issue would act up by the time I got there.
And...nope! Rock solid at 1000RPM the whole time there. Talked to the Service Tech and he said the Service Manager was out at the moment. I explained, he listened, but said that if it wasn't acting up, it might be pointless to leave the bike with them since it takes an hour of riding for the problem to happen of late. They charge $115 for a diagnostic.
I told him what I wanted was for the SM to read my letter, read the spreadsheet and give me a call. Then if I could get the idle to act up and brought it in the day of the ride, at least they would know exactly what I've had to deal with. He thought that was reasonable. After glancing at the spreadsheet he asked if I bought the bike there (I did) and if I had any service done with them (only the 600 mile; I've done the 4k and 8k mile oil changes). He said in some cases they can request Honda to cover an issue--implying even if it were out of warranty by a bit--but that in those cases they do so because the customer has had all service done with them...which, like I said, I have not.
So Tuesday, I'll give the SM a call to discuss things. What would I like? Since I bought the bike from them, I'd like for them to do the diagnostic at no charge. Tell me what they think it is. If it's throttle assembly at ($3k?--I've been led to believe), no thanks, unless Honda gave them the OK--not holding my breath on that one. But if they said IAVC, I might listen.
I decided to make this known to the dealer mainly so that they get more familiar with the problem. I'll send the letter off to Honda as well. I don't expect anything to happen, but as others have said, making the issue known with Honda is probably the best way to go instead of just "living with it" as I may end up doing anyway.
My complaint? HONDA...if you're going to make bikes that are unreliable (wink-wink), at least make them reliable in their unreliability!! If I can't rely on reliable unreliablity, then what's the point of not buying an extended warranty? I fully expected the idle issue to act up for the Service department...and nada!!!
I hung around the dealership area making lots of local stops, turned bike off, started multiple times, hiway riding, stop and go...the dang RPM needle would not budge off the 1000 mark! sheesh! Then I ride home, run into some bumber to bumber traffic, over 7 miles of it at 5-10mph...and nothing! 1000RPM just laughing at me all the way home. I actually found myself shouting at my bike "come on, you piece of Honda perfection!!...STOP your perfect idling!!!"
Total failure to not-perform! : )
Ok, back to being serious: Service folks confirmed for me that valve check would be $575 plus a $40 gasket. The price would be the same if any adjustments were needed. Lots of $$$. If my idle issues continue, I'll probably just forego it till about 20k miles.
My stock tires are at 10,200 miles. I suppose it's time. But I'll probably wait till mid winter. They want $150 to install both tires (cheaper if I were to bring wheels in separate). Replacement tires through them were $313 for stock equivalents. That's $463 for new tires mounted. I wonder if they would take my '14 as trade-in for a new '14 that they may sell at what, $6500? Heck, they should give me 4k for trade-in right? That means I come up with $2500 and get a new '14 with new tread, no idle issue (knock on wood), and no valve inspect needed for another two plus years. Hmmm...interesting idea.
Have a great afternoon, gents. BTW...are there any female riders of CB1100s?
And...nope! Rock solid at 1000RPM the whole time there. Talked to the Service Tech and he said the Service Manager was out at the moment. I explained, he listened, but said that if it wasn't acting up, it might be pointless to leave the bike with them since it takes an hour of riding for the problem to happen of late. They charge $115 for a diagnostic.
I told him what I wanted was for the SM to read my letter, read the spreadsheet and give me a call. Then if I could get the idle to act up and brought it in the day of the ride, at least they would know exactly what I've had to deal with. He thought that was reasonable. After glancing at the spreadsheet he asked if I bought the bike there (I did) and if I had any service done with them (only the 600 mile; I've done the 4k and 8k mile oil changes). He said in some cases they can request Honda to cover an issue--implying even if it were out of warranty by a bit--but that in those cases they do so because the customer has had all service done with them...which, like I said, I have not.
So Tuesday, I'll give the SM a call to discuss things. What would I like? Since I bought the bike from them, I'd like for them to do the diagnostic at no charge. Tell me what they think it is. If it's throttle assembly at ($3k?--I've been led to believe), no thanks, unless Honda gave them the OK--not holding my breath on that one. But if they said IAVC, I might listen.
I decided to make this known to the dealer mainly so that they get more familiar with the problem. I'll send the letter off to Honda as well. I don't expect anything to happen, but as others have said, making the issue known with Honda is probably the best way to go instead of just "living with it" as I may end up doing anyway.
My complaint? HONDA...if you're going to make bikes that are unreliable (wink-wink), at least make them reliable in their unreliability!! If I can't rely on reliable unreliablity, then what's the point of not buying an extended warranty? I fully expected the idle issue to act up for the Service department...and nada!!!
I hung around the dealership area making lots of local stops, turned bike off, started multiple times, hiway riding, stop and go...the dang RPM needle would not budge off the 1000 mark! sheesh! Then I ride home, run into some bumber to bumber traffic, over 7 miles of it at 5-10mph...and nothing! 1000RPM just laughing at me all the way home. I actually found myself shouting at my bike "come on, you piece of Honda perfection!!...STOP your perfect idling!!!"
Total failure to not-perform! : )
Ok, back to being serious: Service folks confirmed for me that valve check would be $575 plus a $40 gasket. The price would be the same if any adjustments were needed. Lots of $$$. If my idle issues continue, I'll probably just forego it till about 20k miles.
My stock tires are at 10,200 miles. I suppose it's time. But I'll probably wait till mid winter. They want $150 to install both tires (cheaper if I were to bring wheels in separate). Replacement tires through them were $313 for stock equivalents. That's $463 for new tires mounted. I wonder if they would take my '14 as trade-in for a new '14 that they may sell at what, $6500? Heck, they should give me 4k for trade-in right? That means I come up with $2500 and get a new '14 with new tread, no idle issue (knock on wood), and no valve inspect needed for another two plus years. Hmmm...interesting idea.
Have a great afternoon, gents. BTW...are there any female riders of CB1100s?