Routine Valve Clearance Schedule

[Skids]

After some questions and confusion on another forum, I contacted Honda UK to confirm that the routine valve clearance check had moved from 16k miles to 24k miles (as stated in my 2018 Owners Manual). Apart from the obvious errors, it clears up the confusion for '18+ owners. Here is their response:

HONDA UK Info  ##redacted##
To: xxxxxx;
30/03/21 14:29
1
Dear Mr. xxxxx

Thank you for contacting Honda (UK).

We have checked and indeed the owner’s manual for the ’18 VRX800s states that the valve clearance check needs to be performed every 24 000 miles. The older VRX800 need the same service every 16 000 miles.

You could check with an alternative dealership, if you are interested. You can find one on: https://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/dealer-search.html

Thank you for contacting Honda. If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards,

###redacted###
Honda Customer Service
_____________________
Honda Motor Europe Ltd.
Honda UK
www.honda.co.uk

Please be informed that we have saved your personal data in order to process your query.
For more information please visit http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/useful-links/privacy-policy.html.

If you have any further questions or feedback please complete our feedback form at www.honda.co.uk/cars/contact-us.html or call our Honda (UK) Contact Centre on 0345 200 8000. Option 3.

[Corringdon]

That is valuable information for owners of older CR's, Skids.

[panagos]

Hi Skids.I dont really understand whats going on here  Are 2016 and 2018 engines different ?  Should 2016 owners follow 24miles valve check also?

[Skids]

Like I said.....

Originally Posted by Skids

...it clears up the confusion for '18+ owners.

[voodoo]

And does F-all for the <'18 owners   

I can't think of any difference in the valve-department between pre and post '18 models. So my '15 goes to the 24kM interval.

[Skids]

Originally Posted by voodoo

And does F-all for the <'18 owners   

I can't think of any difference in the valve-department between pre and post '18 models. So my '15 goes to the 24kM interval.

Then a <'18 owner needs to email them to check but it seems that Honda UK are just using the Owners Manual, same as us.

I'm not aware of any engine changes between the models so why they've set the changeover at 2018 is anyone's guess.

[CBM]

"We have checked and indeed the owner’s manual for the ’18 VRX800s states" 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂
If Honda the Manufacturer don't know what chance have we got 🤷‍♂️ WTF

[panagos]

Good morning from Hellas  .I've got news about our (<18 models) confusing matter.I contacted with Honda Hellas(Greece) dealer yestarday.My question was simple "are vfr800xs engines <18  anywhere different to justify the difference in kms of valve adjustment , according to the 2018 owners manual?
They clarified that ,the engines aren't different ,its just when the bike was introduced ,honda chose safe numbers for valve adjustment.Now that years passed the engine has proven not in need of  valve adjustment in such short milage ,thats why they decided to increase it.Also its your choice to do the job earlier just for peace of mind.
Thats how Honda dealer  justified that difference.

[Crosspurpose]

It doesn’t surprise me that’s what they said; the valve check regime on these engines has been too frequent for years. It seems more likely to me that Honda realised back in 2018 that they were losing sales because of the horrendous cost of the valve checks. If Yamahas don’t need them until 20-odd thousand miles, why should Hondas on their shim-adjusted engines? Even Ducati have gradually been extending their big service intervals to such an extent that their new Multistrada V4 not only doesn’t have desmo valves but they don’t need inspection until 35,000 miles. The point I am making is that a lot of manufacturers are moving away from early “big” services, probably because it puts potential owners off and also because a high percentage of bikes are bought on PCP agreements. Shuffling off the big service beyond the average mileage of a three-year PCP agreement enables lower, more competitive monthly payments and leaves the cost further down the owner chain after the initial sale has been made and market share maintained. That’s how I see it anyway.

[Corringdon]

I very much agree with you, Crosspurpose.