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More out of curiosity than anything...

Anyone know why my stock Honda VFR800 idle speed spec is seemingly so high? for a CA bike they want it set at 1300rpm, and for a 49 state bike at 1100... both seem quite high to me (and why MORE for a CA bike??!!).. just for grins I knocked my CA bike idle down to 900, and it seems to work/feel/sound fine- it actually runs really nicely down there!... maybe this is just a smog thing?/ maybe to keep the water pump revs up for cooling? I have noticed with the lower idle that it's a bit more prone to stall if you goose it on a cool morning and let the revs fall too quickly, but once it's 2 or 3 minutes warm, it runs really nicely at 900rpms/idle- no stalling or any other issues...

This bike has a PAIR valve system, and a charcoal canister, but that's about it (1998).. so what gives with the 1300 factory setting- ideas?

thanks-

ccrunner

BTW, I'm a bit of a cheapie, and can't help but think that shaving 400 rpms out at idle could only help my mpg.. this is my commuter bike that I'm now riding to $ave on gas money...

Don't know the real answer to your question, but it may be some BS reason, like having to pass more strict idle emissions testing in some states?

I thought I heard something one time about cam oiling on one of my bikes for the higher than car type automotive idle speeds, and I have no idea to the validity of that. My old VFR750 idled a little under 1000rpm, as does my current Bandit 1200...Off hand, my guess would be the biggest issue being making it easier for less skilled riders to not kill the bike off the line.

My Bandit 1200 idled just fine at 800 or so, though it did eat a pair of cams and set of rockers at 25,000 miles. ($$$) That's with the top-end oiler kit, too.

I idled it back up to 1100, but it always grunched when going into gear then.