Parts Review - Cheap Stators and Regulator/Rectifiers

Thought I would do a bit of a review here on what I have personally experienced. Whilst others might have had a different point of view on how much to pay for parts etc, there is a reason I did this - so bare with my little bit of background to this review.

One of the bikes I own is a VFR800 Vtec (2002), and those in the know, would know of the issues that this bike had with stators and regulator rectifiers from Honda. I upgraded the charging wires as well as the ground cables and the charging voltage monitor wire, which made a considerable difference. But I have also installed a digital volt meter to keep an eye on things as well.

Now - I replaced the stator (the OEM one died on me) with one I purchased from Online Racing Spares. Along with their recommended regulator/rectifier as well. Their stator lasted me all of 2 1/2 months and considering I only ride on weekends, it only lasted a few thousand kilometers.

Cut a long story short, it was accepted as a warranty claim but was told it would take up to 3 weeks before I got a new one. (ended up being like 6 weeks)

So, not wanting to be without a bike for a weekend ride (stress relief from work) I thought I would take a chance on a cheap $65 Arashi brand stator on ebay as well as a $85 Forseti regulator/rectifier as well. I thought, what the heck - if it lasts me a couple months, at least I can go for rides until the replacement (expensive) stator was sent to me.

So, installed the cheap replacements when they arrived and they worked very nicely. Voltage sitting on 14.5 to 14.6 volts at idle. After 6 weeks - the new stator arrived and I was tempted to pull the cheap stuff out and put the expensive new stator and regulator/rectifier back in. But then thought no, I'll just see how the cheap parts go.

That was 5 months ago now and my wife and I ride every weekend. Usually through the Hume to Gingers Ck, sometimes right through to Wauchope/Port Macquarie for a fish and chips lunch and then back home again. When it gets freezing cold here, we usually just go to Nundle Cafe or pub for a lunch instead as whilst we have winter jackets, we haven't bothered with the pants and just have riding jeans.

Anyway, the cheap Arashi Stator and Forseti Regulator rectifier are going fine, no problems at all and no sign that they are going to fail. Voltage has remained constant all the time during the past 5 months. I did look into the Forseti brand and they make their parts to an ISO world wide standard, which is what made me decide to try the parts out.

So for those on a budget, and this is entirely up to you, like I said - others may have differing opinions and I accept that. I've not had an issue with the parts, so you could save a few dollars if you need replacements. My expensive $300+ stator and $200+ regulator rectifier are still sitting in the cupboard and I'll keep them as spares. But for now, I'm happy to leave the Arashi stator and Forseti regulator rectifier in the bike.

The other interesting thing to note is this.. With the stator I bought from Online racing spares that failed, I first used the provided plugs. Usually I don't and I hard wire the stator to the rectifier. I checked the plug after a few weeks and it had started to look like it wanted to melt. Pulling the plug apart, there was already corrosion on the splade connectors. So I cut the plugs off and hard wired it all.

Now, with the cheaper parts - again, I thought I would just use the provided plug. I've kept an eye on the plug and the metal splade connectors inside. No signs at all of the plug getting over hot and nearly melting - it still looks new. No corrosion on the metal splade connectors inside the plug either. Also the wiring on the cheap parts looks bigger (more heavy duty) as well, when compared to the more expensive and so called quality parts.

I guess, Cheap, doesn't necessarily mean nasty in this case.