regulators on the VFR400s die, some people replace them with regulators from other bikes, some people improve the heatsinking of the regulator etc. but one thing i've never seen mentioned, which is so simple is: "always run with your headlights on". (safer anyway)
the regulator burns as much power as it needs to to keep the alternator voltage at acceptable levels, so the more power you pull from the electrical system, the less the regulator needs to burn.

That will certainly help out Lope, but here in Oz all imports are wired to have lights on all the time (road rule), and I've still burnt out many nc30 regs!!

Simple story at the end of the day is that honda reg/recs are crap! They burn out on all sorts of other late model hondas also, nc's aren't the only ones affected!

Wow. Sucky.

That Oz rule is heavy on your battery for starting. If I lived in oz I'd consider making the start button run a relay that disconnects the lights :)

Lope wrote: That Oz rule is heavy on your battery for starting. If I lived in oz I'd consider making the start button run a relay that disconnects the lights :)

As long as the battery is in good nick you shouldn't ever have worries.

All bikes need to comply with this in Oz.

I couldn't imagine why anyone would choose to ride without lights on during the day for added visibility.

i always run with my lights on.

i have recently replaced the alternator connector as mine was fried. everything seems fine - never had any charging problems as of yet and its been sat for 2 months before being started with the lights on.