G;day all
Just bought myself a used VT 400 in cream and blue, the classic model. 10,000 kms on it...not quite in perfect condition, but close enough.
Beautiful looking bike, heavy as shit for a 400 but am assured it is exactly the same bike as the Aero 750, with a smaller CC engine.
I only got one banged up key with the bike, found out I need to have a new key coded to the HISS system in the ignition...want to know if I can remove or completly bypass the HISS system and just use a non-coded normal key to start the bike with.
I know the "keep the old key next to the new key" or under the ignition trick...but want to jettison the HISS system completly if I can.
Cheers: Jaq
@Jaq Hammer hey dude! what is an HISS? i get rid of the keys on all my bikes, i wire in a switch and a push button start.
G'day TJ
Mate, the HISS system stands for Honda Internal Security System...here in Australia many Honda bikes have had the HISS for more than a decade...there is a digital microchip built into the keys and inside the ignition key slot that matches up and unlocks the bikes main electrical system when you put the key in.
If you don't have a key with the digital microchip built in...the bike won't reconise the key...so even if the key is the right configuration for the tumblers in the ignition, the bike WILL NOT start.
I only got one key with the VT 400; if I get a spare Honda key that contains the chip and can be programmed at a Honda shop it will cost me over $300 dollars.
Yeah...it's a Honda scam for sure, as bike thieves now have digital hacking units that can bypass the HISS system, so it is useless for all and intents and purposes...except for the actual owners of modern Honda bikes that have the system on their bikes.
You can get around buying a new or spare key by attaching the old key somewhere on the bike close to the ignition slot, thus convincing the HISS that the cheaper, locksmith cut, non-digital key you are using has the code built into it.
You can see why I would like to remove the HISS system altogether, it will not stop the bike being stolen, just going to cost me money to get a spare key cut and programmed.
New Honda key is almost AUS $100.
Honda shop claimed they need an hour and AUS $150 to program a new key, but I already know how they do it, it would take me ten minutes or less with their computer system.
Like I wrote, it's a scam for sure, might have been a good idea a decade ago, but modern bike theives are wise to and have found ways to bypass the HISS system now, so it's not doing anyone any good. Unless you're the sucker forced to pay hundreds of bucks for a new key!
@Jaq Hammer well thats fucking communist bullshit. im sorry your country has to do that to you. ive never dealt with anything like that so im sorry but i dont have any advice or wisdom there. on the backside of all that microchip shit, theres gotta be wiring that can be fooled into thinking the microchip is present. just gotta do some sleuthwork and figure it out i guess. what a bummer man. im sad for you!
Yeah, it's a pain for sure.
Might get motivated one day and chat with an auto electrician.
Original key works fine for now. Just annoying you can't just go a locksmith, get a new key cut and have it work, without all the new electrical 'improvements.'
@Jaq Hammer I have no idea if this helps or not or if the setup for the system is the same across the honda line but this link might help or maybe give you an idea. https://youtu.be/T003rXkjPLg?feature=shared
Ive made a lot of lost keys over the years and the only transponder I personally ever encountered was for a can-am.
You call a local locksmith to see if they can clone a key for you cheaper? Guys used to bringin their own blanks they would find online to our shop I would just cut them for free most of the time.
