I need a new V/R but I hear alot of bad talk about the stock one. Should I be looking to the aftermarket or is all this negative talk about the OEM V/R just something that just got started but has no real reasoning behind it.

 

I can't speak about on your particular model. I can say that the Regulator/Rectifier on the F3's and F2's are prone to failure. They overheat and go bad regularly. Many users, including myself have installed R/R's from GSX/R's. They have larger heat sinks, are easy to modify for installing, and are readily available off ebay for under $50. You should run your question by the F4 forums, or at least do a search there to see.
Here's the difference

Before with OEM.



After with GSX/R

 

I've documented the following in the F4 section several times...

Honda upgraded to a finned version that supersedes the old flat version that was prone to overheating & failure. The new finned version factory Honda R/R is a nice R/R & is a direct plug-in replacement.

For REFERENCE:

• Old original model part no. SH633-12 (should no longer be available).
• New finned model part no. 31600-MV4-010.

As this topic comes up often in the F4 section, it really should be a sticky somewhere.

 

The one on my bike is finned. As a matter of fact it looks just the like one that Dirt ^ upgraded to (thanx for the pics!). Soooo I'm assuming stock would be just fine. I'll probly catch one on ebay. Just out of curiosity what would you guys buy, new or used?

 

New...always.