Looking at a 96 VFR750

I'm going to hold out and spend a bit more money so I can find something with less "character" that will need touched up. Seems like for around $5000 the options open up a good bit more...

 

I've said it before and I will say it again - patience is a virtue.

Especially when looking for "just the right" VFR. I knew I wanted a '90-'97, and started lurking this site when I had narrowed it down to the '94-'97. I had seen and lusted after the Pearl White '90-'93 model, but couldn't find any that were A.) nice looking or B.) had 1.2 bazillion miles.

So I took to craigslist to find myself what I wanted. I started searching all the motorcycle for sale forums in the north east for "VFR". A few would pop up here and there, I followed some leads and got some dead-ends.

But finally, about a year and a half after I started my search - the perfect bike showed up, only 220 miles from home. Just needed to convince the wife that it was "just right", and we were in the car headed down to "just look at it". We got there and the bike was PERFECT. Just a few minor dings, but far fewer than would be expected of a 10 year old bike with 15k. The owner just needed to start it up and I heard that sweet V-4 rumble... He was hesitant to set me off on the bike at first, but after a few low speed manuevers in a parking lot showed him I knew what I was doing, he let me go for a spin. Rode to the CT border and back with the cash quickly burning a hole in my jeans and scalding my leg.:wink:

I went back and made a deal for $3800, which included a cover and a matching helmet. I haven't looked back since. I had $4k with me, and that was the advertised price, but the extra $200 went to registration.

 

have to agree about the white 90-93....would love to find one...but like hens teeth it seems.bought my 96 with 700 miles on it.....guy who had it had harley riding friends who disapproved .....paid 6700$......love it now as much as ever.

 

I'm not in any hurry to buy so I will definately take my time.

I am lusting pretty bad for a VFR after that test ride though.

Never felt that much power that smooth...

 

A 96 would be nice. I love mine.

 

It is VERY doubtful you'll find a cherry 4th gen VFR anywhere. And certainly not for 3 grand. Hell, there's very few cherry 12 year old bikes anywhere outside of a museum.

I had a '96 VFR (bought it new) and put almost 75,000 miles on it. Great bike if well maintained, even minimally. Mine wasn't pristine when I sold it after 5 years.

Yes, r/r was an issue for me, too. Replaced it once.

Ask to see service records and receipts.

Count on replacing ALL fluids, filters, brake pads, chain/sprockets, tires, rear shock (you mentioned 2-up), fork service (new oil, at least).

Look closely at the title. Make sure it's not a "salvage", or "rebuild" title.

If your budget dictates you spend in the area of 3 grand, you could do a lot worse than a good running 4th gen VFR. Offer him 2800 cash and stick to your guns. Play up the cosmetic issues as reason for a lower price, since bodywork, etc.. is so expensive.

With paint and above mentioned service items, for around 4 grand you'd have one sweet ride, with very few miles on it.

Good luck with your search and welcome (maybe) to the addiction that is VFR.

 

They are still out there believe it or not, yea maybe not for $3k thou as most know what they have.

 

Old thread, but I read it!

There was some discussion about '96's and a "there are some [deals] still out there." I was very patient. I shopped and searched classifieds for about a year, too. Had my '82 Wing in the garage and loved it, so I could always walk away from any cycle that was hinky. I wanted a VFR (or a Vstrom, or a Concours..), and I wanted something modern. I look for service records. 1,200 miles a year (midwest) was ok. Old tires, chain out of adjustment, unclear answers about fluid changes- these are deal breakers for me. Scratches are low on the list, but VFR body panels made me re-think that.
Anyway, found an original (old guy) owner, dealership service records, 8000 miles, pristine 1996 VFR for 2900 (threw in the service manual and a cover, he was giving up motorcycles). Couldn't believe it. The guy knew what he had, but wanted it to move (I was local, with cash). I feel very lucky to have found it from the thousands of ads searched, and to have had the money on hand. Be Patient! Look at a lot of frogs and then kiss a vfr.:tongue:

 

Fell Over

Really you dont..
cause while im not selling mine and thank god my 900RR has rough plastic.. i was being not as mindful as i should have been and pulling my bike off the rear stand it tipped to the right and just kinda fell over.. my own fault ... but it does happen..
im not stressin as it just bent the brake lever and didnt damage my body anymore than it is.. but it does happen...

 

That's exactly what I did last year... :redface:. 7200 miles, garage kept, never dropped, $3K. I called the guy about 5 minutes after he posted the craigslist ad, and showed up with cash that night. There was a line of guys right behind me.... the guy really didn't know what he was selling. He was wishing he had priced it higher when he saw how many calls he was getting, but thankfully he honored his advertised price. Frankly, he was pretty loaded... I don't think he needed the money.

If you get in the habit of checking Craigslist daily, you'll eventually find crazy deals if you're ready to jump on them. That's how I scored my Hawk GT, too.

 

Ok Reg, I'll chime in but not to start a war. I've owned a pearl white '93 and ridden both 4Gs ('94 and '97) and 5th G (00) and I can tell you this:

1) They are all great bikes;
2) My 3G was getting pretty old by the time I sold it. Regardless of the small differences in the bikes, a newer bike is, well... NEWER. That makes for less hassle overall;
3) I would choose a 4G (1997 silver if I had my choice) mostly because it rode better, handled 'lighter' and was more refined than my 3G and because it was the last of the 750's that are classed cheaper here in BC;
4) If it wasn't for the insurance issue, I liked the 5G a bit better. A little snappier all around and I didn't mind the LBS. If you cared about the LBS then a 4G is still a solid choice.

Now, start talking about chain driven cams and VTurd, and maybe I *would* start on ya.

S

 

Well Ipersonally I have had a fall off a paddock stand and seen two driveway tip ups this year so I believe it, its easy to tell anyway, there will be marks to the paint but not scrapes. dont try and be too cheap, and decide what you want, you cant compare with your current bike at 9 months and the VFR800 is a completely different bike, its a brake pipe extravaganza.

 

ACDNate has probably long since bought and sold this bike