Lurker turned new poster, not new to motorcycles though

Hello all,

I'm a new poster, but have been around bikes all my life. I'm 29 now and have owned, in order, a 85 Honda Rebel, 94 CBR 600 in black, neon yellow and purple, an '03 636 Kawasaki, a 2004 BMW F650GS Dakar, and now I want that beautiful V4 sound in my garage. I'm also a bit of a Ducati man as I used to sell them in Tucson, AZ, but the engine I want, the 1100cc air cooled engine comes with an ugly body, and the good looking newer body went to the absurd liquid cooled engine, so I'm taking it back to the classics.

I really want a red 99-01 VFR. I would love one with some high mount Akropovic pipes, power commander, zero gravity screen, Sergeant seat with red trim, and all the Givi bags, but understand if I'm going to have to do some of that myself.

I worked at a Honda dealer in San Jose, CA, GP Sports for 3 years while I was in high school, and in college, as I said, I sold Ducati's, Moto Guzzi's, Vespas, Aprilia, and Piaggios. I love myself an Italian V twin, but they will have to elude me for a while longer. I look forward to soaking up all the info on this board. Thanks for reading.

 

Welcome to the VFRW. You definitely got some good taste. I always liked the air cooled ducatis, but for now I just have the 1198S along with a 05 VFR.

 

The 1198S is a great bike. I'm just a little guy and think that I could probably only make the most of an 848. I hope they put the 848 motor in the Multistrada, I just don't see the need for all that in a sport tourer. I like that the air cooled engines are less maintenance, as I'm mechanically declined, so I like the bills to be light. The 848 engine really is wonderful. I just have no use or the capabilities to make good use of the 1198.

I used to do track days at Thunderhill Raceway in CA, and I'd bet my lap times wouldn't have changed more than 2 seconds from my (at the time) 636 to something like an R1. Now, 636 to an 848? I bet that would be more like a 4 second difference, but I've been out of the riding game for a while and it would probably be another year or so before I got my knee back on the ground, although I'm holding onto my old Dianese Leathers because I don't want to admit that I'm never going to do that again.

 

:welcome: to the world
Good luck hunting for your ride.
Make yourself like at home. If you in Ca there are many 5th gen for sale
Just be patient......yes you will have to mod the bike to ur taste.

 

Noooooooo! Surely there is someone out there with as good'a taste as me!

 

Hey Scubalong,

Feel free to shoot me some good deals if you see them. I'm not opposed and am actually in great favor of flying somewhere to pick something up so I have a reason to make a long road trip. A month long motorcycle ride up the Pacific coast and down the continental divide is my longest, sooo, a trip from SoCal, to my origins in San Jose, to Nashville would be no big deal.

 

First, Welcome I'm sure you'll fit right in here. Secondly, you just missed a red 2001 with almost the exact setup you are looking for, so yes, someone else has your taste!. The seller was in Newport Beach and was selling his 5th Gen for $3950.00 on Craigslist. I secretly want to get a 5th Gen too, mostly for track days and sport rides. My 6th Gen is primarily my commuter with weekend "sport" duty when the Duc is resting (Air Cooled '95 900SS/SP).

I went back on CL to see if it was still there or put back on line. It was still gone but I saw this one...HONDA VFR 800Fi 1999

Cheers!

 

When I bought the 1198, I actually went to the dealership to get the 848EVO. The 1198S was a 2year old 'New' bike sitting next to the 848. For a little more money, I was getting the better suspension and bigger bike(even though I knew the I will not explore the 848 to its limits), I bought the 1198 for the cool factor

But you are right, 848 is a plenty bike!!

 

Thanks for the heads up on that. I think I'm just a little bit out on the purchase. Waiting for a bonus check to come in during the next month or so. I also don't want to jump on something quickly. Do you guys think it's out of the question to find an '01, with the seat, some pipes, and bags, well maintained, 20-36k miles, for under $3500? I really would even like to get one for $3k, but I know that's getting pretty picky. $3500 is the most I want to spend, period, and kinda want to go down from there for no bags, or going to an 00 or 99.

I wonder if /\/\/\ that guy would take $2700....? Yes, I can be a bit of a cheap bastard. I'm sure $3k takes it.

I definitely would have made the same decision. The suspension is incredible. I went into a Duc shop the other day and discovered they've now gone frameless! Ducati is amazing. The trellis frame is still really cool, though. It'll be interesting to watch WSBK this year.

 

I don't think it would hurt to ask, this one has been CL for a while now...And it goes without saying, cash in hand speaks louder to a seller!

 

:sad::sad:cash is king........Yeah I have seen that bike for sometime now.
5th gen with bags is hard to find. You should be able to find a nice one between 3k to 3.5k

 

I found this, but didn't really see a "Craigslist PSA" section or anything. If this was red, and had the sargeant seat, I wouldn't have shown anybody.

2000 Honda VFR Interceptor - mint

Feel free to moderate/move. I'm still thinking about it, but I don't have all that cash on me at the moment... sooo, here ya go.

 

FOUND ONE! BOUGHT IT!! I put up a craigslist wanted ad and was contacted by a guy who said he was considering selling his. 1999, 23k miles, Jardine pipe, heli bars, Sargent seat, great shape but with a little sun damage, it's used. I took some McGuiars compound and polish to half of it yesterday and it took 5 years off the bike. I'll post pics when all is said and done. I gotta throw some new tires on it. Suggestions? Dual compound is what I'm thinking, but it's not necessary. I'm sure I can search for some suggestions.

 

Wooooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooo
about time :thumb:
Congratulation

 

Congrats! Im sure you'll have fun on it. As far as tires, a lot of us use the Michelin PR2 & it's replacement the PR3 for longevity and grip. The stock Dunlops I had were garbage but with the PR2s the bike feels so much better. Great mileage and grip from the same tire.

 

1999 Honda VFR 800 Interceptor
Check this out and welcome Guroo