Brand new old VFR.

I was actually on the hunt for an SV1000 when this 04 VFR showed up on craiglist. It has just barely gotten past the break in period(2400 miles when I bought it) and yet it has seen monthly use just not a whole lot of it. Everything is original apart from the fluids. Tires, brakes, chain, sprockets. Everything... okay not everything the seat is after market but it did come with the original seat! I paid $4300 for it(factory Panniers included), if you ask me it was the steal of the century. I put 200 miles on it riding it home after buying it, was a very nice ride and I am so glad I bought it over an SV1K. This is my second bike, my first was an SV650 and comparing the two in build quality is no contest. I think Honda built an amazing bike here, though really most Hondas are amazing and underrated IMO(no brand loyalty just an observation).

 

Welcome to the WORLD and that is a fantastic looking machine that you were able to score. You will enjoy it far more than the SV650 IMHO. The SV is a great bike but the VFR just does soooo much more. You might not have had brand loyalty until now, but methinks you just might BE, now that you own a VFR. LOL

Enjoy the bike and don't forget to keep her shiny side up.

 

Welcome aboard, and well done for posting some pics. Don't know if yours is the model, but I think there was a wiring harness recall on one of the VFR ranges that you may want to look into (I'm sure others will confirm this). Otherwise you can ride it till you are old and grey (or older and greyer if you already are)

 

I read about the wiring harness issue but thought it was limited to 2002 2003, if not I will take it to a dealer to have it done asap. Will be installing a voltmeter either way as I like to know what my electrical system is doing.

 

Good move on the voltmeter, have them on both my bikes. Sure someone will let you know soon if your bike was affected by the recall or not (helpful bunch here, just don't ask about tyres or oil)

 

+1 on what Bryan88 said about the volt meter.

One common thing all VFR owners seem to share is a story about the charging system (specifically the R/R) leaving them with a dead bike at some point. I've owned 4 VFR's now and have suffered the dreaded r/r failure on all but the current bike. Thankfully, I was never left stranded as per se, but I did have to limp my 97 home after a dead battery showed up about 200 km's from home. Bike ran fine, stopped for lunch, got back on and she was dead. Push starting a 500 lb bike on hills can be a real PIA. Thankfully I was out with a bunch of friends at the time. My current bike seemed a bit sluggish in terms of charging so I decided to nip the problem in the butt early and changed out the r/r after a thorough check of the charging system and installed a volt meter as well.

 

Welcome aboard, Great score! Too bad it is the slowest color. Get an aftermarket pipe on that thing and let her sing.


Rollin

 

Nice Score!!! Welcome aboard...

 

As I understand it I am supposed to swap the R/R from a CBR to solve/prevent the problem? If it is a direct swap and requires no wire cutting I should be fine.

To be honest red is not my ideal color but a professional repaint to white is not out of the question. I am quite happy with the way she sounds right now and being completely stock has its appeal to me.

 

awesome score! smart move on the volt meter and wire harnes recall!
i would also swap out the rr with a mosfet (fh020aa) unit while everything is healthy and clean and add a vfrness to it.
that way hopefully you wont have to did into the stator for a long long time.
i only got 20,000 miles out of my original rr and stator.

 

:hss: What a smoking deal, Congratulation and :welcome: to the madness.
She is soooooooooooo pruty :love:

 

Last month my buddy's and I did a 1200 mile run to Johnstown PA for Thunder. One of them recently purchased a SV650. It is a gorgeous looking bike. I like especially the taillights... they remind me of a landing air strip.

He's looking to get rid of it now though and is looking for a triumph spped triple.

 

I was going to say this, but he beat me to it!

Only thing I will add, get new tires ASAP. If they are OEM tires, they are shot. Doesn't matter the mileage, they are no good after 5 years and those are probably going on 10. Add that to the fact the OEM tires suck. My recommendation is the PR2's. Bought mine from Chapparal at a good price and fast shipping. I haven't bought anything else from them, so I don't know if it was a fluke or SOP. Just FYI.

 

I would say that was the steal of a lifetime!

 

I already got a set of Pilot Road 3s just sitting in my bike area, will get them put on one of these days I suppose.

Compared to my dead SV650 this bike doesn't feel as fast off the line, even though it is faster, but it is way more smooth and enjoyable.

After riding the VFR the last two days I got on my buddy's CBR600RR and that bike felt like it weighed nothing, actually felt a bit unstable because of it. I dunno why but the extra weight of my VFR is just more comforting...

Oh hey got a question, I was backing the bike up this morning to go out and the speedo actually read my backwards speed as 1mph. Where is the speed sensor located on this bike that it can read reverse speed?

 

Post your location and you might get some cheap or even free help with that tire change when you get around to it. I'm in Atlanta and have my own tire changer and it would only cost you 6 extra hot buffalo wings and a 6 pack of Sweetwater IPA LOL!!

Rollin

 

Congratulations on a great bike at a great price. As others have said, definitely replace those tires before the hardened rubber causes a mishap.

 

The speedo is read from a sensor that reads the front sprocket, I believe.

BIG +1 to putting fresh rubber on it as well, If they are the originals from '04 then they've turned to wood by now. New tires are much less expensive than hitting the ground. I just finished a set or PR3's with 11000 miles and replaced them with the same, fantastic tires

 

Congrats! Sounds like a great deal. You won't be disappointed.

 

Awesome deal , I paid more for mine with more miles, anyways, the recall does affect some 2004 so better get that check, I know mine got the new harness and seal