New to the site and just got my first VFR

Hi All, as the title says got myself a new to me 2005 VFR800 with 192,xxx miles and LOL yes you read that right. Let the bashing begin...

The engine has been completely gone through by the dealer around 50,000 miles ago and it sounds and rides very nice. This was a well cared for machine and does show a bit of its age but who here doesn't? I usually do not buy something with that much mileage but with the deal I got I think I did okay and could walk away without losing much if she does not last.

I think the thing that sold me was the hit you get at around 6500 rpm. Very nice rush!!!

My last bike was a 2003 BMW 1150rt about 7 years ago so I'm very stoked to be back on the street again.

The pics do not show it but it does have the side bags but they are rattle canned black (painted by the previous owner :-/) luckily I am getting my car bumper painted (same metallic silver) next week and I will ask them to add the bags to the booth.



Going to do my first oil/filter and break pad change this weekend along with a few other small items that will need to be addressed. Any advice would be greatly appreciated ut I will most definitely do a search before asking a bunch of Q's that have already been touched upon.

 

Welcome to the forum! Great bike! I've heard of 150k to 200k miles on the VFR800, however my friend, you are going for the record!


That will be awesome!

 

Thanks Knight! Not the exact record I'd like to hold but I'll take the honor none the less. Can't wait to clock a bunch more...

 

Welcome aboard and nice bike!!

Randy is about to turn his bike over at 200,000 kms.

 

Thanks Jeff and pfft that's only like 124,000 miles (correct my kms to miles math if I'm wrong)....that things just a puppy compared to mine.

I know my odo says 192 but the engine was freshened up approx 50,000 ago so I might be cheating a bit

 

Lolzzzz. You're not wrong!

 

Randy better get his ass moving if he wants to catch me.

 

Congrats on the purchase. Out of curiosity how much did you pay for it?

 

Nice bike. Welcome to the forum.

 

Yeah, 125k miles, assuming good maintenance and some TLC, ain't jack on these bikes. I think I've heard of a half a dozen cats with more than that on it. I just hope you paid next to nothing for it, as a bike with that many miles has to be quite depreciated (and the 6th gens are grossly depreciated as it is on the used market).

I've been trying to come to grips with the longevity of these bikes. I bought my '09 new in um...'09, and I'm currently at about 22k miles. The truth is that, barring major mishaps, I'm probably going to have this bike until I die. Even with the high cost I paid for it new, talk about value. The cost to own on this thing is already around 2k a year for me. Another 20 years and it will be less than a thousand a year! Talk about a bargain for such a stupendous bike. By comparison, if someone GAVE me a Ducati S/T it would have a higher cost to own!

 

$2000. So I couldn't pass.

Curious what do you guys think about that price?


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On a fairly clean bike that has clearly been maintained the entire time? The price is fine.

I am curious what was done to the engine. Did they pull it and replace pistons?

The prior owner or owners of this bike truly appreciated it and cared for it with great respect. I think that is very cool, especially compared to all of the unloved bikes out there. There is everything good to say about good maintenance, preserving machines, and keeping them out of an early landfill grave.

 

I looked and looked and looked on Google and even talked to some harleydoods aboot a dealer going through an engine. I wonder what they took.

 

I personally think you paid too much for it considering the extremely high mileage. 6th VFRs are plentiful and generally not in high demand because they were made for so many years with minimal changes made over their life. I think you could easily find find one for just a few hundred dollars more with 1/3 of the mileage. The side cases only add a few hundred dollars value in my opinion and are a nice bonus but reselling the bike a few years from now will be nearly impossible without giving it away.

 

I'm not to worried about resale. I'll keep it until it implodes and then part what I can. It's only 2000 so it's not going to break my bank. Not sure where your market is but they seem to go for a decent $$ here in La la land and there are only 2-3 at any given time.

I'm promised paperwork but for now it's just his word. He says the engine did not fail and the entire engine was gone thru from crank to valves by the dealer and things were replaced as needed. I'm a skeptic and will only believe when I see the receipts and I know I most likely won't.

Took it out last and really put it thru the paces. Did some freeway and a bunch of twisties and this thing rides amazing!!! Rode for 1.5 hours straight. The temps never got above 180 even at high revs in the corners. I sat at a light for over 5 mins and it only got to 190. My speedo is 10-11 % off so some of the mileage is false and the tack seems to be a little high too. When the speedo says 90 I'm actually doing 81 and the tach is at 6000 which seems high but I don't know the gearing yet. Does that seem normal or high?


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You have alot of members here in LA bud for rides...just here in Ventura 3...Simi and Moorpark
And of course a few down in the OC

 

Same conditions here. And they don't budge on price. Of course I could have gone after a CBR or Hayabusa which are all around me. But the VFR was worth it.

Maybe, MAYBE they adjusted the valves. I would think one would have to pull and then split the engine for the rest, which no one would do for a running engine. Yes, everyone (like the guy who sold me my bike) seems to have interesting stories.

You may want to test the thermostat which tends to stick open. You do not want to run too cool particularly in the cold weather, as it will run rich. If the radiator slowly warms with the engine, then coolant is flowing while cold, and the thermostat is stuck open. If the radiator stays cool then changes all at once to hot at 180, it is working properly.

I mention this because these bikes easily get into the 210-220°F range while stopped. Of course if it was relatively cool for your ride, that may explain that peak temp.

Example of misreported speed exacerbated by modified sprockets. I also have a 5th gen which is a different config. The bike is -1 in front, stock rear.

Speed Reported speed

25 30
66 75


Our tranny gearing differs, but I would bet that your bike is -1 in front as well.

 

Like to meet up with an la person who really knows these things to get some opinions for things to do and a knowledgable eye on the bike. I know enough to get the basics done but would need advice on the bigger stuff plus it'll be good to have people to ride with.


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I'll check the gearing this weekend. I'm betting you're right and I'll most likely go +1-2 to get the fwy revs down a bit.

I'm still blown away at how comfortable these things are. No wonder they've gotten the praise they have. I'm totally sold!!!




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That's pretty tall gearing with both changes. If you like really tall gearing you'll probably find +1 front alone to be good. The stock gearing, as a compromise between low speed and 130 mph riding, requires a moderate bit of clutch at stoplights. Your proposal would probably be brutal in the city. Alas, if you spend all your time at 130 mph, ignore the above.

I agree that these bikes are awesome. This is my first bike, and all of the good things these guys said are spot on.