96 VFR - First time owner

Looking at a 96 VFR

Going to be checking out a 96 VFR this weekend. The bike has been described to be in mint condition. Only mod's are a Staintube exhaust and bar risers. Dunlop Sportmax tires, with about 60% tread left. 16,000 miles on the clock. New front brake pads. Asking price is $4000.

This is my first bike purchase. What are some of the more technical questions I should be asking this gentleman in relation to service on the motorcycle?

Also, at 16,000 miles, what type of maintainence can I expect to see in the near future.

Much appreciated.

 

'96 VFRs are great bikes, but I think $4,000 is pretty high.

I just sold one two weeks ago for a friend of mine who had to go back to Japan and left it with me. It had 42,000 miles on it and I sold it for $2,500.

If I were you I would try hard to get the price closer to $3,000 - $3,200. :tongue:

Are you an experienced rider? If not, you should think seriously about riding lessons. Good luck.

 

Thanks PorscheBob,

I am not an experienced rider right now. Its my first bike purchase. I have about 20+ hours on a bike in traffic total, however I have taken the basic riding course, when I got my endorsement. I agree, learning how to ride properly is very important.

Thanks again.

 

Not to bad, I have a mint 97 that had 18K on it 3 years ago, paid $3800 for it, These versions are holding their value if it's a one/two owner mint.nthats low miles, as far as what to expect, A whole lot of fun, nothing really anything serious maybe a Voltage reg sometime in the future, Has the 16K service been done? thats due, Duh at 16K which includes a going over the valves and a check on the carbs. Really other than that, not a whole lot to be weary of. Sounds like a nice one, pick it up before someone else does.

 

Thanks RVFR.

Good information. Its owned by a 61 year old, who previously had a 97, sold it, regretted it, and then searched for 6 months to find this 96. Only selling again, due health issues.

Dont really know how much you can tell from photo's but here she is

 

That looks like a sweet unit. Braided brake lines, aftermarket shield, 500.00 staintune high mount. Make your best deal and BUY IT!

edit: On second thought, buy it and when your wife says it's too loud, I'll swap you for my stock exhaust + 100 bucks:smile:

 

Ooo thats a nice one. sounds like me. I had a 96 that was taken away from me via a doche bag on the freeway thou, took me a while to bounce back, almost bought a 5th gen and then a 954 then thought to my self I all ready had the best for the money, so went on a hunt, took me 4 months to find the one I have now and haven't had a bad thought about the purchase, in fact one of my smartest moves as I usually by the latest & newest. As noted he has $600 worth of goodies, yep it's worth $4k, but take $3800 and wave in in his face. Nice bike you shouldn't lose any sleep over that one. OH BTW take out the snubber in the end of the Staintune if you really want to hear her growl :biggrin:

 

Thanks both for the info. It helps. I hear so many stories of people getting rid of, or losing their 4th gen, only to re-purchase again.

The gentleman is an electrical engineer, and installed a small computerized fan that stops the R/R from an early death which is kind of nice.

Yes....he has described it as mint or in like new condition. I guess I should make my move.

 

That looks like a very nice ride for the money. If you can get it for $3800 go for it. But take that riding course and be careful. It's a lot of bike for a new rider.

 

I bought my 1996 in April for $3800... 15,050 miles, TBR exhaust, mint condition.

Had new Dunlop Qualifiers on it, as well as a new Regulator/rectifier. I will be the third owner.

Have since had to replace the R/R, because the connector was burnt up and not replaced (when it should have been).

This winter, I'm cleaning the carbs, replacing the front brake pads, and giving the valves a quick check. Other than that, I'd never sell this bike!

 

Update? This is the kind of owner I look for when buying a bike, he's very meticulous and has done all the right mods, I hope you bought it...

 

Thanks for the input.

Picking it up tomorrow, down in Oregon. Getting the bus or train down there. Thinking of riding it across the mountains to Canon Beach and staying the night there, and then making a day trip, back up the coast to Seattle on Thursday. Since I am down there, may as well hit up the coast for my first real ride. Beats riding the freeway.

 

Buy it, don't even think about it, that bike looks to have been really looked after, i don't know if the price is good or not, seeing as i live in sweden but i'd bite his arm off for it if i was buying...

 

Hey you guys are truly supportive VFR loving riders. I am a frugual person and from the pictures and the info on the previous owner I have say the bike is definately worth the asking price (mods and mileage). Be safe and enjoy your VFR.

 

It's a clean bike, sure enough..

Best Risers in the business - I know, I made 'em..:wink:

 

Thats too funny. I just purchased the motorcycle today, and was talking to Stu (the previous owner), and asked why he went with those, rather than the standard ones that everybody seems to get.

He said purely because the finish is second to none. A much nicer quality product.

 

How was the trip back to Seattle?

 

Based on my post above, yes...i purchased the bike.

I took the train down to Portland this morning, to look and purchase the bike.

Finally got to her around 1.30pm, and she was just as described. Mint condition, practically showroom. Stu had gone to alot of effort to make the necessary upgrades, such as the Staintube, braided lines, aftermarket shield and also installed a nifty 12v plug in. He even added extenders that brings the mirrors out another inch, so you dont have to look around your shoulder, when in the mirrors. As expected, the bike runs perfectly. Started beautifully, considering it had been sitting a couple of weeks, and ran and shifted with ease. I was easily assured that this bike had been looked after, as Stu is a bike and car enthusiast to say the least. Walking into his 1500 sq foot garage was like walking into the cleanest and most organized bike and car storage museum. Classics everywhere, everything mint.

The $$$ terms were worked out, which left me feeling good, and I finally got the chance to drive her back to Seattle.

My first freeway riding experience was interesting. I had not gone 60mph on a bike before. The wind was blowing, and I felt like a huge sail as I was cruising up i-5 in the slow lane. After about 50 miles, I felt like I needed a break. Stopped at a rest stop, and just listened to her idle for a couple of minutes. Continued on, this time feeling alot more comfortable and hung out in both the slow and fast lane. Pushed her up to 70 as I started getting used to the wind. Layed on the tank a little.

Got WA tabs in a nifty little DMV in Centralia, and committed to the 80 miles or so I had left.

The last 80 miles were the best. The winds died down, I felt alot more comfortable at speed, and found myself laying on the tank more, to get breaks from the sail, that I was.

Made it to Seattle, finding myself extremely fond of this machine.

Thanks all (especially RVFR) for all your help and comments. You made my decision a ton easier, and brain more bike experienced.

Can wait to ride her again....most likely tonight.

 

Dude congrats, man you should have stopped in Oly for the DMV thing, like its head quarters LOL that and then I could have made a toast in your purchase. all's good thou, good to hear you had fun, the weather was sorta on your side today as it got nicer as the day went on. again congrats. you scored big time.

 

Thanks. I was actually going to give you a call, however it took longer than expected to get back. I took alot of breaks and didnt really go too fast at all. Just took my time. By the time I rolled around your way, it was close to 5pm, and I was getting cold, and I knew I had a good hour to go. So I continued on. When I get fully situated back in Seattle, I will give you a call, and we can meet up for a ride.

You should see the DMV in Centralia. Its classic. Its a small antique shop, that used to be an 800sq foot house, and has a little DMV desk. You literally pull right up to the front door. Kind of funny, however only took 5 minutes...so efficient also.

However yes....love the bike. Extremely smooth, 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears are insane.....actually, its got tons of pull in every gear.