98 w/High Mileage - Trouble??

I'm looking at a very clean 98 with 120,000 miles; one owner, runs great and looks to have been well cared for. Tires, clutch, chain & sprockets, etc. are good.

What's the realistic life of these engines?

Also, the cam drive gears are a little loud (louder than other gen 5 VFR's). Not a 'bad' sound - just louder - is that an issue?

Thanks

 

The gear driven cams are music. They do drown out the low rumble of the V4 sometimes. Honda engines are known for their bulletproofness. If the engine is cared for it should last for miles and miles...

 

If the seller isn't asking too much, You should buy it just to see how far it will go.

 

EVT, you do have a unique view of the universe! :roll: Must have something to do with the banjo... :smile:

 

The universe revolves around a banjo....doesn't it?:unsure:

 

Oh, that's it... piss off all the mandolin players... :vader:

OK, end of hijack, I think. :smile:

 

Apparently I was incorrect. The hijack is just beginning...

 

If you buy it...it should be "dirt" cheap...and looked over carefully. That many miles on a viffer is unusual. You may find you're entering a whole new category of issues that normally don't arise. I'm not saying don't buy it, but my shop experience with 100K plus bikes has been...they can run good...engines aren't necessarily wore out...but there's every other little possibility. Like autos...they tend to start nickel and diming ya to death. Then again, they can be a really good deal.

 

I read a story a while back about a guy who was a dispatch rider in GB. He put 855,000 miles on a VFR. He replace the whole motor at 440,000. He only changed his oil and tires every weekend which was usually around 10,000 miles. I think his name was Stan Winston. Or Wilson. I can't seem to find the article now. Anyone remember reading that?