In need of a Test Rider in the Cleveland Ohio area!

Hey all,

I'm looking to find someone that would be willing to take a couple hours this Sat to help me look over a prospective bike (2005 VFR800)in the Cleveland, Ohio area.

I don't have my motorcycle endorsement yet, and since this is a first bike for me, I need someone that would test ride it for me to let me know if it is worth it or not.

Please let me know ASAP!!

Josh

 

Bike has had the following replaced:

Left lower cowl
Upper Cowl
Left footpeg assy
Brake and shift levers
clutch lever
Left headlight assy
Paint job
left bar end

 

id be weary of that one, but if the price is right...

 

As far as the bike goes, here is the story that I have gathered from both the title search, talking with the dealer that did the salvage work, and the present owner:

The bike was salvage titled in Virginia in Feb. 2007. Was bought at a Salvage auction in Mar. 2007 by a dealership in Michigan. They did the work listed above to fix the bike. Bike was sold to the present owner in June-July 2007. Current owner bought it as his first bike (like I'm thinking), and is only selling it because he just bought a Kawasaki ZX-9R. He has put roughly 1000 miles on the bike since he bought it in 2007.

I've had a problem finding a bike that I like in my price range, and this is why:

I have a self imposed $5000 limit for my first bike. Of that $5K, it needs to pay for all of the following:

Bike
Tax
Tags
Title
First Year's Insurance
Riding Gear
Misc. Parts.

So far, this bike is the first one that I have seen that doesn't appear to have a TON of work associated with it.

I just need a second set of eyes to borrow for a couple hours on Sat to make sure that I don't miss something.

(Oh yeah... food and beverage will be included for the volunteer... and we're not talking McD's either!)

 

I support adoption.. but if I were you, I would bring a tape measure, digital camera, and the spec sheets for that model year. And a full check list for the bike including tclocks...

Check any and all tolerances you can. If she was dumped on one side, it may have been cosmetic, but it warrants a lifting of the plastic to see metal. If the seller won't allow that, then there could be hidden damage. I know on the 6gs the plastic lifts in a few minutes. a bike pulling to one side or with some hidden damage could mean more to your pocket book....(this from someone who has been burned)

Look the bike over, make your notes, take your pictures...then bugger off for a bite to eat while you consider it. cool off and let your brain make the choice for you. Trust your gut once its full of food and not desire. (copyrite me :smile: )

oh, and bring a flash light with ya too. IMO if the current owner only put a grand on the clock it makes me even more skeptical...in the buy and sell market, trust no one.

good luck with it.

 

This is some good advice. I would like to add, turn away and run. Don't walk but run! A friend of mine bought a FZR1000 a few years ago with a salvaged title. It was going to be a track bike and the owner told him what parts were replaced and had all the paperwork. All the owner wanted was the cash he had spent on it.
L-O-N-G story short. The side that the owner said was damaged, after removing the plastics, was perfect. No frame damage, no scratches. He rode it, thought it was solid and paid the man. Gets home, strips it down and uses a bright shop light and what does he find? Two large cracks in the frame on the "good" side. Signed bill of sale with "as is" is a ball breaker. Two seperate attorneys told him he was SOL. Just be careful.
You would be better off to buy an older, solid bike that may not be a VFR than to buy this bike. Good luck, JD

 

Got a dealership going to look the bike over for me this week. So I'll have the results when I go up there to "negotiate" on Saturday if the results of the look over are promising.

I am having them remove the fairings on each side and thoroughly inspect the frame for weld breaks, frame twists, and frame alignment, as well as do a test ride for me.

Thanks for the concern guys (and gals).

 

A big, heavy VFR is not the best choice for a first bike, and you might do better with a lighter, smaller machine to start off.

 

Anyone have any experience with Sills Motor Sales in Cleveland?

 

im gona have to agree with squirrelman, ever after over 10,000 miles on my ninja 250 making the transition over to the vfr was a big one. ive only put about 2000 miles on it so far and im still not 100% on it

 

Haha I understand the importance of being thorough...but some of you sound a little paranoid!

A "salvage" titled bike can be a great deal and does not always mean you're buying a future head ache.

I would recommend doing exactly what you're doing. Have someone that knows a thing or two about bikes look it over and ask for their advice.

The truth is, its impossible to learn everything there is to know about the bike from a couple hour visit, but do the best you can.

I am curious as to why this dealership is so willing to help you out? Working at a dealership I do have to ask, what are they getting out of this??

 

i agree with squirrelman here, the newer vfrs are porky!, if you really like/love the V-4s then go and get you a vf500 as you first bike, light not to much power to hurt yourself and all around fun, hell i own one and its a friggen blast. oh yea used car dealer ships CAN NOT BE TRUSTED, all that sales mem cares about is selling you a bike, dont let the dealership look over it for you, look over it yourself and if there will not let you oh well, theres plenty of fish in the sea, in this case VFRS in the sea.:thumbsup:

 

Ok guys,

Sills Motor Sales is a Honda and BMW powersports dealer in Cleveland, Ohio, not a used car lot.

I am paying the dealership $70 (one hour's labor) to look over the bike for me, so that is what they are getting out of it.

MAN what a bunch of Naysayers!!!! You all sound like my mother! LOL.

Thanks OMGaVFR, at least SOMEONE has had some dealings with salvage bikes in the past...

I wish that $$ grew on trees for me and I could afford a newer and more pristine bike, but there are reasons that I've limited myself to $5K for my first bike, and they are as follows:

1. I know that I will most likely drop it at some point because I'm a NOOB.
2. I don't want to have a TON of money put into something that I know that I'm going to drop...
3. I REALLY want a VFR
4. I can't afford a NEW one, so used is the only way I would go
5. I REALLY like the 6th Gen bikes and I can't touch a "clean title" one for less than $5K from all of the looking I have done through Ebay, Craigslist, and Cycletrader.
6. The bike must be able to not get blown around on the freeway as I will be using it to commute to work and I have a 50 mile one way commute, so it must be comfortable.
7. The $5K must be able to pay for the following:
a. Bike
b. Tax
c. Title
d. Tags
e. 1st year of Insurance
f. my Riding Gear.

I have 2 VFR's that I'm looking at that meet these criteron, one the 2005 that I am going to look at this weekend, and the other is a 2001 (still 6th Gen) with 18K miles on it, still a salvage title.

 

josh 2001 IS NOT A 6TH GEN it is a 5TH gen. IF i was'nt busy sat. I would ride up with you. If you get a bike send me a PM we'll go for a ride. I live en lancster.:thumbsup::vtr2:

 

Too many cheap new bikes on ebay for you to pay this one much attention. I has been wrecked. It is your first bike make it a good safe one. Leave the fixer uppers to track bikes and others.

 

Ok. Sorry I see you have been through ebay.
The VFR is a good bike. It is gentle enough to be OK even for a first bike. I understand the not wanting to put lot into a bike you will most likely drop or may drop but the Safety is the Most important. I see you are paying for someone to look it over. Make sure you can be present when they do so.
If it was in a wreck you may have some suspension issues etc that can cause you issues. Just observe what the mech is looking at. If you find someone that knows bikes even somewhat, take them with you to keep the mech honest. Just because they are independent does not mean they aren't willing to give it a wink and a nod then take your $70

As far as everyone here sounding like your mother. It may be because they are all riders and they just may know how important a well functioning SAFE bike is.

 

i have been to sill's before i never had a problem, but i have only bought parts from them. its a smaller dealer in the area. have you tried rick rousch or ohio motorcycle? there is a 4th gen that looks in real good condition there(ohio motorcycle) that should easily be less than 5k. but if you want a 5th or 6th, i haven't seen any around the cleveland area for that $$. i bought a wrecked bike before and regretted it now that i look back. it was nothing but trouble. it never felt right nor did it ever seem to run just right. not that this bike you are looking at would be the same result, just think you are spending 5 grand on a bike i am assuming insurance probably considered a total loss. hence the salvage title. good luck!
p.s. i have to work sat, or else i would go check it out. sill's i only about 10 min. from me