Should I Buy this 2005 VFR? or a VFR period?

I think I found a decent buy on a 2005 VFR it is silver, very clean with only a few light scratches on the plastic, The bike is stock it has kind of high miles at 26k.

Im told the bike is a repo and it is being sold for $4700, I dont need a bike right now but I see 2001 VFRs selling for that much.

I had a Victory Vegas about 3 years ago, I use to sell these bikes I loved the damn thing but did not ride it enough I decided to sell it to get rid of the payment. 10 years ago my first bike was a Ninja 500, I figure the VFR would be a great combination of handling, fun, & comfort. I read the bike is a little heavy for some? SInce I handled a 650 lb cruiser should I be able to handle the VFR?

Also wondering if I can lower the bike Im 5'7 160 lbs.

Your wisdom is needed!

 

I really wanted a white one but this bike is clean and looks great.

 

$4,700 is a good price, If you can bargain down to $4,500 even better. No worry about the miles. As long as you maintain her per the manual. She will last for along long time

 

Can you even put your feet down when you sit on it? No offense or anything, but my 5'8" 180lb buddy barely had tip toes down...on a stock 5th Gen setup...BEFORE I added my Ohlin's.

The center of gravity will be pretty different than your Victory but other than that...depends on how good of shape you are in and how experienced you are at handling bikes in general. I don't believe people should be riding a particular bike if they can't sit with both feet relatively flat footed at the same time...but I won't comment any further on that as I have no experience in lacking control of bikes.... lol (I'm 6'4" 350lbs)

$4700 range for 2001's? That sounds pretty steep to me! Hope they were mint, low miles, with LOTS of goodies. Brand new 2007 Candy Red listed for $8,299 at my dealer.

As far as lowering... couple of limited options...

First and easiest is to rotate the shock link triangle plate. I think it's a 180 degree flip, but someone will chime in with info on that for you or you can look it up on the site here(search is your friend!). Should give a couple mm decrease. Have to change your fork height too I believe.

Second option: Thurn Motorsports out of Germany makes a modified shock link triangle plate that has the shock side made to a shorter length. I believe with this route, you also need to shorten the kick stand as it's too long to work properly. They offer a core exchange option where you send your stock stand in and they'll send you a shorter stand in return along with your new lowered plate. Fork adjustment here too.

Come to think of it...I think Thurn makes a riser plate as well...I'll have to check that out again...

Third: Remove the seat covering and go at the padding with a dremel.


Take your pick.



That price for the 2005 seems like a pretty good steal if you ask me. Granted it's bone stock though.


Most common mods to make the "Perfect" VFR:

Pipes- Staintune of Australia
Seat- Sargent (or Corbin, but consensus has generally been Sargent)
Handle Bars/Risers - Helibars or GenMar risers or some guys make their own (quite simple actually, got a mill and a block of aluminum?)

Optional or Essential upgrades depending on what your purpose is:
Windscreen -
Luggage - Factory Bags or Givi

 

"I don't believe people should be riding a particular bike if they can't sit with both feet relatively flat footed at the same time"

I better get rid of three of my bikes! I am 5'4" and was comfortable with the stock height (aftermarket seat), but it is slide and one set of toes....I am just used to that, especially with the S3. Shave the seat and lower with the forks/rear triangle and you should be fine....well, fine after thinking about the side stand

The bike does feel a bit heavy at low speeds compared to other sportbikes...but not cruisers, so you probably won't notice.

 

Flat feet?

I dont know of many people including myself who would EVER be able to race motocross if you had to put both feet flat on the ground. I cant even put one foot flat on a bike with 13" of suspension travel, but seem to be able to ride it just fine. I dont believe that inseam determines rider ability. IJS

 

I'm 6'2," but I agree control while stopped, & control while moving are very separate skills. For example Ricky Carmichael, the greatest outdoor motocross rider ever has to tiptoe at rest, but look at the record book for what he did under power.

 

LOL, no RC or James Stewart here. Of course it's very different on dirt...falling off is to be expected.

 

$4700? BUY IT! You can try to negotiate it down but that's a good price for the fastest VFR color. :thumb:

 

Not to threadjack but I also have to disagree with the flat foot comment. Being baaarely 5'2" there isn't really anything that I can flat foot without lots of modification. Well except a Rebel The important thing is how comfortable the rider is. Of course you need to be able to hold the bike stead when not in motion, but you certainly do not need both feet to do that.

 

If you have complete control over the bike, then go for it. I have a strong feeling that if you get bumped from behind or have something throw you off balance, that you will have one hell of a time keeping the bike upright with ease. Especially those of smaller build and lesser strength. No offense to anyone or anything. I've just witnessed a lot of smaller people having difficulty negotiating larger bikes when not under power and some even dropping them.

 

Even with my radical seat modification I couldn't touch well with both feet down. I used a technique I know many others on this board do as well - when you come to a stop you can slide over a little and flat foot one side and leave the other foot on the peg.

OP - I would suggest trying this if you are looking to feel more stable. I've met guys on local group rides shorter than you who had no issues moving the bike around without it being lowered.

 

Is RC off limits? I didn't know.:redface:

 

I am 5'6" with a 28 inch inseam, and I ride a bone-stock 2007 VFR. It is a bit tall and somewhat top-heavy (especially with a full tank), and handling it at a stop/parking lot speeds requires a lot of concentration. Since you are an experienced rider, I don't think you'll have any serious problems.

 

I'm 5'6" with a 29" inseam, my bike has a lowering link and a Sargent seat.
I can't flat foot with both feet but I can get better than just balancing on the balls of my feet. My CR125 on the other hand which I mainly ride on trails, I have to slide half off the seat to even get tiptoes down. I still have the kickstand issue and need to get it shortened as the bike stands up rather vertically

 

never knew there were so many short vfr riders out there

 

that's a good price. i'd say GET IT RIGHT AWAY BEFORE SOMEONE DOES! you rarely see prices that low.

 

buy it.
and by the way, both feet on the ground only matters when you are stopped...

 

Buy the thing! Nice price! I've had my silver '03 about a month now. It had 20,000 miles when I bought it about a month ago. Just broken in if you ask me. I paid $4500. A steal. Best $4500 I ever spent. You will LOVE a VFR. The gentleman's sportbike.

 

Do it!!
Don't look back.