Help??? '99 vs '03 VFR trying to decide???

So I'm looking at buying a VFR and I've found a '99 totally stock with 36K and well taken care of listed for 3800 and and '03 totally stock with 20K listed for 4000. Since it would appear that they are about equal on all fronts I was curious which one I should go for. Any help, or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Where are you located? Price seems a bit high on the 99 for here. The 03 is about average.

I like the 6th gen but thats just me

 

located in chicago. I'm 6'5" around 275lbs. I've been riding an '01 Kawi ZR-7S but once I get over about 150 miles in a day my knees start to get really sore. I just sold my old bike and want to get a new one asap. I'm also looking at an '02 VTR1000 superhawk and an '06 Kawi Z750s. A friend suggested I stick with FI if I can afford it. I use the bike mostly for longer rides, bike nights, trips to starved rock. Love twisties, love leaning it over, don't stunt at all. Learned a good lesson when I dumped a 1200 bandit a few years ago.

 

Hi CS, If the 99 were a bit less in price ,I think I would go with that. A problem with the
03 is that it has a vetec valve train system, As I understand it ,adjusting Vetec valves is a
very big deal and expensive when done at the dealer.Also the 99 is a gear driven ( cam) machine which is supposed to be an advantage. I would look at some more 1998 to 2001 machines and if you find a good low mileage bike for right around $3k I WOULD BUY IT. EDDIE

 

The VTEC is not a problem, not the linked brakes, not any of the bikes after 2001. Complete bullshit. The 5g forks are wimpy 41mm pieces of crap and the gear driven cams are not an advantage, they are heavier, you can't deck the head if you want to, and all it does is make a cool noise. Variable valve timing is pretty common these days, unless you stick your head in the sand and only come up for air once every 10 years.

 

If the cost is similar, then you have to buy the one that you like better, obviously. 3 years difference and 16k miles isn't that big a difference in the age of this bike. The biggest difference between the 2 bikes are looks (headlight shape, underseat exhausts vs sidecan) and sound (gear driven cams vs chain driven + V-tec).

If you don't plan to keep it for more than 5 years/30,000 miles, maintenance probably won't be much of an issue. 6th gen might cost more down the road, if you keep if for a long, long time, just because of the V-tec.

I've ridden a 5th gen with over 86000 miles, and it ran and sounded great. (Buyer was asking 3k, 2 years back). Some of the 3rd and 4th gens have 150+ miles and still running. So maybe that's a small nod for the 5th gen. You're getting more of a known quantity. The 6th gens are undeniably the newest. Longevity of the V-tec engines could be even better (difficult to imagine, for sure), but that's yet to be seen.

 

The 99 is way overpriced in my opinion. I like the 5th Gens better than the 6th Gens and I own a 07 already. Keep shopping and you'll find a better deal on a 5th Gen.

Regards,
Rollin

 

But you don't own a 5g?

 

The only reason I bought the 6th Gen is because I got a steal on it from a friend who is the General Manager of a dealership. We've been friends for 22 years and rode dirtbikes together as little kids. He knew I was looking for a VFR and called to let me know he took one in on trade with about 2000 miles on it. The bike didn't have a scratch on it and he gave it to me at dealer cost which ended up being $7000 out the door with a free helmet included This was an unbeatable price and keep in mind that this is the price I paid more than a year and a half ago. I'm sure my buddy would have gotten real pissed off if I had turned around and sold it for a profit after doing me a favor and making me such a good deal on it. I decided I would keep if for a couple years and then sell it. My plans still haven't changed and I'll probably sell it by next summer unless I suddenly decide out of nowhere that I love the VTEC engine.

Regards,
Rollin

 

I owned a 99 before I sold it for my 06. I liked the 99, but I liked the looks of the 6th more, along with the hard bag option( worth every cent). The valves are a non-issue. Yes, the adjustment price is more on the 6th, but I feel the advantages for me outweigh that. I loved my 5th, but to tell you the truth, the gear whine did get on my nerves sometimes. I would not change my decision to get the 6th, and if I had the $$, I would like to own another 5th, not to mention one of every generation. You're not gonna regret getting either one. Good luck with your decision.

 

Get the '99 for $3500.

Better bike, lighter, cheaper valve maintenance costs, less expensive exhaust slip on options. Spend the extra $500 on hard bags. Done.

 

having just traded my Z750S I can say that both the Z and the VFR are great bikes. I'm on an '07 and I love it. The Z and the interceptor have similar riding positions, the bars on the Z are a little bit more comfy though since they are straight. The seat on the VFR is much much better. You can find z750s's for 4 grand pretty regularly...good luck...

Just my opinion but the fuel injection on the Z is better than that of the VFR....it pulls from 2500rpm on up from all gears....

 

Here is my 2c
Tires are EXPENSIVE!
New break are nice.
5th gen if the tires are not NEW then the price should be deducted for Tires cost. I would not pay more then 3200 tops. with 36k. Has the ownder done the Valve check at 32k? or eariler? That's another $700
You must factor these items in pricing.

I bought 1998 excellent condition VFR with 20k on it with NEW Michelin pilot Tires,New breaks,Plugs for 3500.
I am very happy with my decision.Things to consider before you buy VFR. 5gen or 6th they run HOT! I mean HOT.If you are driving in hot urban environment with go stop traffic you'll find yourself praying nothing happens when that engine goes over 230F! Something to think about...

I think another great choice is FZR1 lighter,more powerful and runs cooler and has better suspension and has 130 HP!Great wind protection and great sport touring ergos.

 

Thanks for the info on the Z750s. I'm seriously considering it. I doubt I'll ever do any serious touring on it. At 6'5" it gets uncomfy after a few hours and I also have a blood clotting disorder so extended time in one position is bad. The guys I ride with keep telling me to go for the superhawk...thoughts???

 

+1 on this

 

Here's the info on the VFR. Please let me know what you think? Good deal and if not, how much should I offer?

the original owner. Bike is mostly stock except for K&N air filter. I have a half tank bra and a tinted windshield. I've done all the service including brakes, chain, sprockets, oil, coolant, tires. The valve adjustments have been performed by Southeast Sales, a local Honda dealer. I have receipts for those. Last adjustment was done at 32,000 miles. Tires were put on last summer. Dunlop Roadsmart dual compound. Asking $3800.

 

still seems like a lot of money for that bike. I do like that he has maintenance receipts and also it has fairly new tires(depending on mileage since they were put on)....I would talk him down a lot if you are to buy it.

 

Like I predicted on another thread . . . the 5th generation bikes that are in very good shape are starting to go UP in value . . . not down.
If you can talk him down a bit on the price . . . go for it.
If the seller didn't redo the R/R then be prepared to spend some money updating it.

 

lol hopefully hes made a decision in the past year