Interceptor as First bike

Hello everyone. My name is Alex and I'm new to this forum so if i break any rules or anything please let me know. heres the skinny.
I'm going to be purchasing a bike and it might be a 1989 interceptor.
Its got some history behind it too. supposedly it was used as batmans motorcycle in a stunt show in orlando, fl. only 20,000 miles on it and the person who is going to sell it is a good friend. He is fixing it up and asking $1,200 for it.
So this being my first motorcycle i was hoping someone could give me some more info on the pros and con of the bike. I am waiting to hear back from him to get more detailed info on the bike.

Anything I should be aware of i.e. certain parts have been know to fail?
Pros and cons on the bike?
Where I can learn more about motorcycle maintenance so I can do repair work myself.
I've been working on cars and boats since I was 8 so I am pretty mechanicly inclined. I just need to learn what I'm doing on a motorcycle. haha
Thanks for any responses that may come.

 

Hi Alex, welcome! This is a good place to learn about any VFR, though I'm afraid I'm not the person to tell you about a 1989. I think a lot of people will tell you that a VFR is a lot of bike for a first bike, so take it easy and see if you can find yourself a MSF class to take. You will love the bike!

 

welcome alex, this is a great place to read and learn it has helped me a lot. things to watch for are just the obvious i guess....chain, tires, brakes, etc...beyond that i dont know about anything specific to that generation, get yourself a factory manual can find them online free ocasionaly and download as a pdf.
as far as a first bike goes, if you dont have a lot of experience with dirt bikes, etc, start carefully. i started out in high school with a 175 honda cl from the 70's....worked my way up from there. a interceptor feels fine now, but you can get into trouble quickly if you dont have the basics down. they are great bikes, learn and ride safe!

 

First bike

My first was an 84 750, you will be in a much better position than I was. A very good bike, buy and lets go riding!:thumbsup:

 

welcome alex, so i am taking it that you have never rode a bike before....just take it easy and inroll in some bike classes around your area get some gear also then have fun!!

welcome to the brother-hood :thumbsup:

 

Hey alex -
I purchased a 2003 VFR in February this year, this is my first bike as well. I took a certified motorcycle week long course a couple years back with the intention to get a bike when I completed the course. Things did not work out back then but that did this past February. I had my eye on the VFR for a couple years. I am a pretty cautious rider and use the bike to commute to work on occasion and take longer rides to the lake with friends. I highly recommend taking a certified training course getting the proper gear and taking it easy to start. Good luck

 

Hi Alex,
I am a mere noob as well. Bought a '96 VFR in April as my first bike and took my MSF course in June. Have been logging miles ever since. Ride it to work a couple of time a week (120 mile round trip) and take it out every weekend in the country. The VFR is a terrific bike all around and I am already looking forward to buying a newer one. Just take it slow at first and try not to get in over your head. Take a safety course and wear good gear. Best of luck to you.

 

I'll second that.You may want to consider SV650 legendary cult bike.Light,powerful (you won't outgrow it but it will grow on you:biggrinRiders often race the SV650 since it handles beautifully and the engine raves very high for a twin.In short for 1st bike VFR is too heavy and may not be suitable bike to learn on.

Be aware the house Idiot deepdish sure will follow up anything I type (stalking me) but ignore his retarded remarks

 

Start riding in an empty parking lot with someone that already rides so they can help you, like your friend. The bike for 1200 is probabley a good starter bike in case you drop it a few times, also some pictures would be helpful. but that motorcycle was a great ride 20k miles is nothing for it, wear a helment and protective gear also ....Unfortunately you will come across some quite distrubed people on this site, that spend all their spare time in mens rooms painting,but most here are trust worthy and can answer all your questions....good luck

 

I second all of the above...except the bit about the VFR being a lot of bike
(maybe I'm reading into something that you're not actually saying with that comment? edit: ahh...perhaps you mean the weight, like Rubo said. If that is the case, the 89 is a LOT lighter than a 5th or 6th gen :wink

my 06 is my first bike.
I didn't want anything smaller...I'm 6'4", 240lbs.
I've ridden some 500's-650's...They have enough power but the bikes are physically too small to be comfortable. (SV650 is a fun ride but a little small for me and I've been told I look goofy on that bike...*shrug*) Hell, even a CBR1000 has my legs tucked up so tight I don't think its something I could ride often or for very long periods of time.

As for the MSF course.... TAKE IT!
I'm 1 day in, we haven't even been on the range yet and I've learned a lot from the 3 hours spent in the class room.

 

Alex,

Get some training & wear your gear. If you are going to get a VFR as a first bike, I recommend going with the 90 & up models.

ATGATT
MySpace - Brittany Morrow - MSF RiderCoach - RocktheGear.org - 24 - Female - Princess of Lex Vegas, Kentucky - myspace.com/brit2morrow

KC-10 FE out...
lane: :usa2:

 

Not necessarily a lot of bike, tsiah, but a lot of first bike. But I think if you take the class and are careful and stay within yourself, it can definitely work even as a first bike.

 

:thumbsup:

Last day of the class is today...in about 30 minutes. Its been interesting so far. This last bit of range riding should be fun.