Should I buy a 2002 VFR800 with Power commander and Blue Flame exhaust ?

Hi All,

New to this board.I've been riding for 38 year, but this is the first time I'm looking at the serious road racers/cruisers. Previously could not trust myself with this type of machine, but "THIS" bike has my interest.

My question is it appears some of you on this board have mixed feelings about the "Power Commander". Exactly what is it supposed to do and why do some posters feel it has a problem incorporating it's technology with the VTEC design of this motor?

Also, what do you think of a "Blue Flame exhaust".

This bike is "mint". 11,000 miles on it and clearly well maintained and records to prove it. Priced at $6,000 seems a bit too high. what would you pay?

Any input is appreciated.

Later,

Doug

 

The price is steep... for a 2002 that's a little much. I just got a 2006 for $4900CDN. My VFR wasn't exactly "mint" but with a few hundred bucks in paint it will be.

I just looked at the "Blue Flame Exhaust" website. Looks deadly! At the end of the day though the question here is, "Is that the sound and the look you're after?" If no, you can buy stock exhaust for a couple hundred bucks. Aftermarket exhaust isn't everyones cup of tea.

As far as power commander is concerned... I'm not the guy to answer that question. However I will admit I do see a power commander in my future. I have some things I'd like to do first but a PCIII (Power Commander III) is on my list.

Hope that helps.

Oh and don't forget... in two years... that bike will be 10 yrs old. :shocked: That may not mean anything to you... but to me that always puts thing into perspective for me.

 

The debate on Power commanders is not whether or not they are good for VTEC, they are an exteremly positive addition to VTEC. The debate is more about why the "bike didn't come with PC style mapping as stock" and "why should you have to buy one to make the bike run properly." I don't think anyone here is going to say that the PC itself is a negative. All it does is optimize the fuel injection to remove some problem areas like a huge HP and torque dip at VTEC transition, smooths out surging at off idle speeds, etc. A PC with a proper custom map done after all other engine and exhaust modifications have been completed, will transform a 6 gen into a new machine, very important IMO if you have exhuast and airfilter mods.

Finally, this is all for not as the $6000 asking price for an '02 is astronomically high. There is a factory to dealer incentive right now that will allow you to buy a new '07 for less than $7000 out the door. Check E-Bay and your local dealerships for availability, or tell the guy about it and see if he'll come way off his price. The mileage on the '02 is low and these bikes go forever anyway, but if it were me, I wouldn't pay a dime over $4000 and that's pushing it. Not when a mere $2500 more gets me a brand new one that is five model years newer.

 

Doug seriously if the $6000 price was doable for ya just get a new 07 like suggested above. More fun to mod out your own bike. I wouldn't let the presence of a Power Commander sway my purchase as it can easily be unplugged. If the bike behaves badly due to the exhaust or what not you can always find some stock exhaust and start over.

 

Thanks Booyah, You a Jim Cramer fan by any chance?

Anyway, I appreciate your feedback. i love the bike, but I totally agree with your take on it. I told the guy..."It's an 8 year old bike already".. So it's in good condition, price is still way high... I will likely offer him something lower or find another one. The Honda Interceptor, IMHO, is a nice combination of performance and ride comfort...

Later,

Doug

 

Thanks Reg71,

You guys are a great help !! Great board !!Sometimes my emotions get the best of me and I just "want it"... But we are in a friggin recession and to pay over Book value... just doesn't make sense, regardless of convenience (the guy is only 2 miles from my house)...

Thanks again for helping to "set me straight"...

Regards,

Doug C

 

And Thank you too havcar,

Your explanation of the Power Commander is great and I now understand it... The guy I'm dealing with is either a great salesman, or a bit delusional on the value of the mods and the bike as a whole. I'll look at others and as you mentioned, lets see what incentives I can pick up on a new machine!!!

Thanks again,

Doug

 

Hey Doug,

I'm familiar with his show and have caught it a couple of times. I wouldn't say I'm a fan but his antics put a smile on my face.

-Chris

 

The reason I ask about Jim Cramer is the BOOYAH name. Cramer is a riot. I'm not a fanatical fan, but when I catch him, I also laugh and I've also learned a fair amount from him and made some serious money by adopting some of his suggestions.

Again, Thanks for the feedback on the bike I "was" looking at.

It appears me and the seller are parting on good terms. I didn't bother even offering him anything lower as he feels "its a steal" at $5,900 and is thinking of raising the price. He has it listed on Craig's list. Nice guy, just not in touch with "Value Reality". You never know though... "On any given day, any given thing can happen". Can he get $5,900?? From someone that doesn't know it's a 2002 and just buys on impulse...maybe... it's a stretch...So my search continues....

Later,

Doug

 

Hey doug c I'm not sure if your checking craigslist or not but there is a better site. It's called craiglook.com You just put in your location and search what your looking for and it will search craigslist for you. It will look up to 250 miles around your house. That way you don't have to search each city around you. Good luck!

 

This should give you some idea of what's out there, or at least give the seller some idea of his bikes true value, should you want to go back to him with some proof. This is actually the highest I've seen in a few months, so perhaps supplies are finally dwindling. If the seller wants to to discuss the value of his mods vs. stock (which unfortunately aren't really worth anything) then I would think all you would have to do is discuss the value of a one year warranty inorder to make it a wash.

Honda : Interceptor : eBay Motors (item 270549271469 end time Mar-28-10 14:57:13 PDT)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Honda-Interceptor-VFR8007-07-VFR-800-NEW-2007-HONDA-INTERCEPTOR-VFR800-RED-VFR-HUGE-DISCOUNT_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3efe1c9a97QQitemZ270551259799QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles

I should add that after watching these '07 models the last few months from this same dealership, that a bid of $6900 will get the bike, despite its $7200 and $6995 "buy it now" price.

 

These two bikes have been on ebay for months now. They can't even get 7k out of a brand new vfr and this guy thinks he's going to get 6k for his 02. he must be a crack baby!:crazy:

 

Exactly. There is another guy on there trying to sell an '06 for $5800 (otherwise a fair price) with 20,000 on the clock. At the time his add was right beneath the brand new and warranteed red '07 for $6695.

 

So I just called this dealership out of my own curiousity. Due to some Honda regulation a buyer has to be present inorder to make the purchase. The dealership itself is 10 min outside of Philadelphia. The salesman said that most buyers will purchase a one way ticket (air travel is cheap right now) to Philli and ride/break-in the bike home. Not that I'm going to buy one, but I brought up weather issues and he explained to me that they have many of these bikes in both red and RWB and that if I needed more time (even 6 weeks) to get there that it wouldn't present a problem. I don't know about going through all that shit, but the price is as good as it can get and the thought of having a bike broken-in on the highway, by the time I got home, is appealing.

 

Hey reg71,

I live in Sparta NJ.It's Sussex county NJ, North West, great bike country !! I just signed on and it appears others have also recommended ebay and the like. Not sure why I didn't think of that.. Big fu&^ckin duhhh on my part, I sold my 2002 V-Star 1100 on e-bay after getting no luck elsewhere.

YES !!! I am interested in VFR as I have ridden several "Crotch rockets" and some are too "funky" for this 48 year old Big Ass. The VFR has a great combination of handling and cruising which is what I want.

I already have an 06 FULLY CUSTOM Honda VTX 1300 (Picture below- Need a more recent Pic as i did a bit more to it..). This is my cruiser. It handles very well and actually gets out of it's own way with those two huge pistons and the custom design makes it very stable at 130 MPH (It's top end) but it's really a "looker" and a bit of a sleeper on performance but certainly not a TOP performer. after a full day of riding it,I'm ready for two days of rest.





Thanks all for your continued help, it's greatly appreciated !!!

Doug C.

 

I'm only a couple hours from Philly !! Jeez..maybe this will work out. I gotta tell you all, you guys are fu#@ckin great !! You know your sh^%t and your help is soooooooooo appreciated...

Later,

Doug C.

 

Who want my bike make offer...? Consider trade for a VTX...........................

 

"crack baby"... funny...