Seeking Advice/Opinion- 2002 VFR - Potential Owner from NJ

Hi VFR World! I've read several posts here, and I'm becoming more & more intrigued about owning a VFR! I've never owned a sports bike-- I've had an '02 Honda St1100 for 1 month (great ride, but heavy), and a Vstrom 650 for several months... also an '84 Honda VF700 Sabre, but i'm more of cruiser rider.

I'm seeking advice: 2002 Red VFR with 18k miles, completely stock- 2nd owner is an airplane mechanic, mint condition - needs new tires soon = $3000 even (listed at $3500). Garaged kept, not beat up, older adult owned, well maintained- + recall done. No extras.


What do you think? Deal or no deal???

Your opinion would be appreciated. Anything i should be aware of or look out for if I should seal the deal?

Thanks, i appreciate it!
peace.

 

Hum. I have an '07 I recently puchased 2nd hand w/Staintune, PC-III and matching hard-bags. I paid $5400 for it ~15k. Figure maybe $1k for the year diff, ~$1k for the exhaust and ~$300 for the PC-II. I'd try for $2800 and grab a set of these: 2002-2009 Honda VFR 800 Interceptor Dunlop Q2 Rear Tire: eBay Motors (item 250655797433 end time Sep-21-10 09:58:56 PDT)

forgot to add... Check Nada: http://www.nadaguides.com/default.a...50587&l=1&w=23&p=38&f=5693&gc=mc&gtc=mc&any=0

 

16K service has NOT been done... what does it entail for $600? What would be a fair price as such, and needing new tires?

 

I was also looking at this bike:
1. 1997 Red VFR 20 k miles; Staintune exhaust, rebuilt hydraulic shock and springs, modified speed clutch and rebuilt trans, converted single line brakes and clutch w SS lines, y2k mirrors, new Sargent seat, original pannier seat with bump pad, RKA bag, recent 15k tune-up, BT-014/20, upgrade reg/rect with fan, kissan lights, 3 speed screens winter/summer, ..many more extras.. Needs new battery, fuel line flush! $2000 even.



Of the two, which one would you go for? Why?

 

Hell, I like the gen 4.

 

I think the older bike is the better one, it has no cataletic converter, does not have that first vtec engine and exhaust under your seat

 

OF course YES¡¡

If you like the bike go for it, I have the same bike (mine with 36000 mi) and it works super fine, just ask for a highway test and you will see why the VFR are excellent sport touring bikes: good braking, very comfortable ride, high speed, smooth engine and specially an exclusive bike look.

I have a 2007 CBR 600RR and use mainly my VFR although it is an older bike.

 

I would go for the newer bike because it has linked brakes and fuel injection. I love older VFR's but you plan on keeping it for a while you will have a hard time finding parts in the future especially bodywork. I also wonder why the 4th Gen needed the transmission rebuilt.

Rollin

 

Thanks for all your input and thoughtful responses! I'm heavily leaning toward the gen 6 for $3k- for 2 real reasons: 1. the owner of the '97 hasn't responded to my inquiry (it could have sold already) 2. the '97 had the trannny rebuilt- which raises flags= no thanks, and no story could be that good to explain it.
Otherwise, the gen 4 would've been a great choice.

 

It's actually closer to $800, the majority of which is allocated to a valve inspection. Usually this tune entails cutting the $800 check only to have the dealership tell you that everything is in spec. I assume you could use this figure as a negotiating tool although $3000 seems like a decent number compared to what I have seen other '02s going for. With the tires also requiring replacement the $2700 or $2800 mentioned earlier would be a fair offer. Maybe even a few hundred lower than that. I'm sure that the seller is aware of these things and is hoping to sell it to a buyer who is not.

One other piece of work you'll want to verify is that the brake and clutch fluid have been changed sometime in the last few thousand miles. This is about a $400 service unless you plan on doing it yourself.

I know that those figures can seem daunting but don't let them scare you off. It just so happens that you're looking at a bike with critical maintenence mileage on it. The next exorbitant scheduled maintence isn't untill 32K. Again with the valves.

 

Welcome aboard and good luck!