When is it too many kilometers?

Hi!

I'm a newcomer in the motorcycle world. As soon as I've seen and read the specs of a VFR, I instantly fell in love with it.

I've been looking for one for a while and considering I am a full-time student, I am looking for something that is not too expensive. The VFRs are usually pretty expensive, but I've found this "deal" which I wanted some feedback from experienced people.

Here's what the add says:

Honda Interceptor 2001 - 2950$ Canadian (makes it 2860$ usd)
Pictures:




Specs:

90 000 kilometers (Is that too much?? I know it's a lot for a motorcycle, but I've also heard that Hondas lasts longer and that it isn't too bad... what do you think?)

Excellent Condition
Electronic Fuel Injection
Last year for Gear-Driven Cams
Electric Grip Hand Warmers
Comes with Givi Monokey System
No bags.
Over $600.00 Recent Maintenance made less than 1000 kms ago
Honda Full Synthetic Oil and Filter May 2010
New Front Tire May 2010 (Michelin Pilot Road)
New Front Brakes May 2010
New Fork Seals June 2010
New Steering Head Bearings June 2010
Rear tire replaced in 2009 by PO (Michelin Pilot Road)

Is that a good deal for 2860 usd?

Please keep in mind I live in Quebec... I've seen some good deals (not as low as this one with the same condition though) in the United States but I'd lose in the end when bringing it back here.

Thanks for your input!

- Gaboury.

 

If it rides well and you are happy - go for it. Check the charging system with a voltmeter on the battery. Mine has over 100000km and goes well (needs new head bearings).
Good luck.
The US and Canadian guys can tell if it is good value. Bikes in Aus seem more expensive. Maybe it's our dollar.

 

Taking into account the more expensive pricing in Canada, I think that $2860USD is too much. If the mileage were substantially lower than maybe that would be a fairish price in the Canadian market. VFR's do go for a very long time with proper maintenence and 100,000 miles is fairly common. However, if it were me, I wouldn't pay that for a bike with 90,000 km (56,000 miles) on it. If the owner would be willing to go down to say $2200-$2300USD then I would take it without any hesitations regarding mileage. One more thing, all of the recent maintenence doesn't, or shouldn't, mean anything toward a higher, if not exorbitant, resale value. Those things that the ad described are routine for a machine with that kind of mileage and need to be considered as the sellers cost of ownership.

Apart from all of that, it's a great looking bike and appears to be in excellent cosmetic shape. Big chicken strips on the rear tire are a good sign that the owner is not an abusive rider. Best of luck!

 

Thanks for those answers!

Actually, after checking A LOT of ads, I was wondering about this one considering the VFRs are VERY expensive over here.

Here are a couple of VFR for sale to give you an idea:

VFR 800 1999 - 70 000 kilos : 4200$ CAD
VFR 800 2001 - 26 000 kilos : 4500$ CAD
VFR 800 2001 - 65 000 kilos : 4700$ CAD
VFR 800 2003 - 61 000 kilos : 4900$ CAD
VFR 800 2002 - 35 000 kilos : 5000$ CAD
VFR 800 2001 - 35 000 kilos : 5200$ CAD
VFR 800 2003 - 36 000 kilos : 5300$ CAD

Compared to these, the one I posted is incredibly cheap... I sometimes wonder if it would be cheaper to go get it in the states and bring it back in Canada... does any of you guys know how it works exactly? How much taxes need to be paid and so on? Is it a big hassle?

Once again, your answers are very appreciated!

Gaboury.

 

90K km is nothing. I have about 109,500 on my 06 and it runs fine. I don't know about the price though. Others are more qualified than I. But it does look to be in fine shape, and if the owner cares about it enought to put a cable lock on it, I suspect he looked after it. Swet colour...color for our American neighbours..neighbors....ahh fackit

BTW. Where the hell you from. I'm from Canada too. Maybe I know ya

 

it doesn't seem like a too steep of a price for a nice used VFR, it has all of the luggage racks which is a plus especially if they come with the bike. You also have to remember that the seller has a price in mind that he actually wouldnt mind taking for the bike, I say drop $2500 cash in front of him and I'll bet he takes it.

As for buying a bike in the states then taking it back to Canada, it would be less of a pain to just buy in Canada...good luck

 

Here a few from the Denver market. They are much cheaper than the examples that you've listed with the exception of the one that you'ld like to buy. After a quick look in my local market, it does seem as though the one you're looking at is fairly priced, especially for the Canadian market. There are some ads here is Denver that I didn't even bother to post due to some ridiculously high prices. One clown wanted $6000usd for a '98, despite several ads above his that were asking for roughly half of that.

2004 Honda VFR Interceptor with ABS
2002 Honda VFR 800 Interceptor
1998 Honda VFR800 w/Extras


Randy--Thanks for the laugh brother..."maybe I know ya"--sounds like a comment born of beer

 

Thanks a lot again for the answers!

You probably don't know me, Randy I'm from Quebec. Which is at the complete opposite from you haha. I've checked your links Havcar and the 2002 would have been a very nice deal in my opinion. Always depending on the rash that is stated in the ad. Unfortunately, that's WAY too far to bring it back, and adding to it the custom fees, it would probably cost the same as anything here.

One more question: is it worth it to wait for a deal on a 2002 to get the vtec? Does it make a huge difference, really?

Once again, your answers help me a lot. Thanks.

 

No, IMO it's not worth holding out for a VTEC. That said, I love the tuned version of the VTEC, so if the right price comes your way I wouldn't hesitate to make the purchase. I was just trying to give a few examples of what you can get for the money in the U.S. in terms of pricing vs. mileage. Based on the list of Canadian market pricing you posted; I now think that the blue '01 is looking like a good deal when you factor in U.S. pricing, plus the cost of getting it back to Canada. To me it looks doubtful that you would be able to do any better than that, provided the bike is in good mechanical order.

 

For Canada, if they're priced anything like they are here, that's a decent price. Horrible colour though, not sure how you'll stand it. :wink:

 

If you like it and it checks out mechanically , buy it. It's in the prices ranges, been looking all summer around montreal. I do want a 2002 up model and haven't found a deal on one yet. Decided I'm waiting next spring to buy a new 2008 if any left or a 2009 model. Could be another option if you could afford it....

 

:drool: i am almost in tears. that is the most beautifull bike i have ever seen. I would pay that price. in a heartbeat. well, if i wasent broke.

 

If I did get a VFR800 it'd be that Gen with the Gear Driven Cams.

Hard for some of the yanks on the board to understand how much bikes go for up here....no offense to them. :smile:

Bikes go for much less down in the States.

 

Hey guys!

Couldn't forget that bike even though I checked out some others, so I got the bike inspected, and here's what came out of it:

The hand warmers don't work.

And it says it needs BRGS for suspension link. (because it has a small play).

The rest is mint. (Chain, sprocket, brakes, tires, lights, charging system, all okay)

2750$ CAD. around 2700$ USD

Whatcha think?

 

What has play?

 

The suspension linkage or something like that... I don't know anything about mechanics, but he said the play was very small and it didn't need to be repaired just yet. He made an evaluation of the repair cost and it's about 100$ in pieces... the rest is labor.

The items concerned in the repair are noted as 3x "BEARING NEE" 17.79$ each (probably misses a few letters ) and 3x "COLLAR CUSH" 8.39$ each (same thing). There is also 6x an item that has no name 5.50$ each on the evaluation cost.

 

its kinda high price wise me thinks. condition looks good, seems like the previous owner took care of it. When I get a used bike I look for one with low mileage if I am going to keep it and not sell it. These bikes will easily go over 50,000 miles with some routine maintenance. BMW rides would not sneer at a used bike with 50,000 clams so why should we\. cheers

 

I didn't get your entire message (please keep in mind my mothertongue is French )

Also, keep in mind it is in KM. That means it is the equivalent of around 57 000 miles.

Also, the Canadian market is a lot more expensive than the USA one. Most VFR go for at LEAST 4000$ (even the 98 ones with 125000 are listed at that price)... :s

 

Something that hasn't been mentioned yet is insurance or those dreaded Quebec Plate tag fee's. Is the VFR cheaper to plate being Sport touring? I have friends that have two gsxr's and I think they said they pay $700 a bike just to tag them.

I'm in Ontario I I imported a 06 from Virginia last December, the process is quite easy and bike prices are much much cheaper in the US, even more so it seems the further south you go. It's funny but many here have been importing from the US and Quebec, seems to be quite a few selling cheap because of the new plates fee's you guys got hit with, and the bikes in the US because of the economy tanking..