Eyyyo from CT

Hey guys.
New guy from CT looking into possibly adding a VFR to my stable.
Right now I have a 2009 KLX250SF (Supermoto)..



After taking it on a 600+ mile 2 day trip last year.. I wasleft wanting a little more..
That is where I came up with the decision to possibly add a VFR.

Pic from the trip:


I have been scouring CL for some good deals.. and I found a 2000 VFR800 with 15K miles for about $3,000.



What do you guys think?

$2-3,000 happens to be my budget (getting married in less than 5 months)..

Well I am glad to be here and hopefully I will join the ranks of Viffer owners.

 

Hey and welcome. Seems like a fair price. Of course ask the usual about service records for oil changes and other fluids, check out the chain and tires. The Golden Rule: The one with the gold makes the rules. If he's asking three, show up with less but cash in hand. Most people will go for it. My bike is also a 2000 with about 15,500 on the clock, and I figure I could probably get $3000 to $3500 for it. Super clean. Not that I'm selling...

These bikes are notorious for shitty stock wiring, and the R/R is prone to failure. You could ask the owner if he has upgraded the R/R. If not, you would probably want to do that if you plan on any longer trips. Check out these forums using the search function for tons of info on the R/R.

Might not hurt to bring a voltmeter along too. Get an idea of where its at both at idle and at 5000rpm.

Bike looks pretty stock from the picture. Most people change the seat for any long riding. Who knows, maybe you'll like it. But most don't. Corbin and Sargent are popular aftermarket.


If you need more info or specifics, ask away.

We always like pictures, but since you posted one of your bike, how about one of your bride to be? lol

 

What should I look for with the voltmeter? Any optimal range it should be within?
I have a Sargent seat on my KLX and love it to death..
And my lady friend will probably kill me.. but here goes:

 

Outstanding! You're a good sport - I hope for your sake she is! My 19 year old daughter looks older than your fiance!

I need someone who is more smarter than me to respond to confirm these numbers, but I'm pretty certain:

Bike off - you should get a reading of about 12.7 at the battery

Bike Idling - I think 13.7 to 13.9 volts at the battery

At 5000 RPM is should be around 14.5V at the battery. This would show the system is charging/functioning correctly.

Don't get me wrong - there are definitely a few people on here who will say their R/R is original and all is fine. Good for them. But there is a definite history of these things failing. Most of us have replaced or at a minimum carry a spare. If the R/R goes on the road, you're shit outta luck. There are TONS of options out there.

Go Google R/R for 2000VFR and see what happens.

I personally have a R/R from a Blackbird on my bike. Some use an aftermarket Honda. Others have used R/R from a Yami. Personal preference.

 

My fiance is 24 and every does say she looks like a teen. hahaha

And I asked the seller about the R/R- he has no idea if its stock or not (he is the second owner).
So I would assume its stock and would like to purchase a new one for it.
Are there any pics of what the stock one looks like so I can confirm when I go to check out the bike (also, where is it located)..

 

It is located on the left side (when sitting), behind the tail plastic. About where your ass cheek is on the seat. You might be able to just remove the seat and see it there. If you're really lucky, there will be a serial number on the top of it. You could write this down and then Google that number and see if that gives you any information.


I just Googled images for "Honda VFR Regulator Rectifier". You'll see plenty of pictures.

For a replacement, lots of people use this site:

Wire My Bike.

This isn't an overly expensive fix. People have probably gotten the R/R for anywhere from $60 to $150. If you can change your oil, you can change a R/R. Its piece of mind is what it comes down to.

The problem is its in a bad location, has inadequate cooling fins, and heats up. Heat causes problems. Wires fry. Charging system and battery goes kaput. Now you have a several hundred dollar repair with lots of time/labor, rather than making a cheap insurance investment of a hundred bucks or so.

 

I've already read some people doing DIY cooling apparatuses for these things.
If it has fins, that means its the updated R/R.. correct?

 

No sir - even the old/original R/R had fins. The unit itself was smaller (or thinner), so the amount of fins was less. Fins are what allow the heat to dissipate.

The after market mods include putting a small computer fan, such as something from Radio Shack, to keep the air circulating on it and keep it cooler.

 

Good to know.
Thanks again

 

Just go buy the bike. Get it home, take the rear plastic off in less than 10 minutes. Take a look at all the wiring, pull a serial # from the R/R, and whatever else.

Then order up a new R/R, get the wiring harness if you want, slap it all together and you're good for the next 85,000 miles or so.

Sine the seller doesn't know if it was replaced, have him knock $200 off the price for what you'll need to do. No loss on your end.

PM me if there's anything else. I'll try.

 

Thanks man.
Appreciate all the help.

 

Well it's official..
I am a VFR owner!

 

Congrats! Welcome to the 5th gen club

Are those extra plastics in the truck bed?

 

Thanks and yes.

 

Damn! That's sweet - if that extra plastic is OEM and in good condition, that's a good find. While you're at it, put an aftermarket can on it. You'll go ride it just to listen to it - it's intoxicating.

btw - good choice in trucks, too. Is that a V-10 or a Cummins TD?

 

The OEM plastics has seen far better days. Right side fairings are basically shot..
Front fender, rear cowl, left side plastics are decent..

And yes, exhaust and Sargent seat are on the top of my farkle list.
My exhaust quest..

The truck is a Cummins TD (my very good friend's truck.)

 

Glad it all worked out. Its looking pretty clean.

I'd love to see an undertail exhaust on the 5th Gen. The only one I know of is Wolf (that's 2 pipes, not one). Consider how much 2-up riding you'll be doing as well, along with your weight combined with that of your (petite and) soon to be bride. Would you lose clearance with an undertail?

Personally, while an undertail would look kick ass, I'd just look at "whatever" aftermarket exhaust and put the rest of the $ into suspension upgrades.

What tires are on there?

 

Took the VFR out for its maiden voyage.. oh baby..
First ride on the Y2K Interceptor - YouTube

( Not sure why my fiance decided to tilt the camera 3/4 of the way through..:crazy: )

 

Sweet, huh?

If you think your fiance is :crazy: now, wait until after you say "I do".

 

hahaha..

Are filters for these bikes really $7+ each?