My First VFR may just be found!

Hello all,

I am an old Nighhawk owner and have always liked VFR's but never really thought I could afford one. Well I sold off my 700S last year and have been looking for a VFR in my price range since then. I finally think I found one. It's 98 Red with about 26K on it. The owner is asking $2.5K for it and I went and looked at it yesterday. The bike looked like it was in good shape. As far as the body, The right hand mirror was missing and there were some scratches on the right side molding where it fell over but it does not look like it was laid down anywhere. There is also a 1 1/2" crack on the left cowling over the engine in the top outermost corner of that piece, but from what I read hear in the forums that blemish could easily be repaired. As far as the engine goes, he has maintained the bike with oil and topped off fliud levels but has not had the valve clearances checked. He started it it up and I was surprised to see the fuel enrichment lever on a fuel injected engine. I tought it was a choke at first. It ran cold natured for a couple of minutes but once it warmed up, it purred like a tiger. Anyway, the owner is a younger guy who admittedly told me he rode it fast and in fact was selling the bike because he had to pay for a ticket for excessive speed and is worried that he will kill himself on the bike.

That is the only thing that worriese me. How hard did he ride it? It looked like it had been sitting in his parents garage for a little while and I didn't see any fluid leaking on the ground and the bike sounded good from idling and revving.

My question to all of you is what sort of damage should I look for on a hard ridden bike? He is not he original owner. He has only had it for about 8 months. Is the VFR motor durable enough to handle hard riding like that? He told me he set the suspension to the stiffest possible ride and he lowered the handlebars for a more sport bike stance and handling. I would probably raise it back up because I want to commute with this bike. I might keep the suspension stiff because we have good twisties here in North Carolina in the BRP (Blue Ridge Parkway.) Do you think this is a good price?

Thanks for any feedback. It would be greatly aprpreciated.

 

If your not in a hurry to buy one, take your time and look at a couple others. If you look farther away you might find one that you have less questions about.

 

At 26K I'd be looking hard at the chain and both sprockets - It's probably replacement time if they are the originals. I picked up a 2000 VFR in decent shape for 2.5K a month ago - I'd keep looking at what else is in the area. You could always make him an offer figuring on the work you have to do.

 

Here's one that's $3k and would probably come down a little

2000 Honda VFR 800

 

Thanks. I'll look into it. I appreciate the advice.

 

26k is nothing on a 5th gen. And I beat mine pretty good, and it's getting near 50k.

 

that is a funny story because it is exactly like mine. i to have a 1985 honda nighthawk 650. but a last week i purchased a well cared for 1998 vfr800 with 21k. bike has new tires and fress tune up and heatd grips. i payed 2750 for it. so your price is about right for the vfr your looking at.

about the valve check. from what i have read the valves on these bikes are usually in spec for much more that 22k. and ive read of people never checking them and riding it to 100k.

only thing i can say is check the charging system and you should alway be planning on changing the ires and spocket when you buy a bike. unless it is in really good condition.

what i recommend doing is if possible going back with a voltmeter and test the charging system. if it all checks out ask if he will take 2300 and load your bike up. these bike are robust and very capable. i cant wait to clock some serious miles come spring.

good luck.

mdange

 

LOL!!! Well then you you know how I am thinking. I will take a voltmeter and watch the charging on the system. He already put new tires on it. I found a whole chain and sprocket set on ebay here JT Sprockets. I like the Red one.

I've always had shaft bikes since I bought my first road bike. This will be my first chain since I had my dirt bikes. That has been over 20 years so I have no idea what a good sprocket company is. Is that a reasonable sprocket company? I found some cheaper sets on ebay but these JT's seem to be OEM.

Also, I looked into that yellow bike on CL and it was sold already. No problem. I feel pretty confident that Red the bike is in good shape. I may ask 2300 just because I need to replace the chain and sprockets and mirrors.

 

I see your in north Carolina. But I was cruising craigslist in the new York city section and away a 1998 vfr800 in new Jersey. Guy is asking 2500. Has 19k, power commander, two brothers exhaust and look like a Corbin seat. Need less to sat I'm kinda annoyed cause I paid more and didn't get those items that I wanted. Anyway the point is there are plenty if these out there. And they will start popping up more now spring is around the corner. So if this Guy doesn't bite on your offer walk ans I'm sure some other one will appear. And when you buy one never look back cause you will always find one cheaper. I'm a prime example. Lmao

I'm not to mad because my bike has brand new tires and battery along with a radar detector. Before I bought it the bike had full fluid flush and tune up. 1500 worth according to the invoice.

Ohh and make sure he has the tool kit. You will need that tool kit to adjust your new chain. Its a weird looking hook piece for the hub.

Mdange

 

I will give him the offer and see what he says. I don't mind walking but I have to be honest with you. I have been bikeless for over 8 months now and I am itching to get on a bike. I don't know how much longer I can wait...lol
Also I really like the color Red on a bike. Bottom line is I really like the bike in spite of all the flaws I mentioned. I would be totally happy with it. Besides. I like tinkering with them anyway so replacing a chain and sprockets and learning how to do a valve check on this bike would be good experience for me.

 

the first thing you do before you show any money is look at the title make sure there is no liens or writing on it also if its a salvage title. is it in the persons name. then you check the vin sticker on the bike for damage and if it matches the title. after that its the technical stuff. if the paper work doesn't jive you will have a bike you cant ride legally and i like doing thing legally.

personally i never worry about looks when i look at anything mechanical. though it help to show how people take care of the bike. but what really important is the components like the charging system and if the engine is making any funny noises. look at fork seals too. all the consumable you shuld be changing anyway. unless you get prof it was done or looks within specs.

yeah i hear you on that. i couldn't even park my bike this winter. i rode all the time. people at stop lights and gas station looked at me like i was crazy. endless comment like "arent you cold" "i bet your cold" "isnt it to cold to be riding".....all i do is smile and say "no its not that bad" people just dont understand. well good luck with the bike.

 

The only bikes I have ever owned were old Honda Nighthawks and I got pretty good at diagnosing problems and fixing them. As excited and rushed as I may seem, I fully understand the necessity to scrutinize the paperwork and throughly inspect the bike to the best of my ability.