Opinions on purchase? Thanks!

Hey just wanted to get some opinions here if anyone is willing to share. I been looking for a bike since I moved back to Hawaii 6 months ago. Had a couple of deals that i didnt go through with or they slipped away from me lol. Anyway someone just a posted a 1998 vfr800 for sale. Just moved over from Washington state, claiming "grandpa owned", runs perfect, garage kept..He tells me I wont find a better one like it....You know, he could either be honest or trying to sell it lol. He posted it as $2900, i offered him $2500, he said he would meet me halfway at $2700. So I told him thats cool and now hoping to meet him tomorrow to view it. He tells me theres nothing wrong with it and theres under 28000 miles - which would be about 2000 miles a year for its age. I guess thats the first part, wanting to know if its a decent deal IF in fact there is nothing wrong with the bike and it runs as good as he says.

Second part would be about recommendation...This is not my first bike. I learned on dirtbikes when I was in 8-9th grade - tore a sweet little suzuki rm80 up for a while (dont let the 80 part fool you, this thing had balls even for guys twice my size at the time). My first time on a street bike was when a roomate of mine (fresh out of high school) wanted a street bike so he bought a 99' cbr 600. He didnt know how to ride it and I was the only one with moto experience so he let me teach him how, and I was the only one he trusted to use the bike a couple times a week. I did quite well on that bike even for a skinny little 18 year old, and the thing was heavy for us lol. Never wrecked it, dropped it, pulled out the very first time I tried...Im pretty sure riding a dirt bike for a couple of years helped a lot. Anyway after that the only other bike ive owned is a Ninja 500ex recently before I moved back.

I know the vfr is heavier than most bikes of its size, but I read a lot of mixed reviews about it. Some say it wasnt a big deal to them, some say it bothered them. What about the height? Im about 5'9 - Ive never actually been on one of these..is it very high or what?

Anyway If anyone is willing to share some words about what they think - if they would recommend this bike, if its a good deal, anything I should look out for, etc.. I would appreciate you big time! lol.

Heres a pic i pulled off the craigslist ad.

Mike -

 

That is a good deal if the bike is clean and the engine run good, look for the R/R and the hardness to see if it has been replace. Is that the picture of the actual bike?

 

It is nice by looking at the picture........good luck and keep us posted

 

Hey buddy, Yes those are actual pictures of the bike the guy posted on his ad. There are a few more but I figure I just post 1 to start. Ill put the others on this post. Looks like hes got an aftermarket exhaust too. And what do you mean by the R/R and hardness? I know how to ride a bike just dont know all this terminology lol.

Thanks.

Mike -

 

Rectifier/Regulator. I'm told they like to burn up. Do a search, you will find lot's of posts.

 

The '98 and '99 are the cream-of-the-crop. Best of the best.
However, anytime I see a bike with a non factory paint job I have to question the seller as to WHY.
Usually it's because the bike was in a wreck and needed a new paint job.
The only OEM color for 1998 VFR motorcycles sold in the US is red.

Also, usually "grandpa owned" bikes don't have aftermarket pipes. I'm a grandpa and I know.
I would recommend that you get a friend who knows VFRs and check this one out very closely.

 

Ahhh Very interesting..Good to know porschebob. I didnt know that the only OEM color was red - even after looking it up it looks like the only colors from even other countries did not include black. I will ask him this tomorrow when I meet with him. Unfortunately, I dont know anyone who knows much about this specific bike. The only reason I thought it was an aftermarket exhaust is because it looked different from stock photos I looked up online, and it has some kind of logo on it. I guess I will find out tomorrow.

 

Wise words spoken by PorscheBob (except the 2000 and 2001 were actually cream of the crop. But I digress... )

Paint is definitely not stock, nor is the exhaust. Windscreen looks to be aftermarket too.

For information on the Regulator Rectifier, or R/R, do a search on this forum. You can also look up stator wires, and even WireMyBike. All of these will bring you to countless threads on the factory installed, inadequate R/R. (I just completed my R/R change yesterday...)


Be straightforward and ask if the bike has ever been wrecked or down.
Ask for service records.
See if there is an owners manual that comes with it.
If you're going to test ride, bring an air pressure gauge and check them first. 36 Front, 42 Rear.
Take a look at the sprockets and chain - not too loose or too tight. You want "about" an inch of play. Deal with specifics after you buy the bike.

Seems to be a fair enough price, even if it does happen to need a little work. But definitely need to ask about the paint.

Good luck.

 

Hmmmmmm, is that because the 2000 and 2001 models have a catalytic exhaust and

smaller exhaust headers (43mm vs. 45mm) than the '98/'99 bikes? Jus' wondering ~

 

No PorcheBop, Because Pliskin own a 2000 model so obviousely it is the best......lol

 

The 5th gen. seems to be particularly "beloved" and the 2000 is special as it is the ONLY year that came in a pearl yellow finish. Take THAT Porschebob. :argue2: :tongue:

The only downside on the 5th gen. seems to be a weak wiring harness connector at the regulator/rectifier. You will need to look that up if you buy it. Those look like a set of chinese made replacement plastics. You can be sure there is a reason for replacement plastics. If it was a low speed drop it's not a big deal. Mine was dropped and plastics cracked. The PO did NOT mention it in the ad., but was honest about it when I went to look at the bike. As long as it isn't a salvage title, that is a GREAT price. If it IS a salvage title, I would pass.

Jose

 

Well played sir, and exactly the reason my headers and exhaust were removed and replaced with the non-cat version! So I guess there was "one thing" better on the 98/99. :wink:

Well of course Scuba is correct.

 

Thanks guys I really appreciate the advice.

Checklist: why the new plastics/paint, about an inch of play on the chain, service records, owners manual, tire pressure, and has the r/r been changed.

Salvage title - pass.

Thanks again! I will let you know what happens.

 

I personally won't buy a bike with a paintjob. I own a 98 and love the bike but if it were my 2700 dollars I would look for something cleaner or wait for a better 5th generation to come up.

 

I got the bike, its awesome. It has a clean title and has never been crashed. The bike is really clean and was painted just out of preference of wanting it black.Theres also some cool random carbon fiber pieces like the mirrors and the exhaust is aftermarket fmf i believe. This old guy who sold it to me is some rich retired aircraft mechanic, pilot, and bike/car hobby mechanic. says he owns 50 motorcycles, mostly BMW's. I just rode it 30 miles back to my place with no trouble and was smooth. He even told me that if im not satisfied with it I can bring it back - without any damages of course - cause theres a handful of people who want it still. But to be honest I would have wanted a black bike - especially with the gold honda logo and I dont think im going to take it back lol. This guy did not seem like he needed to rip off some poor guy 1/3 his age lol. He stays here in hawaii for winter, and between alaska and washington the rest of the year for his retirement side business. I think its going to be ok. He even threw in his official honda service manual.

 

Congrats man! You sound pumped, and you should be. Its a great looking bike! Enjoy it.

 

Welcome to 5th gen heaven, michaels214. Looks like a good solid machine. Now go ride it!

 

Great buy! Your going to love it I cant get enough of myn. It is pretty tall for someone our height, I have to tippy toe it

 

Oh yea, totally pumped! And yes I do a slight tip-toe as well. nice purr too. Its weird cause Waikoloa, HI is sunny and clear almost every single day. 2 hours after I bring the bike home I hear thunder and it starts raining. WHY?!?

 

Congrats on the great find. You WILL enjoy that bike.

Jose