First Generation Parts & Reliability

Thinking about getting an '86 VFR700. Bike sat for a few years. 23k miles. Last year the carbs were cleaned and synched, all fluids changed, and a new battery installed. Is being driven regularly today. Has a few cracks in the fairings, and a chip out of the upper cowl. All turn signals are missing. The tank has a small dent and some rust. Will need tires. Makes it sound not-so-good, but appears (in pic's) to be in very good shape form a 26-year old bike. I Can get it for about $1,500.

You know these are great bikes. All I've read speaks highly of this model, but that was 'at it's time'. I do like to do some work - some. I am mechanically inclined and feel it's not too much given the bike we're speaking of. However, I question the problems that might be encountered in this aged bike. Is it a reliable bike? Are parts readily available? Are they expensive? Would it be wiser to spend $4 - $5k up-front for say an '02 - '04 VFR800? (I would like to take some longer trips too and feel the 800, w/ luggage, would be better for that.)


Thanks for the input, Dave

 

The '86 is a 2nd Gen VFR and it is a great and reliable machine with none of the design flaws of the 1st Gen. 23K miles is nothing. I have found that parts are still available through Honda and eBay. The bodywork is what you won't be able to find too easily.

Now if you've got the money to even consider a newer bike, then I would go that route. I have both bikes you're talking about. I love them both, but the 6th Gen is light years ahead of the 2nd. If money was tight and that's all you could afford, then the 2nd Gen would be a great bike, but if you can go newer, then I'd do it.

 

$1,500 for the bike & another $1,500 to bring it up to where you want / need it. Like Stuart said, Buy a 6th. Gen. unless you can't, or you really want the 2nd. Gen.

 

After surfing quite a bit, I have come to the same conclusion. The 2nd gen would be a neat bike, but the 6th gen would be a wiser buy. Plus, I would feel much better on an 800 w/ luggage for trip(s) to the farm (700 miles one-way). Still, I don't always do the wiser thing!

Somebody here might well be interested in NOS OEM side cowls... 1987 Honda VFR700 VFR 700 NOS Side Cowls

And parts... Vfr 87 700 f2 interceptor need parts I got them!

Still undecided. $5k for limited use (I'm in the Chicago area) is a lot. Hmmmm....

 

i doubt it would take 1500 bucks to get the bike in good ridable shape. the 2nd gen (86-89) bikes really are a breed of their own, as honda didnt make the VFR into a sport TOURING bike till 1990, so the 2nd gen is still an outright sportbike (with which honda brutalized the competition there for a while). Where sometimes difficult depending on what youre looking for, parts arent really that hard to find, nor are they ragingly expensive. Reliability isnt even an issue. Keep in mind it IS still a 26 yr old bike and stuff DOES fail, but the vast majority of these 2nd gen bikes have surprisingly impressive track records for breakdowns and parts failures. This decision really boils down to what youre looking for. If you want something that you can rely on as a stuff-carrying daily commuter, the 6th gen would likely be a better buy, though I've spent PLENTY of time commuting on my old 87, and had fewer problems than even i expected.

Either bike you get, youll surely fall in love with....it seems every generation of VFR has its own appeal that only grows on their riders more and more every day (2nd gens included).

 

The reason I say $1,500, Is because he will be replacing Turnsignals & Tires. Fuel-tank has rust, & He also wants Luggage.

 

Okay, I figured out a 2nd generation is not beyond my reach to repair and maintain. However, I gather the 4th generation is geared more towards sport touring than earlier versions, offering better wind protection and (argueably) the best motor of all generations. Is this right? If I'm going 4th gen - within $1 or $2k of a 6th gen - what is the advantage of upgrading to a 6th gen? I get the impression the 4th gen motor, w/ geared cams, is better that the modern V-TEC. Or am I missing something?

 

NEW DEAL!!!! Just stumbled upon a VERY good condition, 19K-mile, '87 VFR700 for $1,500. Trying to jump on it - in more ways than one! What should I be on the lookout for? May not fit all my needs, but as a kinda newbie rider, I think this will be a great 'starter' and tinkerer. And fits my cheap side well!!

 

mainly look for overall condition.....fluid leaks, scratches on the plastic, any obvious signs of abuse or disrepair. 1500 these days is a pretty good deal for a low mile 87 model in good condition, so youre not crazy for goin for this deal. there are a few things that you can (and probably should) do to improve the reliability of the bike (related to the charging system mainly), but hondas have always been a little iffy when it comes to the charging system.

If you can get a look at the stator wire (ie the connector where the stator wire connects to the regulator/rectifier), check that out...that connector is NOTORIOUS for heating up, burning, and failing. Easy fix, just insanely frustrating when/if it fails and causes problems.

Give it a good, careful once-over and hopefully the folks here can address any questions ya have about it.

GOOD LUCK!

 

I bought a 86 vf500f it had 5900 miles on it. i considered myself lucky to find it with such low miles and I paid 1500.00 for it. Im finding tthey are not to hard to work on. i ride mine to work (40 miles one way). I love it. Now Im saving my pennies for a newer one. You have a nice starter for your VF collection. I have found that C/L has some parts to offer. And the members at this website are very helpful. Good luck !