Another "should i buy this bike" thread.

So i've been looking to upgrade from my 86 yamaha maxim-x and pretty much narrowed it down to a 4th or 5th gen VFR or a 1st gen FZ1 for commuting and light touring. I ran across a 98 VFR on cl. The description reads:

Selling my '98 VFR (FI model) because I bought a 2010 VFR-1200 -- altho I think I actually like the '98 more.

- 39000 miles
- Racetech springs
- Fox rear shock
- Steel braided front lines
- Power Commander III USB
- K&N filter
- Two Brothers slipon
- Michelin Pilot Sport tires (75% tread left)
- EBC HH pads (new)
- Corbin seat
- Smoked windscreen
- CBR mirrors
- Pitbull rear stand

This bike is mechanically sound and runs very strong. It has cosmetic damage on the left side from the previous owner. See photos.





So I called the guy and the story is he bought it when he lived in Maryland with the the rash on it. The performance upgrades are for track days which is where the rash came from. I offered $2000 cash and he is at $2600 right now. The spring rate is for my general weight with gear so that is a plus i think. So im not too worried about the mileage but the track days concern me. If I can can his price in the ball park i'll travel the 2 hours to test ride it. what do you guys think? Are those upgrades worth much. Should i be concerned about the track days or the rash. Ive already located a replacement fairing for $180 but there is a small spot on the nose that is rashed. Any constructive advise is appreciated.

 

Those are some very nice upgrades. If the bike is maintained well(regular oil changes) and more frequent oil changes(after the track days), then I wouldn't worry about it. The damage appears to be cosmetic, but it is hard to tell from the pictures. If you guys can meet in the middle on the price, then I think it is worth the 2 hour trip to take a look at the bike.

Or, if you can tell us where the bike is, may be a forum member can take a look at the bike for you!!

 

Those are definately some nice extras but I'd rather buy one for around the same price that has been babied it's whole life and doesn't have the upgrades. The stock VFR is not terribly bad in terms of comfort and ride and unless you are a very experienced rider who likes to push the bike to it's limits you probably wouldn't even notice the difference of the upgraded components other than the seat which is nice for those really long all day rides. Just my two cents.

Rollin

 

IMHO never buy a track bike, or a Haybusa with an extended swingarm.


Unless you want a track bike, or a Hayabusa with an extended swingarm.

 

Maybe ill just keep looking for a cream puff. Actually there is a 97 that just came up locally that claims showroom condition but doesnt list mileage. Wants $3000 but maybe i can get him down around $2500.



I like the idea of fuel injection though. 4 carbs can be a pain.

 

It is hard to say when you cannot see under the fairing
On the other hand if you prefer all the goodies offer him $2300 like white said go check the bike out with cash in hand

 

I've seen bikes ridden at track days that aren't run very hard. This is usually because the owner is not very skilled and is scared to run it like it can. I've also seen track bikes that have seen hundreds of track days and are still running strong so it's really hard to say what this bike experienced in its life or any bike for that matter. Do you have any idea how many track days it saw? Other than the rash, is there any other indication that it was abused or mistreated / neglected?

The modifications listed probably add up to at least 2k so don't judge it too quick as they are all very desirable add ons...

When I look at the pictures, it gives me a vibe that it may have seen one or two track days at most. I don't know why but it has that cream puff look to me from the right side of course. I don't see stomp grip on the tank and track bikes don't have rear pegs and grab handles etc so it was never a hard core track bike. A bone stock bike with those miles would probably be around $2200 to $2300, perhaps more. I don't know but two hours isn't really that far away if it's a diamond in the rough.

Says the eternal optomist....

 

No don't be tempted by that carburated 97!!! Don't do it man..........no offense to the 4th gen owners out there...

 

YA no thank you (track bike, rung out to dry rpm's) , take your time , dont be in a rush----Like you said , find a cream puff thats been babied. There out there brewcoll---- just look------JMO

 

I'll give him a call tomorrow and ask him some more questions. He seems nice and has been pretty straight forward with me so far. I never asked him if it's ever been raced he offered that info to himself. It would be nice to get a bike with all the goodies you want on it already. I'm so back and forth with it.

 

$2600 is an excellent price in my opinion. Rash or not, if I was looking, I would snatch that one up no problem. Mine looked to be in rougher shape and was stock and I paid $3200 for it. Sure, I won't make the money back on this bike, but she deserves to be restored to glory.

And all those goodies? I would love to have them! I think you have a line on a good bike with what sounds like a honest seller. Good luck with whatever you do.

 

This ^

Those are excellent mods to have. If the bike doesn't have anything more than rashed fairings, I wouldn't care less if it's been to the track a couple of times. (Provided it's been cared for; fairly clean, maintained, not missing pieces, etc...) I picked mine up for $2700, with springs & fox shock that matched the seller's and my weight, good tires, Micron high mount exhaust, original seat & Corbin solo/smuggler seat, 58k miles, and the left side fairing had been repainted, but no damage underneath. I have been extremely happy with the bike!

 

I would be all over that bike like stink on poop. The add-on list is almost PERFECT. Fire it up and listen to the engine. Check the oil for filings and take it for a spin. These engines are SOLID and with only 39k, that thing is barely broken in. If you have a compression tester, ask if you can pull compression values off the two lower cylinders.

You could sand the rash smooth and plasti-dip the lower half until you can re-paint nicely. Or you might like the two-tone and keep it.

Jose

 

This looks like a nice bike. If you have 4 hours of free time, go and take a look at the 98 before you decide on the 97.. Those mods are very tempting!!

 

Took me a few months to find my vfr. See a few that had money spent on them (by spent on I mean had bits bolted on to it) but went to look at a vfr miles away from me that had money spent on it (by spent on I mean babied) but was completely stock. Gave her a home and love her to bits ^.^
The bonus with a stock and standard bike is you put what you want on it and how.
Even if the bike has what you want....I wouldn't like to guarantee it's been put on well! IMO of course