Wanting to purchase VFR800, advice please!

I am currently looking for a very clean VFR800.

I would really like a 2002+. I have located a 2003 with 30k miles, full GIVI bags and mounts, Sargent seat, tank bra, tank bag, Silver, looks to be very clean, asking $4500

Do you think that is a good price? I am thinking more like $4000. The Givi bags are definitely a nice option and they are the quick release ones.

I am looking for a cherry, my budget is really $4000. So obviously for that budget I wont be getting a later year. 30k seemed like a bit of mileage, I realize thats only 3k / miles a year, but any thoughts on that?

What are the best places to check for VFR's? Craigslist, ebaymotors, cycletrader?

I know their should be a valve adjustment done every 16k miles, so I need to ask about that, because at 30k miles that should be coming up, is that expensive?

Thanks for any and all help!

 

Doesnt seem like a bad deal to me if the valve inspection has been done on it at any point...if you can get it for 4000 or even 3800 id say its a good deal considering the upgrades it has on it... i got my 02 vfr with 8k miles and microns being the only upgrade on it for 3200

when i was looking for a vfr i used searchtempest more than anything since i did not want to deal with shipping the bike

 

:welcome: to the nuts house :wave:
$4500 seem a bit high, I said $4000 would be right. As for mileages 30k is not thing for the VFR if the owner take care of all the maintenance. Ask to see if the valaves inspection have been done at 16k good if it did for a piece of mind. Don't be alarm if it not. Most peeps skip one or two. I know a fews never even have the valves check and the bike is over 100k miles. Yup you read it right look in vfrw classiffieds, Craig list or cycle trader. Look for other location too sometime you find a great deal if you fly and ride back. Good luck with the hunt.

 

I may have my VERY nice 2000 for sale next week if I pick up a RWB 07 tomorrow....otstir: It has many upgrades and needs absolutely nothing!

 

The price really depends on where you are in the US. In my neck of the woods, he'd be lucky to get 3500 for it.

If you go look at it, look at the age of the tires. Factor that into your haggling. If the valves haven't been checked, use that too. I have no intention of having mine done, but as a buyer I would want to use that as a haggle point. And is it expensive? Yeah, it is literally more than the cost of another motor. I inquired about it once and my dealer quoted me about $700. I know too many people on both VFRWorld & VFRDisscussion with far more than 100K miles that have never done the check for me to worry about it.

You also need to ask about the electrical system. Has the R/R been updated? If not add that to your haggle points.

Just of the top of my head, there is the possibility of $1,000 you will have to spend if the owner hasn't done these things. Yeah, haggle him down.

 

Thanks for the info.

New tires, brakes and oil change, plugs, general tune-up were done in March of this year. Seller is the owner of a pretty nice shop that sells sport touring accessories (givi bags, jackets, accessories, etc). bike has some light scratches, doesn't appear to be any signs of damage. Owner got the bike in March this year, when he did all the work, and used it for a trip. Owner is now moving out of country and is selling. He has no service records.

 

Are there any other items besides the wiring harness that should have been replaced on 2003? I know about the wiring harness recall, but I wanted to know if there was anything else not mentioned already in this thread I should ask about.

 

there were 2 recalls in 03, wiring harness and..uh ya..something else, i just got tires and honda dealer ran vin and both were done, i really cant remember 2nd. just he said both were done.

I bought 03 this spring, 36k miles for $4k, he wanted 4500 and i didnt want the hard side bags so we ended up at 4k. this was single owner bike. it came sergeant seat, tinted screen, garmin gps, helmet, tank bag, seat bag, bike cover, tenor (spelling?), and original seat/windshield.

2nd time i rode it i left key on and had to replace battery, dead cell, then i had to put new tires on it, ~$475 for that deal, so looking back id say 4k was to much. live and learn. with the miles, i was talking w/ honda dealer about bike, said i saw an 03 w/ 2800 miles for sale on craigs, he said pretty sharply, "why would you want that? this one is all broke in and ready to go" so, just grain of salt, 36k miles.

 

Thanks for all the tips everyone! I am now the owner of a 2003 VFR! I am attaching some pictures.

Some info:

less than 1000mi on new brakes, tires, sprocket, chain, oil (synthetic)
GIVI PLXR166 Rapid release tubular side case holders for V35 MONOKEY® SIDE cases
GIVI V35 MONOKEY SIDE Matte Silver cases (set, left and right with 2 keys)
GIVI T443 Pair of saddlebag liners in nylon (grey colour), complete with handles and shoulder strap Sargeant Carbon Fiber designed custom seat
Sargeant Carbon Fiber Tank Protector/Cover (matches seat)
Crash Mushrooms Frame Sliders (Made in the UK)
Joe Rocket Manta Tankbag

There is some road rash, but all plastic is in good shape, so if I really wanted to I could have it re-sprayed, but I think it looks great and shows good wear.

I went right to the bike store (I haven't owned a bike in 7 years), and geared up. I got a Shoei QWEST helmet (Silver), A* mesh jacket, some nice gloves, put some gas in it and took it to the Honda dealer for a "Check out". You can see my other thread, as I think there may be an issue.

Cliff notes with the "issue". Drove pretty slow going home 30-40 mph. Bike ran HOT, it was like up to 240 on temperature. Stopped bike in driveway, lots of coolant came out of the little overflow hose near kickstand. Not sure if thats a big deal. I took the plastics off, saw no damage. Let it cool, then fired it up and drove it to honda. Its getting a "check out". At least then I can see if all recalls are done etc. I will post separate thread on my coolant issue as I am curious for any advice.

Here are some pics!

 

looks fast, that silver is just so nice looking, congrats. hopefully honda dealer gives you good news.

 

Nice bike Signal, have them check the thermostat it might be stuck. Enjoy your new ride and be safe :thumbsup:

 

Nice bike. I own a 92, and am going to look at a 2005 after work today. I've had a Tiger 1050,(should of kept), and a Victory Cross Roads(shouldn't have bought).

I have no experience with the newer ones at all.