NewB needs help with purchase

I hope you all don't mind me visiting, but I'm helping a friend consider an '87 VFR 700. It might even be on this forum!

Northern VA, seems like a decent price at $1800, 28.5K miles, never down, garaged....blue, 1k miles on tires, all fluids changed.....

Are there any issues with this year? Anything about the 700? I'm open to all info.

This is his return to riding and his last was a 450 I think.....decades ago!

I've had a couple bikes, including 2 CBR 1000F's (one I ride now), so I'll go with him to test ride it/look it over. But I'd like to hear from you guys about the bike.

Thanks for all who respond.

Gregg

 

Can the seller provide copies of the recent service work?
Is there any visual damage like bent clutch/brake levers, side cases scraped?
Is the seller willing to allow a brief test ride?

A 20 year old bike could be a large money pit, especially that has only 28K on the clock. This means that the previous owner(s) averaged less than 1500 miles per year. Your friend could easily spend as much on repairs as they did the purchase price.

Ask the seller if he/she would be willing to accept a hold back of part of the sell price (maybe $500?) based on an professional inspection. If the place finds something that has not been disclosed, at least you've got something.

Also as a safety note: If your friend has not ridden for decades, it would be a great investment to sign-up for an MSF rider's course. I was in a similar situation where I had not ridden in many years, and I learned alot. There is alot more cell-phone talking crazy cagers out there today than 25 years ago.

Have fun and keep it safe

 

Thanks, PLC

I'm already ahead of you on the course. He agrees. He's got a PhD in psyc, so being realistic comes natural to him.

I'm not as put-off on the mileage. My '91 only has 22.5k miles. But a close-up will yield a lot of info. I'll check about the records, I usually do. I like the hold-back idea.

I have every reciept from my '87 Supra with 285k miles. Same with all my stuff. I studied history in college!

BTW, nice 2000 you have there.

Gregg

 

I paid $1900 for my 86 700 w/25,000 miles on it... I've had great luck with it so far. It had a dent in the front right corner but nothing a little glass didn't fix... Also came w/helmet, tank bag, new rear tire, and all service papers.

One thing to look for is HEAVY rust in the fuel tank, if it's sits for long periods of time on a low tank it can rust real bad...

Sounds like a good deal if all is on the up... Do a good test drive.

 

I paid $1400 for my 86' VFR700 w/ 26K on it I beleive(don't remember exactly) 2.5 years ago the bike had cosmetic damage. I now have in excess of 35K on it & have not had any problems w/ it except normal maintenance items such as brakes, chain & sprockets. You can expect that it will need the carbs gone thru @ some point which can be pricey($300-$400) I know because I've been calling around for quotes. All in all I would gamble on it if it appears to have been maintained. One nice thing about older bikes is you generally don't have a monthly payment that goes along with them.

 

It will probably need fork seals, brake work, and carb work. None of this is a deal killer, just something to be prepared for. If your friend is comfortable with that, and it doesn't have any other serious problems, then I say go for it.

 

These guys have you so covered! Used bikes are priced soley on condition when that old so if its nice, that's not alot of cash for a clean piece these bikes do have a niche following. Go for it!

My previous favorite bike was a 93' CBR1000F in Gry/BLk so I'm with you on that one, sometimes I still miss it. Really the best way you can help him is if the guy will let YOU ride it, may take a deposit to convince him:biggrin:

 

You guys spank! Thank you

99 - Thanks for the heads-up on the tank rust. I would have forgotten that one.

tb - I remember my cb900 had to have the carbs done. The rubber intakes had to be replaced....another good one.

zilla - Fork seals ... yes I did those on my cbr 1.5 years ago!

Va - I agree big time with you, man am I glad I wrote this. A good refresher on checking-out a bike. Its been awhile since I've looked -- that buyer-look. Oh and I loved the color scheme of my '93 1000. I had to sell it after 11 months....got more than I paid but it was CLEAN. I like the red of my '91 a lot. No ABS though.

Since you've had both what do you like / dislike about the cbr/vfr differences? The 130 lbs seems like it would be nice to shed for the twisties, but as for 95 and 695 around Baltimore a little bulge helps. I hope I get to test it out.

Thanks again guys. AND thanks for the mini market analysis. That helps a lot as well. Now, is there anything else I am forgetting?.....

Gregg

 

Hey Gregg-- I've had a few bikes in between the VFR and CBR including a tricked out GSXR-750, 2 97' YZF1000R's, and an 01 FZ1 my last sold in DEC.

Comparing the two bikes I would say this, if you are into more GT style riding, railing the turns and generally flogging the hell out of a bike with a smile, the VFR is fabulous. I've only put 750 miles on my 04 since Dec so, I've barely ridden it more than the last guy, but it will get up and go. It isn't the rocket ship pull your eyeballs out speed of the FZ1 which had 133 at rear. The VFR is alot lighter than the CBR, but the CBR is a better highway bike for sure. If you tour alot, either would work, but 2 up with luggage the VFR would struggle in the mountains I bet. Not sure if you have stock pipes, but the Gen 6 with Staintunes is by far the best sounding bike I've ever owned and rivals my friends Fogarty Monster.

I personally started looking at exotic including Ducati and BMW wanting something besides an inline 4 which I've had 9, so the VFR was a good compromise to get there and not have my guages fog up and other piddly stuff that would annoy a Japanese bike guy like me. Good luck.

 

Good Luck 91CBR1000

Lot's of people with great experience to give you plenty of things to check out. Tell your friend that getting back to riding is really great and it sounds like he/she is on their way

Thanks for the compilment on my VFR, I sure is fun. Keep in touch

 

Pipes and support

Va - My '93 had Slip-ons, no baffles, and jetted right. I liked the snap and better gas mileage. But I am not a tuner and my '91 is all stock. I looked into a 4-2 and even a 4-1 ( I prefer the look of balance 4-2) but I could not find the aftermarket available. Right now with 2 kids still in college (one ends next year but the other just finished her first year) I am waiting to do mods.

I am sure there are still pipes available and guess with them come some suggestions on jetting?

I have a modified outboard (280HP from stock 225) and that has been a bit of a money pit...like last friday when I pulled the hi po flywheel only to find it melted to the stator--$1100 for a day and a half riding. Might be the $1800 crank is off balance and rattled the bolts loose.....

B O A T = Break Out Another Thousand. ... or 2 or 3

I guess TMI, all those woes to say, I enjoy getting on a stock CBR and not having to tweek or worry. I did really like the '93 jetted, but I bought it that way.

Maybe one day the '91 will get a few upgrades.

PL - I am feeling it here for sure. Your 2000 looks new. Way to go. We'll see what Mickey thinks of the VFR. Last night I told my wife I was helping him, her reply? I thought he was your best friend! She'd prefer I not ride, or anyone else for that matter.

Again, I appreciate the help.

Gregg

 

OK the '87 was sold, how about a '90

Asking $2500, would go to $2200

Sounds like it needs tires. I'll go look at it tomorrow. Any other thoughts?