Hey Everyone!

I am new to the forum and Honda.

The VFRs have always given me a horn and there is one that seems decently priced and in my area I am going to take a look at tomorrow. It's an '08 with 19k miles, non-abs, looks stock. Small cosmetic issues, no maintenance records. Asking price is $4500.

This would be my 5th bike, I recently sold my '10 Ninja 250 (last year's commuter), am thinking about selling my '13 Ninja 300 (this year's commuter) to fund the VFR and I am always going to have a Daytona 675 (fantastic bike....for going fast) for the back roads and track. I started out on a '94 Ninja 500 but sold it a few years ago to fund the '07 Daytona. I do love those Kawi twins though.

In doing my homework and due diligence before buying, I have some questions I hope this forum can help me answer.

First off, can someone please link me a service manual? I have been scouring the web and can't find one for the '06 - '08 years.

Second, how difficult is the valve check/adjust? I have never worked on a VTECH system before, I am cautiously intrigued. I am mechanically included, and have done shim and buckets valve adjustmentments on both Ninjettes and the Daytona. I should have the tools except the pin locks, which I can get/make, and I don't mind getting my hands dirty.

Third, is there anything I should look for specifically on this model year? Any known issues or problem areas?

Fourth, what would you consider a fair price for a bike like this? It has small scratches on both lowers and a small area of rash on one side of the front fairing. I can't see any other damage from the pictures, looks like a tip over on both sides and no sliding. I'll have a much better idea of condition tomorrow. I can look online at the over inflated prices on craigslist or KBB and Nada but, realistically, what are they selling for? Is it a buyers or sellers market on these bikes?

Thanks reading. I hope to be coming back as a proud new owner in a few weeks.

Cheers,

Mat

 

Well I just got back from looking it over. It's in a sad state. I couldn't find anything majorly wrong with it, it just needs some love.

The Bad:
The chain is done, rusty as all hell.
Rear Sprocket is worn but not worn out.
Front brakes are down to 5mm ish and awfully crunchy.
Needs a brake flush.
Oil looks very dark for being changed recently.
Mismatched tires and a 190/55 in the rear.
The engine fired right up from a warm start but didn't feel very smooth.
Low RPM acceleration didn't feel very smooth, but the bike picked up pretty well (could be air filter or spark plug related)
It really needs a good cleaning.
Head stock bearing is loose.
Slightly more damage to the plastics than the picture showed.
Owner wouldn't let me test ride it except for around a small parking lot that I couldn't get half way through 1st gear in.
Owner has done nothing to the bike other than oil changes.
It would seem the PO before this owner did nothing to the bike other than oil changes.

The good:
Fork seals aren't leaking and the tubes don't show any scoring.
Suspension is not binding.
Everything works on it.
Only plastic and mirror damage and a missing feeler peg.
Didn't see any signs of leakage.
No play in the wheel bearings.

Are the V4s supposed to be a smooth running engine?

So what do you guys think? He is very firm on $4500.

 

I would pass bro, find a good example thats been loved and taken care of...and with a few farkles.
Rusty chain, kept outside I bet or never cleaned or lubed, whats that tell ya about maintenance? .
JMO of course

 

Holy shit, that sounds like a pass to me. You can get an almost new condition for that price.

Where are you located?

Sent from my phone, please forgive brevity and misspelling

 

I'm with Duccmann on this, pass on this one, a better one should come along soon. Also, check this link in reference to the VTEC valve inspection... http://vfrworld.com/forums/showthre...ady-for-a-Valve-Adjustment-on-my-6th-Gen-Vtec

BTW, I sent you PM with the download link to the 2002+ Honda Service Manual.

Cheers

 

http://ventura.craigslist.org/mcy/5019977595.html

 

There out there

 

Sick! The RWB scheme is awesome! Too bad that is about 900 miles away. Pretty long road trip to check it out....I am in Central and Southern Oregon.

Thanks for the reply's everyone. I will keep looking. All the other VFRs available are quite a bit more than that one, but I am not sure on condition.

 

Bummer...just wanted to show you there out there, just dont jump to soon....

 

Unless you are dead set on a 6th gen, there are some nice looking 5th gens in your area:

http://bend.craigslist.org/mcy/5067036915.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/mcy/5077781022.html

http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/mcy/5076567420.html

Me personally, I love the 5th gens. The only thing the 6th gens have up on them is the ABS option. Both generations R/R & suspension suck equally and benefit from standard upgrades.

 

Looks like summer pricing is in effect!

 

Those are three great examples. ..little pricey. ..
Low ball, see what happens.
Money talks, bullshit walks....
All they can say is noooo

 

Are you in Ashland, OR?

 

Yeah, the guy has been trying to sell the one I looked at for a year and a half. It didn't seem too bad of a deal until I looked it over. I don't mind buying a project bike. I like wrenching and you really get to know the machine and engineering when you have it spread out over your garage floor. This guy is just asking too much for what he has.

I am bouncing between Albany and Klamath Falls.

 

I do summer rides out of Ashland. Maybe we will hook up sometime.
.

 

Nice. I try and do a weekly ride over 66/Dead Indian/Clover Creek to Ashland and back to Klamath Falls. A lot of great road right there. I am planning on going Saturday if the weather stays nice.

Let me know when you are back in Ashland and we will have to meet up.

 

Just for reference I just paid $4600 for my '06 ABS. Pristine condition, 15,000 miles. I would have paid more.

Once you figure out the valve adjustment, i'll be down.:smile-new: jk...

 

Ha! I was talking to Alaskan, forgot to quote. If you wanna drive all that way, I can show you some amazing road, for about 40 miles. Congrats on the new bike, sounds like a steal.