Buying a 04 VFR or 06 Kawa 650R this weekend. Need a final push :)

Hello guys,

I have been checking out this forum for ages and finally about to make my first VFR purchase. I got about 2 years experience on my suzuki katana GSX600F and I am planning to upgrade to a VFR. Here is my situation

2004 VFR with 2300 miles (no accident) for $5400

2006 Kawasaki ninja 650R with 1200 miles for $4200

2002 Suzuki Katana with 10000 miles (my current ride for about 2500 miles) which my buddy has offered me $2800 ( it cost me $3200 2 years ago)

I am deciding which one I am hoping to hear some input from you experts :biggrin:

Is it a decent price for a VFR? According to nadaguides and kbb, it is a fair price but I am not sure if they reflect the current prices.

Any pros and cons between the three bikes. I am 80% sure that I will get a VFR but the 650R is cheaper, less mile and only 1 year old... (although the MSRP is only $6000 compare to $10K VFR)

I am not planning to buy a bike for another decade, I appreciate any thoughts :israel:

P.S. By the way the bike come with transferable dealer warranty good through March of 2011 and includes a $0 deductible and towing. I have no idea what exactly the warranty covers though. Any ideas?

 

I'm thinking that if you're planning on keeping the bike for a long time you should definately lean towards the VFR. I know that I'm biased, but I feel like the VFR will allow you to grow with it in every respect. Whereas an entry level bike aimed at new riders and those wishing to re-enter the sport will only have you wanting a new bike in another year or two. I'm sure that the 650 is a capable bike, and it does have some neat design cues, but the vfr should prove to be a bike that will make most riders happy for a very long time. If you're new to the sport or just don't feel confident in your abilities then remember to stay out of the throttle and below the vtech range. Under vtech range the bike is still quick, but forgiving, once in vtech be prepared for a little more kick. I've owned several different styles of bikes from Kawi's 250ninja, 03 ZX6r, Buell Firebolt and the VFR and I think that I'm extremely happy with my viffer and get happier all the time. As for the price I would say that it is pretty reasonable. Is it an individual or dealer? Is the bike in fair or excellent shape? If I was to sell my bike in another year I would probably ask more than that for it. Good luck either way you go.

Vs

 

I agree with VS. For whatever it is worth, I bought a new 2006 Kawasaki Z750S naked bike and had it for just over a year. I traded it in for my '07 VFR this summer, which I absolutely love. The Honda build quality of the VFR is so much better than the Kaw. Kawasaki makes some nice bikes, but I think their lower end sport bikes (like the Z750S and the 650R) are kind of clunky and not designed or put together with the precision like the VFR. I was considering a new leftover 2005 650R when I bought the 750, but I decided not to buy a first model year of a new bike. I think you'll be very happy with a VFR and is a bike that you would be happy with in the long run.

 

2002-2005 vfr wiring harness recall .. Has it been changed out on the vfr you are looing at?

 

I don't see how it could have been fixed by the recall. Everything I've heard says the dealers are not going to start working on bikes until they get parts, probably in late Oct. The owner might have fixed it him self.


Action

 

VsVFR - I am buying it from the first owner, and the bike is in excellent shape. no scratches on fairings, a couple of 1 inch scratches on front rims, about 1 inch scratch on the headlights. beside that seem likes a great shape. He is selling it because he has two young kids and no time to ride.

indyvfr - Thanks for your input. Since you were thinking about the 650R too, I feel much better that I am not the only one.I have never ridden a vfr or 650r. I am going by your inputs

Nailer45 - He mentioned about harness recall. He said he can bring it to the the dealer or I could bring it to the dealer to fix it at no charge. Will that be a problem.

Thank you guys, I appreciate all your advices. Hoping to hear from you guys. Since I am in Chicago, may be I can go for a ride with Nailer and indyvfr one of these days. Beer, ahh I mean Coffee, is on me


By the way the bike come with transferable dealer warranty good through March of 2011 and includes a $0 deductible and towing. I have no idea what exactly the warranty covers though. Any ideas?

 

VFR is a better all around comfortable canyon running/sport touring/commuting bike.

the Kaw twin is fun nimble but major HP differance, & wouldn't take it on anything longer than 200 miles on a trip, & oh, the brakes blow if you push them .

Coming from the Katana, the vfr will be closer in power (VFR has more) & weight.

Now as for reliability, the VFR is hands down better, well of course it is, it's a "HONDA" :biggrin: !

 

+1 for vfr, i agree with the others. 650r is an entry level bike i think you will be trading up from that one a year from now. you cant go to far wrong with the vfr a little more money you will probably keep that bike much longer than the others
Good luck

 

Thanks guys. I have some concerns about the maintenance and high cost of ownership - "the engines are just plain hard to work on, and some of the stuff is fairly complicated like valve adjustment and not much help is available'

I hope not - just wondering about your thoughts as a VFR owner?

 

VFR all the way. I just bought my third one in february & it is also my first new one. I had a 86 500 and an 86 700 that I kept for 11 years & get this I sold it for what I bought it for 11 years ago! The only major problem was the brain box I had to replace. If you are looking for a GREAT all around bike touring speed and torque or just around town no thought needed go VFR!

 

Thanks guys. I think I will be officially joining you guys this weekend and i will post the pics of my new toy.

The only thing that I am worrying about is the difficulty of the valve adjustment procedure - http://www.landofopus.com/motorcycle/valve_adj/

Looks like a fairly complexed procedure and I have heard that it is going to cost around $600 at a dealership.... I am a little worried about this ... Am I thinking too much?

Thanks,

 

I don't have money to throw away eather. Try looking around for a non dealer shop there are some good ones out there. I am lucky to have one I have used for years there is no telling how mutch money he has saved me over the past 15+ years. He can even get Honda Factory parts at a Discount through his contacts at local Honda shops!

 

Bought my new toy today 2004 black VFR with 2200 miles for $5350. I will put some pics up tomorrow. Thank you soo much guys for all your advices.

The bike does not come with an owner manual. Is there a place that I can download/buy the manual. I am also looking for a service manual...

The battery died while I was purchasing and the owner replaced the battery for free ( turned out that the battery is about $140 after tax ) I put about 100 miles today and I am very impressed with the acceleration. Since the owner had bought it from a dealership at March ( He is the second owner), and all the spark plugs, oils have been changed, I am hoping for a trouble free bike for awhile.

Once again thanks guys, I am looking forward to learning from this forum and hopefully contribute to the forum down the road.

Cheers,

 

Welcome to the VFR owners club! You won't regret it!