2014 VFR - Is this a fair price? What should I look out for?

I'm looking to get back into riding after an 18 year break. The last bike I had was 1999 VFR and I want to get a newer VFR.

This model is available in my area and I am going to see it tomorrow: https://eauclaire.craigslist.org/mcd/d/downsville-2014-honda-vfr800-interceptor/6774648434.html

It is a non-deluxe 2014 VFR with 24K miles on it and has side saddle bags.

A few questions for the community.

Is $5K a fair price?
What should I be looking out for or testing for on this when I see it in person?

Thank you in advance.

 

Certainly a fair price from a dealer providing they don't lard on a bunch of setup/prep/doc fees before you get it out the door.

From a private seller you might get it in the low$4k range but then you'd likely need tires, chain, brakes etc... and a basic service.

Ideally they'd offer at least a short term warranty (even a week will do if the weather's nice) so you can properly check it out. A drive around the block or looking at a static motorcycle that a dealer just serviced isn't likely to find anything.

That leaves checking all the normal wear stuff, fork seals, chain, brakes, to see how close everything is to its replacement point.

But if you do your own maintenance the wear items are all fairly inexpensive to replace.

I have a maintenance log/checklist spreadsheet I made up. PM me with an email if you want a copy.

 

good price, beautiful machine!! I paid close to the same for a 2014 Deluxe with 8K back in August, but that was a smoking deal and from a private sell. You will LOVE the machine. I know I have so far.

 

Seems like a good deal. I picked up a '14 earlier this year with 1,700kms (just over 1,000 miles) and paid $6k CAD. Private sale, but with it being close to new it didn't need anything for safety.

Could I get a copy of this? Mine didn't come with a manual....

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It's a very good price unless someone f--ked it up somehow.

You can have mine for $6500 but it's a better machine.

 

These VFR's, of almost any year, have to be the best deal out there right now.

 

The side bags will run you close to $1000 alone. This seems like a good deal to me.

 

Thanks for the information and advice. I saw it today and it is gorgeous. I could not see anything out of sorts or needing of repair. It was obviously well taken care of. The changes the previous owner did make, handlebar risers, exhaust and a windscreen are fine. The only thing missing was the rear seat cover (not sure if that was standard) and passenger grab handles. Still researching, but this look very promising.

A dealer in Ohio has several new ones for $4.5K. https://jandjcycle.com/Showroom/Current-Inventory/NEW/Honda?mn=interceptor I'm in Minnesota, but I was interested in their story so I called. The dealer said Honda has some new 2014/2015 ones in a warehouse and sold them at a recently dealer auction for cheap. They are arriving in early January, but come with a Honda warranty. He said he was not allowed by Honda to sell it unless someone bought it in person. Another dealer in Missouri had a similar story on their inventory, so it sounds legit. https://www.bigstcharlesmotorsports...xclearanceinventory&sq=interceptor&make=honda

It sounds like the dealers would tack on about $750 in doc and set up fees on top of these costs. I kind of like the idea of the deluxe model with its extra.

What do you guys recommend? Buy a "new" one from a dealer and put up with the hassle of long drive and extra to get it or do for the used one above with the saddlebags?

 

Bike came with rear seat and grab handles, also cowl and 2 filler pieces that go there the grab handles are mounted.

 

First link didn't work, but was able to see the list of closeouts on the second one. I'm a bit surprised that they charge 400 more if you pay in cash. I guess that, like car dealers, they make most of their profit in the small cubicle in which buyers sign up to pay interest on a machine that will lose value very rapidly after purchase. "90 days same as cash"? Not at this dealership.

 

I'd go for the new one unless the bags are important to you. I much prefer soft bags and I'd use theluggage so little they'd just clutter up my garage. Again, providing that the price is really $4.5k.

Blatantly lying to customers about what your product actually costs is now accepted business practice in the U.S. -- see shop charge, resort fee, fuel surcharge ...

 

I'm taking the plunge and buying one of the "new" 2014 VFR deluxe models that have been showing up at dealers. From my conversations from several dealers, Honda is liquidating old inventory of 2014/2015 models and there was another dealer auction recently.

I'm picking up the bike on Saturday in Wisconsin. I need to drive some distance to pick it up and trailer it home.

What are some items I should look out for on such an old "new" bike before I purchase the bike? For example, if it was in damp storage all these years, are there areas to look for rust? What are some "overdue maintenance" items I should perform once I get it home?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

I would check out the DOT date on the tires. A "new" 2014 bike could have tires that are approaching 5-6 years old. While they may look fine, the rubber begins to harden over time and will not perform properly. I would also flush the brake and clutch fluids. With brake fluid being hygroscopic, it probably has absorbed quite a bit of moisture. Coolant should be ok, but you might feel more comfortable flushing the radiator too.

 

Put the battery on an Optimate and see if it's healthy

No rust should be visible and the chain should be bright

 

You really don't NEED to do anything.

But it depends on how safety paranoid you are to feel comfortable on your new steed.

I would ride it for 1,000 miles (after doing the no brainer tire pressure, fluid level check and electronics checks) and then revisit everything when doing the post break-in service.

A bike that's been sitting inside for 4-5 years isn't really going to have any issues. Buy a brake fluid testing pen for $10 or use a multimeter to test the fluid but I'd wager it's fine.

Coolant change would be a complete waste of money IMO.

Oil isn't going to degrade any meaningful amount sitting in the oil pan of a new bike. You'll have a little water in it but that will cook off after a ride or two.

Assuming the bike hasn't been sitting outside the tires should be fine. Manufacturers of course want you to replace them every five years regardless but then helmet manufacturers want you to throw your lid away every five years as well, and change the oil in your car every 3,000 miles etc.

Personally I usually go 10 years on tires that aren't worn. Never had a problem in 40 years of riding.

 

I wonder if any of the Canadian Dealerships have been able to acquire new bikes from the factory also. I will have to check at a couple of the bigger Honda dealerships around. I don't have the confidence in my local one. He is likely to say there are none if he doesn't have one in his show room and then go on to try to sell me something I don't want.

I may have to go state side and do the leg work to export and import the bike. Mine is due for replacement soon as I can save the cash. I have it now, but some of that is spoken for. Daughter is getting married so I need to help out with that I guess.

 

If it has been in a crate, and the dealer has to "prep" the bike, then it has had no oil or gas until the "prep" is done. Not sure about the brake fluid/ clutch fluid, or antifreeze.

I would ask the dealership if it came to them crated, and if so, what fluids (if any) were installed from the factory.

 

Thank you all for the advice. I got the bike today from a different/closer dealer. It is a 2015 Deluxe. Very nice and everything is in immaculate condition. I'll change the oil at 600 miles, etc and check the fluid as some suggested. The tires looks great.

Now the next set of questions for you guys - what are some recommended options?

I bought some riser spacers to improve the riding position a bit for me (I'm 6'4"). I'll see how these go before I consider a new windscreen.
I'd like a phone mount and power source for my phone to use for maps, etc. Is there a preferred on out there for the VFR? I have a OnePlus 5.
Is the quick shift worth considering even if I'm not a performance rider ?
Are there other "must have" items?

Thank you guys for the continue input. It's great to have a VFR again.

 

By the way, here she is in the garage. Unusually warm mid-40's day today in Minnesota, so I got in 50 miles before dusk.

 

On the trailer back from Cambridge, MN.