2001 VFR Value Please....

Gents,
As mentioned I have been looking for an unmolested pre-Vtech bike and believe I may have found one. BTW for those Vtech loyalists, Vtech is not a show stopper for me, I just prefer the simplicity of pre-Vtech.
A quick description of the bike...just over 8K miles, 2001, with new tires in pristine condition the best I can surmise without seeing it so far. Is there a Kelly blue book equivalent for motorcycles? Could you speculate on what a VFR such as this is worth?
I need perspective to help in my negotition with the seller and would appreciate the forum's input.
Thanks and Happy New Year,
George

 

I bought my pristine 5th gen with tank bra, cover, and cruise control for just over 4k. It has 10k miles on the clock and runs like a charm.

I would think that 5500 to 6000 wouldn't be unreasonable for an 01.

Make sure you ride it to be sure that the tranny and suspension are working as advertised prior to writing the check.

Happy shopping!

 

I bought a slightly wrecked 2000 vfr with 12k miles on it for $3400 towards the end of last winter. I would think a 2001 with low mileage,in good condition ,and also maintained well, less any aftermarket stuff could fetch about $5K to $6k. This is the first 2001 bike that anyone has ever talked about in this forum, I am not sure if 2001 production was real low or possibly they didnt send many of them to the states, anyway the bike sounds like a very good catch. Good luck eddie

 

George,
I paid $4500 for my very clean '99 with 15K miles on it. It also came with about $1000 worth of hard Givi luggage, two large saddlebags and a Maxia top case with a Wingrack 2 mounting system. It was right on it's service interval, so I just dropped about $700 on it for a major service, new chain and sprockets, rear pads, and regulator/rectifier. I also had the hydraulic fluids replaced as it had not been done since new. It still needs more investment, primarily suspension work, and some new tires at some point in the reasonably near future. In my experience, most stock shocks are pretty much gone by 8,000 miles, and most chains need to be replaced by 16,000 miles, so factor that into your finanancial considerations.

 

Thanks guys for your input. Below is a picture of the bike and if all goes well I may be among you as an owner by spring. I have been looking for a while. I also have a line on a 1998 Red VFR also with very low miles but this bike looks to be even better.
A couple of general questions if I may:

- Is it typical per Honda procedure to purge the break in oil at a certain early mileage perhaps as part of a warranty service?...or do many run the original break in oil for many miles as I believe the oil change interval is quite high on this bike? I tend to change the oil and filter on all my wet clutch bikes at every 3K or so.

- Ideally I would like to put the original clear windscreen back on the bike. If anybody is interested in this tinted windscreen, please let me know. I am tallish at 6'1" and is there a preferred windscreen for a slightly taller rider...perhaps an optional factory clear windscreen that is just a bit taller?

- Any comments about the Micron exhaust on the bike which is mounted up higher then the stock exhaust? Does it flow better then the stock cannister?...or would I be better served to restore the exhaust to original cannister for aesthetic reasons if sound and flow are close to a wash?

- Is the Honda winged decal on the tank a sticker or is it clear coated over? I thought red pre-Vtech bikes had a black decal on tank which is a bit more understated IMHO.

The bike has purported to have never seen rain even...pretty remarkable.

I will want to change out the fluids of course...am only at half the mileage for valve check....new tires...will likely need rear brake pads I presume but will have to have a look.

I appreciate any further advice as I attempt to join you guys on the road.
George

 

Yes, there is KBB valuations for motorcycles.

See here: http://www.kbb.com/kbb/OtherVehicles/PriceType.aspx?VehicleClass=Motorcycle


And as for the mods, keep them! The Micron sounds great and is a well-made pipe. The Double-Bubble windscreen should be fine for your height and looks far nicer than the stock screen.

Good God Man, BUY THAT BIKE, NOW!!!!!

 

George, that is a beauty, I would snap it up as soon as you can.

 

I paid $4800.00 for a mint bone stock 99 with 6,000 miles in 2006, I would have no problem paying between $4,500 to $5,200 for that 2001. Defiantly keep the Micron, part of the reason of my V4 bliss is the way she sounds, stock exhaust won't turn heads but watch your fellow riders envious reaction when you start your VFR with the Micron, I believe the decal is clear coated, I believe your search is over and it's time to pull the trigger George...

This is the kind of description I look for when buying a bike, low miles and mint! BTW, how much does he want for it?

 

That bike looks just like mine it even has the high tinted windscreen!





The Micron works really well and allows better views of the rear wheel as a bonus. You need to grab this scooter as soon as possible!

The decals on the tank are clear coated by the way and yes the older bikes are black.

 

Me too. $5500 with Jacket and Helmet. I performed a Kelley Blue book and it is on the nose. Not sure if I should ask him to consider a lower offer. Would you guys?
Thanks,
George

 

Didn't the 2001 have silver wheels down there? All the ones I have seen up here do.

 

Most people expect a lower offer when selling a car or a bike and a $5,000 offer would usually result about a $5,300 purchase price. I would play the game on the negotiating but would not let that bike get away...

 

Absolutely offer a lower price - don't worry about insulting the seller for a second. He's lucky someone is even looking at his bike in early January. I'd bring $5,000 cash and show him the roll of hundreds as you ask him if he'll take it, and be prepared to walk away if he counters - you can always call him later to accept the counter.
Last year about this time I went to look at a 2000 w/ 7k advertised for $4200. She took $3600 after I pointed out a small dent in tank and a crack in the front fender - aside from these problems the bike was perfect and had a Micron pipe.

 

Funny thing that, before buying my Gen 5 was looking at Gen 4's and found a pristine one with only 8800miles and a 69 yro owner, he wanted 7600Aus and would only accept 7600 Aus by saying he knew what he had and didn't have to drop....Walking away offering 7200 Aus when I called in the afternoon to try to negociate some more was told it was already sold... :redface:

A week later still looking at Gen 4's found my now Showroom Gen 5 with only 1900miles on it for only 10K Aus with new tyres and 12 months Rego....:smile:

 

My dilemma guys is I am south on holiday until Jan 15. The good news is the bike is in a garage under a cover with about a foot of snow on the ground. I spoke with him today. He knows what he has and so far is firm on the price. I asked him if he would accept a lower offer and he said he wanted to wait a while. He said he is getting a lot of calls but nobody has showed up yet.

I like the show up with cash idea. Thanks for the advice.
When I return if the bike isn't sold, I will go to the bank and get the cash and visit him when the roads clear. If he sells the bike before then I know of a bone stock red '98 with 8100 miles with a responsible owner who is also firm at $4700. It is within driving distance of my home when the weather clears on a 45 deg. day for a brisk ride home. It is in mint shape as well. My preference would be the '01 bike but an 8K miles Red '98 is a find as well.

Best to let them sit on them perhaps through a few more snow falls as spring is a ways off yet.
But need to show up well in front of spring before they change their minds. :wink:
Please keep the advice coming and thanks alot.
George

 

Howdy all on this new years eve; Anyway,Biker 7,if that 2001 is as good as it looks ,I would have bought it already. And matter of fact if I was within a couple hundred miles of that bike it would be mine. When something as good as this comes along,do yourself a favor and buy it! If you dont, someone will snag it up and you will be left kicking yourself in the ASS. eddie

 

I agree with Eddie; go snag that puppy now, or at least when you get back.