To All, Just wanted to introduce myself to everyine on this forum. I've owned quit a few different bikes and all ranging from monsters to vstars to r6's to burmans......but I've been jumping around this site quite a bit the past little while and I have to say this is one of the best if not the best site I've been on. Top notch members, great forums and a plehora of information...great job. Anyway, I think I've come full circle and truly beleive that the VFR will have everyone of my previous bikes in one tight package. I don't have the bike yet but I'm seriously looking at buying an 2002 vfr with 57,000 kms on it. I guess the main question I have is considering the bike was moderately taken care of (i don't know the history yet) is this considered a high mileage bike and do I run the risk of it having problems in the near future. Kind of a vague and relative question but I've never owned a bike with that much mileage on it and not quite sure how much more I'll be able to get out of it. Glad to be a memeber and hope to be an owner soon (maybe this weekend) much will be riding on the comments I'll be reading. Thanks, JD
Jaydee, Welcome aboard! You will find a wealth of information here from everyone! You state that the bike has 57,000 kilometers? If that is so then it should not be too bad, chain, brakes, valve adjustment, transmision wear from improper shifting are all possible problems. It sounds like you have a well rounded bike experience so take it for a run and see what you think. The one issue I ran into my 2002 is that the service valves needed balanced (Sort of like balancing the idle circuit on carbs.) There seems to be a common complaint of a jerkiness going off closed throttle that is normal for this model and can be lessened by proper balancing of the service valves, but it just will not totally go away. If it has 57k miles then it is getting a little long in the tooth and maybe a really thorough checkout by a trusted mechanic is in order. I have heard of much higher milage bikes out there with no real issues so it still could be a really good bike. I love my Interceptor and can not think of any single bike I would replace it with! Good luck with it and keep posting!
The Honda V4 is a solid engine and can last a long time with proper maintanance. I've personally met several people with over 120,000km (75k miles) on their VFR's and they still run and sound like they are new! My observation has been that VFR owners tend to be more mature and meticulous in caring for their bikes while the younger less experienced riders tend to be attracted to the lighter-weight quicker bikes such as GSXR's, R1's, CBR's, etc. Maybe this explains why you find so many high mileage VFR's still on the road after many years instead of in the junkyard like some of the "squid" bikes. VFR / VF owners are like members of a cult who truly love and appreciate the history behind the bike. It seem like whenver I meet another VFR rider on the road they make time to stop to talk to me and compare notes on the bikes. I've owned many other bikes in the past and this never happened to me to the same degree it does with the VFR. While most people drool and fantasize about owning the latest and greatest sport bikes, many VFR owners fantasize about owning a mint condition 1st or 2nd generation Interceptor built more than 20 years ago!!! BTW....My 93 VFR has almost 70,000km (40k miles) on it and it still runs great! Regards, Rollin
VFR Reliability Hi I have owned my 5th Gen for nearly two years now.I bought it with 22000 kms on clock now at 40000.It still runs like a new bike and is a pleasure to ride with each new trip giving as much if not more pleasure than the last one.I agree that VFR owners seem to be more care concious about their bikes and really appreciate owning the closest thing to sheer perfection on two wheels. Go ahead and buy the bike I can assure you that you wont regret it.:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
Thanks guys for replying. My point exactly when I mention about great forums and members. Just quality responses that can be taken seriously, especially when making this kind of a decision. I'm really considering it but the price is a bit steep for the mileage....it's listed for CDN $6,600. Here's a curve ball for you all, there's a 2000 available with apprx. 65,000kms for CDN 5,500 and willing to negotiate lower. So considering that their both in relatively good shape and well maintained....which one would you lean towards? Again, much appreciated and I'll definitely keep on posting. JD
Go with the older model 5th Generation. It has gear driven cams and does not have the VTEC engine. The VTEC is supposed to deliver more power in the higher ranges by engaging an extra set of valves at a certain RPM. I find it more annoying than anything and the transition is quite abrupt unless you spend $$$ to get a new exhaust and mapping. Regards, Rollin
