Can someone make sense of this for me?

I just won this VFR on ebay yesterday, but a couple of things are perplexing me. First, has anyone ever seen a VFR with gold front tubes? I'm thinking that they have to be aftermarket. Second, why is he calling this bike a predator? He told me that the predator edition was for Dunlop's race team.. never heard that one before. I'm going down to pick it up this afternoon. Does anyone out there think I am getting ripped? If I buy it and it's screwed up I can always use ebay buyer protection for misrepresentation. I'm thinking that the case is either he didn't know the bike very well or I am getting a real good deal. The bike looks immaculate to me for a 99, the tires even look brand new! Some honest feedback would be greatly appreciated. I really hope this is just a great deal because I have waited for a long time and I am ready to join the ranks of proud VFR owners.:first:

Chris

 

woops, here's the link...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=330085982051&rd=1,1

 

Seems to me, $4000 is a decent price for a well cared for low mileage specimen.

It looks like the fork was the recipient of a Rustoleum shower. Without close up pics, I really can't say if they are aftermarket. Why someone would spray paint the fork & only the fork is beyond me.

As far as the "Predator", I'd bet it's simply somebody trying to make the bike sound cooler than it is. Thing with VFR's, they don't need help. Those that buy VFR's fall into 2 catagories:

1. Those that intended all along to buy a VFR because it is a VFR and they are perfectly happy with the bike being a VFR.

2. Those that bought the VFR because it looks cool and has a single side swing arm. Since it's next to impossible to find a Honda dealer that allows test rides, these people purchased based on looks. They then find out that a VFR is not a CBR and doesn't handle or accelerate like a CBR and they end up disappointed & usually sell them with low miles.

My question to you:

How does that Jardine pipe sound. That's the first VFR I've seen yet with one mounted.

KC-10 FE out...
lane:

 

Well i definitely fall into the first category. It's the perfect bike for me since I like doing longer rides in higher comfort and doing it in style. Plus, they have one of the best reps in all of motorcycling. I'll let everyone know what the pipe sounds like later on today. Damn... I'm ready to ride!

 

Looks good and not a bad price. I think the forks have rust on them also but it is hard to tell from a photo. 4k is not bad on a 99 VFR with less than 20k- especially on Ebay. I would go for it - Good Luck - not that you need luck.

 

I'm with KC on this calling it a predator , just some jazzing it up to make it sound better, LOL like it needs any. Ha as far as I can tell those are just painted fork lowers, who ever did it, did a good job, why? good question. at first I thought it had the F4i forks but na still has the linked brakes. so I'd go ride it first before giving a dime, all thou 99% of ebay purchases are a binding contract to buy, if it does turn out to be not what was said, then you do have Ebay on your side,, that said from what I can tell you found a good one at a good price.. congrats

 

Doesnt Carfax do motorcycles? If they do, you could go that route. The VIN is right there in the blurry picture.

 

didn't show up in carfax, i tried. I'm off to pick it up here shortly. I fully intend on buying it unless the wheels fall off while test driving it. I was hesitant to get it until I looked up ebay's protection policy. I think the guy just doesn't know his bike, well, his wife's bike. Maybe someone painted the fork lower trying to replicate a Ducati.. but like you said.. WHY? I also ruled out some kind of scam once I google mapped his house address. The guy lives right up against a coastal waterway with a pivate boat slip. Needless to say, he isn't hurting for money.

 

seem's like someone who doesn't know what he is selling. There is no such thing as a Honda Predator. Worrisome though that several people asked him directly if it was ever in an accident or ever dropped, and he never came out and said no to either. Answered their other questions, but not that one. Sounds like a lie of ommission to me. Such a short description also always makes me nervous on such a pricy item. You can't take 15 - 20 minutes to do a proper description? Says "service by the best" but doesn't mention anything about who or where. Doesn't answer direct question about having service records. I would guess he means himself. That would make me nervous. Especially as he doesn't even know what the bike is. Only has 3 pieces of feedback, and from very very recent. That would make me nervous. When someone asks about the forks and stickers, instead of answering, he gets very defensve and attacks the questioner. That would make me nervous. One of his previous listings was for a "Honda Super Howk 939" as opposed to the Honda Super Hawk 996. So just no attention to what he is doing and no attention to detail. You want this guy doing your service? That would make me nervous. Also he has done 4 transactions since 02/04, 3 of them are motor vehicles. One car and two bikes. So selling 2 bikes, via EBay in about 2 weeks? And a car, and buying another bike? Seems strange to me. Everything might be fine, but there are a lot of red flags here. Run the VIN thru the local PD or motor vehicle department before handing over cash to make sure he owns the bike. Everything might be fine, but I would be real cautious to say the least.

 

YEAH, What he said x2 :target:

 

Those are all excellent points, but the biggest red flag to me is the seller's near-incomprehensible use of the english language - "tho are you and whot make you thank you no this bike" was his answer to the questioning of the forks color, why the stickers are clear coated and the accident history. Reminds me of the way those f'tards who pull the Nigerian scams sound.

 

I'd bet that the bike has been wrecked. The tank looks a little darker than the rest of the bike,+ no wing decals. These combined with the shoddy gold paint job on the forks and axle lead me to believe it has been crashed. I'd be very wary of this one. Plus, the guy doesn't seem too bright.:wacko:

 

Not a bad price and if it has been wrecked, it looks to have been cleanly repaired. Looks like the fork got the old rattle can, forgetting the detail of taking the axle nut off! Wonder if that paint made it around to the inside of the fork??:smile:
If it is mechanically sound, I think you did well.

 

take a close look at the forks at the lower triple clamp for bent/kinked tubes. never heard of a predator

 

Chris, I am an old buyer/seller on eBay for 7 years. This deal stinks to high heaven and he doesn't answer questions clearly. The guy sounds like a real retard. He is also selling a Suzuki Bandit and is giving people strange answers on the Suzuki,
to the questions sent in. Save your time and money and look for another bike on eBay. VFRs come on there frequently. You need to look at the seller's ID, date they got onboard with eBay, check their feedback, etc. Try to get their address and phone numbers before the auction ends. This guy just joined eBay and might be looking to pick up your deposit money. My final
advice.........DO NOT BUY IT!

 

Aye..

The bike has at the very least had a tip-over on the right hand side - the fairing has scrapes around the mounting bolt and the dlutch cover has the tell tale scrapes on the fins. Nothing serious, but the fact the guy can't speaka de lingo would put me off, in addition to the points raised earlier about the tank and fork legs. Is that the usual place for the VIN mark on US bikes ? on the UK bikes they are rivetted on on the right hand side of the frame about 6" back from the headstock.

Wary, I am..

 

So Chris, what happned? You said you were going to look at/pick it up yesterday afternoon....
I am guessing I am not the only one who is curious.

 

:washing: eep: :bathbaby: lane: :behindsofa: :clock: :bump2:

 

my grandparents imegrated here, my wife wasn't born here, so I can forgive some grammer stuff, if everything else makes sense, we are a nation of immigrants