Is '00 update better than '98?

Hi everyone, new to this forum.
An 54 year old guy, always been a bike lover, had some in the past (Aprilia Pegaso 650, Fazer 1000, VStrom 650), wanting to have one again, is in process of acquiring this beauty.
I read that in 2000 the vfr got O2 sensors for closed loop EFI, auto-choke, cat, HISS and different mirror mounts.
So, is this mod any better (and a go-to model) in any respect to the older version or not?
Thank you all in advance, and hopefully, in spring, I'll have one.

 

I've owned two 99s but never a later 5th gen. I do own a 6th gen as well. My opinion is the auto fast idle is of no real value and just another potential source of problems in an older bike; the "choke" lever is very easy to use and very unlikely to fail. I believe the 00 engine has quite a few changes aimed at meeting tighter emmissions regs so in addition to the O2 sensors the headers are narrower and there is a cat in the pipes. Probably no practical change, maybe slightly more economical and less likely to upset Greta, but then you would not be buying a 25 year old bike if those were your primary concerns. HISS is a useful security addition (prevents easy hotwiring during theft) and I do prefer the later mirrors (but these can be retrofitted to the 98/99).

I would buy the bike that was in the best condition; tidy bodywork, regularly ridden. Suspension upgrades are also more likely beneficial than not.

 

Thanks man, appreciate it. Currently I'm aiming for this one. '98, 41000 km, 2300 euros. Can you, having the experience and knowledge you have, spot something fishy on these images?
https://www.njuskalo.hr/cestovni-motori/honda-vfr-800-vfr800-799-cm3-oglas-45335836

 

I own a '98 and a '00. both are pretty great, but the '98 absolutely feels better at everything.

 

The only item that would warrant closer examination is the left side fairing which has some road rash and also does not appear to align well with the nose fairing; that join should be nearly invisible. The rest of the bike looks completely standard aside from the topbox mount. There are some missing clips on the battery cover. How old are the tyres? You can read the date codes on the sidewalls, 4 digits with week of manufacture and then year I believe.

 

Down on the left side. This is what I could see with fairly low resolutions pics.




Be sure to inspect associated areas in person for further / hidden damage.

 

Yeah, the owner stated that the left side is a bit scratched, but nothing more detailed. Will def keep a close eye on it. Thanks guys.

 

Sorry for jumping in so late.
If no purchase has been done yet, I just give my 3 cent thought: 98-00 is better than 01-02 exactly for the things that are given as an improvement in later versions.

A closed loop EFI is a good thing, but it's not so essential when the previous version is so well set-up.
Choke lever is a comfortable stuff for my aged mind, so I don't live is lack as an improvement.
Moreover, HISS is good, but it's a soul damnation when you miss the key and need a replacement

No need to mention that, because the lack of cat, 98-00 version runs better, with (slightly) more performance and (important) getting less warn.

In short, is the progress really worth it?

 

Hello, yes, i have two 5th generation, year 99 50th anyversary, and year 2001, with catalizador one, i only can say the same that other owners, 98-00 is better than 00-01 firstable for sense, more plenty engine, strong and sense more par at low revolutions, and mine, 50th aniversary is 0,5 liters less in same speed, and same conduction road, and forks like better, but only feels. Actually, at most big cities at Spain, there are a low emision zone where not catalised motors can´t enter, but for Europe, Honda, didn´t make an homologation for catalised engine at RC46 00-01, and not possible get the adhesive tipo C clasification that allows enter in, that it would be a ggo adventage for this catalised one, but as explain, not possible.
regards