My sexy new (to me) 99 VFR

Thank you so much for answering all of my questions, as soon as I read your original post about owning several 5th and 6th gen bikes, I had to ask. I'm in the same boat you are, I love the look and style of the 6th gen, but the motor of the 5th gen.
I've got it narrowed down to two bikes, an excellent condition 98 with 34,000 miles and an 01 in brand new condition with 5,800 miles.
The 98 has had the regulator/rectifier replaced, coolant flushed, and brake pads replaced. It's never had the valves checked and needs new tires. It's in nice condition.
The 01 has been kept in the guys living room in his house and has never seen any bad weather or abuse. It is still in new condition. It's had 3 full synthetic oil and filter changes, and right now has a brand new set of Michlien pilot pro tires installed. Everything else is bone stock immaculate. I think the deciding factor might come down to price. The 98 model is $1,200 dollars cheaper. I kind of want the 98 because of the lack of a cat and 02 sensors, but it's going to need tires and probably a valve adjustment. The 01 is more expensive now, but maybe cheaper in the long run because it doesn't need anything. I wish I could buy them both! Lol
I forgot about the 2002, I'm still going to go and look at it today. It's also in really good condition, has a nice Leo Vince exhaust system and has new tires also. It's got almost 20,000 miles, but has had the valve adjustment and all scheduled maintenence. It's just $200 more than the 01 I'm looking at, but it's way more than the 98.

If all goes as planned, I'll be riding one of them home this weekend. Hopefully I can get a good one like the one you picked up!

 

02......is my choice.....take your time.....
02 is goin on 15 years and is mint..parts available.
98 is goin on 19....parts, not so available. ...
JMO

 

Welcome back Steve. Where have you been since 2007
That is a pretty 5th gen you got there mate :love:

 

Yea duccmann, that is another thing that is weighing very heavy on my mind. I've been worried about the parts for the 5th gen drying up. I see lots of 6th gen stuff available.
That 2002 I'm looking at its really sweet. It's got the factory hard bags too which I didn't mention earlier.

 

20,000 miles os just broken in..sort of...Leo's, tires,valves $800 job, bags....all ya really need is a PCV.....If its cherry, which it sounds...snatch that puppy up...
If ya don't mind me asking $?

 

Hey duccmann, the 2002 is $4,000, and the 2001 is $3,800. I just looked at a 98 for $2,500, but it really can't compare to the other two, but it's cheep! Lol
I'm really leaning heavy on that 2002 bike. But the 2001 is like brand new. Lol
When you say PCV, is that power commander 5?
Any issues running a power commander?

 

There are several people complaining about uncontrolled surging with a PCV and a 2000/2001 bike. There has been no resolution so I don't know if there is a setup problem or if it is not compatible with those models. I know the PCV is fine for 1998, 1999, and all 6th gens. Until I see a resolution for these people I would recommend a PCiii for a 2000 or 2001 bike. It will do the same thing, the PCiii is just larger and not compatible with some of the additional auto-tuning hardware.

 

''If all goes as planned, I'll be riding one of them home this weekend. Hopefully I can get a good one like the one you picked up! '' Thanks and good luck, I'm actually excited for you now!!

I'm going to be a bit blunt though and really tell you how I feel about my experience with the vtec model (this is just my view however)

From having extensive experience with both gens I really urge you to consider that lovely low miles 5th gen :target:, I don't see parts being a problem, people are still buying the beloved 750 and much earlier classic Hondas, the 5th gen even today is still very much alive and kicking - I saw 3 today just on my commute to work! But without descending into a gen war (already beaten to death by the proverbial) if you're going to get a VTEC, the 06+ bikes are the ones to go for, on earlier models the VTEC 'kick' is how can I put it gently... horrendous! Sometimes it's smooth and you don’t notice it, other times it's a misfire.. It took me a long time to really come to the conclusion that I just can’t live with that inconsistency. They have a huge flat spot right before the engagement point, which is where you'll spend most of your time which in my view kills the mid-range tractability the VFR was always known for. So a PC is a must (not needed on a 5th gen, it already does what it says on the tin and very well), the wiring harness and grounding issues are notorious and quite frankly more worrying than a rectifier going (my 03 VTEC decided to shut down completely whilst I was riding in the dead of night two up, lights and everything shut down without a warning).. So be sure to get it checked over thoroughly if you decide to buy it.
Another time my T-Stat stuck open which meant the bike was barely reaching the correct operating temperature (which means VTEC won’t engage at all), but when it did, the bike was still cold which meant it hit HARD which broke traction to the rear.
I feel your pain though honestly I do, those 6th gens are gorgeous to look at, if only it had that beautifully charismatic V4 from the 5th gen giving crisp, Linear and turbine like smoothness I'm pretty sure everyone on the planet would have one by now!
There is no denying though that the VTEC VFR has a stiffer frame and feels better in the corners (even though its heavier) and has the option of ABS… Either way it's a VFR right, you won’t go much wrong whatever you decide, but please post up what happens!

Btw - I've just come back from a late evening blast on my 99, she felt soo smooth with her gear driven cams being just part of the great symphony of that growling,howling V4 power plant, oh how I missed that sound when I had my bird!

 

Hey thanks very much! I had a fling with a blackbird! But I've finally come back to my senses again now

 

My 5th gen surged a bit around 3-4000RPM new, but after removing the PAIR system and snorkel flapper, the surge is gone. If I'm lugging it, there is one surge right at 3000 RPM as the FI switches from open loop to closed loop operation which requires a tiny reduction in throttle. My bike isn't happy below 3K anyway. The cat and sensors are still in action, and the engine runs cleanly and strong. It compensates for the Wolf undertail exhaust automagically. No complaints there. The VFR isn't as fast as my GSXR 1100 - it weighs more and makes less power. But it is faster than I can drive it anywhere than the track anyway, and the sound of the V4 is music. Have to say I'm a fan of the 5th gen.

 

Hey VFR_Steve, I went this afternoon and looked at a 98 vfr, it was ok shape, but not excellent. Then this evening I went and checked out that 2002, I really did not like the way the 2002 sat compared to the 5th gen bikes. To me ( I may be crazy ) but the 02's pegs were painfully high and uncomfortable. I have to mention that I'm 6' 3" 315 lbs, probably too big to be on an interceptor anyway, but this is the reason I sold my super chicken, the pegs were just too high for me. I had absolutely no comfort issues with any of the 5th gen bikes I've been looking at. The 5th gen bikes feel awesome! Plus when he fired up the 02's engine to hear the Leo Vince exhaust, I was really sad not to hear the motor whine. It just didn't sound the same at all.
The 98 I looked at today has a Sargent seat on it, It was real comfortable. He also has the stock seat with the cowl, an Erion racing slip on pipe, a taller wind screen, and a riding jacket to go with it. lol It's the cheapest of them all, its not in amazing condition, but I think it's mechanically sound. It would needs new plastic and new tires right off the bat. The vfr red was faded to a pink color, and there are touch up spots all over it. He's an older gentleman who doesn't ride anymore and wants to get rid of it. He told me he has dropped it a few times in his garage, I think that's why there are spots of touch up paint everywhere. None of the plastic is broken or cracked, it just looks like an older bike. Definitely needs some tlc.
If all goes well, and the videos and pictures of that 2001 are accurate, I will be picking it up this weekend. We'll see how it goes. If I'm not able to buy that 2001, I think I'll be pretty devastated.

 

Yes, yes, yes.

Always happy to see someone else pick up a VFR, of any generation! Of course, I am partial to the 5th.... :smile-new:

 

Good luck, I'm sure you'll find the right one...don't rush it...
The gems are out there...

 

I feel excited for you! That 01 VFR sounds gorgeous and with only 6k miles she is ready to give you years and years and years of sport-touring pleasure. Regardless of VTEC and a stiffer frame, I always could ride the 5th gen much quicker with more confidence. It's funny really, just coming off a Blackbird I thought I'd miss the power, but instead I realised how much I missed the VFR's better suspension, V4 engine, better clocks, better styling, better comfort ... Enjoy and keep us updated and post photos! Pity you don't live here in the UK, I'd come with you :eagerness:

 

Did you ever get a VFR in the end?

Funny how things change so quickly, I've decided to sell this bike now as I am having issues with comfort - So if you are interested give me a shout.

 

I hate to hear that you're selling your bike. I had to get rid of my baby (2003 vtr1000f superhawk) because it absolutely killed my back and my legs when I rode it.
I would love to pick up your vfr, but it would be a an expensive endeavor getting it over here to the United States. Maybe I could come by and check it out, how far is the drive to the UK? LOL!

 

For you taller guys, there is help for the leg cramps right here in the classifieds section:

http://vfrworld.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=6617&title=peg-lowering-blocks&cat=4