What to look for in a used 5th gen

I read the excellent article http://vfrworld.com/forums/general-vfr-reviews/5-honda-vfr800-buying-used.html, but I still have a few questions about any "gotchas" I should be looking for in a used VFR800. Specifically, the bike listed as Honda 2001 Interceptor.



I've ridden the bike, and it fits me well, which is rare for a sports touring bike due to my short frame. This bike has three Givi hard bags, a Sargent seat, and bar risers. What other modifications should I be looking for?

Everything I read about the VFR suggests it is very reliable, but what mechanical gremlins should I check for? From what I've read it seems the biggest problem is the regulator/rectifier, had that been fixed by 2001?

The r/r looks like a cheap enough fix, if it is bad. What are other common (even if still relatively rare) mechanical problems that aren't cheap to fix? Dodgy transmissions, leaky heads, etc?

I rode the bike and there is a loud whine as the revs climb. Is this usual? I currently ride a v-twin, which makes noises, but none of which would be described as a whine.

Finally, what is a reasonable price for this, assuming it's sound mechanically? The $5999 asking price is obviously much too high. It's a 2001 with 24,000+ miles. There are about $800-1000 of accessories on the bike (resale value: $0). The bike clearly has been down. There are some scratches on the left side turn signal and fairing, and the shifter has been rubbed sharp enough to cut my leather boot.

Thanks for any advice.

 

The loud whine you refer to is normal it's caused by the gear driven cams.
$6k seems a bit high. But you'll love the bike.
I have a '99 and could not be happier.

 

Kelly blue book lists a 01 for $5545 retail.
This is for a clean one from a dealer.
Without bags of course.
So I'd say 6k isn't that far off.
Sure you could talk him down.

Kelley Blue Book - Motorcycles - Official Kelley Blue Book Site

 

By the way read my post this morning "Smart money"

 

With the R/R you have to get a wiring harness from Wire My Bike The problem isn't with the R/R but with the weak wires running to it. If you don't replace the wiring harness expect to get a new R/R every 10-12K miles.

Oh, and I would replace the battery right away and change the oil right away if you get it. With the battery brands I recommend Deka because it's self-contained and doesn't need any damn battery tenders.

If the bike has Dunlop SportMax tires dump them right away. I recommend the Conti Road Attacks.

 

Just for your reference, I bought an 01 with 5800 miles on it this spring - with bar risers, a Corbin seat, and a Givi touring winshield - for $4500 (which was a very nice price). I personally think that $6K is a little high for the one you are looking at - although I had to drive from Chicago to Missouri to pick mine up and it sounds like yours is local since you've ridden it.

Oh, and that engine whine is part of the reason I made the 800 mile drive (round trip).... :smile:

 

You will come to love the cam whine, and the V4 rumble from underneath. Ask about the circumstances of the drop. It may give you insight as to what to look for damage wise. You said you rode it, so I guess it runs OK. Like Joey said, you may want to change the fluids if they cannot verify last service. Look for chain/sprocket wear.
That's all I can think of. These are awesome machines and will last forever if cared for.

 

Thanks for everyones replies, they have been very useful. I'm still interested in hearing from anybody else with thoughts or insights.

My current bike is a Vulcan 750, which is a good metric cruiser. Size wise, it fits me just right, and I sit upright, but in a very neutral position. The motor is strong for a 750, but gets a little behind when riding two up in the mountains. It's my first bike, and even though I do think it's great, I wonder what else is out there.

I'd been thinking about something like a Ninja 650R or SV650, and then adding bags, and a good two up seat. I don't want something as big as an FJR1300, so when I saw the VFR800 it seemed to meet all of the criteria.

My real concern just comes from the gamble of buying a used bike. My current bike is a 92, and I bought in 2005 with 8000 miles. So, the bike had spent a long time just sitting. 7500 miles and $1000 later, it is in good shape, but though it seemed to run fine when I got it, the first two years I spent a lot of time and money fixing things that had just worn out, due to time and neglect.

This VFR800 is a 2001 with 24,000 miles, so it certainly has been ridden, and I can only hope all of the periodic maintenance has been done. Because the bike is owned by the dealer, I'm likely to never find out much about it's history. I don't want to be in the situation where I'm sinking another $1-2000 into this bike just to get it into ridable shape.

I flip flop day to day on the decision:

• Buy this bike for the best price I can get, and gamble on it (like any used bike). The dealer's had it for over a month, and is anxious to sell. I'd take it in a second for <$3000 OTD (including my trade, $1800-2200).
• Get an SV650 ABS for $6-6500, and spend another $800 on bags and stuff, but I get a factory warranty.
• Keep my current bike for $0.

 

What kind of mileage do you folks get?

My current bike gets 45-50 mpg, and I've seen everything from 35-55 for the VFR. I know that is going to depend a great deal on riding style, but I'm curious about typical mileage for regular around town riding, and 50-80mph freeway riding.

 

Well I can tell you this, my first streetbike (excluding my '93 DR350S) was an '03 SV650N which I bought new. I put 28k miles on that and sold it to a friend and bought the VFR just a few months ago. I loved my SV. Great little bike. But the VFR is just much much more comfortable. Handles better (at speed) and of course has way more top end hp. The SV by the way, never had a hiccup in four years. Some people ask "Hey new bike?" Uh no it four years older than the SV- then they look at me with a confused look...

 

As for milage on my VFR I checked it only once. Using 89 octane I got 50.8 mpg. This is backroads and freeway commuting. No city driving. Of course one full throttle trip through the gears will burn a large amount of fuel. On my SV I averaged 55 mpg.

 

Definately gotta give kudos to Joey_dude. I totally agree with him on the harness upgrade, get a good new battery, change all fluids, have the brake fluid flushed and new pads. I would also add it is also a good idea to have the wheel and swingarm bearings done, flush the coolant and change the thermostat. Tires like oil are subjective thing. The Conti tires are great especially for the price. I liked the Avon Storm ST tires, but since going to the Dunlop RoadSmart tires I goota say I like them the best so far. My preferences for tires are based on tires that warm up quickly, have great traction in the rain, stability on groved and grated surfaces, good transition from different road surfaces and good feedback. Good luck with the bike purchase and welcome to the VFR Brotherhood.

 

If you want to read another VFR800 " buying used " review see link below, it fairly right but disregard the used price list.

Honda VFR800 - Buying Used - Motorbike Review - BikePoint

 

This is quite normal on any VFR built before '02, not only is it normal the Gear Driven Cam sound is the coolest thing about my Gen 5 is when commuting at lowish and otherwise dull speeds into the city...The Honda's RC51 and Suzuki's TL1000R&S also whine but maybe not quite as loud as the VFR's Gen 5 and earlier V4s.

 

Yea, what he said exactly :wink:

 

I bought my 1998 VFR800 last summer for $4500. Included Sargent Seat, Gen Mar Risers, Givi Wingrack luggage system with side panniers and top case with back rest with color matched lids, Targa tinted windscreen, heated grips, and a K&N filter.

Everything on it was fine for 3k miles until I replaced the rear tire(diablo supersport to a diablo strada-full set) due to a nail, and after another 2500 miles I did a complete overhaul on the bike(33k miles). Well...I didn't bother to check the valves but they were checked at 24k miles records show.

I replaced the clutch pack(friction, metal discs, springs) with barnett prodcuts, put on an ohlin's rear shock, some cosmetic stuff to the handlebars and reservoirs, integrated signal mirrors, iridium spark plugs, a full set of brake pads, and a new brake disc for the front left (b/c i forgot to check it for a month- DOH!)


Hopefully this gives you a comparison price point to work from. I wouldn't pay more than $5500 max for the bike you're looking at if possible. Another Note is that my bike had been tipped over by the owner but replaced a mirror and signal. The rest was 3 to 4 scratches that are barely noticeable. Hope my list of mods/repairs gives you something to take a look into and what wears out and when.

 

No meeting of the minds

I returned to the dealer and inspected the bike, and talked in detail about price. The underside of the bike is too dirty to tell if there are any leaks, and could use a good bath in brake cleaner, or some such. The chain and sprockets appear to be in good shape, and all of the scrapes appear to be superficial. In all, my amateur eye says the bike is probably in good shape.

As for price, the dealer of course wanted me to give a number first, so I low balled them with my dream price. I wanted $3000 out the door, including my trade, on a bike they're asking $6000 for. My trade is worth $1500-2500. They got down to about $4200 OTD, which is still valuing the VFR at about $5200-5500. They were also willing to do $5500++ without any trade.

I think the price is a bit high for a bike in that condition, and either way, is more than I'd like to pay at this time.

The VFR is definitely on my short list, and I'm keeping my eye out for one in the right condition at the right price. The dealer also has my number, and they're free to call me back with a counter offer.