What to look for when buying

I'm looking at a 2007 anniversary edition with around 6,000 miles. I cannot take a test ride in the bike (seller doesn't allow them) so I wanted to see what I should look and listen for, or any potential issues with this model year and bike. Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

With 6k miles the bike should be pristine condition. Look around the plastic for any scratch. Look under the manifold to see if he scrub up the bottom look at his maintenance record his tires and look at the seller eyes while conduct the conversation to see if he is sincere. Go for your heart if it so :love: then you are done. good luck :thumb:

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I misread his posting. it's actuall 9,900 miles. Any additional issues I should look for, or still should be in good shape?

 

pop the seat, look at the connections to the battery. Just take your time, scrutinizing bolts that hold the master cylinders, calipers, etc. You get the picture, un-molested stuff, should be pristine as aboove poster sed. If it was crashed hard, the steering stops on the frame could have some bugger marks on them. I look at a bike longer than I actually take test rides on it...

 

I looked a VFR recently, here’s what I do.

1) Start with a walk around looking for any scratches, etc. Remember to look at the ends of the brake, clutch levers and the bar weights. Look for faded plastic indicating a panel has been replaced. Look for bent or replaced brake and clutch foot levers. Look for mismatched hardware and striped or buggered fasteners. Check lights and horn. Check for any signs of oil or coolant leaks. Make sure there is a working license plate light. This may not be a problem in your situation but some fender modifications leave the bike without a license plate light. This can be a problem at inspection time. None of this is a show stopper but worth noting.
2) Look at the brake and clutch fluid. If they are not fresh, factor in replacing the fluids in your offer.
3) Look in the tank for any signs of rust.
4) Obviously check the condition of the tires and brake pads. It helps to bring a small flashlight when you inspect the VFR. If the tires are worn you may want to consider that in your offer.
5) Put the bike on the center stand and inspect the chain, look for tight links and inspect the sprockets for wear.
6) While it is on the center stand, have someone push down on the rear and lift the front wheel off the ground. Turn the handle bars back and forth. Look for a notch at the center position; it indicates worn steering head bearings. Bars should swing left and right smoothly with no binding. Check the clearance between the bar and the tank and the bar and the fairings. It should be the same on both sides.
7) Lift the seat and with a volt meter check the battery voltage and again when the VFR is running check the charging voltage. If the owner won’t let you ride it he will probably not let you pull panels to inspect wiring, etc.
8) Start the VFR and let it warm up and notice when the cooling fan turns on. Obviously, the engine should start run well with no unusual noises, cam chain, etc.
9) Get the seat cowl, if there is one, and any stock parts he may have replaced.
10) Last thing; remember to get the factory tool kit and owner’s manual.


Good luck

 

Damn JJ are you a used bike dealer ound: Very well cover :thumb:

 

JJ...very well done. I was going to pipe in but shit..you just about covered everything. The only thing I would suggest is to bring an experienced friend...two sets of peepers are always better. JMTC

 

JJ's a real know-it-all covering all the details. But he forgot to mention to ask the owner if you can sit on it and make vrooom vrooom noises. That's what sold me on my bike.

 

ound:
I think it sold cause it is YELLOW

 

If you bring cash you can probably convince the owner to let you ride it.

 

Saw the bike. Really nice condition. 10,000 miles now. Front tire is original, so probably needs to be replaced? Rear tire was replaced and has 5,000 miles on it. This should be okay? He removed the grab bars and center stand and rear foot pegs. He said he probably can't find them, so I'm wondering how easy and expensive it is to replace these, especially the grab bars and center stand.

Battery is 1 year old. Has Leo Vince exhaust slip-ons. Powder coated rims.
He's asking $5,000. What are people's opinions on actual value with the need for at least one tire and missing parts. Bikes in good condition otherwise.

He let me take it around the parking lot. Seems to ride just fine, but I obviously didn't get to really test it

 

If you can bargain him down to 4500 or 4800 for those missing items I think you have a fair deal. Good luck

 

Assuming you really want the 2007 aniv edition.....they are in limited supply and sellers want a premium for them.

two new tires $250, mounted $350-$400
grab handles ~$100 (pair in ebay now)
Pegs ~$60 (maybe)

So for ~$5500 you have a complete VFR. If the rest of the VFR is in really good shape, $5K doesn't seem bad. See what you can negotiate on the missing bits.

DON'T FORGET the TOOLKIT - you will need the tools for adjusting the chain and shock pre-load

 

And you WANT that center stand-Its a must--- price that out and deduct it----did he just throw all those parts away ? Is he the origanal owner ? Is the thing registered ?

 

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/mcy/3879567825.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/3823143319.html
there out there just dont jump on the first thing you see, I looked at 9 VFR's before I found mine at 3am on craiglist with 1800 miles---$4000 with a new battery

 

+1 on the center stand

 

BTW, you never mentioned whether it had ABS or not. ABS is good, might be worth a little more, but is not a deal breaker for me when buying used bikes.

 

Thank you all for your help. I've made a deal on the bike. Should be picking it up this weekend and can't wait to get it on the road! I'm sure you guys will be hearing a lot more from me in the coming months as I learn about the bike.

Thanks again.

James

 

Congratulation James :banana:
Come back and tell us what you think :thumb: