help deciding between model years on 5th gen

[vire]

I'm looking at buying a 5th gen bike and was looking for opinions or experiences in the model years between 98-2000. I have heard in the past that first year bikes can have more gremlins and wondered if this affected the 5th gen at all. I have found a couple bikes a 98 with 14k miles for the same price as a 99 with 24k and very similar in condition and upgrades. There is also a 2000 model I'm considering with 21k, full 2 bros hi mount carbon exhaust and corbin seat and that one is almost 1000 more in asking price.

[derstuka]

Don't know of any major gremlins on the 98-99 that 00-01 doesn't have. Major differences is that the bike eliminated the choke (fast idle) in 2000, and incorporated the Honda "WAX" unit with O2 sensors to automatically adjust the bike for ambient temp.....eliminating the need for choke.

98-99 are identical, and 00-01 are identical. All four years are pretty much identical besides the WAX unit, O2 sensors, and mirrors I believe.

[reg71]

was there not some difference on the header pipes that makes the 98-99 set desireable to 6g owners looking to do some mod or something? I suppose I could go check the part number at servicehonda, but I'm much too lazy for that today. I spent a good deal of last night in the garage testing the kegerator for this weekend and putting Scratch back together with he new shoes and all...

[Bweiss]

The 98-99s have no cats. Honda started putting cats as well as other smog junk on the VFR in 2000 and on.

[powderrecon]

Dont be afraid in picking up a first year gen5 (98). You wont find much, if anything wrong with them...besides the R/R.

[Bweiss]

Originally Posted by powderrecon

Dont be afraid in picking up a first year gen5 (98). You wont find much, if anything wrong with them...besides the R/R.

But all 5g's have the R/R problem, correct? So it doesn't really matter what you get, they're virtually the same, minus some minor differences.

Bottom line, you'll love the bike you get and a well maintained example will treat you the same, no matter the year.

[mello dude]

Originally Posted by vire

I'm looking at buying a 5th gen bike and was looking for opinions or experiences in the model years between 98-2000. I have heard in the past that first year bikes can have more gremlins and wondered if this affected the 5th gen at all. I have found a couple bikes a 98 with 14k miles for the same price as a 99 with 24k and very similar in condition and upgrades. There is also a 2000 model I'm considering with 21k, full 2 bros hi mount carbon exhaust and corbin seat and that one is almost 1000 more in asking price.

My priorities on a bike model is low miles first, then year. If you found a low mile '98 - go for it. Quite a few '98s here, no major hicups except the R/R and thats a 200 buck fix tops. Pretty much bullet proof after that.

I dont think your gaining anything with newer and more miles, and more bucks. Save your money and buy goodies for the new ride.

MD

[stephanon2whls]

2000 VFR is fastest bike EVAR !!!!!11!!!!1!!!!!


























j/k

Like others have said - you need to take mileage, owner, maintenance, condition and many other factors into consideration before you start choosing a year.

[vire]

I was most interested in the 98 with low miles since with my shorter season it would take 4 years to put on 10k. If the 98 doesnt suffer from 1st year bugs then its the clear choice barring mechanical issues or neglect. I really appreciate all the replies.

[John451]

Each Gen 5 model year had a different designation but as far as I know the difference between the Mk1s was a slight revision to the fork valving.

The main differences between the MK1 to MK2 was the MK2 had thinner headers with a Cat, o2 sensors, remapped ECU, new instrument fonts with cool VFR Tach Logo, metal dash tabs, extra RR wire ( ? Temp ) Auto fast idle ( Wax unit ), neater thinner mirrors, the FI-1 also had HISS (FI-Y?).

As others have said go for the best example you can find, when originally looking for a Gen 5 was after a MK2 but ended up with a Mk1 '99 due to its outstanding ( read Brand new ) condition.

Model designations:
1998 VFR800FI-W Mk1
1999 VFR800FI-X Mk1

2000 VFR800FI-Y Mk2
2001 VFR800FI-1 Mk2


For fun check out below Honda Press PDFs.

VFR800 Gen 5 Mk 1 Press Release:
http://www.hoc.org.uk/gallery/press/...998_VFR800.pdf

VFR800 Gen 5 Mk 2 Press Release:
http://www.hoc.org.uk/gallery/press/...000_VFR800.pdf