Is this a good price for an '85 VF700 Sabre?

Tervman · 05-31-2006, 07:10 AM

I am a green-horn newbie, looking for a good, first bike. I found a local party that has a 1985 VF700 Sabre for sale. They are asking $1800. It has just over 18K miles, and is very nice condition, except for a small ding in the gas tank.

I realize nobody on this list could know the condition of the bike, but my question is this:
Is $1800 too much to pay for this bike
OR
Is $1800 about right for this bike
OR
Is $1800 a steal, and I should drop what I am doing and go buy it now.

Thanks,

Larry

jamesnmandy · 05-31-2006, 08:32 AM

sounds a little steep to me, the bike looks clean from the little pic you attached, but it's really hard to say unless in person

does it have a clean title?

i know where there's a 84 VF700F Interceptor for 1050, buying a 83 VF750F Interceptor myself today for $1200 that has had alot of work already done and comes with alot of extra parts and the official Honda Shop Manual, ready to ride

i am thinking off hand and out of pocket here......and i am very new to this all too, but have been doing alot of shopping lately, and i think for an 85 with that many miles, maybe offer $1200-1400, make him/her work you up, if they take your initial offer, you know you bid too high (or they are desperate), but this is only if it is an exceptionally clean bike with no repairs needed

you could find alot of much newer 250's and 500's with much less milage for the $2000 mark

rc51rider · 05-31-2006, 11:23 AM

Too much money for a 21yr old bike that is really not that desirable and has a dent in the tank. I spent 1400 on an 87VFR with 10k more miles but it was in mint condition and much more desirable. I think 1000-1200 is more in the ball park maybe a 100 or so more if everything else is perfect and it needs nothing to ride like tires, chain, service, etc... If it comes with complete service records that's a plus but I don't see how it could be worth 1800 or even 1500 for that matter.

michael · 05-31-2006, 12:35 PM

I don't know that I agree that it's not a "desireable" bike. Different strokes for different folks, of course. My first bike was an 82 Magna, basically the same bike as the Sabre but more of a cruiser styling.

I do think the Sabre would be a perfect starting bike for you, and 18K miles isn't bad at ALL for a bike that old. But, $1800 might be a little high. I would expect it to be in the $1500 range. For that price, I think that would be a perfect bike to learn on, and would give you a great feel for classic V4.

The one thing you need to know about that bike is that they tended to have an issue with oil getting to the cams. Some bikes developed a problem, others lived their whole life happy as a clam. You can find a great article about it here:

http://www.math.uwaterloo.ca/~rblander/V4_cams.html

Worst case scenario is that you'd need to check the cams every so often (or have the shop do it) to make sure they are wearing okay.

Let us know how it turns out!
Michael

tbones86 · 05-31-2006, 05:34 PM

I don't know much about that vintage of the v45, but I did ride a V65 sabre in the late 80's it is to date the fastest I have ever traveled on two wheels. 170 mph in fourth gear, not even close to red line & two gears to grab. (I did do 160 a couple of weeks back on my vfr) Before anyone gets up in arms & says the v65 was only a 175-180 mph machine out of the box, I would agree but mine had been out of the box for a little while if you catch my drift. I was 18 with not a care in the world & nothing to lose an addiction for all things that went fast cars, bikes & woman. The last one there gets you old fat & talking about how good you used to be though. I don't think you could go wrong w/ this bike it should be a very good ride its is forgiving but should also have more than enough power & speed to satisfy your cravings. I would also agree $1500 would be reasonable & like Mike said be mindful of cam problems.

jamesnmandy · 05-31-2006, 07:18 PM

just gave 1200 for my 83 VF750F, 23k miles, but it has been adult owned, alot of new parts on it, tires, chain, fork seals, etc..etc...

just went for my first ride a couple of hours ago....

everything was fine, was riding great, still getting used to the power and cluth and first gear take off's from start...then i came to a stop sign at which i had to stop on a hill at about a 30 degree angle, uphill, and once you started to get out into the crossroad, the raod suddenly levels off, and you have to turn, no going straight

i dropped it 4 or 5 times.....lost count, and being 170 lbs and out of shape, picking this 500lb monster off the ground was like an act of congress

no major damage, one scuff on the side upper fairing, and broke the last inch of the clutch lever off, but i kept trying, and now i got it down, just needed to give the bastard more gas!!......oh well....thats why my first bike was a $1200 bike, i would have been pissed as hell if i had just dropped a $5,000 VFR :)

tbones86 · 05-31-2006, 08:14 PM

James, Your an animal, but just because its was only a $1200 bike isn't really any reason to trash the poor girl. Try sliding a 800 pound touring bike down the asphalt sometime & then going to pick it up w/ 3 cracked ribs, a broken thumb all while bleeding profusely about the head & shoulders because some dumba$$ ( that would be me

) decided not to wear the old brain bucket.

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05-31-2006, 08:32 AM	#2 (permalink)
jamesnmandy Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Last Online: 07-06-2006 06:09 AM Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	sounds a little steep to me, the bike looks clean from the little pic you attached, but it's really hard to say unless in person does it have a clean title? i know where there's a 84 VF700F Interceptor for 1050, buying a 83 VF750F Interceptor myself today for $1200 that has had alot of work already done and comes with alot of extra parts and the official Honda Shop Manual, ready to ride i am thinking off hand and out of pocket here......and i am very new to this all too, but have been doing alot of shopping lately, and i think for an 85 with that many miles, maybe offer $1200-1400, make him/her work you up, if they take your initial offer, you know you bid too high (or they are desperate), but this is only if it is an exceptionally clean bike with no repairs needed you could find alot of much newer 250's and 500's with much less milage for the $2000 mark

05-31-2006, 11:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
rc51rider Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Last Online: 03-01-2008 10:21 AM Posts: 62 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Too much money for a 21yr old bike that is really not that desirable and has a dent in the tank. I spent 1400 on an 87VFR with 10k more miles but it was in mint condition and much more desirable. I think 1000-1200 is more in the ball park maybe a 100 or so more if everything else is perfect and it needs nothing to ride like tires, chain, service, etc... If it comes with complete service records that's a plus but I don't see how it could be worth 1800 or even 1500 for that matter.

05-31-2006, 12:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
michael Administrator Join Date: Dec 2005 Last Online: Today 09:36 PM Location: Pleasanton, California - Find Me! My Ride: 1994 Honda VFR View my Photo Gallery Posts: 753 Thanks: 16 Thanked 38 Times in 12 Posts	I don't know that I agree that it's not a "desireable" bike. Different strokes for different folks, of course. My first bike was an 82 Magna, basically the same bike as the Sabre but more of a cruiser styling. I do think the Sabre would be a perfect starting bike for you, and 18K miles isn't bad at ALL for a bike that old. But, $1800 might be a little high. I would expect it to be in the $1500 range. For that price, I think that would be a perfect bike to learn on, and would give you a great feel for classic V4. The one thing you need to know about that bike is that they tended to have an issue with oil getting to the cams. Some bikes developed a problem, others lived their whole life happy as a clam. You can find a great article about it here: http://www.math.uwaterloo.ca/~rblander/V4_cams.html Worst case scenario is that you'd need to check the cams every so often (or have the shop do it) to make sure they are wearing okay. Let us know how it turns out! Michael

05-31-2006, 05:34 PM	#5 (permalink)
tbones86 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Last Online: 07-28-2008 09:14 AM Location: N/W Central Wisconsin - Find Me! My Ride: 86' VFR700F 77' CB750K 06' CRF50 06' PW80 98' RT180 96' Ski Doo MXZ(sled) 94' Polaris Super Sport(sled) View my Photo Gallery Posts: 693 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I don't know much about that vintage of the v45, but I did ride a V65 sabre in the late 80's it is to date the fastest I have ever traveled on two wheels. 170 mph in fourth gear, not even close to red line & two gears to grab. (I did do 160 a couple of weeks back on my vfr) Before anyone gets up in arms & says the v65 was only a 175-180 mph machine out of the box, I would agree but mine had been out of the box for a little while if you catch my drift. I was 18 with not a care in the world & nothing to lose an addiction for all things that went fast cars, bikes & woman. The last one there gets you old fat & talking about how good you used to be though. I don't think you could go wrong w/ this bike it should be a very good ride its is forgiving but should also have more than enough power & speed to satisfy your cravings. I would also agree $1500 would be reasonable & like Mike said be mindful of cam problems.

05-31-2006, 07:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
jamesnmandy Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Last Online: 07-06-2006 06:09 AM Posts: 17 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	just gave 1200 for my 83 VF750F, 23k miles, but it has been adult owned, alot of new parts on it, tires, chain, fork seals, etc..etc... just went for my first ride a couple of hours ago.... everything was fine, was riding great, still getting used to the power and cluth and first gear take off's from start...then i came to a stop sign at which i had to stop on a hill at about a 30 degree angle, uphill, and once you started to get out into the crossroad, the raod suddenly levels off, and you have to turn, no going straight i dropped it 4 or 5 times.....lost count, and being 170 lbs and out of shape, picking this 500lb monster off the ground was like an act of congress no major damage, one scuff on the side upper fairing, and broke the last inch of the clutch lever off, but i kept trying, and now i got it down, just needed to give the bastard more gas!!......oh well....thats why my first bike was a $1200 bike, i would have been pissed as hell if i had just dropped a $5,000 VFR :)

05-31-2006, 08:14 PM	#7 (permalink)
tbones86 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Last Online: 07-28-2008 09:14 AM Location: N/W Central Wisconsin - Find Me! My Ride: 86' VFR700F 77' CB750K 06' CRF50 06' PW80 98' RT180 96' Ski Doo MXZ(sled) 94' Polaris Super Sport(sled) View my Photo Gallery Posts: 693 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	James, Your an animal, but just because its was only a $1200 bike isn't really any reason to trash the poor girl. Try sliding a 800 pound touring bike down the asphalt sometime & then going to pick it up w/ 3 cracked ribs, a broken thumb all while bleeding profusely about the head & shoulders because some dumba$$ ( that would be me ) decided not to wear the old brain bucket.