How Long Will a VFR Last?

Discussion in '5th Generation 1998-2001' started by rvb5, Jul 5, 2010.

  1. rvb5

    rvb5 New Member

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    I know, a bit of a theoretical question, but...I have a 98 VFR, close to 30,000 miles on her, I put on 2500-3000 per year. I do the suggested/regular maintenance, and properly store over the winter.

    I'm fairly certain the engine has many more miles in it, probably more concerned with the overall age. I'm really not sure what the limiting factor is with my current bike, or how many years/miles I can realistically expect to get.

    I love my bike, but am considering purchasing a new (2008/2009) model due to some of the deals being offered, knowing I'll have to replace my bike at some point, and the Gen 5/6 is the model I want to stay with.

    Any comments from riders with higher mileage/older bikes , or stats/info that anyone has seen?
     
  2. dwntwnsac

    dwntwnsac New Member

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    lol...... withe regular maintanace and some tlc.. I think my 86 will last forever.... ive got 26k on mine got it with 22k and it runs great. long live the gen 2.... Really these things are bullet proof.

    dts
     
  3. Joey_Dude

    Joey_Dude Member

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    Some 6th gen parts are compatible with 5th gens like the fuel pump. Also check ebay if you're having a hard time finding parts. I know a guy that has a 2nd gen VFR and he can still get parts for them.
     
  4. MiddleTBabb

    MiddleTBabb New Member

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    hello! My 87 VFr700 has 47,000 miles on it. I have owned it for three years and put about 10,000 on it in those three. Honestly, after recently replacing fork seals, this thing might outlive ME. I think that if maintained properly, these bikes will outlast us all!
     
  5. MiddleTBabb

    MiddleTBabb New Member

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    But...of course, I couldn't help it so i bought a 6th gen anyway. Two VFRs are better than one. Turns out it's more than twice as expensive!
     
  6. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    my 5th gen has 75000 miles and lots of guys have more than that. the 5th gen is slightly cheaper in maintenance costs than they 6th gen. I do about 10000 miles a year give or take...
     
  7. jeeters79

    jeeters79 New Member

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    I've seen ones making it to 60k, 75k, 80k+ . With regular maintenance they should easily last for years. Legend has it that , if they dropped the big one, all that would be left would be VFRs with huge radioactive roaches to ride them. Seriously.
     
  8. jahlov420

    jahlov420 New Member

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    i got 50k on my 87...i put 7k miles on it in a year....still doesn't miss a beat
     
  9. crustyrider

    crustyrider New Member

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    my 86 700 had 68,000 plus showing on the odometer....and it sat in a garage for three years till I got her...this should answer your question... but if you don't want to have to scavenge for parts in a few years...by all means buy a newer one..
     
  10. vfrcapn

    vfrcapn Member

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    At 2-3K per year I'd think you've got at most 25 years left on it. Log back in in 2025 and let us know if you've had any problems, I'm guessing not. Miguel on VFRD went over 125K on his '98 before a cage destroyed it, I've only got 65K on my '99, still breaking it in.
     
  11. Mark 024

    Mark 024 New Member

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    Yep Bulletproof!!!
    Mine has 100000km (60000miles) and going strong. Ive had the regulator fix recently. I suppose we dont get the snow and salt as in other parts of the world. They are fine machines. Yours should last.
    But buy another one anyway, two has to be better than one
     
  12. VifferDude

    VifferDude New Member

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    I remember Reading in another thread that a courier I'm the UK has one with 400,000 klm on it. I'd search for the thread, but I'm on my Iphone and it's a bugger to navigate and type.

    It's even been rumoured that no one has had to rebuild one because it had worn out! Pretty tall call, if you ask me
     
  13. Joey_Dude

    Joey_Dude Member

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    I met a guy that had a 5th gen with 72K miles on it and it still ran great. Mine's got 44k miles on it with only major issue being that the inside of the fuel tank rusted and I had to reline it as well as replace the fuel pump/injectors.
     
  14. scott1999

    scott1999 New Member

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    I've got 80,000 on my 99 and it still runs great (wife says I can't buy a new one until it doesn't) presently I put about 3500 to 4000 a month on it.

    Hell this bike and my big ass wore a Corbin out at 65,000, if I can get another 50,000 out of myself (sure the bike can) I'll see how the Sargent hold up. :biggrin:
     
  15. Jdog109socal

    Jdog109socal New Member

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    I once had a older feller who drove up next to me on a old Indian and said. Thats a nice bike what do you think it will look like in 75 years and started to drive away when i yelled " its plastic and wont rust like that thing"..LMAO

    No abuse and good maintenance it should last along long time

    Jdog
     
  16. Deadsmiley

    Deadsmiley Member

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    Met a guy at a regular meet up place that had 160,000 miles on his '99 VFR. Still running strong.

    I don't think you can really hurt these bikes. They are kind of detuned from the factory. Heck, you can even put a supercharger on it without changing the internals except for the clutch.

    My '98 had 15,000 miles on it when I got it a year ago May. It now has almost 22,000 miles on it. The riding season isn't done yet...

    Maintain it and ride the hell out of it. :cool:
     
  17. leftcoast

    leftcoast New Member

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    here you go....... 862,000 miles - 412k before the first rebuild
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Tony Whitwham likes this.
  18. rvb5

    rvb5 New Member

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    That's a great article....he's rode more in 1 day than some people ride a year! Guess I'll do what vfrcapn suggested, provide an update in 2025 to see how things are going...
     
  19. vfrcapn

    vfrcapn Member

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    I can't imagine ever selling my '99 so unless I crash it we'll have to compare overall mileage in 15 years. :wink:
     
  20. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

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    ..................

    With good maintenance and proper respect for the transmission, how long it lasts is inversely proportional to how hard you ride.

    .................................................

    This season so far this season my '90 VTR 250 (38k miles) took priority, but i finally installed the battery on the '86 VFR i've owned since 1990 ( #......343 38k) and got it back on the road yesterday.

    After a few months on the 250, the VFR seems SO EXCESSIVE!! More power than necessary and more weight. No bike ridden in cities "needs" more than 40 hp, IMHO. Yeah, i do enjoy a reasonable and prudent amount of imprudent speed somewhat above 100mph sometimes, don't you ?? And VTR won't do that !! !

    VTR 250= 35hp/330 pounds/105 mph. Most 250s are fairly slow bikes, but not this one.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2010
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