About to buy a 94 VFR800 - what to look for b4 buying?

Hi folks, this is my first post.
I am about to purchase a 1994 VFR800, and I would like some hints at which flaws I should look after before closing the deal.
I am an experienced biker (this shall be my 22nd; the 21st is in my shed being rebuilt - an Yamaha XJ400 1993), so I know how to tell if a frame is not aligned due to some serious wreck, how to "listen" the valves working through a screwdriver on the ear, etc.
But the Viffer is a total unknown to me.
I read a lot of posts here before writing this one, and I have some questions.
Which "generation" is the 1994? Were there any recalls for this year? Is the 94's camshaft chain driven?
I am in Israel, where you have nice highways... and sand. This bike has around 100K miles, which I suppose are "easy" hw miles - however, how can I check if it was not abused off-road, etc.?
A new one (2011) costs here US$33,600:crazy: This guy is asking US$5,500 for this 1994 one ("cheap" in this neck of the... well, sands).
Please let me have your opinion on what I am looking at, mechanic-wise.
With love from the Holy Land!
Aharon

 

1994 = 1st year of the 4th generation (last =1997) 4th gens classified as 750cc rather than 800cc

Gear driven cams = yes

I had a 1995 in the day an never heard of any recalls.

$5,500 would be WAY too high for a 4th gen no matter the miles in the US. You can buy nice low mile 6th gens for that. They're for sale here in the US with 1/3 or fewer miles. Any chance you can import one from the US or Europe and save some cash?

100,000 miles is not RIP for the motor, but unless the suspension, wheel bearings, etc have been worked over, they're probably shot. I'd look for something a bit fresher, at least for that kind of $.

Either way, check the main fuse and the wiring in general for melted connectors. Maybe throw a volt meter on the battery with the engine running at 5,000 rpm to see if the R/R is functioning properly (14 V +/-). Electrical problems seem to be the most common thing that gives people fits.

 

Thanks, Cogswell.
I have just found this other one at Yad2 (hebrew for "second hand", or "preowned").
äåðãä VFR - ìåç àåôðåòéí, àåôðåòéí ìîëéøä, àåôðåò éã ùðéä, éã 2, yad2
Although the price is higher (US$8000), the mileage is just 27K, and the bike is newer (1998).
Israel allows new immigrants like me to import vehicles from abroad with "just" 75% as import duties. So much for a Free Trade Agreement . However, to buy from the US, it would have to be an American bike (a Harley is the only American brand I've heard of). Japs only from Japan, Triumphs from UK, and so on. Anyway, my guess is that the total cost (bike + American shipping agent fee + sea freight + import duties and VAT here) would end up being a lot!
Anyway, cost aside, would this 1998 baby have any "no-no's" that you are aware of?
Thanks a ton,
Aharon

 

Where you see gibberish above, please try this:
http://www.yad2.co.il/Cars/motorcyc...1&MotorcycleTypeID=&FromYear=&UntilYear=&from EngineVal=&untilEngineVal=&fromPrice=&untilPrice=&Info=&Order=price&Desc=&Page=2
I have retyped it. If it appears again as gibberish, it is because the forum does not allow me to post links, which is fine by me.
Hey TinkerinWstuff, thanks man! Nice bad-ass-baby avatar!
Aharon

 

Wow - the government there definitely loves you - at least your wallet anyway - that's one bummer of a tax :faint2: . I have owned a 4th and presently own a 5th and a 6th gen. IMHO the 5th has better suspension, is better looking than the 4th gen (though I still like it and don't begrudge anyone lusting on the 4th) and the 5th has FI rather than carbs. I prefer tuning with a laptop (presuming a Power Commander is present) rather than jetting carbs. The 5th keeps the GDC's. Even for the extra $ I would go with the 5th gen. The first ride I took on my '99 after trading in my '95 was "Wow!" About the only thing you can't get on a 5th gen vs a 6th is ABS brakes. Just find some Givi luggage if you want it and you'll love a 5th gen. Go over to VFRD to Files>Articles - there are a number of magazine test articles from when these bikes were new that you can read to get impressions. Best of luck.