About to buy VFR, your thoughts please...

Hi Guys,

I am about to get a VFR. The local bike shop has one - 2002 vtec. Apparently the bike came in for a new paint job and the previous owner never picked it up - it was an air brush job and looks superb. Following two years the bike now belongs to the shops and they want to sell it. (The owner has gone through a divorce and the bike was forgotten!)

The deal is attractive, with a good trade in price on my BMW Dakar, but my concerns are that although this process is legal I will probably not end up with any service history outside of the service they about to give it.

How much could this potentially effect the resell costs later on?

The deal - 18k miles - approx, £3,500 - brand new paint job, not been run for two years but will have complete service.

What are your thoughts?

Nicholas

 

Resale? Sell your VFR? As in, get rid of it???

 

Has the dealer done the 16K mile service? Its usually pretty expensive. How are the tires? I'd think they might be shot from sitting 2 years. Is 3,500 a good price for your area? Figuring a 2 to 1 exchange rate (pound to dollar), that seems a little high for an 02 with 18k miles but the paint job might make up for it if you really like it.

Action

 

Hi and welcome! I'd also make sure the dealer has the proper paperwork that you can actually become the owner. Not sure what documentation is used in UK but in the US the dealer would need the title in most states?

 

Thank you for your replies guys.

Yes, Alaskan, once fully immersed with the joys of a VFR it might become a priority to get the newer model followed by the newer model followed by...

Action: This dealer has not done the 16k service. He suggested that it has been done, but then he would. We have autotrader in the UK and the cheapest VTEC model I found was £3,500 - with its service history... So, its not a necessarily such a bargain.
The dealer is happy to take my bike as it is for £2,000. It needs new tyres, a 30km service and a really good clean (there are little areas of rust beginning to show so I need to get rid of it quickly).
The VFRs initial price was 4,500 but I said I simply could not afford it saying my plan was to sell my bike privately get 2000 pay an extra 1000 to get the VFR Fi - which is the current price point for these. I said I could stretch an extra 500 but that would be all. He said he simply wanted to get rid of it.
It could be construed as being dodgy but bear in mind the financial climate, certainly in this country. The shop, which is quite small, may simply need the cash.

porcupine73: Before I buy I will do a proper credit check to make sure all is well - and speak to DVLA (our legal entity) to make sure everything is fine. That thought had crossed my mind too.

 

Welcome to the forum. Also make sure they did the wiring harness recall.

 

Thank for that. I will ask them.

I have been doing my research. Our "legal" DVLA only manages the Registered Keeper NOT the legal owner. Isn't that daft!

Speaking to a legal help line shortly - membership of the Federation of Small Businesses does have its advantages.

 

I have spoken to the legal line and for those in the UK we have a act: Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977 (c.32)

If the shop has contacted the owner saying pay up or in 90 days we are disposing of the goods they are free and legally able to do so.

So, home and dry on that one - they say they have done that already.

Cool VFR here we come.

 

Update - I did not buy this bike but a better one!

It was interesting to investigate the legal side though.

 

and your selection was......

 

Where are the photos?

:unsure:

 

Photos

Sorry Guys,

It has been too long since I logged in.

The weathers poor here at the moment so I don't have any good pictures.

Its a VFR 2003 VTEC - grey. It was cared for and looked like a new one when I got it.

I have travelled about 2k on it this last month - in all weathers and it is in need of a good clean.

Will post some images when the sun returns.

Kind regards,

Nicholas

 

Congrats! Good choice. Ride it in good health.
And post pics!

 

The bigger question is: How in the hell to you just 'forget' about a bike you own? Especially a VFR!

I went through a divorce and I didn't forget the 1980 Kawasaki 440 I had sitting in the shed. God, friends, family and that little bike helped me get through it.

What a statement to what's wrong with people in this world.

BZ

 

welcome aboard and glad u got a vfr any way even a newer one

 

dam i hate when i forget about my motorcycle in the shop for a custom paint job...........

 

ROFLMAO

CONGRATS!! Good you got a better deal. Sometimes we are in so much of a hurry to get our hands on a VFR that we actually miss the good deals. And I know what I am talking about!!! As we say in Nigeria "If you're going to eat a frog, eat one with eggs".

Safe riding to you!!