Looking for a VFR - stuck in a dilemma. Grateful for any help...

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by NoisyGriff, Apr 21, 2011.

  1. NoisyGriff

    NoisyGriff New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2011
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Hi all.

    After much agonising, my next bike will be a VFR 800 - not least because of the sense of community and the help available from places like this. Which is why I come to you...

    I saw a bike today - 09, 8k miles, luggage and immaculate. No brainer? I wish.

    This bike is at the very top of my budget (£6995) and has a less than straight forward service history. The first 2 or three stamps in the book will be from a non-Honda dealer - in fact there are no stamps at all at the moment, but the Honda dealer selling the bike assures me that the services were done and that they trust the guy who did the services. So the bike will come with a Honda used warranty.

    Alternatively, I could decide not to trust the service history and look for another (I've seen several and this is the best condition yet). Or I could even decide to buy an earlier/higher mileage bike and save some cash.

    There's my dilemma - I'd love to hear your thoughts. What would you do? Thanks for reading.
     
  2. ilovheros

    ilovheros New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2009
    Messages:
    236
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Cincinnati
    Map
    Go for it, ITS A HONDA, you don't need no stinking service history......At 8k its just now broken in. Change the oil,brake and rad fluid, ur good to go.
     
  3. Pliskin

    Pliskin New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    3,699
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    36
    Location:
    Morris County, New Jersey
    Map
    I'd probably look for something with a little bit higher mileage. 15k or 20k miles is not much for these bikes, and with the cash saved, maybe you can personalize it a little bit - exhaust, seat, windscreen, favorite choice of tires, etc.

    I'm sure that having an immaculate bike is nice, but you're gonna ride it, not look at it!

    Bottom line is that its your choice, and your money. Spend it on what makes you happy, and don't regret it. Its like anything else - you can buy a top of the line TV, think you get a great deal, and a month later the price is down and new TVs are out. There might always be a better deal on a bike, but so what.

    Go get it!
     
  4. Dominator

    Dominator New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2008
    Messages:
    112
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    How much are they new over there? Sounds like it has everything you need.
     
  5. CharlesW

    CharlesW New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2011
    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ankeny, Iowa
    While I have no idea as to how "right" the price is, I would think that you have done enough research to know that.
    If the price is fair, then only one thing bothers me.
    You are having to talk yourself into this particular machine.
    That's not a good sign to me.
    When you find a car, motorcycle, woman, you shouldn't have to convince yourself, you will know if it's the one for you.
     
  6. Rollin_Again

    Rollin_Again Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    Messages:
    2,317
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    Duluth, GA
    +1 on that! You can find a much better deal on a bike with a little higher mileage and save alot of money. The 6th Gen VFR has pretty much remained the same for 8 years other than some minor changes so there isn't really a huge advantage to buying one year over another. Mileage is nothing since these dependable V4 engines have been known to run 100k+ with proper maintainence. I wouldn't sweat the service history thing since alot of us do our own basic service . At 8k miles you are still essential talking about a new bike still and there really hasn't been a need for anything other than and few oil change and visual inspection on the other components. I personally choose not to take it up the azz from my dealership and do my own oil changes, brake jobs, chains, sprockets, etc.) and am proud do say I don't have any damn proof of service other than my own receipts and some empty ale bottles LOL!!

    Rollin
     
  7. stewartj239

    stewartj239 Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2006
    Messages:
    2,422
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Syracuse, NY
    Map
    My thinking is the opposite. I would want a low mileage bike in excellent condition and for that I am willing to pay top dollar. For me it minimizes the risk of potential abuse or problems from a previous owner. Everyone is different as far as what they're looking for.

    If this bike meets your criteria, then I'd take it. The fact that it comes with a Honda warranty would tell me that the bike has passed their inspection and met their criteria for issuing the warranty. It's sounds like a low risk deal to me.
     
  8. WilsonFourTwo

    WilsonFourTwo New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2010
    Messages:
    52
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Calgary, Alberta
    Map
    I think the situation/deal you described is excellent......I wouldn't fret over lingering doubts on the service. The dealer is standing by the bike (with Warranty....), so no worries there. If there dealer will negotiate on the price a bit, I wouldn't walk away.

    That said, there's just no reason to avoid an older VFR. I think that an '06 with 20 - 30,000km is going to be (essentially) the same bike as a '09 with 8,000. You'll save a swack of cash and still get A LOT of years and miles out of the bike.

    Either way, good luck and post pics!
     
  9. NoisyGriff

    NoisyGriff New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2011
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Thanks again for all the input - really great to hear.

    I'm still agonising and, as I expected, there are good arguments for both. On the plus side, one way of looking at this decision is that it is difficult because there is no really wrong answer. One way, I save a bunch of cash, the other way, I get a mint VFR. Win win.

    By way of a picture, I hope this works. This is the bike I am looking at:

    [​IMG]

    Nice, isn't it?
     
  10. CharlesW

    CharlesW New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2011
    Messages:
    204
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Ankeny, Iowa
    Absolutely beautiful!
     
  11. Rollin_Again

    Rollin_Again Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    May 15, 2008
    Messages:
    2,317
    Likes Received:
    8
    Trophy Points:
    53
    Location:
    Duluth, GA
    Very nice indeed! Looks like the ABS model too so that is another big plus. Good luck with whatever decision you make!!

    Rollin
     
  12. stewartj239

    stewartj239 Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2006
    Messages:
    2,422
    Likes Received:
    63
    Trophy Points:
    93
    Location:
    Syracuse, NY
    Map
    Opportunity is everything. The older higher mileage bike has not presented itself as an option yet. The one you're looking at has? Are you going to let it get away and wait for something that might never come?
     
  13. NoisyGriff

    NoisyGriff New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2011
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I'm so weak. I pick it up on Wednesday. Can't wait- I'll post someore pics and first thoughts later this week.
     
  14. brett mcdill

    brett mcdill New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2011
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    red bud il.
    that bike is smokin hot and i would've gone crazy and bought it too enjoy the ride !
     
  15. FrankoQ

    FrankoQ New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    Messages:
    786
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Laurel, MD
    So did you get it?
    I sold my 96 VFR and I'm now looking for a 6th gen.
     
  16. camo

    camo New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2011
    Messages:
    300
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    The Heartland
    Map
    Impressive price $11,000. Hope you enjoy it.
     
  17. donald branscom

    donald branscom New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2009
    Messages:
    1,934
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Guerneville CA
    Map
    Two of the most important items on the service and tune up of a new motorcycle is
    the oil changes and the valve adjustment. very important.
     
  18. Parker VFR

    Parker VFR New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2010
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    :) Man - I'd go for this bike if the price is fair to you (I have no idea how much pounds translates to dollars ). It looks like you have ABS brakes in addition to bags and top case - which is probably worth about $2500 USD. Not sure about any other add-ons though. As for service history - at 8K miles - I gotta agree with the poster that says it's barely broken in - and it's a Honda. I bought my 07 with 6000 miles, and it rides like a dream. I consider this type of bike, with low miles and beautiful appearance to be a low-risk, so I'd go for it myself. Good luck man.
     
Related Topics

Share This Page