Seeking advice on 1993 value

Hello All, brand new to the forum. I'm not yet a VFR owner but have been doing a fair amount of research and have learned enough to know a 3rd or 4th generation VFR will be my next ride. Appearance-wise I'm particularly fond of the pearl white '93, though I understand and appreciate the benefits of the later generations. I've located one that appears to be in beautiful shape. From the pictures I've received it looks as if it is nearly perfect. It has about 10,6xx miles on it and the second owner feels certain it has never been down, always gargae kept, etc. He swears he and the previous owner have maintained it meticulously. The only modification that has been done is a Two Brother carbon fiber slip on muffler. He is asking a premium price in my mind given really clean VFR's from the 90's can be had from 3 to 3.5 K. The seller will at this time not come below 4K. Am I insane for considering this bike? I know that a bike is worth whatever someone is willing to pay....I just can't seem to locate a really clean '93 anywhere besides this one. Anyone have a clean '93 they'd be willing to sell for less? If you had the money to spend would any of you consider this sort of expenditure for a super clean low mileage '93? I plan on finding a great bike and keeping it until I can't ride any more...Once I bond with a bike it stays in the stable. Thanks.

 

I would say it all depends on you. If $4k is no big deal to you and you like the bike then go for it.

I would not spend more than about $2500 on a 93 VFR, and the pearl white 93 is one that I truly desire to own.

 

Thanks for the prompt response. I have had similar feelings regarding the price. Having looked for quite some time for a clean '93, I'm wondering how long I can hold out. Seems like they're getting quite scarce. Aside from the uniqueness and visual appeal, I also feel like I'll be more visible to others on the road. I certainly think my past lighter-colored bikes helped out greatly in this regard. Thanks again.

 

Pink and fushia are highly visable too.

 

I don't think 4K is too bad, if the bike is clean and doesn't need ANYTHING, it sounds fair. FWIW I wouldn't sell mine for any less. People ask me if I'd sell my bike is for sale, and I tell them sure, I'd take 10K for it, sure it's insane:crazy:, but I'd never find another one like it, and I don't think I'd ever get rid of it.

 

You make a very good point. If the bike is as nice as it sounds a person would be ahead of the game getting this one over one that needed some luv'in.

 

Could be that the dudes who are telling you to spend 4k are from Moe's Used Motorcycle Emporium in Peoria.

 

How did you know?!

 

All the dudes from Moe's ride Harleys and use aftershave from Walmart.

 

And that is why the seller is in the driver's seat. He's got a clean, low mileage, hard to find bike. He knows it will sell. If the bike is in flawless condition, then I would say paying the premium is well worth it. It might take you a year to find another one that is comparable.

 

Yup. And I firmly believe him when he says he doesn't care if he sells it. Usually I don't go for that sort of yack but this time I am. He has many toys he's willing to sell before hand. I've arranged to meet him this weekend and will have cash in hand.

As an aside I'm not sure how to work this forum format! Stupid me I guess. Several of my posts are not getting posted. Better do some reading.

 

Go look at the bike. Pick it apart. Offer him 3K. Hand him the cash and don't say a word. Sometimes it's hard to just be quiet but the first person who speaks usually loses that round of negotiation. That's an old car salesman trick. You can always go up, so hit him low.

 

Here is my take. I have owned two 93 model VFR's in the past 4 years and have kept a very close eye on market prices. Since the pearl white was only offered in the U.S. in 1993 they are becoming harder and hard to find. An "average" condition 3rd Gen generally brings somewhere in the $2000 to $2500 range. This is based on a bike with complete bodywork, no major engine or bodywork issues, and mileage in the +30k range. Bikes with lower mileage (+20k) in similar condition tend to bring closer to $3000 while those in mint condition with very low miles (< 10k) tend to sell for around $3500 - $4000. Upgrades aren't going to add a whole lot of value to the bike and keep in mind that some parts will be extremely hard to find (bodywork, centerstand, etc.) Also keep in mind that early generation VFR's were plagued with electrical issues so make sure to do your research and homework to learn more.

My current 93 was purchased 2 years ago with just under 10k miles on it for $2000. I was prepared to spend $3500 and travel up to 500 miles but decided to take a chance on a bike I found locally on Craigslist. The bodywork was in excellent condition but the bike was sitting in a basement for years and was not running. It was leaking oil from a bad gasket, required carb cleaning, complete fluid flush, and fork rebuilds. I put about $300 into it and basically ended up with a new bike for $2300. It currently has 12k miles on it and I would ask somewhere in the $3700 range if I even decided to sell it. If you go to look at this bike make sure to take a voltmeter with you and test the charging system. Also make sure to have the seller show you how to remove the bodywork!!! The 3rd Gen bodywork was designed with tabs that lock together. If you do not know how to remove them correctly you will break or damage the tabs!!! Also check the R/R and stator plugs to make sure there is no sign of burning or melting. Overall I think $4000 is reasonable if it is in as good condition as described but I still think you can get a few hundred more knocked off the price. If the R/R and wiring harness is original you might be able to leverage the price some. You also might be able to get a few more dollars knocked off the price if the bike doesn't have a centerstand or seat cowl which are pretty rare to find nowadays. A well informed seller knows that the average bike shopper today is not going to buy an older VFR. The type of person who typically buys these older models is someone who is looking for that specific bike. If you have your heart set on the bike don't insult the seller with an unreasonable offer. I say offer him $3700 and if the seller is not willing to budge on the price just buy it for $4000 and enjoy it instead of kicking yourself in the ass when the rare opportunity is gone.

Rollin

 

Good stuff! Aftermarket farkles are worth about half of the original cost. If this 4k bike has either a rear cowling or a centerstand then all the better.

Just for grins, a new 91 without a centerstand or a cowl was in the six k range.

 

Thanks so much for all the detailed and thoughtful replies. Very helpful! This bike does indeed have the seat cowl and center stand. It apparently didn't havee the seat cowl at one time but the previous owner found one in Canada and had the grey pad redone to match the black seat. The currrent owner has also tracked down the (or a) stock exhaust to include in case I decide the Two Brothers carbon fiber is too loud. I was planning on checking the charging system but thanks for the reminder. Rollin_Again, you mentioned that earlier generations were plagued with electrical problems....I was only aware of the well documented R/R problem. Are there other issues too?

Thanks again for all the help. If I buy the bike I'll do due diligence and learn how to post pics. I've got some OK ones now that he sent me so I suppose I could get a jump on that....

 

In addition to the R/R being problematic, the wiring harness and the stator also seem to be prone to failure. Some people may disagree with me about the stator part but I can assure you that I've helped at least 3 other people replace their stators in their 3rd and 4th Gen VFR's in addition to having to replace mine.


Rollin

 

Even when you do spend that 4000 large, at some time your gona want to replace that bagged out shock in the rear with something from Fox, Ohlins, Penske. Then the front end will need some tending with some fork springs and maybe a Race-Tech Gold Valve kit. Ehhh-I dont wana be a buzz cruncher! GO FOR IT! Mine they are gona bury me with. Great bike, wut else can I say...

 

That to me is huge. I looked for a VF1000R for over 6 years before buying the one I've got and over that time I turned down two in excellent condition only because they didn't have the stock exhaust. That is as hard to find as anything else. Things sound like they're falling into place. Hopefully he still has it by the time you get out there. Good luck and let us know how it goes .......

 

Yep it was, as expensive as the whale-like CBR-1000 they were selling as their uber/super-sport touring rig back in dah early 90's. Wonder what it was like to fit the clock option back in the day? Could they sort of half ass the installation? Who knows. I have one sitting in one of my drawers, but carved up a swiss army watch for my dashboard, so anywhoo.

My R/R lasted a long time, stator lasted pretty well too. Now both units are new, stator went first. R/R lasted 20 yrs though. Couple of plugs burnt up, new starter relay due to over-heating. Some soldered connections vs the old plugs. Good bike, cant complain. It must be love...Mom loves it wife tolerates it...