Hello from East Tennessee

Discussion in 'Introductions' started by gorillasnacks, Jun 19, 2016.

  1. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    Hey everybody, just wanted to say hey.
    I'm Mike, I live in North East Tennessee and I currently have two Harleys, but don't hold that against me. Lol :)
    I've owned 2 vfr500's and a few other Hondas. I love Honda motorcycles, and I'm going to be buying a vfr800 here in the next few weeks, I really miss riding the sport bikes.

    I need help deciding on a 5th gen vfr800fi, or a 6th gen vfr with the vtec. I really love both of those and I'm having a hard time choosing one. I'm a big fan of the vtec, and the style of the 6th gen, but I also love the 5th gen because of the gear driven cams. I'm really torn.
    Is there a big difference in the riding position between these two bikes? I want to sit up a little taller, I didn't know if the 6 gen bikes had more of a sport touring feel than the 5th gen.

    Any info will be awesome, I hope to be back on a vfr very soon!
    Thanks everyone.
     
  2. Knight

    Knight New Member

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    Welcome!

    I can't say if the riding position is different because I haven't ridden a 6th gen, but even if so on either bike you may modify the seat, bars, windscreen, and pegs, for your comfort.

    The fifth gen may cost more relative to the overall age due to the demand for it.

    The 6th gen has a more updated look to it and is arguably cooler looking.

    If you are into classic color schemes, the 2007 Red/White/Blue is a beautiful bike. The 2000 was made in yellow, which sticks out against the other red 5th gens.

    Have you considered a 4th gen? Beautiful but with carburetors.

    Once you browse a few used ones, the overall value of the condition of a bike and the included accessories could make the decision for you. You cannot go wrong with either.

    I have browsed bikes in TN and it seems you have a depressed market with really good values. I hope that is currently the case and helps you out with your purchase.

    Would love to see pics of your bikes. Harley's are beautiful, no matter what one is into.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2016
  3. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    Hey Knight,
    I have ridden a 6th gen back in 02 . I used to be a Honda motorcycle tech and I remember when the dealership I worked for got a brand new 02 interceptor. I opened the crate, put it together, and test drove it. That was a long time ago tho, and the whole time I was a tech, I never got the chance to ride a 5th gen vfr800fi.
    My dream bike is actually the 07/08 25th anniversary interceptor, but I don't think I'll ever find one in my area, especially one in good condition. I would be happy with a nice 5th gen, I like the gear driven cams, to me gear driven cams remind me if the race bike engines.
    I really love the styling of the 6th gen bikes a little better, but a nice condition low mile 5th gen would have a more classic appeal.
    I've been looking for several months, I have found a nice 5th gen at a dealership in North Carolina, about an hour from where I live, and I found another 07 25th anniversary edition also in NC, but 5 hours away. The 07 is my dream bike, but the salesman I talked to over the phone told me it was laid down on the left side. I would consider this bike, but right off the bat it needs new plastic on one side and I don't think you can order them anymore. I really don't want to spend a ton of time and money chasing down plastics.
    There is also an 06 I have my eye on, but it's really expensive.
     
  4. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    IMG_20160326_153152[1].jpg

    I am trying to post a pic of my Harleys, I don't know if I was successful or not . lol
     
  5. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    Ah sweet. It was successful.
    I'll post a pic of my old Superhawk. I loved that bike. If i ever find any old pics of my 2 vf500's I'll have to scan them and post them. There weren't any cell phones back then. lol
     
  6. TA-Rocks

    TA-Rocks New Member

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    I have rode a couple of the 6th gen bikes. I rather like my 5th gen. That is also biased since i owned it. The bike is not as fast as my 5th gen. I m told that the motors have better torque on 5s. The seat is comfortable on the 5s. The electrical is bettter for lights and all on the 6. The exhaust in my opinion is better when you have one and we have gear cam and no emission O2 sensor. Makes for a better header and power. I ran 11.08 on my bike. So, my choice is my 5. I was not impressed with the vtec crap. lol
     
  7. Knight

    Knight New Member

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    Love the orange.
     
  8. Knight

    Knight New Member

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    On Nashville Craigslist select "Brentwood." An anniversary bike in "remarkable" condition, for a reasonable price. Go get it now! Pey La la!
     
  9. Badbilly

    Badbilly Official VFRWorld Troll Of The Year!

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    There are guys and I include the ladies of course who have or had almost any VFR ever made and are experienced mechanics and riders. Your "source" aint..
     
  10. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    Hey there TA,
    I have found a couple of 5th gen vfr800fi ' s near me, a couple of 1998 models and a really nice 2001.
    Are the 1998 "better"? I ask that because I have read that the 98 models do not have the egr valve, or o2 sensors. Is that accurate?
    Or am I just getting carried away with inter - Web hype. Lol

    Hey Knight! I'm going to check out the anniversary edition for sure. I'm sold in buying a 5th gen, but if I can find an 07/08 anniversary model, I might just scoop it up! :)
     
  11. Knight

    Knight New Member

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    Right, in 2000 the catalytic converter and O2 sensors were added. Many remove or disable these, but if you are a "stocker", that makes the 98 and 99 preferable.

    I think it was 2000 that they also replaced the fast idle lever on the left handlebar (to warm up the engine) with a coolant temp operated automated unit. The manual lever on the 98-99 is far preferred.
     
  12. TA-Rocks

    TA-Rocks New Member

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    This makes the additional power commander possible to run without worrying about deleting the emissions junk and helping it to breath and run better. I have the PCIII and tuning along with a Pipewerx can.
     
  13. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    Knight, I just checked the ad for that anniversary bike. Holy moley!!
    I would love to pick that one up for sure! It's 5 hours away from me, and a bit over my budget tho. :(
    I don't know, maybe a miracle could happen.
     
  14. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    There is a 1998 bone stock model near me for 2800 bucks, it has 34,000 miles on it. Looks really clean.
    I also found a 2001 bone stock, super clean with 5,400 for 4000 bucks.
    I was hoping to buy the 2001, but, I'm starting to lean towards the 98 so I can still have a little money left in my bank account. Lol
    What do you guys think?
     
  15. Knight

    Knight New Member

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    From a budget side, the bike purchase is only your first expense. Seasonal maintenance, maybe a couple accessories may also bite you. So, go in under your budget and get the 98 if it passes inspection.

    If you had not mentioned budget I would have said this: Typically the high mileage bike has been ridden and thus maintained. The 2001 may have sat unused with old fluids in it. I would ask both owners by phone what maintenance has been done, the dates of the maintenance, and if they have the records available. Any bike with no records gets eliminated. The suspicion is that the 2001 is out and the 1998 is in, but you never know.

    For the 1998 I would be curious if the valves had been inspected. Since some do inspect valves and many don't, if he paid for that it would be a plus, an indicator of a detail-oriented person.
     
  16. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    The valve adjustment on the 98 was the very first thing I thought about. I sent him an email asking to look at the bike.
    I found another 98 an hours drive from me with 25,000 miles on it, he has the heili bars, leo vinci exhaust, Corbin seat, and Corbin hard bags on it for 3000 bucks. I know for a fact I want the heili bars because I'm 6'3", I don't really care a lot about the hard bags.
    I really want to check this one out too.
     
  17. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    Are all of the 98 models supposed to have the "VFR" decal on the bottom of the side fairings?
    One of the 98's I'm looking at has sold red fairings with no decals. All the other 98's seem to have the decals.
    Just wondering if the plastics were changed or painted.
     
  18. Knight

    Knight New Member

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    I cannot answer that but another possibility is that the owner did not like decals and removed them. Some do this. Of course you can ask him and if he states OEM then ask to remove it to see the Honda part number underneath.
     
  19. gorillasnacks

    gorillasnacks New Member

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    What was the recall on the 98's for the reIgulator / rectifier?
    Was it to change the connectors, or to change the whole r/r?
    On one of the 98's I'm wanting to buy, it's got 24k miles and I asked about the service history.
    He said he had replaced 2 charging clips, I'm assuming it's the clips for the r/r.
    He also said there is not any valve clatter right now, are the valves supposed to be checked around 30k miles?
     
  20. TA-Rocks

    TA-Rocks New Member

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    I cant speak for anyone else about his service or what he means by charging clip. If you have the honda number i have a parts book. The R/R is not a recall. It has to be repaired on all bikes after some period.
    The valves have never been checked on my bike at 34,000 and most people will tell you that the valve service done at the dealer was not needed at all.
     
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