High Mileage 5th Gen VFR

Discussion in 'General VFR Discussions' started by faran, May 22, 2018.

  1. faran

    faran New Member

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    Question is from riders who belong to high mileage club.

    With proper maintenance history, should I consider buying a 5th Gen VFR close to 100K miles? Or I should stay away from it?

    Besides electrical, is there anything I should be aware of being a high mileage?

    Thanks for the input.
     
  2. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    A lot depends on the price and how it's been stored. The engine should be good for a long time if it
    has been maintained like it should. The plastics and such will suffer if it hasn't been stored inside,
    and has been parked in the sun for long periods.

    Also brakes and such will need attention, perhaps new rotors and calipers if the PO rode hard/aggressively.
    Rubber lines should be replaced as a matter of course if they haven't been already. This is part of the reason
    why the price should be reasonable.
     
  3. Terry Smith

    Terry Smith Member

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    My VFR only has 100,000km, but based on how it runs I can't see why it would be worn out at 160,000km. I agree with FJ12, there are some parts that should be replaced as wearing items (obviously tyres/chain/sprockets/pads), but I'd also include clutch discs, thermostat, coolant hoses, brake/clutch hoses, sprocket damper blocks, fork bushings, springs and seals, shock absorber, chassis bearings, bar grips and footpeg rubbers. Based on my own experience, those are the parts that make a bike feel worn-out and baggy, but can be easily replaced if you have some mechanical ability. I have had the opportunity to compare my old VFR to a new 800 at a dealer ride day, and aside from the clutch/gearbox feel (before I replaced my clutch discs) there was nothing about the new bike which felt noticeably better.
     
  4. GreginDenver

    GreginDenver New Member

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    The VFR800 has great durability built in at its core. Honda went all out on the engine's internals:
    - Aluminum Powder-Metal Composite cylinder bores (a pressure-formed alloy that includes aluminum oxide, iron, copper, magnesium and graphite)
    - Honda moved the cam gear to the outside (right end) of the crankshaft, which allowed for a compact, stable, low friction, 3 main bearing crank
    - Gear driven camshafts which is by far the most durable method of valve actuation

    So the engine will last and last and last...

    but as Terry was pointing out, the items that make up the VFR800's various subsystems are just examples of standard, high-volume Japanese motorcycle production. Which means you'll be doing normal long-term maintenance and upkeep.

    So the question you have to answer is, "Do you do maintenance and upkeep?"
     
    Last edited: May 22, 2018
  5. faran

    faran New Member

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    Thanks everyone, yes I like to do wrenching and take care of things here and there.

    Just curious, all things mentioned by above posters.

    How much would it cost in terms of maintenance price and all?Like if I do DIY, close to $500 or less? of course, I don't plan to do everything altogether, rather in small steps.

    Thank you for the advice and help.
     
  6. faran

    faran New Member

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    Just curious, what would be a reasonable price? Lowest, medium and on the high end?
     
  7. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    The price is totally dependent on condition. If the fairings are rough or damaged or weathered, you're looking at a lot less money than
    for a '99 with perfect plastic. To me a bike that looks good, i.e. has good plastic is going to fetch more than a bike that is mechanically
    just as good, but looks rougher.

    Provided the engine has been well maintained, it all boils down to appearance. My '99 is pretty much perfect, a few scratches caused
    when the bike fell over on the sidestand. It has an Ohlins shock, stainless lines, Sargent seat and backrest, shorty levers, voltmeter
    installed, VFRness wired in, powder coated red wheels, and always stored inside. If I were to sell it I'd probably ask $3000 for it, now
    would it still be worth $3000 if it had 100,000 miles instead of 43,000 miles? Personally if I really wanted a 5th generation VFR then
    I think it just might be worth it even at 100,000 miles.
     
  8. James Bond

    James Bond Member

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    The answer really depends on how you feel about that particular bike. With no emotion attached, it isn't worth $3000. If you just have a thing for bikes that old, it's worth whatever you're willing to pay. Asking others about what amounts to an emotional decision won't really answer your question.
     
  9. faran

    faran New Member

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    No emotional value attached, what so ever.

    Curious, if $800 with side bags, all plastic present(quite a few bolts and pushpins missing though), sergeant seat and close to 100k is worth it?
     
  10. VFR4Lee

    VFR4Lee Member

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    $800 for the bike? Assuming it runs good and does not immediately need much if anything, it sounds like a deal.
    Sold my 98 VFR last fall with 82,xxx miles, LSL handlebar kit, Givi luggage rack and Chinese knock off top case, plus the stock pieces for $1,800 last fall.
    It had some cosmetic dings but never crashed. So, there's a data point for you.
     
  11. faran

    faran New Member

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    Yeah, $800 for everything including the bike. I might be able to bring down the price after talking to the seller.

    Bike starts and tires appear to be in good condition.
     
  12. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    $800 is pretty much a steal if it runs without black smoke blowing out. I sold my VFR with near 100K mi for around $1500 with loads of farkles that were expensive, but we all know you don't recover the money from those.
     
  13. faran

    faran New Member

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    Black smoke means burning oil? I can verify it, although I did not notice an smoke issues, except initial smoke.
     
  14. faran

    faran New Member

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    Also, was your 5th Gen too?

    P.S: It's a 2000
     
  15. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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  16. faran

    faran New Member

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    I like it man, it looks really good. Did you sell it last year?

    I am going to pull the trigger!
     
  17. reg71

    reg71 Poser Staff Member

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    yeah, just sold it because I wasn't riding it too much and hated to see it just sit in garage. new owner is pretty fond of her. he couldn't believe the power wheelies
     
  18. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    $800 sounds like a pretty good deal.
     
  19. faran

    faran New Member

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    Thank you FJ12rydertoo, I might be able to bring down the price to less than $800, let's see what happens!
     
  20. faran

    faran New Member

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    At that high mileage, would clutch be needing a replacement?
     
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