Please= input before I buy!

Considering 2001 VFR with aftermarket seat and corbin bags, only 5,000 miles for $4,500.
--Is price fair, good or a steal?
--I am in desert southwest climate. have read how bike runs hot/ puts out heat. So, will the heat kill me in the summer or is it not much worse than any other bike?
-- Any fixes for this (like install lower temp opening thermostat)?
Any input appreciated as need to decide in next day or two!

 

With low miles and hard bags, this is a good deal if it runs well and has good plastics.

 

Welcome!

I'm also in the Southwest (Phoenix area). I paid $4K for a 2002 with 14K miles in January from a local owner. Super clean bike w/ zero mods at the time. The previous owner moved to the area from Florida when he originally purchased the bike in late 2002. I'll admit, the price was better than anything else I had found at the time, but they're out there. I would say $4.5K with 5K miles and some aftermarket goodies is a pretty good deal, but with the economy the way it is, I'd offer less and see what he's willing to take.

As far as the heat issue goes, I wouldn't recommend changing the thermostat at this point. I haven't had any issues with overheating or rider discomfort, and my understanding is these bikes, like most fuel injected engines, are programmed to run a bit warmer than a carbed motor. I've dealt with the same issue with a FI 5.0 liter I have in my kit car. No worries there either. Runs @ 210 all day long with just a standard fan and shroud on a 195 degree stat.

Good luck with the decision. If your fortunate enough to be making the decision to buy any pleasure vehicle at this point, your better off then a lot of people! :thumbsup:

 

Thanks for the input Viffers
Keep the comments coming!

 

I've got the '99 and in Sacramento it gets warm in the summers, over 100 consistently. The bike does run warmer but no issues with that, it's just a warm running bike. Heat output isn't bad, you're not going to roast your legs. Sounds like a good deal, even better if you could get him down to $4K.

 

Howdy Stoppie; I have a used 2000 VFR with 13k miles. First with that low mileage, the price sounds pretty righteous. The running hot situation bothered me when I first got the bike. I made a few simple mods to help it in that area, PM me if you care to know.
If the bike is straight, runs and handles well,engine is quiet and owner seems responsible I would ask for a test ride,would be nice if someone knowledgable about VFR's accompanied you. If you get positives from all the above I woukd give the guy the $$
grab it and go for you my friend ,just got a hell of a deal. eddie

 

-Brief test ride today and seemed fine.
- It was only 90 degrees today -so didn't feel like my legs were roasting.
-History=was dropped once off sidestand while parked but side plastic/mirror etc. replaced at dealer and is as new now, no sign of damage
-corbin seat is solo and so I would like to obtain pillion type for future flexability
Will have my friend (a VFR expert who convinced me to get one) look at it tomorrow!
- For maintenance Bike has only had oil changes.
-No valve adjust yet (wouldn't first one be coming due?)
-original tires so i would replace soon due to tread remaining/age

 

The 2001 is private party
-local dealer has a 2004 with 16,000 miles for $6,000 asking price
-Not to start a favorite generation war but wouldn't lighter 5th gen be better for occasional track day?
-Which one would hold value better if I resell in a couple of years?

 

I recently bought a 2000 vfr for $4,700 and it had a nice high mount pipe, full corbin seat, and bag system. The bike has 18,000 miles and was well taken care of. I think the price is fair. These are hard to come by in good condition, so there is a littlle premium to pay for the right one. I paid a little more than I thought I should have, but the extra goodies were worth it. Good luck!

 

I rode a 5th GEN two weeks ago and now I see what those guys are talking about. My 08 is silky smooth but has the characteristics of a touring bike, on the other hand that 5th GEN begs to be pushed as hard as you can. Lighter more agile and power at lower RPM's WOW was I impressed. You can't go wrong with any VFR but the 5th GEN definitely has my respect. Good luck finding the one that's right for you.

 

Well, for what it's worth I'd say that sounds like a pretty good deal. If you don't want the bags you can always sell 'em and knock your overall price down too. As others have said I would still offer less, remember you can always go up. Good luck and congrats on deciding on a VFR, you won't be disapointed!

 

Yup, that's my bike he's talking about. He can not only comment on how well it performs but how well it tows too! Heh heh, we were riding around the mountains and I got a flat rear tire. Since I'm at least a hour from home he got his wife to come drive their pickup truck and put my bike in the back.

With that said, I have to say the 2001 VFR is a good deal. The fact you can find one with only 5K miles is pretty good, they're getting hard to find with low miles. With the 2004 version, 6K is an ok price but I've seen lower prices from private sellers. If you want the best deal possible avoid dealerships as much as you can.

As for resale value I hate to say that either generation will be hard to sell. VFRs aren't the most popular bike in the world and I would estimate it take at least three months to sell a VFR at a very good price. Hell, with my '99 VFR I bought it for 5 grand back in september 2007 with only 1,700 miles, showroom condition and the guy had been trying to sell it for at least 2 months.

Since you're talking about a track bike and resale value I do have to suggest looking at a more dedicated track bike like the R6, CBR600RR, or even the F4i. Those sell better than the VFR and quite frankly, the VFR isn't designed to be a serious track machine. Yes it's fast but it's ultimately a street bike. If you want to play with the big boys you'd have to do quite a few mods to it and it would make more sense to just get a more dedicated track bike.

Hope that helps and good luck! :thumbsup:

 

Thanks again guys
Will mostly use it for 15 mile one way commute to work
Only thinking of using it 2x year on track
If I love track will get a lightweight bike for that

 

Purchased!

Made a deal and have begun riding!
Only problem is on highway in air temp about 100F when traffic suddenly came to first gear idle crawl for 2 miles. Temp went to 252 with flashing bar.
Soon after traffic picked up. Temp soon began dropping (at 250 alert stopped flashing) temp would be 230's-low 240's rest of ride.
I did a quick search but no definitive fix to high engine temp in hot ambient temp conditions.
-Use Superhawk fan in lieu of OEM?
-Watter wetter in lieu of antifreeze mix?
What has worked best for you?
Suggestions from the brotherhood??????

 

252? ouch//// i would run heavy oil 20-50..synthetic i know oil thread, drain and replace coolant. i have never had a bike that hot..unless coolant is low i would flush and change it just in case.. i live texas border it gets over 100 never hit the 252 temp .....did your fans work??post more may need to rig a switch to run fan anytime you get under 20mph..

 

Sounds like thermostat needs to be replaced. A member here had this problem too and when he replaced the thermostat bike never overheated again.

 

+1

And check the coolant level, all hoses connected. It shouldn't get over about 220 even sitting in heavy traffic at 100 deg. Did you hear the fan kick on? I think it's set for 218 or somewhere around there, it should start cooling down as soon as the fan kicks on.

 

-fan was running
-will change and burp/bleed coolant and do tstat "while I'm in there"
-It's good to know 220 should be max expected temp- Thanks!
-I took a look at some oil posts and will put synthetic in
-Is supertech filter OK?