Is this a good deal on 2003 VFR?

[wlselph]

A co-worker of mine has a 2003 VFR for sale. It's been sitting around for quite a while and has some light body damage to one side. He's asking $2000.00 for it. Should I be interested? It would not be my primary bike but more of a toy. My concern is how much will it cost to fix the body damage and has the sitting around caused any problems. Any thoughts?

Value on a VFR in good shape is about $4000.00. Thanks.

[Frankienuckles]

How is the radiator on the damaged side?

[blackbuell]

Why has it been "sitting around"? Find out if it runs and rides OK. If the only significant issue is body damage, this is a good deal, even if the bike has significant miles on it. VFR's are great all-around bikes. However, if there are significant other problems, and if you are not very handy with a wrench, you should probably stay away from it. A few years ago, I bought a salvaged VFR with major body damage and a few issues with the electrical system. It took me a long time (with lots of learning about chassis repair) and lots of cash to get the bike running and looking good. It is now a pretty good bike, but if I had to do it all over again, I would have passed on it.

Jon

[wlselph]

Thanks, guys. I'm going to take a look at it today. I may post a few pictures.

[veefer800canuck]

Parts are plentiful on EBAY thanks to the bike being produced from 2002 to 2009.

Lots of good info over on http://www.vfrdiscussion.com too.

[atadaskew]

Ask him why it has just been sitting around.
It may have issues like a fried R/R (they are notorious for this) etc.

Often it is cheaper to buy a more expensive bike that requires less work to get it road worthy..

[Kraz]

My concern is how much will it cost to fix the body damage and has the sitting around caused any problems. Any thoughts?

I don't really mind a bike with battle wounds - if it runs and rides well I'd put the fix'er up money into mods you'll enjoy more instead of worrying about some scratches.  That's just me though.

[wlselph]

What's R/R?

So here is the deal. He bought the bike used with the current mileage on it. Road it for about a week and laid if down going home from work. Apparently, it scared him enough where he hasn't ridden it again. Just been sitting in his garage. The accident was not bad enough where he couldn't ride it. Mainly scratches, scuffs and new clutch lever. A lady pulled out in front of him and he locked up the rear wheel.

Now I wonder what happens to a bike that hasn't been started in about 2 years. Thoughts? Thanks.

[veefer800canuck]

R/R = regulator/rectifier.

Most VFR owners beef up the wiring around the R/R connectors, as it is a weak link in the system.

Also the 30A main fuse. If you do a couple of simple wiring mods as a preventative measure, and increase the wire gauge/provide excellent contact so the connection isn't loose, the charging system works fine, no melty connectors.

As for the sitting for 2 years part, go see the bike, start 'er up and see how she runs, that's the only true test.

Hopefully he used Sta-Bil in the fuel. Hopefully the injectors aren't gummed up.

[Rogue]

Nothing kills a vehicle and screws up its driveability more than sitting around for XX years.  

Fuel turning to gel or having large globs of floating shit build up.  Rust inside the cylinders builds up.  Rust in the exhaust.  Oxidation of aluminum, corrossion from acid build up in the battery area and connections, etc.  Your friend needs to be bitch slapped for negligence on a fine motorcycle!

I bought a slightly damaged 2001 VFR800 (minor lowside) years ago and resurrected it.  I replaced everything that got damaged with OEM.  That included clutch lever, side mirror, rider footpegs, left fairing, left fairing mounts/support, left turn signals.  But then, the bike had other issues such as a horribly cheap & loud muffler, rusty, loose chain, scratched up windshield, loose bolts, etc.  I went and replaced all those and re-torqued everything.  I ended up spending another $2k doing all that and in the end, I would have been better off buying a similar bike with low miles and no damage.  However, the closest one to me available for sale was across the country!  So, in the end, I was still very happy with the bike (up until I crashed and totalled her)

If your friend's '03 only needs a fairing, clutch lever, mirror, and a tune up, I say it's worth it.  But you will never know everything that is needed until you take the fairings off and see for yourself.  The damage usually runs deeper than the eyes can see.  That's assuming the engine runs fine.  It will need a major tune up anyway (oil/filter/air filter/coolant/spark plugs, and fuel filter at the very least).  You will need to purge that old gasoline in the system too and make sure the gas lines are clean.  It would be a project but it's not hard to do if you know what you're doing.

[Kraz]

Well... that all depends on where it was stored.  Inside, heated garage, dry climate?  Almost nothing will rust/oxidize.  An regular paper air filter certainly wouldn't go bad just because the bike's been sitting... the tires are more likely to be crap, but may be ok.  Just go see the thing...

If the bike had fuel treatment you can probably just swap gas, run a little sea foam and be fine.

You can save a bundle on parts if you buy used/aftermarket on fleabay.

The damage MAY run deeper than the eyes can see - or it may be AOK.

[VisabilityIsEverything]

If your looking for a VFR in that price range, I have one with 40k miles on it for sale, with all bags, and lots of extras, looking for $3200 for it but if you make me a decent offer I will probably take it. I put all the miles on it myself, just never ride it anymore. If your interested shoot me a message!

[Rogue]

The above is a much better deal.

If your co-worker wants $2k for his damaged, neglected VFR, and the above VFR is $3200, the $1200 is what you would easily spend on bringing that damaged VFR to 100%.  The mileage is not an issue with these bikes.  But you will need to do the Valve Inspection/Major Service Interval and it would probably cost $600 by a dealership.

[VisabilityIsEverything]

Hey check out my other post, http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,57585.0.html

Thanks for the mention, that is the only thing about my VFR that needs to be done.

The bike comes with,

Factory bags a little scratched up, decent plastics, corbin seat, mirror extenders, remus slip on exhaust (badA$$ looking and sounding) , clip on risers, 70% tires, and some other stuff, still have stock exhaust and seat, still have handles ext.... got plenty of pictures if interested!

Also selling with for a little extra or make a deal with me,

Shark RSR2 helmet hardly used 200 obo
alpinestar 1 piece leather 250 obo
2x tourmaster heated jacket 100 obo
held phantom gauntlet race gloves paid 260 asking 150 obo (Awesome shape just barely broken in)
held winter gloves, very thick worn once Paid 110 asking 70 obo
shift textile rain suit with armor, asking 150obo all black

[wlselph]

I saw the bike yesterday. Unfortunately, it was in a crowded, dimly lit garage and we didn't have time to drag it out. Here are the details:

-Purchased from a Honda dealer in Michigan in 2007. Had 6500 miles on it. Now has 6550.
-Had the bike for about 3 weeks and only rode around the neighborhood to get a feel for it. He didn't have a motorcycle license or any riding experience. (Great first bike, huh. Can you say Motorcycle Safety Course?)
-First trip out in the real world of traffic, a guy pulls out in front of him. Lays the bike down on the left side. Cowlings are pretty scratched up.
-He rode the bike home and put it in his uncle's garage. The wreck scared the hell out him. That's where it has been for the last 3 years. His uncle has ridden it around about 4 times. The last time was 6 months ago.

I looked it over as carefully as I could. The bar end is scratched, both upper and lower cowlings and a few other plastic parts are scratched badly. The tank was not scratched. Everything else looked to be OK. It would not start, just turned over. Who knows whats going on there.

My thought is to trailer the bike to my own garage. Drain the tank, clean it up and see how it looks. Get it running and check it out. At that point, I may offer him $1500 for it since I will spend a minimum of $1000.00 to $1500.00 to get it in good shape. If he doesn't go for that, he gets his bike back cleaned up and running so he can sell it to the next guy. All I have invested is a little time. What do you guys think about that idea?

I have a DL1000 for my daily rider so this might give me a sportier bike to play around with.

[touring03]

I say go for it, sounds like you're looking for a "project bike" and with a little work the VFR could make a great second bike.  I bought mine new in 2002 complete with the touring luggage.  The only changes I've made to mine is a Corbin seat, my major valve check was clean, everything in spec, Honda issued a recall here in Canada in 2008 to check the electrical systems, I ended up with two new wire harnesses installed, courtesy of Honda.  I've replaced the stator, RR and battery in 09.  As the Honda suspension started to fail I replaced everything with Ohlins and I run Pirelli tires.

I've got a VFR with no damage on it, 51,000 miles and no....it's not for sale.

Now my new 09 Concours...the jury's still out on that one.

PG.  

[wlselph]

Well, here it is. Project VFR.

I cleaned the bike up to see if there was any more hidden damage. I haven't found anything except the plastic, a mirror and the clutch handle. Everything else appears to be OK. Wow, is Honda proud of that plastic.

I also cleaned the gas tank out very well. It had about a gallon of very old gas in it. Fuel pump appears to work and I have ordered a new fuel filter. Once I get that installed, I'll try to fire it up. Keep your fingers crossed.

More to come.

[Rogue]

Good for you.  

Since you have the bike up on stands, spin the F & R wheels and make sure they are not wobbling.  Check the fender for crash damage.  

Good luck and I hope it works out.