hi all

do you really think the bike is vastly overpriced? from parkers the price is ~ 2800 for this 'vintage' but they assume a much higher mileage. my local dealer is asking 4000 for a 2000 model with 32000 on it

No I don't think it is "over priced" as such just that you could buy as good a bike for less. Milage is just not an issue, consumables and being well maintained are.

To give you a few examples

Blue one 29K 2500

Silver one with new suspension 30K £2250

Red one with reconditioned suspension and a lot of extras 40K £2100

Bear in mind these are all asking prices and you could probably get a couple of hundred quid off each of them.

Something else to consider, is this the right time to buy a VFR?

VFRs are mostly bought by people who have VFR's, thats been the case since the early 750, people buy them to upgrade. Well that wass until the Vtec came along, that really did split the VFR community and many kept their older bikes. I still ride a 98, I couldn't justify the Vtec when I test rode it 3 years ago.

But Honda have just released the 06 Vtec. It is more than just a cosmetic upgrade the Vtec transition is reputed to be spot on, even Honda are really excited about it this year.

The 06 has just (last week) become available for test rides, those nice chaps at the VFR club (plug again) arranged for one to be released for the day and took it, together with a standard 05 bike and they got them both dynod. Full results have yet to be written but the headline news was that as well as the power curve being smooth through the vtec transiotion the new bike also generated an extra 10 bhp.

I predict that as VFR owners try the new bike sales of it will be much bigger than the previous models and mostly to existing owners. Watch for significant numbers of VFR's to be on the market this summer and pressure on prices will mean that a couple of months may well be a better time to buy.

I have yet to try the 06 Vtec by the way, I am scared to do so, I may well like it.

thanks Patch, the only problem is i am always a bit wary of buying privately off people i don't know as you have absolutely no recourse if it blows up except civil action and i have neither the time nor money :)

i think i'll try and get the one off my mate for a bit less than the asking price, maybe 2750 giving a bit of lee-way for maintenance if anything needs doing

i suppose so.. yes

i don't think my budget could stretch to a VTEC anyway - as much as i'd like one i think they start at about 4500 2nd hand for the early ones and that is now. by the time summer is here the older model prices will probably still be the same accounting for summer demand and if as you say more people upgrade to the new one...

plus i'd want to change the cans which would add another 5-600 quid on top.. :(

i'd probably want to keep the bike for only a year or two before upgrading - as i only think i'll be doing about 3000 miles this year it would make reasonable financial sense to buy this pristine older one , look after it, and then if the 06 model is as good as they say, trade up next year or the year after to a second hand 06 model and not lose too much money!

i try to avoid "new bike syndrome" as i am not good enough yet to appreciate the full power of my SV let alone a VFR :D plus i'd be less scared of dropping an older bike :D

the main reasons i want a VFR

a) the v4 and associated noise :D (one of he main reasons i love biking.. i love mechanical things and V engines in particular and a motorbike is the cheapest way to get that spine tingling feeling when you overrun with race cans on.. :D )

b) the reliability and build quality of this bike is renowned as being second to none

c) motorway comfort and pillion capability.. the mrs hates the seat on the SV, and even though she is going to have mine when i upgrade, we are planning on touring europe next year so will want something built for the job (corbin might be an option)

if that makes sense?!

Make sure it comes with the pillion grab handles, these are frequently "lost" and they fetch a premium even on ebay. If they are missing its another negotiation point.

Finally the real weakpoint on the 98 and 99 VFR is the exhaust collector. It is made of mild steel and rots really quickly if the bike has ever seen wet or salty roads, normally where you can't wash it easily undre the fairings, where also its hard to check. A replacement collector will cost in the region of £380 in mild steel from preditor more from mister Honda but fitting will cost upwards of 150 quid as it is a balls ache of a job.

If you can get right under the front and check the condition of the engine studs they will be a good indicator of the use its seen

can you get a stainless one?

Sorry my mistake the preditor one are stainless. it was late.