As a newbie, I am perplexed with the conundrum of buying a VFR. should I get a really nice looking VFR 500 in the 1985-1989 age rage for $1600 or less, or should I shell out more money for a bike that might go down in value. Does the resale price value stop at a certain point say $1000 and not go down further? thanks jp_in_vt
There has never been a VFR 500 in the U.S. The VF-500F was produced from 1984 to 1986...no 500's in 87-89...the CBR-600 Hurricane replaced it in 1987. The VF-500F Interceptor is a super bike...in fact, the 1986 version was my first bike. (just clarifying this to make sure you don't go after a false advertisement)
If you can find a VF-500F in good condition for a decent price, grab it! It's a great first bike. Don't worry about resale value. I rode mine for several years, even after I became an "experienced" rider.
If you can't find a good VF-500F, the various incarnations of the Kawasaki EX-500, and Suzuki GSX-500, and SV-650 are great bikes. I don't think the modern 100hp+ 600 Supersport bikes are good bikes for newbies, but that's just my humble opinion.
Once you've got several miles under your belt, find yourself a good VFR-750 or VFR-800 and live it up! :thumbsup:
jp_in_vt, Apr 16 2005, 12:59 AMAs a newbie, I am perplexed with the conundrum of buying a VFR. should I get a really nice looking VFR 500 in the 1985-1989 age rage for $1600 or less, or should I shell out more money for a bike that might go down in value. Does the resale price value stop at a certain point say $1000 and not go down further? thanks jp_in_vt
As TBZEP recommends, get the baby-ceptor. I also had one as my first ride and I wouldn't have wanted a bigger one to start. The 750 or 800 cc Interceptor would have been just too much bike for me to handle as a newbie. Take the basic training course and the VF500F has about 68 ponies and is still forgiving for those newbie leesons that you are going to have. The Papa-Interceptor has in the high 90's.
Regarding a good first bike and re-sale I have a few similar comments.
In the past I have bought a few bikes in the 1200 - 2200 range and they always re-sell a few years later with no loss. In fact, keep it clean and you may make a couple hundred.
If you have some dirt bike riding experience consider skipping a small starter bike and move into a bigger cc bargain: Bandit 1200 ($3500), VFR750 (not cheap), FZ600, Honda 600 F2/3.
Maybe its just me but I usually talk newbies into buying a dual purpose bike. Suzuki DR350's are my favorite choice. You can drop it, wreck it, keep up with most on the backroads and even do some hardcore trail riding. You can get em real cheap and sell them for more that you purchased if you are patient.
I even did some touring on a DRZ400 with a change of gearing!
Munky, Apr 18 2005, 10:07 PMMaybe its just me but I usually talk newbies into buying a dual purpose bike. Suzuki DR350's are my favorite choice. You can drop it, wreck it, keep up with most on the backroads and even do some hardcore trail riding. You can get em real cheap and sell them for more that you purchased if you are patient.
I even did some touring on a DRZ400 with a change of gearing!
cya ian
Agreed, for all the reasons stated - you will drop it and its best to do it without a faring!
I dropped my first bike (DR250) through stupid squidly mistakes as well as - going to get some milk from the deli and forgetting to put the side stand down, while doing my learners lesson putting the front brake on while doing a sharp turn while there was gravel on the road (most embarressing moment) amoung others.
Each of these would have cost me several hundred dollars with something that had a fairing if not more. I just picked up the old Dr, straightened up the handle bars (again) and off I went.
It was still saleable when I finished, in fact I sold ot to my bro who still has it (its done 85,000km now!!!)
Oh and the VF serise bikes had probs with the cams and chain. I'd stay away from them.
Greg
End of thread · 7 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 6 May 2005