I am looking at a 98 with a few mods, guy selling it has been very honest and one of the issues of the lowside that he mentioned was a ding in the frame right below the gas tank.
I know its something to consider, but how many of you would just walk away and not even consider purchasing.
If you are looking for opinons, I personally would not buy it. I wouldn't care too much about damage on any other part of the bike but, frame damage is something I won't mess with no matter how minor it is.
It looks to me like the dent is right at the point where the extruded frame is welded to the cast part of the frame, not a good spot for damage. It also looks like he is trying to hide something with that Arai sticker. For $4500 you shouldn't have a problem finding a 5th gen without that kind of damage. If you have your heart set on this bike I would find out from someone who can repair this kind of damage exactly what it would cost and have him adjust his price accordingly. He is asking too much for a bike with frame damage.
rjstaaf, Aug 20 2006, 11:18 AM If you are looking for opinons, I personally would not buy it. I wouldn't care too much about damage on any other part of the bike but, frame damage is something I won't mess with no matter how minor it is.
Yes I am looking for opinions, thanks for yours. Like most things in life, sometimes its just to good to be true.
Flash and Flare
Yes that is were the damage is, he said the previous owner put some "aluminum patch on it" I think it looks like JB weld..........he then put a Arai sticker over it to hide the patch. He stated that he owned the bike for 4yrs now and it has been that way since he bought it. Seller has been VERY honest with me. I do not think he is trying to rip anyone off.
Not a crazy question but remember advice is usually worth what you pay for it smile.gif
When I was looking for my 5th Gen VFR800 two years ago I found them to be plentiful in the want ads with many pristine examples with low mileage so I walked away from those with crash damage since I couldn't be bothered with taking the risk or fixing them. Having said that, if they are in plentiful supply you can decide how much risk you want to assume and factor that into your offer.
If you decide to go ahead and purchase the bike make sure you can test rider it and check for odd handling. Also you can check the frame for straightness. There is a simple proceedure availale on www.motorcycle.com under "nuts and bolts", "Chasis alignment basics".
Remember, if you are asking this question then any potential buyers may have the same reluctance as you when you decide to sell it later. Something to consider when you make your offer.
Flash and Flare, Aug 20 2006, 12:25 PM Yes I am looking for opinions, thanks for yours. Like most things in life, sometimes its just to good to be true. Flash and Flare
Yes that is were the damage is, he said the previous owner put some "aluminum patch on it" I think it looks like JB weld..........he then put a Arai sticker over it to hide the patch. He stated that he owned the bike for 4yrs now and it has been that way since he bought it. Seller has been VERY honest with me. I do not think he is trying to rip anyone off.
Flash and Flare
I wouldn't put too much stock in the 4 years of riding claim. If all he did was ride it to school or work he likely never put enough stress on the frame for anything to happen. Would you trust the bike on your favorite set of twisties? I sure wouldn't...
BackStreet, Aug 20 2006, 11:30 AM Frame damage is supposed to be "fatal" for the frame. To buy and swap a frame is so much work - unless you can do-it-yourself the cost is prohibitive.
The prices seems high with frame damage. He does have alot of extras.
To just ride on the street? I might risk it if that's all I could afford.
Its not all I can afford, but its a limit I set for myself cause I have a brand new $10,000 sled coming in a few months. This being sorta my first bike in 12-15yrs I really didn't wanna spend alot.
Thanks for all the honest replies. I had a fellow buddy telling me same thing.
What should a 98/99 with 8-15k miles sell for ? Guy very close to me has a 99 for sale Here is the details from the add
1999 HONDA VFR800, One owner, Excellent condition, only 12434 miles. Meticulously maintained and cared for. Garage kept, never dropped or damaged. 2 (almost) new tires, Y2K mirrors, Genmar handle bar risers, Throttlemeister cruise control, Magnite magnetic tank protector. Rest of bike is stock.
Flash and Flare, Aug 20 2006, 04:35 PM Its not all I can afford, but its a limit I set for myself cause I have a brand new $10,000 sled coming in a few months. This being sorta my first bike in 12-15yrs I really didn't wanna spend alot.
Thanks for all the honest replies. I had a fellow buddy telling me same thing.
What should a 98/99 with 8-15k miles sell for ? Guy very close to me has a 99 for sale Here is the details from the add
1999 HONDA VFR800, One owner, Excellent condition, only 12434 miles. Meticulously maintained and cared for. Garage kept, never dropped or damaged. 2 (almost) new tires, Y2K mirrors, Genmar handle bar risers, Throttlemeister cruise control, Magnite magnetic tank protector. Rest of bike is stock.
Thanks everyone Flash and Flare
Here is a frame to give you something to do this winter:
Flash and Flare, Aug 20 2006, 12:35 PM Its not all I can afford, but its a limit I set for myself cause I have a brand new $10,000 sled coming in a few months. This being sorta my first bike in 12-15yrs I really didn't wanna spend alot.
Thanks for all the honest replies. I had a fellow buddy telling me same thing.
What should a 98/99 with 8-15k miles sell for ? Guy very close to me has a 99 for sale Here is the details from the add
1999 HONDA VFR800, One owner, Excellent condition, only 12434 miles. Meticulously maintained and cared for. Garage kept, never dropped or damaged. 2 (almost) new tires, Y2K mirrors, Genmar handle bar risers, Throttlemeister cruise control, Magnite magnetic tank protector. Rest of bike is stock.
Thanks everyone Flash and Flare
Kelly Blue book does pricing on motorcycles as well...
For a 1999 with 12K miles the retail price is $5080. That is retail, I would offer him $4500...
Did KBB as well as NADA but there is such a swing in price.........who do you believe. There are times when supply and demand play into the mix vs what the internet sites say. Like with VW diesels right now. HUGE demand...........getting way over retail for new and many thousands more than any KBB quote for used
Flash and Flare, Aug 20 2006, 01:02 PM Did KBB as well as NADA but there is such a swing in price.........who do you believe. There are times when supply and demand play into the mix vs what the internet sites say. Like with VW diesels right now. HUGE demand...........getting way over retail for new and many thousands more than any KBB quote for used
I would error on the low side. Given that it is August afer all. I am not sure where you are located but in many areas prices are high in the sping and drop in the fall (September to October) where riding is a seasonal activity.
Again look around I think there should be plenty of VFRs available
joneill, Aug 20 2006, 12:18 PM I am not sure where you are located but in many areas prices are high in the sping and drop in the fall (September to October) Again look around I think there should be plenty of VFRs available
I am from a very small rural town in Central Wisconsin. Population of 1504 I believe.
Flash and Flare, Aug 20 2006, 01:22 PM I am from a very small rural town in Central Wisconsin. Population of 1504 I believe.
Flash and Flare
Why limit yourself to the local market? I drove 600 miles round trip for my VFR. I paid $19.00 for the Uhaul trailer, took the wife and kids, stayed at a nice hotel near the owner and made a nice weekend of it. Look at Craig's List, Cycle Trader and Ebay there is no reason to pay retail or higher...
rjstaaf, Aug 20 2006, 12:26 PM Why limit yourself to the local market? I drove 600 miles round trip for my VFR. I paid $19.00 for the Uhaul trailer, took the wife and kids, stayed at a nice hotel near the owner and made a nice weekend of it. Look at Craig's List, Cycle Trader and Ebay there is no reason to pay retail or higher...
I have a single place aluminum trailer and I have a diesel VW that gets almost 40mpg towing my sled. So its not a real issue. My main concern is time and conviences thats all. I have no problem driving (I should have worked for my family transit company (Roehl Trucking) vs. being a skilled welder) I was just looking in the midwest for mear convience.
If were just talking about a cosmetic dent in the frame, not a problem other than the price should be $1000 less than the same bike/options without frame damage/dent! If he had Ins. on it when he or whoever dropped, they already got a check for $1200-1500 just to replace the frame, plus whatever other damage it had. He's asking too much for one with a dent in the frame IMO, I would offer $3500 cash if it has a good title and go from there! I have a 5th gen frame if you need one! fing02.gif
baileyrock, Aug 20 2006, 01:34 PM If were just talking about a cosmetic dent in the frame, not a problem other than the price should be $1000 less than the same bike/options without frame damage/dent! If he had Ins. on it when he or whoever dropped, they already got a check for $1200-1500 just to replace the frame, plus whatever other damage it had. He's asking too much for one with a dent in the frame IMO, I would offer $3500 cash if it has a good title and go from there! I have a 5th gen frame if you need one! fing02.gif
So far your the only one that has said anything remotely close to "yes purchase it" I have a good pic of the frame damage but I can't post it. When I try to post it says "not allowed to post files with that extension" its a .jpg
Flash and Flare, Aug 20 2006, 01:41 PM So far your the only one that has said anything remotely close to "yes purchase it" I have a good pic of the frame damage but I can't post it. When I try to post it says "not allowed to post files with that extension" its a .jpg
Flash and Flare
Use something like Photobucket.com to host your pics, then you can just use their Img. id to post here. I've built 50 crashed bikes or more so I have some insite here and have put close to 40k miles on my 02 vfr that was killed. Fear of the unknown is what scares most people in this area, you can PM me about any questions on this or any other bike, or email me. beer.gif
I'd walk away. $4500 is SOP for a well maintained 98ish VFR. If I am not mistaken, the sticker on the frame is in the same spot as the factory VIN decal. If I am correct, I'm not saying it's a bogus frame, it's just something that I would consider.
Flash and Flare, Aug 20 2006, 09:03 AM I am looking at a 98 with a few mods, guy selling it has been very honest and one of the issues of the lowside that he mentioned was a ding in the frame right below the gas tank.
I know its something to consider, but how many of you would just walk away and not even consider purchasing.
I would walk. There are plenty of many bikes out there that don't have damage.
+1 on what most everybody else is saying... forget this bike unless you plan on replacing the frame. It might ride fine and be straight...but if you got in a slight head-on, the frame will most likely buckle right there.
Offer $2500, many people Race bikes with dents in the frame that have no structural effect on them at all. If the frame is compromised then avoid it, but this thing has to be cheap!!!!!! fing02.gif
I've seen bikes parted out with less damage. I wouldn't consider it.
New frames are high because of the shady types stealing bikes, then buying legit frames on eBay and transferring everything over...then selling the frame for scrap after grinding the S/N and smashing with a sledge.
Thanks to all who left comments, I have decided to "pass" on the ohio bike. I found a bike in northern Chicago Suburbs with low miles and quite a few add ons for about same price. I will post some pics of the new toy, hopefully after next weekend. Flash and Flare
Micron carbon slip on K&N filter Tapered Head Bearings New Battery in June New Dunlop Qualifiers front and rear with 1000 miles on them. Lockhart Rear Stand Factory Honda Manual Cover Full RKA Luggage (Tank bag, saddle bags, top bag)
Should I be looking for a Power Commander III ? I would also like to pick up a used Sargent seat Flash and Flare
When looking for my bike I searched ebay and then cycle trader. The first one to come up on CycleTrader was the one that I bought. It was a mint condition Y2K yellow VFR800 with 6500 miles. I got it for just $4,200.00.
With the season winding down my advice to you would be to kiss this season off for riding and wait a couple of months when everyone starts dumping their used bikes in anticipation of buying a different one. I used to work in the MC industry and I can tell you that there are a ton of people who turn their bikes every year or two.
All of the options are nice but they can all be added later.
I don't know if this helps or not. I hope it does.
Leave it alone, walk away. Frame damage is serious damage. Would you buy a car for full market price that has been in an accident and is known to have frame damage?
I would buy it from him for $2000-$2500 max, then buy a frame off ebay that is not damaged and swap it all over myself, but I am an avid do it yourselfer that is willing to do stuff like that.
If your not saving some serious coin, by buying a damaged bike then whats the point. There are lots of mint 5th gen available for the price he wants.
jeremy556, Sep 2 2006, 10:02 PM Need some better close ups of the bike. I sold my silver 2002 Jetta 1.8t about 3 months after I got my VFR as it had not moved.
I will snap some more tomarrow, I bought that Jetta June 21st of 05 with 60k its now got 102,500. Thank god its a TDI.....gotta love 50mpg. After a few mods its now got more torque than most V8 gasser trucks on the road today.
F&F
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 2 Mar 2007
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