Buying A Used 6th Gen

Good day!

As my screen name shows, I'm a total n00b to the VFR world. I'm shopping around for a 6th gen [I want/need ABS], and I noticed something - there are a whole lot of 2002s on the market, at least on CraigsList.

Is this because they're 7+ years old, and their owners want a newer bike; the 1st year-model curse [I know about the recall work the earlier models need]; or something else that makes the 2002s worth dumping? There are some 02s at really, really low prices...

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

VN

No real curse on 02's. I'd assume that year sold the most (no big changes even to the present model) and is now the oldest; hence most available used. A stator recall is indicated by a punch mark after the VIN on the steering neck not the VIN sticker on the side frame spar.

Two other reasons for low prices: economy and winter. I, too, have seen some great prices. Good luck in your search.

[image: View Post]FotoMoto, on Oct 7 2009, 03:26 PM, said:

No real curse on 02's. I'd assume that year sold the most (no big changes even to the present model) and is now the oldest; hence most available used. A stator recall is indicated by a punch mark after the VIN on the steering neck not the VIN sticker on the side frame spar.

Two other reasons for low prices: economy and winter. I, too, have seen some great prices. Good luck in your search.

:+1:

I've had zero issues with mine and I've taken it on a few multi-thousand mile trips...but it is a 7 year old bike, so they are priced as such...

Good luck with your search! Post a picture on here once you've found her!

Welcome to the forum...

One thing to always remember.... There's a lot of people that think a mc has a short life span vs cars........ And they don't give cars much life either.....

There's a sale going on for cheaper off the showroom floor 07's....... All of the 5th/6th (sorry I haven't owned any 1st/4th ones) have fixes for any problems... and all the info is on this forum(with some research)...... Best thing would be to decide where your price range is ...... then see what's close.... and add in any fixes that might be needed.... whether they've been done, or something you'll have to do...

Welcome to VFRD! :)

[image: View Post]FotoMoto, on Oct 7 2009, 02:26 PM, said:

No real curse on 02's. I'd assume that year sold the most (no big changes even to the present model) and is now the oldest; hence most available used.
+1. I'd guess as the years progressed on the 6th gen. model, fewer were sold each year (maybe with the exception of the '07 RWB anniversary edition) so there are probably more '02s around than more recent vintages.

If the recalls have been performed and the bike is in good shape (with clean title) I'd say you have no worries. VFRs are just about bullet-proof, very reliable and will run forever. 38k mi. on my '04 so far and not one major issue yet! :fing02:

.....and PM me when you want to change you username......


Don't want to be nOOb forever now, doya? ;)

Honda doesnt really suffer from the first year blues.

[image: View Post]veefer800canuck, on Oct 7 2009, 12:12 PM, said:

.....and PM me when you want to change you username......


Don't want to be nOOb forever now, doya? ;)LOL - nope.

Thanks for the input...I've read [here?] that 06+ models might have upgraded wiring harnesses; but this might be a non-issue if the r/r warranty work is performed.

I want a RWB, but the pricing of some of the 02s out there - in the mid/high $3k range - fits my budget better. So, I'll keep kicking tires.

I'll be sure to introduce myself - and my bike - ASAP!

VN

To be honest, if you hit within, the first 2,000, 6th gens, they have less problems. After that, it seems they cheapened up a bit.

[image: View Post]VifferNoob, on Oct 7 2009, 04:15 PM, said:

[image: View Post]veefer800canuck, on Oct 7 2009, 12:12 PM, said:

.....and PM me when you want to change you username......


Don't want to be nOOb forever now, doya? ;)LOL - nope.

Thanks for the input...I've read [here?] that 06+ models might have upgraded wiring harnesses; but this might be a non-issue if the r/r warranty work is performed.

I want a RWB, but the pricing of some of the 02s out there - in the mid/high $3k range - fits my budget better. So, I'll keep kicking tires.

I'll be sure to introduce myself - and my bike - ASAP!

VN

What part of the country are you in that you are seeing them in the mid $3k range? I am in the market too and would jump on one at that price. I had a 5th gen and sold it (like a dumbass) - and bought a dual sport. My wife knows I miss it and has been on me to get another one - and keep the dual sport...gotta love her...

So just curious..most 02s around here are $4200+ still not bad, but I am in sales....always looking for a deal...haha.

My local dealer has RWB 07 on the floor and I pop in from time to time to see if he is ready to dump it, but he is holding on strong...oh well.
Good luck finding yours and post pics when you get it.
Rob

yeah, pretty much at least half the VFRs on ebay seem to be 02's. I had the same thoughts, but didn't think that the 02's had any more problems than the rest of that gen.

Quote

What part of the country are you in that you are seeing them in the mid $3k range? I am in the market too and would jump on one at that price. I had a 5th gen and sold it (like a dumbass) - and bought a dual sport. My wife knows I miss it and has been on me to get another one - and keep the dual sport...gotta love her...

So just curious..most 02s around here are $4200+ still not bad, but I am in sales....always looking for a deal...haha.

My local dealer has RWB 07 on the floor and I pop in from time to time to see if he is ready to dump it, but he is holding on strong...oh well.
Good luck finding yours and post pics when you get it.
Rob
Try Colo Springs/Denver Craigslist - apparently desperate seller of an '02 w/abs for $3600. There's another in Vegas for $3800.

My 02 had 66k on it when I had a problem with it.... LOL. (Inside joke man... for those who have been around a while)

Kevin

I have an '02 and there *are* some problems with these (and indeed, up to about 2006). Mainly, there are widely reported issues with the fuelling which can cause strange hesitation/flat spots/surging (pick the word which describes the feeling best), which is cured by stopping the bike, turning off the ignition with the key and starting up again.

The most recent models have a new ECU which is taken from the CBR1000RR, along with the same injectors. The added power of the new ECU has allowed for smoother transitions into and out of VTEC and they have reprogrammed the VTEC engagement point down to 6,600 rpm, and it will hold VTEC down to 6,100rpm when decelerating. The original bike transitioned into VTEC at 7,000rpm and held VTEC until 6,800rpm when decelerating. To be honest, this is probably my major gripe with my bike, because when at wide open throttle she really needs all 4 valves closer to 6,000rpm than 7,000rpm. You can feel how it makes the power delivery less linear - although the feeling of the "burst" at 7,000rpm is very addictive, much like an old 2-stroke motor hitting powerband.

Oh, and the bikes with the new ECU get slightly better economy too (at least when cruising!). I think 2007 was when they brought in the new ECU but I'd need someone with one of the newer bikes to confirm this.

[image: View Post]kaldek, on Oct 15 2009, 11:33 AM, said:

I have an '02 and there *are* some problems with these (and indeed, up to about 2006). Mainly, there are widely reported issues with the fuelling which can cause strange hesitation/flat spots/surging (pick the word which describes the feeling best), which is cured by stopping the bike, turning off the ignition with the key and starting up again.

The most recent models have a new ECU which is taken from the CBR1000RR, along with the same injectors. The added power of the new ECU has allowed for smoother transitions into and out of VTEC and they have reprogrammed the VTEC engagement point down to 6,600 rpm, and it will hold VTEC down to 6,100rpm when decelerating. The original bike transitioned into VTEC at 7,000rpm and held VTEC until 6,800rpm when decelerating. To be honest, this is probably my major gripe with my bike, because when at wide open throttle she really needs all 4 valves closer to 6,000rpm than 7,000rpm. You can feel how it makes the power delivery less linear - although the feeling of the "burst" at 7,000rpm is very addictive, much like an old 2-stroke motor hitting powerband.

Oh, and the bikes with the new ECU get slightly better economy too (at least when cruising!). I think 2007 was when they brought in the new ECU but I'd need someone with one of the newer bikes to confirm this.

I think its from 2006 with the A6 model that these changes came into being. I have just moved from a 2002 to a 2007 A6 model and it really is an improvement over my former bike. You can tell the newer bikes by the clear indicator lens and plain alloy cluch and brake resovoirs and the white backed dial rev counter.

[image: View Post]Bottler, on Oct 15 2009, 12:23 PM, said:

[image: View Post]kaldek, on Oct 15 2009, 11:33 AM, said:

I have an '02 and there *are* some problems with these (and indeed, up to about 2006). Mainly, there are widely reported issues with the fuelling which can cause strange hesitation/flat spots/surging (pick the word which describes the feeling best), which is cured by stopping the bike, turning off the ignition with the key and starting up again.

The most recent models have a new ECU which is taken from the CBR1000RR, along with the same injectors. The added power of the new ECU has allowed for smoother transitions into and out of VTEC and they have reprogrammed the VTEC engagement point down to 6,600 rpm, and it will hold VTEC down to 6,100rpm when decelerating. The original bike transitioned into VTEC at 7,000rpm and held VTEC until 6,800rpm when decelerating. To be honest, this is probably my major gripe with my bike, because when at wide open throttle she really needs all 4 valves closer to 6,000rpm than 7,000rpm. You can feel how it makes the power delivery less linear - although the feeling of the "burst" at 7,000rpm is very addictive, much like an old 2-stroke motor hitting powerband.

Oh, and the bikes with the new ECU get slightly better economy too (at least when cruising!). I think 2007 was when they brought in the new ECU but I'd need someone with one of the newer bikes to confirm this.

I think its from 2006 with the A6 model that these changes came into being. I have just moved from a 2002 to a 2007 A6 model and it really is an improvement over my former bike. You can tell the newer bikes by the clear indicator lens and plain alloy cluch and brake resovoirs and the white backed dial rev counter.

Not sure about an ECU from a CBR... :blink: ....

But yes, 2006 was the year they lowered the VTEC engage point from 6800 to 6400 RPM.

[image: View Post]kaldek, on Oct 15 2009, 06:33 AM, said:

To be honest, this is probably my major gripe with my bike, because when at wide open throttle she really needs all 4 valves closer to 6,000rpm than 7,000rpm. You can feel how it makes the power delivery less linear - although the feeling of the "burst" at 7,000rpm is very addictive, much like an old 2-stroke motor hitting powerband.
I respectfully disagree with you the 6k vs. 7k engagement point. I tend to run some freeway miles, and prefer to lope along at non-VTEC rpms up to an indicated 90 mph, partly for (supposed) better fuel economy. If I need additional power for a quick pass it's only a downshift away. In the twisties, I'll go back and forth, sometimes keeping the revs over 7k for stretches, and sometimes rarely keeping it over 7k for more than a corner or two at a time.

I do agree about the 'burst' tho. It's a fun kick in the pants, tho I feel it less now with the PCIII installed. My bike's VTEC transitions are very smooth now. :fing02:

Having owned an 02 for about 4 years, my only gripe has been the VTEC transition point being a bit notchy at times. Over time I've learned to live with it. Otherwise, this bike has been very reliable and a pleasure to own and ride.
If budget is an issue for you, I would advise to buy an 02 and not worry too much about VTEC. It is really not that big of a deal. The reason it is talked about so much is because there is not much else there to complain about. And we gotta complain about something :rolleyes: