When people ask "what to look for" we do not know where your are starting from mentally. Have you been away too long and can't remember much or maybe today you fix all of your vehicles and inspection is easy for you, and you want to know only about special problems on these particular bikes. With that in mind I'll just do my current brain dump and you can pick and choose :)
No maintenance records is a bad sign. Do they have a good excuse? "I did everything myself and it is perfect." After you get the story then you yield to your inspection. Not only should the charging system be to spec and fluids crystal clear, but go one level deeper and look for prior signs of neglect. The master cylinder, is it stained dark below the fluid line? Any crystallization in there? If yes then you know the prior fluid sat too long. There is a good chance the same hardened fluid that stained the cylinder is still in the caliper. Put it on the center stand. Do you get a couple spins of the wheel (check the spec I think 2 spins but unsure) Or is the brake binding? There is your confirmation. Add to the list a caliper rebuild, clean/inspect pistons and seals, wipe the cylinders clean, flush & purge. Start the negotiation at a figure that subtracts double your time/cash for this stuff, especially on the bike with no records. Because if you find one item, there will be more to address once you get in there.
Then there is a valve check. Did the vigilent Honda guy inspect and check the valves? If yes, this is an expensive inspection, and more expensive if they required adjustment (all day labor.) So I would weigh that heavily. He has all receipts and the valve adjustment? Probably a meticulous owner, because a lot of people never inspect the valves.
The bags are nice but the 2004 is expensive. If you think you might want bags now or in the future, I might inspect the bike with bags first. If the inspection passes, get the guy's lowest price. Whatever it is tell him the price is high and you appreciate his time, but you need to check out another bike first.
I am torn on the 2nd bike to look at. Is there a color difference or other preference you may have? If the 2002 has records on everything, that is a great reference to have moving forward. On the other hand, the 2003 has lots of miles, meaning it has probably been maintained because the guy was riding it. So if the inspection comes out perfect, then the maintenance records on the 2002 are not as big a deal. Then you go, Yellow vs. Red and pick your preference?
Now as far as inspection, again I do not know where you are coming from. Look at what this guy wrote up recently to help us all out:
http://www.vfrdiscus...in-your-pocket/
Test the engine at 5% throttle (barely open) around 3500-4000, just when the butterfly opens. Does it kick and buck? Needs starter valves synched. Not a huge deal, but a negotiable item and maintenance item they ignored.
I think these years had a harness recall which you expect all of them to have done. You can ask for VINs in advance and check all 3 out at once with the dealer. Knowing if there is a recall and if it was done will give you a strategic advantage before even meeting the owner.
This 6th gen bike has VTEC which is overly complex and adds no power. Also the 5th gen has the gear driven cam which has that supercharger-like whine that I suspect your old one had? With this in mind, have you considered the '98-'00 5th gen model instead of these?
All of the bikes are old enough where the connections are corroded, heating up, and maybe causing micro-sparks across the contacts. Once you pick up a bike I suggest you pull apart all electrical connections, ground terminal blocks, and non-sealed switches. Inspect them, and replace anything that is black or partially melted. Spray the connections with contact cleaner, and brush significant corrosion off. Now you are ready to go 10 more years without getting stranded because some ground contacts have been on the fritz for years.