Is there a VIN tag anywhere else on the frame, like near the headstock tube ?
No VIN tag, but the s/n is stamped onto the headstock and on rear of the engine just ahead of the shock.
The 1998-2001 service manual shows this Page 1-3, and much more useful information as well. Peruse the Downloads section of this very forum and you will find a pdf version freely available. In the meantime:
My concern is the frame was swapped at some point and the sticker reapplied from the original.
Lorne, your photo lines up with all the others I've seen on the internet. The top of that sticker is always lined up with the "crease" in the frame. The one in the picture I posted looks fishy.
After searching craigslist for an hour, I managed to find another 2001 in a different state (VA) that has the sticker in the "high position".
I wonder if it's a production variance ? I haven't seen this with any other year. And I've found other 2001's that look just like Lorne's '98. Very strange.
Also during my search effort, I found a 2001 with only 14k miles for about the same price as the local bike with 40k miles and dodgy sticker. It looks really mint, but not a lot of upgrades besides a slip on pipe. Only catch is it's about 1500 miles away. Decisions decisions...
Looks like the way my ‘99 came. Small crash pushed the edge of the fairing into the sticker and tore it a little. Eventually I peeled it off and it’s on my toolbox.
I've been burned before on vehicles, so I'm pretty skittish. A deal that doesn't feel right, usually isn't. I guess it would depend on how much patience I had and how many I was seeing on the market.
Well I'm bummed out. I decided I would fly out this weekend and buy that mint one with 14k miles but the ad got deleted. Guess it was sold. Not surprising, it was a steal for $2000. There is another like new, low mileage, 2001 at a dealer in California but they're asking twice as much, plus I'd have to pay sales tax + bs dealer fees. And there is a guy in Wyoming with a 98 with only 6000 miles but he wants $6000. More than I can justify.
Maybe I'll sit tight until the weather gets colder. It's going to be hard to bite on something when I missed such a good deal. 😞
With bikes like these, the mileage may not be as important as the service history. Tires and fluid changes will cost the same regardless of mileage. Ask questions and be sure you trust the seller if you are going to fly and ride.
Well I'm bummed out. I decided I would fly out this weekend and buy that mint one with 14k miles but the ad got deleted. Guess it was sold. Not surprising, it was a steal for $2000. There is another like new, low mileage, 2001 at a dealer in California but they're asking twice as much, plus I'd have to pay sales tax + bs dealer fees. And there is a guy in Wyoming with a 98 with only 6000 miles but he wants $6000. More than I can justify.
Maybe I'll sit tight until the weather gets colder. It's going to be hard to bite on something when I missed such a good deal. 😞
Yeah, 6k seems really high for a 21 year old bike, even with low miles. I know the market for used sportbikes is pretty soft. Less people riding nowadays compared with 20 years ago.
It might be worth posting your criteria... 5th gen I assume, but what else? Clean title? Mileage?
Yes, I definitely want 5th generation.
Clean title for sure. Mileage, I'm open. Although I'd have a better feeling about one that doesn't have a ton of miles. And It seems like bikes with lower miles usually have better cosmetics. I'd prefer red to yellow. (Only because my Aprilia was yellow so I want a change of pace) They didn't import any silver 5th gens into the US, correct ?
Thanks for the lead. I noticed that one earlier today. Looks pretty good in the picture. It's about 100 miles north of Seattle. I wonder if the seller would pick me up at the airport ? I'll think about it.
I know this is the 5th generation board, but what's the deal with the 8th generation bikes ? I've seen a few used 2014s for cheap (not a lot more than some ask for 5th gens) and a dealer in Dallas Texas is selling brand new leftover 2014 VFR 800s for 6.4k. The cycle trader ad says he's got 9 of them. Seems insanely cheap for a new VFR 800 with warranty. But if it seems to good to be true... makes me wonder why there were so many left over.
For one thing, new bikes aren't selling well, plain and simple. Part of the trouble is that you can reasonably find a 20 year old machine with 20 thousand miles on it that needs a little minor tlc to be in near perfect condition.
The 8th gen is a great machine in that they corrected a lot of the little annoyances... We could all wish they had never gone to chain drive cams, and you may prefer another generation cosmetically (I prefer my 6th in that respect) but they really dialed it in. The trouble is that they didn't really break any new ground. They're competing directly with a bike they made in the 90s. Not a good move if you want to move units out the door.
End of thread · 20 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 15 Sep 2019
