What to look for before purchase - 2007 RWB model

[bmatic007]

Hi everyone!

Returning member here. I had a 2007 VFR800 about 15 years ago, but I ended up selling the bike because I needed the money and have regretted selling that bike since. I found another 2007 VFR800 RWB with white wheels for sale and I am seriously thinking about pulling the trigger, but I haven't really kept up with the VFRs for a while so I am looking for any advice on what to look for and what questions to ask. I apologize if this topic has been discussed in the past.

 

Like I said, the bike is a 2007 VFR800 RWB color and while wheels, I was told the while wheels mean that it doesn't have ABS. The bike also comes with matching blue hard cases.

The bike has 11k miles which is low for an 18 year old bike so not sure if I should look at it as a negative. The owner has changed the oil and replace front/rear sprocket and chain and put new Michelin PR6 tires on it. The bike appears to be in good cosmetic shape. The bike has a PC5 and was Dyno tuned for low RPM lugging (? not sure what this is about).

 

What do you suggest I ask or specifically look for on this bike? Are there any weak points on this bike? 

 

Thank you all in advance for your response.

[VeeEffArah]

White wheels doesn't have anything to do with ABS or not. If the stock 5 spoke rear, it means someone painted or powder coated.

If it has the 8 spoke rear, you'll be getting about a $500+ upgrade circa 1990-93 VFR750.

For 2007, was either the RWB with the almost black wheels or the burgundy ( candy glory red ) with grey wheels.

 

Think I'd ask further about the tuning for "low RPM chugging".

Low miles is always good, but time sitting for a bike, car, whatever does more harm than good, IMO.

I'd also ask for more service history such as coolant changes along with brake and clutch fluid bleeds.

 

 

[bmatic007]

Thanks for that reply. The rear wheel is 5 spoke so probably painted. As far as the low RPM thing... he said that it just make the bike run better off a complete stop. 

 

Good question about the service history. I'll ask about that.

[bmatic007]

@VeeEffArah I see that you also have a 2013 FJR, I have the same bike and thinking of getting the VFR and selling the FJR. In your opinion, do you think that's a good move? I also have a 2021 Africa Twin Adventure Sports and can't really have 3 bikes so one has to go. 

[VeeEffArah]

PM inbound.

 

 

 

 

 

[afinepoint]

I own an 07 25th anniversary RWB.  I loved it and it currently has 43734 miles.  Just about all highway and back roads. Some track days but as we know the VFR with it's side radiators doesn't like being pushed.  Regular overheating and losing coolant on the track ended those track days.   Water wetter made no difference. 

 

I've done the standard maintenance wear items brakes, chain, plugs etc.  

 

The bike has set for several years which has been worse for it than all of the active years.  I have started and ran the engine regularly during that time but I would definitely be concerned there regarding the one you are looking at. 

 

I replaced the fuel pump and relay a week ago.  The fuel lever sender has also failed.  Again sitting is bad especially for the fuel system.  I'm sure the injectors could use a cleaning but it idles smoothly. 

 

Let's see things that broke on me early on me?  Nothing significant.  Other issues?  I did have to run down a ground fairly early on.  It turned out to be a bared wire near the triple tree.  Honda had pull the harness so tightly friction eventually cause insulation failure.  

 

I would ensure all brake and clutch lines have been flushed.  Or do it.  Ridden or not it needs doing.  Look closely for cracked(ing) lines, hoses, wire harnesses.  Anything rubber.  Check throttle snappy.  Place the bike on the center stand, start the engine and move the handlebars side to side.  The rpm's shouldn't change.  There is a serious issue if they do. 

 

Is the windscreen original?  If so and yellowing you will be replacing it soon.  There was only one (OEM) available in the country as of a week ago. 

 

I found the windscreen fairing threads to be a weak point.  

 

I've had to regularly replace those annoying fairing clips over the years.  They are $4.50/per.  

 

I don't know.  Just be "optimistically sceptical".   Good luck. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bmatic007]

Thank you @afinepoint. I appreciate your input.

 

It looks like it has an aftermarket windscreen. 

 

This is the ad:

heli bar risers

Sargent seat

SBK exhaust

new chain and sprockets

LED lights

cruise control

new pilot roads front and rear

New brakes

power commander 5 that was dyno tuned

[bmatic007]

Just some pictures of the bike.

[Captain 80s]

Jesus Christ.  That windshield could even keep this helmet out of the wind...

 

[VeeEffArah]

And seat cowl.... nice. Tank ring means a quick release bag at some time. Aftermarket levers too.

[Terry]

1 hour ago, Captain 80s said:

Jesus Christ.  That windshield could even keep this helmet out of the wind...

 

Replacement screens are about $30 on Aliexpress and good quality too. 

[TimC]

The bike looks good and those are some very nice (and usually desirable) modifications.  I agree with @afinepoint on the maintenance items.  If the seller has records, great, but if not -- and maybe even if they do -- replace the fluids anyway.

 

The ad says cruise control, but I think they meant throttle lock.

 

I don't think anyone has said it yet, but on 6th gens, ABS bikes had gold brake calipers, and standard brake bikes had dark grey/black calipers.  Of course, ABS bikes would also have a front wheel sensor, too.  So this bike has the standard brakes.  Don't let that be a deal-killer.  I'd wanted ABS when I was shopping for a VFR, but got a bike without it.  Thankfully, I never needed it to save me.  🙂

 

Please let us know how this turns out!

[Captain 80s]

Looks like it may have seen some gravel at some point, and the right cowl got replaced, but not the upper.  Stripes seem a bit off too.

 

 

Crankcase cover *may* show some damage too.  Wonder what the end of the brake pedal looks like.

[VeeEffArah]

Good eye Capt.  Was going to say look at that side saddlebag but if the side case is scratched, most likely the bad wasn't on it at the time of the drop.

Take a looksee at the brake pedal, bar end and even the passenger peg area for marks.  

If was ME, I'd see if the seller would allow to remove the small backside cover and check the condition if the posts on that part of the upper where the mirror mounts.

Just sayin'

[Captain 80s]

1 hour ago, VeeEffArah said:

Was going to say look at that side saddlebag but if the side case is scratched, most likely the bag wasn't on it at the time of the drop.

 

Could just be reflections on the top of the ridges on the crankcase cover, hard to tell from that pic.  Even if I download the pic to zoom in, it's not hi-res enough.

 

Fitment of the upper cowl to right cowl around the damage, especially near the leading edge and hardware, looks "off".

[bmatic007]

Good callouts and I also noticed that. The seller said that those might be scratches but will definitely investigate.

 

here is a close up of the brake lever and cover. Looks ok to me.

 

 

[Captain 80s]

7 minutes ago, bmatic007 said:

The seller said that those might be scratches

 

What a weird comment from a seller.  Either they are or not.

 

Is he brokering a deal or is it actually his?

[bmatic007]

5 hours ago, TimC said:

The bike looks good and those are some very nice (and usually desirable) modifications.  I agree with @afinepoint on the maintenance items.  If the seller has records, great, but if not -- and maybe even if they do -- replace the fluids anyway.

 

The ad says cruise control, but I think they meant throttle lock.

 

I don't think anyone has said it yet, but on 6th gens, ABS bikes had gold brake calipers, and standard brake bikes had dark grey/black calipers.  Of course, ABS bikes would also have a front wheel sensor, too.  So this bike has the standard brakes.  Don't let that be a deal-killer.  I'd wanted ABS when I was shopping for a VFR, but got a bike without it.  Thankfully, I never needed it to save me.  🙂

 

Please let us know how this turns out!

It's a throttle lock, I've confirmed that. 

 

I am supposed to go look at the bike tomorrow and purchase hopefully. The unfortunate thing is that it's 3.5 hours away so I hope everything checks out.

[bmatic007]

1 minute ago, Captain 80s said:

 

What a weird comment from a seller.  Either they are or not.

 

Is he brokering a deal or is it actually his?

Apologies. He said they are scratches. I should have re-read my post. He is not brokering a deal, it's his bike (title is in his name) that he is selling due to not being able to use it anymore.

[Captain 80s]

37 minutes ago, bmatic007 said:

The unfortunate thing is that it's 3.5 hours away so I hope everything checks out.

 

I always find it harder to have upper hand / bargaining power when I have driven a fair distance and show up with a trailer.  But I have walked before in those circumstances when they won't deal.

 

Good luck!!

[bmatic007]

If there is something glaring/obvious about the bike, I will definitely walk because it's not worth it at that point... as long as I can see the potential damage.

 

Someone mentioned to let the bike run on the center stand and move handlebar from side to side where the idle shouldn't change. If the idle does change... what would that indicate?

[vfrcapn]

Probably binding throttle cables with the taller helibars, it may happen if they didn't install longer cables or mis-routed them. Not a big deal to resolve.

 

 

[bmatic007]

Thank you all for the helpful posts.

 

one more question regarding the paint. What color is the base paint and what are decals on the RWB color scheme?

[bmatic007]

I ended up getting the bike! Yay for new bike day!!

 

There are some cosmetic items that I'll need to address, however the bike runs really nice which is what I was mostly concerned about. 

 

It looks like the front cowl needs replacing as there is a small crack in it. The owner applied some JB weld to the underside of it. The crack is minor and is holding up well. The front cowl however has scratches on both sides that can be probably covered up with decals that he already had but I might look into replacing due to the crack.

 

The other item is the right side radiator. It looks like it might have taken some impact but I won't know fully until I get the right cowl off and inspect. 

 

 

The last thing I noticed was that on the left side cowl, the red stripe has some bubbling in it... not sure what's that all about but probably need to replace that decal as well.

 

I'm pretty mechanically inclined (I've done valve adjustments/etc on other motorcycles) so I'm hoping that these things won't be too bad to replace. I hope the front cowl is not a huge job as it is in some cases.

 

Any advice is appreciated and also the best place to buy parts.

 

Thank you all for your initial feedback and I look forward to being part of this community.

[Terry]

For OEM parts purchases, in the US I have used Partzilla and been happy with their service but post COVID they don't want to ship to New Zealand any more, which is a shame as their website is nice to work with. I have purchased parts from Webike in Japan and the prices are fantastic and the service decent; but for some weird reason I can't work with their shopping webpage on my laptop (either Chrome or Edge) anymore but can do so on my iPad. 

 

For used parts if I can't find something local, I have used Baboon out of the Netherlands; seems like a long way away but the shipping costs haven't been too unpleasant and they have a pretty decent selection of parts but you won't find any bodywork in that anniversary colour as I believe that was US-only.