It may be time to say goodbye...

[alexibrow]

...to my trusty Version R.

I've been thinking about getting a bigger (faired!) bike for a while, but the cost has ben putting me off. But yesterday a mate at work offered me his 1997 VFR750 for £500 and I don't think I can say no!

I'll have to sell my bike to fund the VFR, and another guy at work has said he'll give me £1200 for it, which would leave me £700 for any unexpected repairs to the VFR, and the service that it's due. The MOT is up in Feb and it's a bit scruffy, but I know its recent history and he's had the calipers overhauled and new chain and sprockets in the last year. It could do with a new top fairing on one side where it's cracked quite badly, but otherwise she just needs a thorough clean and a good home.

Just run in at 50,000 kms.

Bargain eh! :D

I'll be sad to see the Version R go though, I love that bike.

Could do with a bit more oomph though!

[meno]

served u well tho i guess bud :D

vfr for that price :O nice one.. i think youd be mad not to as well !!

may be getting rid of mine soon too.. had enuff time/expense of trying to get it running right now... i wanna bike i can do some miles on not sit there annnoying me lol.

ill probs break it.. weil see.

when u get new vfr post some pics :D

[amorti]

Be sure the exhaust is OK on the 750, as you're looking at big time and money if it's NFG.

Go for it - sometimes a 400 really just isn't enough to take it easy on, as much fun as they are when you're giving it full beans.

Things to do before you decide: check the insurance supplement. check the VFR over, especially the exhaust. Kiss the 400 goodbye! Remember you'll be going from a known bike to an unknown, there'll be things to fix, just got to hope it's nothing major. Often things like steering bearings where they go off over time and the owner hasn't noticed.

[alexibrow]

Cheers for the advice amorti. I've not seen the bike for a while, but the owner reckons the exhaust is rusty but not holed. Second-hand replacements aren't too pricey anyway, but you infer that they're a bugger to change, is that right?

Insurance is £191 compared with £129, equivalent fully comp policy with Equity Red Star (with one year's NCD and riding experience).

You're right, I know my 400 inside out. It's been well maintained in the last year, and I ride it 4 days a week covering 200 miles, so I know it's good. The 750 hasn't seen much use in the last year, but the current owner used it every day before that and maintained it properly, so I think it's probably OK. I'll be very thorough when I go to see it next Friday though; I know what to look for I think, and I'll pay extra attention to the exhaust.

Mind you, for £500 I can afford to fix a few things I suppose; even a new stainless exhaust for under £300 is probably worth shelling out for!

[alexibrow]

UPDATE: Well, the £500 Veefer turned out to need a lot of work doing, = a lot of money spending, so I didn't buy it. But, having ridden it (very nice; riding position very comfy, bike felt light and easy to ride) and having done the research, I decided to look out for a sorted one for around the grand mark.

And so, I bought this last night!



I'm picking it up on Sunday, can't wait! :D :D :D

The Version R is already sold, just waiting for the funds to clear. Got £1200 for it, wich I think is a good price for me and the buyer (a work colleague) gets a good bike for his money.

All in all, I'm really chuffed!

[superfourben]

£1200 sounds like a good price for your version R, out of interest how many miles has it done???

[meno]

nice one alex, still prefer those to the 800 meself too :D

glad the R sold ok :D

have fun on sunday!!!

[alexibrow]

£1200 sounds like a good price for your version R, out of interest how many miles has it done???

I thought so too, Ben :D

No idea re the mileage, as the previous owner claimed that the clocks had been replaced. Odo shows nearly 20,000 miles, had 10,000 on it when I bought it a year ago. It's been well used, but well maintained so I guess the mileage isn't much of an issue, considering it's a 13 year old bike!

have fun on sunday!!!

Cheers Meno!

[meno]

one day to go :D

bet yer like a kid on christmas morning by now

[alexibrow]

Ha ha, you're dead right Meno! I've just been to the bank to withdraw the money, I've got my rail tickets already and the insurance was organised a few days ago. I just pray it doesn't snow as it's been forecast! I don't fancy a 150 mile journey in blizzard conditions.... Eep!