Bit of help on a value please?
Discussion
My Father In Law was a lover of bikes and had quite a few, mostly classics but he did have a few modern bikes. Unfortunately he past away a few years ago and the backs have remained in storage until now when Mother In Law has decided she is ready to part with them.
I'm not a biker, none of the family are and I want to make sure Mother In Law isn't ripped off on these. Details bit scant whilst we unearth them from the garage but the first we've found is:
Honda VFR PGM FI (CBR?)
S Reg 98
2,000 miles from new.
Dry stored all its life and never used in the wet. Quite possibly one owner from new but would need to check. Father in law spent hours working on his bikes so this will be in stunning condition.
If anyone can give me a rough figure we should be looking for that would be marvellous. Thank you
Edited to add:
Second one unearthed
Kawasaki ER-5 500
T reg 99
Mileage unsure but think around 6k. Will be similar condition.
I'm not a biker, none of the family are and I want to make sure Mother In Law isn't ripped off on these. Details bit scant whilst we unearth them from the garage but the first we've found is:
Honda VFR PGM FI (CBR?)
S Reg 98
2,000 miles from new.
Dry stored all its life and never used in the wet. Quite possibly one owner from new but would need to check. Father in law spent hours working on his bikes so this will be in stunning condition.
If anyone can give me a rough figure we should be looking for that would be marvellous. Thank you

Edited to add:
Second one unearthed
Kawasaki ER-5 500
T reg 99
Mileage unsure but think around 6k. Will be similar condition.
Edited by SistersofPercy on Sunday 12th May 18:53
If your MIL can stomach it, the best bet would be to find a local bike shop to collect and recommission them. Depending how long they've been standing they might not need a lot to get going again, fresh fuel and a quick check over etc.
Whereabouts are you? I'd be happy to take a look if you're local.
The Honda might be worth 4k or so (VFR800 before VTEC are quite desirable now), the ER5 probably 2.5, but only if running and MOT'd.
Whereabouts are you? I'd be happy to take a look if you're local.
The Honda might be worth 4k or so (VFR800 before VTEC are quite desirable now), the ER5 probably 2.5, but only if running and MOT'd.
Krikkit said:
If your MIL can stomach it, the best bet would be to find a local bike shop to collect and recommission them. Depending how long they've been standing they might not need a lot to get going again, fresh fuel and a quick check over etc.
Whereabouts are you? I'd be happy to take a look if you're local.
The Honda might be worth 4k or so (VFR800 before VTEC are quite desirable now), the ER5 probably 2.5, but only if running and MOT'd.
Thanks Krikkit, you've helped immensely there, especially as I believe a relative has approached a dealer about the Honda and was offered £2k. Looks like that might be a bit low, though obviously needs to allow dealer a bit of profit too.Whereabouts are you? I'd be happy to take a look if you're local.
The Honda might be worth 4k or so (VFR800 before VTEC are quite desirable now), the ER5 probably 2.5, but only if running and MOT'd.
It's a start. As I said there are many others (he was a bit of a bike hoarder) but those are stored and will remain so as Mother In Law can't face parting with the classics yet, sad thing is looks like his 'moderns' have become classics now.
And thanks for the offer, just peeked at your profile and you're not local, but she's a bit stuck in her ways and wouldn't want people coming to look, which is actually part of our problem lol
mad4amanda said:
personally I think those values are way too high an ER500 is a max £600 bike at that age and the VFR £1500 especially to a dealer!
What history have you found for them and how long are the MOTs do they even run?
First post says they’ve been in storage for years, unlikely to have mot’s! What history have you found for them and how long are the MOTs do they even run?
Er5 I’d guess to be more like a grand or so bike, they’re plentiful and not hugely sought after.
The Vfr is a far more interesting prospect, the low mileage will help hugely.
If you’re already being offered £2k from a dealer I’d be trying to get it fired up and through an mot, it’ll help value significantly.
Or just eBay them both and see what the market says
The Vfr is a far more interesting prospect, the low mileage will help hugely.
If you’re already being offered £2k from a dealer I’d be trying to get it fired up and through an mot, it’ll help value significantly.
Or just eBay them both and see what the market says
The VFR will definitely command strong money once up and running. Don’t be hood winked by local bike shops unless you know they’re legit and on your side. An immaculate VFR with 2000 miles is a great find. There’s plenty of enthusiastic folk on here that may live local to you and would love the opportunity to buy it.
You could take some pictures and post them on here with some details, or if you don't (as it sounds ) have the knowledge about the bikes see if some good soul on here would take a look at them for you.
As for MIL it's always difficult to let go of your loved ones stuff, but sadly it is better sooner rather than later, as they won't, unlike some wines, get better with age.
As for MIL it's always difficult to let go of your loved ones stuff, but sadly it is better sooner rather than later, as they won't, unlike some wines, get better with age.
To clarify, all have FSH until the day they went off road. Father in law was meticulous about that kind of thing. Wondering whether to try and get someone to MOT or whether to just auction tbh.
They have been off road for about 7 years now so I'd assume full set of tyres and an oil change at the very least?
They have been off road for about 7 years now so I'd assume full set of tyres and an oil change at the very least?
Charliecloud said:
You could take some pictures and post them on here with some details, or if you don't (as it sounds ) have the knowledge about the bikes see if some good soul on here would take a look at them for you.
As for MIL it's always difficult to let go of your loved ones stuff, but sadly it is better sooner rather than later, as they won't, unlike some wines, get better with age.
I think husband might have some pictures on his phone, will look into that later.As for MIL it's always difficult to let go of your loved ones stuff, but sadly it is better sooner rather than later, as they won't, unlike some wines, get better with age.
A biker I am not. More classic cars than bikes personally though I know a little about the classic bikes he owned I know nothing of his modern collection. Always surprised me that my husband didn't follow in his footsteps tbh
It has been difficult for her, I think she's appreciated that whilst the classics will mature the moderns probably won't and came to this decision. Not easy.
Can't help with the Honda, but I've had recent experience selling a Kawasaki GPZ500, which shares the engine and some cycle parts with your EN5.
My bike was a 2000 year machine, with 1800 miles on the clock and it was absolutely as new.
As a fully MOT'd, serviced and running bike, it fetched £2000 at auction on eBay. Bear in mind that the GPZ500 is a more desirable than the EN5.
Your Kawasaki will need a full service, the carbs cleaning and a new battery. It might need tyres. It might need fork seals. Then it will need an MOT.
After all of that, if it is immaculate, it might fetch £1200 to £1500 on eBay.
As it stands, with a flat battery, a tank full of stale petrol, gummed up carbs and no MOT, I think it might fetch about £800 on eBay, assuming that the bike is otherwise in excellent condition.
If it was fully fettled and for sale by a bike dealer, they might be asking £1700. But don't forget that they have to make a profit and offer a warranty.
If I was in your shoes, I would stick it on eBay as it is, with lots of photos, an honest description and a reserve of £500. Then I would ignore all of the low offers and let the auction run it's course.
Here's a pic of my bike, to give you some idea of condition.

My bike was a 2000 year machine, with 1800 miles on the clock and it was absolutely as new.
As a fully MOT'd, serviced and running bike, it fetched £2000 at auction on eBay. Bear in mind that the GPZ500 is a more desirable than the EN5.
Your Kawasaki will need a full service, the carbs cleaning and a new battery. It might need tyres. It might need fork seals. Then it will need an MOT.
After all of that, if it is immaculate, it might fetch £1200 to £1500 on eBay.
As it stands, with a flat battery, a tank full of stale petrol, gummed up carbs and no MOT, I think it might fetch about £800 on eBay, assuming that the bike is otherwise in excellent condition.
If it was fully fettled and for sale by a bike dealer, they might be asking £1700. But don't forget that they have to make a profit and offer a warranty.
If I was in your shoes, I would stick it on eBay as it is, with lots of photos, an honest description and a reserve of £500. Then I would ignore all of the low offers and let the auction run it's course.
Here's a pic of my bike, to give you some idea of condition.

I was basing it on this one, but you may be right that it's too strong: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
It's all down to how much effort the OP wants to put in before selling.
It's all down to how much effort the OP wants to put in before selling.
Krikkit said:
I was basing it on this one, but you may be right that it's too strong: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
It's all down to how much effort the OP wants to put in before selling.
I think that's over £1000 too much.It's all down to how much effort the OP wants to put in before selling.

Krikkit said:
SistersofPercy said:
They have been off road for about 7 years now so I'd assume full set of tyres and an oil change at the very least?
Tyres, oil, coolant, brake fluid. That should have them tip top.If they've been stored with fuel in the carbs they'll need stripping and cleaning as it goes gummy with time and blocks everything.
Oil, coolant and brake fluid are sensible too. Again it's eating into your margins though. I'd just do the minimum to get them through an MOT and get them sold, leave it to the new owner to service them properly unless you or someone you know can do all the work.
I'd love a gen 5 VFR in immaculate condition with 2000 miles but not at £4k!!!
Mines a 98 with 56k on the clock i reckon £1k or just under value yours more but where i don't know there are some stupidly high priced ones out there with very low mileages.
Join the VFR UK page on Facebook there are a lot of enthusiastic people on there.
Mines a 98 with 56k on the clock i reckon £1k or just under value yours more but where i don't know there are some stupidly high priced ones out there with very low mileages.
Join the VFR UK page on Facebook there are a lot of enthusiastic people on there.
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