First bike?

[Rach81]

I'm going to look at this over Xmas...

http://www.bikegirl.co.uk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TI...

She's near my parents...

Can you give me some pointers what to look out for buying a 2nd hand bike please?

Also what would be the best way to get her back to Scotland? Its currently
-6 and theres snow along the A9 (if I buy it)

Are there specalist transporter people or special vans you can hire so they dont fall over?

I know I sound a total girl but Im new to the biking world!

Thanks

[JackHolroyde]

Hey hey Welcome!

Luuurrrvly...
I love the VFR400s. Miss mine like crazy!

Check the electrics. The VFR's have an absolutely bulletproof motor, but a very weak electrical system. The regulator/rectifier should have been changed, if not - look to do this ASAP, it'll set you back around £75.
In this weather you don't want to be taking a VFR on long trips - they are tiny!
Get a mate with a van and strap it in hard!

[Rach81]

Hiya

Thanks for that, Ive just sent her an email asking!

Packed my lid and jacket, just in case

[Rach81]

He says it might still have the jap restriction on it, whats that? Says he can take it off though

[odyssey2200]

check rear swing arm bearings

put bike on side stand
Get a mate to lean it over so the rear wheel hangs free off the ground

Try lifting the rear wheel
if there is up and down movement then the swing arm bearing or linkage brearings are shot, which is

A an MOT failure
B a PITA job to do your self or expensive at a dealer
C expensive parts

Other that that and the aforementioned regulator a cracking, bullet proof bike
gaurenteed to make you go

[Wedg1e]

Whereabouts in the northeast? There's a few of us up here who could take a peek at you. Er, I mean FOR you...

[Rach81]

It's in Hull, I'm just outside Goole for Xmas, if anyone could help out I'd be ever so grateful lol.
Just been told they dont have any service history with the bike but own 3 others the same and are confident its sound, but still I'd be happier with an expert eye running over..

[Brite spark]

That picture looks good but it may be a respayed bike, check for signs of glue on the farings, at the side of the headlights especially as this seems to be a common repair point on damaged bikes, also for any replacement fibreglass fairings
Personally i'd go for one in the stock colours of red white and blue


I'd also be wary as they have more than one and may well be getting rid of the worst,(not going t sell the best)
No service history, what mileage has it done? how long have they owned it? condition of the tyres, chain & sprocket and the oil should give you some indication to how well it is serviced/looked after, if in doubt walk away

how much are thay after for it?

92 actually wasn't one of the last ones available they were registered new upto 1994, (vfr400 nc30), when the model was changed to the rvf (rvf 400rr nc35) which were produced for a few more years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_RVF400

The rectifier is a known problem as already mentioned, but it's not uncommon for people to diagnose this fault as the battery, if this has been changed it needs to be a gel electrode battery

Most of the 400's are jap(grey) imports and as such there were several things that had to be sorted at the first uk registration, the main one being a speedo conversion, some speedo's were properly converted, others just had a sticker over the top of the dial, if it's just a sticker be prepared to change it as they are awful to read.

check all the switches on the handle bars operate properly, headlight switch especially as I know of two that have failed

The bike really should be on 18's, though it's not unheard of for them to be swapped to rvf 17's, ideally the tyres should be bridgestone battlax

Edited by Brite spark on Saturday 22 December 09:59

[Rach81]

Thats great, thanks everyone
Yep it has indeed been resprayed, the lady bought it as a track bike but chose to use "the rattier" one instead.

A few years ago I bought a used Golf (from a garage) which turned out to be a very expensive potential death trap, so I'm really wary, although she looks so smart!

[Brite spark]

Rach81 said:

Thats great, thanks everyone
Yep it has indeed been resprayed, the lady bought it as a track bike but chose to use "the rattier" one instead.

A few years ago I bought a used Golf (from a garage) which turned out to be a very expensive potential death trap, so I'm really wary, although she looks so smart!

doesn't quite add up to me, looks too nice to use a track bike so don't think they'd of bought it for that as they have a "rattier" one... is it hpi clear

[Rach81]

They haven't mentioned it, Ive just compiled a list of things to ask from all the above so I'll check. Although they have offered to send more photos...

Oh and its done 44,ooo kms

Edited by Rach81 on Saturday 22 December 10:22

[Carl-H]

I would find out the reg and do a HPI check.

[Rick448]

When are you going to look? I'm about 10 miles from Hull on the south side. As asked before how much do they want for it?

[Rach81]

Ive emailed and asked when theyre free, if your about that would be brilliant, thanks!

Its £900

[Rick448]

Ok no probs, if i'm about i will help you out. Drop me a mail when you are coming over and we'll see what we can do.

[Wedg1e]

Carl-H said:

I would find out the reg and do a HPI check.

Something that age is unlikely to be that expensive it needs (or would get) finance - a bank loan or even a credit card would have enough headroom.

[Rach81]

or there's this one!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/91-HONDA-CBR-600-SUPERSPORT-...

I really am quite girlie!

Emailed about this CBR6, again no service history, but all MOT's for 12 yrs although that doesnt tell me maintenance has been carried out. Is that usual for 2nd hand bikes?

Edited by Rach81 on Saturday 22 December 17:05

[Brite spark]

Wedg1e said:

Carl-H said:

I would find out the reg and do a HPI check.

Something that age is unlikely to be that expensive it needs (or would get) finance - a bank loan or even a credit card would have enough headroom.

finance probably not, but you never know, of course the hpi also shows
recorded accident history
number of keepers
stolen recovered, etc, etc, etc


At £900 I'd like to think it was a good price to buy it at, close to the parkers valuation, but I think it may be a little too cheap IMO, as they have very high residual values in most cases, just be very careful on this

bikes on here
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/297111.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/288467.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/220769.htm
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/279965.htm

Edited by Brite spark on Sunday 23 December 01:55

[Rach81]

Bugger, really liked the first one but its gone. Not heard back after I asked all the questions about the original one, although I am very impatient!

My dads mate is selling a CBR6 VF, 97, 2 owners (a lady and him), serviced, MOT'd & Taxed, black, white & red. £1800 (including his leathers but I very much doubt they'll fit lol) so hoping he'll knock a bit off for those.
Insurance quote £316 fully comp.