Topic: Buy or not? 2002 VFR Interceptor

[RatBikeRandy]

Found a 2002 Interceptor locally with 39,000 miles.  Looks pretty good, needs battery.  I used to have an '85 Interceptor 500 that I LOVED so I am always interested in Interceptors.

This one looks like a little more extreme riding position with lower bars plus I am now in mid 40's instead of mid 20's.  I could probably get the bike for between $1800 and $2,000 which sounds good. 

Any issues with this particular model plus any other input would be appreciated.

Thanks

[toytuff]

I know the Hurricane's had a lot of issues but the Interceptor was always a sweet bike IMO.

tt

[grcamna2]

Do you like sport bikes Randy ? This one is more of a Touring sport "looking" model...They made some great hard bag luggage for it;do you get that with the bike ?
I'd make an excellent comfortable long distance tourer if you pack light and like going around corners leaned over.The V4 will not vibrate that's for sure ...if that's what you want.This model year has all kinds of tech improvements made to it,and that can keep you busy fixing it.I hope it was well maintained and you can get it for that price;you could easily roll on 50-60,000 miles without thinking about it once it's fully sorted out and on the road.

[IndyFour]

Yeah.... $2000 for a 2002 VFR would be a great deal.  I have an '87 and LOVE it.  The engine is smooth as silk and has lots of power.  As I recall, from 2002 on the VFR was fuel injected.  An issue that went on even into that generation was the rectifier/regulators....they tend to overheat and fail.  There are aftermarket wiring solutions (I believe they are called "VFRness") to help alleviate stress on the r/r.  Here's a link to the kit should you get the bike...

http://www.wiremybike.com/product_info.php?products_id=266

If you get the VFR, post pics so we can see!! 

[srbakker]

Fuel injection started in '98 with the first 800.  I had a 2000, it was a fantastic bike and less prone to the dreaded R/R failure.  I think the 2002+ are still fantastic although I like the looks a bit less.

[IndyFour]

Fuel injection started in '98 with the first 800.  I had a 2000, it was a fantastic bike and less prone to the dreaded R/R failure.  I think the 2002+ are still fantastic although I like the looks a bit less.

Ah yes, you are right.  When was it that they went to VTEC with the chain-driven cam?...was that with the '02 model? 

[grcamna2]

I have a 1st generation 86' VFR750F Engine made VERY high performance,ported w/ 840cc big bore,etc. sitting in a crate w/ exactly 612 easy mid rpm break-in miles on it...if any ones interested .

[maduncle]

Hell yeah - buy it!

I had a 2001 VFR800 and I loved it - the 'Mercedes' of touring bikes.

In fact - I just bought a 1988 VFR750 with only 41,000km on it and it is in excellent original condition - this will be my daily ride to work and my long distance touring bike. Something that will never let me down.

So the one you are looking at sounds like a great bike!

[grcamna2]

maduncle,
      That 88' model VFR750F must be  Nice; what changes did they make from the 1986' model first year bike ? I wonder if the wheels? or carbs ?they stopped importing them to us after 1987'...the VFR700F2 and then didn't have them until 1990' which was very different indeed .

[IndyFour]

In fact - I just bought a 1988 VFR750 with only 41,000km on it and it is in excellent original condition - this will be my daily ride to work and my long distance touring bike. Something that will never let me down.

So the one you are looking at sounds like a great bike!

oooh....show us a pic! 

I've seen pics of the '88 bike and one of the differences appears to be the rear subframe/peg mounts.  On my '87 they are black steel tubing....on the '88 they look to be machined aluminum which looks really nice.  Don't know what else is different.

[kap384@telus.net]

Have an '02 here.  Awesome bike.  Nothing like a V4 in a bike.  Torque like a twin but spins like an inline 4, with the sound of a mini V8.  Throw some heli-bars on for a more upright riding position, but some hard luggage at its the ultimate sport tourer.  Ask almost any motorcycle magazine for the proof.
 
There was a recall to revise the weak wiring in the charging circuit and there is an annoying hiccup in the fuel injection around 4500 rpm that only aftermarket programming will remove.
 
Valve jobs are time consuming (bucket and shim and take entire bike apart) every 28,000 km i believe.
 
 

[maduncle]

In fact - I just bought a 1988 VFR750 with only 41,000km on it and it is in excellent original condition - this will be my daily ride to work and my long distance touring bike. Something that will never let me down.

So the one you are looking at sounds like a great bike!

oooh....show us a pic! 

I've seen pics of the '88 bike and one of the differences appears to be the rear subframe/peg mounts.  On my '87 they are black steel tubing....on the '88 they look to be machined aluminum which looks really nice.  Don't know what else is different.

Here is the link to another forum thread where I have posted some pics (sorry - not meaning to threadjack).

http://www.netrider.net.au/forums/showthread.php?t=128762

The bike arrives today, I will take some photos on the weekend and start a new thread on it.

Meanwhile - hey RatBikeRandy, how about a pic or two of the bike you are thinking of buying?

The only common VFR issue I often hear about is the reg/rec blowing...

[Duke McDukiedook]

Geared cams on my 86 VFR's here, hard to beat that V4 sound and torque.

Enjoy your bike, hope it runs well!

[y2kc0wb0y]

2004 VFR800a here.... Solid bike no issues.

[grcamna2]

Randy,
   Did you go ahead and purchase the VFR ? or still contemplating ?

[RatBikeRandy]

Purchased 2 - Suzuki Bandit 1200S instead, 1 for the wife and 1 for me.  One is a 2000 and the other is a 2001 which looks more modern.   I kind of like the older model myself, but the newer one pulls like a freight train.  Fastest bikes I've ever owned.

[grcamna2]

Could you post a picture ?

[KB02]

Purchased 2 - Suzuki Bandit 1200S instead, 1 for the wife and 1 for me.  One is a 2000 and the other is a 2001 which looks more modern.   I kind of like the older model myself, but the newer one pulls like a freight train.  Fastest bikes I've ever owned.

The bandit 12's were probably about THE MOST UNDERRATED bikes on the market! They are great!! That engine has a GSXR lineage. They've got great ergos and are a smooth ride. AND, let me guess, you paid about the same for both of those as you would have that one VFR?

Suzuki has tried to sex them up a bit in recent years, but they still just don't get the press they deserve.