Author Topic: What to look for when buying a modern sport bike? (Read 3837 times)

mikedialect · « **on:** February 17, 2008, 11:36:26 AM »

So, I've been toying with the idea of grabbing a modern Honda Sport Bike. Found a 99 CBR f4, but I really have no idea what particulars to be looking for. When I approach an old honda I know what I'm dealing with, but with a newer bike I'm less certain. Other than obvious signs of it being downed and weird engine noises it's new a game all together. Any tips would be appreciated.

cheers,
Mike

heffay · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:46:50 AM »

does it go REAL fast?

if so, its a proper rocket!
nope, sorry... mines not for sale.

on the more serious side... i think good maintenance and records go a long way.

sparty · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2008, 12:03:50 PM »

Let me see if I can offer you some advice.

Spend a little time reading the reviews of various makes and models you are interest in. Many of these reviews are posted on the web and they can give you some subjective information on what these particular riders think about the bike. Also, find a forum specific to "that" bike and ask questions. As you know, forum members know their stuff.

Here is a excellent evaluation guide to buying a used scoot:

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

When I bought my "sport bikes" I was very careful to check most everything. It always made my purchase go well. The bikes never gave me any problems. I never bought "new" off the showroom floor - to me that is a poor choice since you can usually save some major coin if you are willing to look instead of jump into a purchase.

Sparty

mikedialect · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2008, 12:34:10 PM »

Quote from: sparty on February 17, 2008, 12:03:50 PM

Let me see if I can offer you some advice.

Spend a little time reading the reviews of various makes and models you are interest in. Many of these reviews are posted on the web and they can give you some subjective information on what these particular riders think about the bike. Also, find a forum specific to "that" bike and ask questions. As you know, forum members know their stuff.

Here is a excellent evaluation guide to buying a used scoot:

http://www.clarity.net/~adam/buying-bike.html

When I bought my "sport bikes" I was very careful to check most everything. It always made my purchase go well. The bikes never gave me any problems. I never bought "new" off the showroom floor - to me that is a poor choice since you can usually save some major coin if you are willing to look instead of jump into a purchase.

Sparty

*nods* very practical. I suppose finding a cbr specific forum makes sense. Maybe I was just being lazy posting here

I read a bunch of reviews, but it was mostly stroking how great they are with the 'new reviews' of the time and I hadn't had much luck finding 'real' reviews. I've got just shy of 20 vintage bikes and I've had a lot more than that, so I'm no stranger to buying a bike, but I know a lot of the guys here have newer hondas as well and I trust this forum more than any other bike forum besides the twins site, so I thought I'd give a stab here. Thanks for the response

heffay · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2008, 12:59:32 PM »

i had a 94 f2... it had been down 2 or 3 times. the bottom end was jb welded and leaked like mad. i bought it in 96 primer grey, stripped the plastic about 3 months later and rode it like that for a good eight months. finally got around to painting it which you see.

strong bike that would lift the front wheel on a whim. too much for a kid my age... i was 19 i think. perhaps that's why they were charging me $1600 a year for insurance and why i subsequently sold the bike.

i actually preferred the older f2s to the newer f3 or f4... call me old fashioned. ha. no, not really. i just liked the subtle differences in the look. mine handled well, i was bad and never changed the oil over 8thousand that i owned it. never missed a beat. true honda. i paid a lot for it for being downed, $3200 if i remember, but it was only 2 years old.

Bob550four · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:33:53 PM »

check that the bike was never stunted, that it was maintained well, and has no evidence of having been crashed or otherwise damaged.

if it doesnt show evidence of the above, you're good. the F4 isnt as popular for stunters as the F4i is, but its still an INCREDIBLE machine to ride.

I liked the F2 myself, its my idea of a perfect sportbike, integrated signals up front, easy to do on the rear, very reliable and well constructed.

bryanj · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2008, 10:37:21 PM »

If it aint got a full service book stamped by a competant maniac sorry mechanic walk away fast unless its real cheap, triple check all the suspension links for play and/or siezure and make sure it runs smooth

DarkRider · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2008, 11:15:26 PM »

www.cbrforum.com Not quite as good as this forum but its damn close...

KB02 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2008, 04:35:21 AM »

Check steering and front wheel bearings. Those are some of the first to go if it's been stunted.

Cvillechopper · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2008, 05:40:36 AM »

I read an article in Motorcyclist mag a few months back on buying used sport bikes. One thing they mentioned is that some of the earlier generations of sport bikes (having been stunted as mentioned above) would have fractured frames near the neck. That area takes a beating when you're hitting the brakes from a standing position.
Just one more thing to check. Most of the time the owners won't even know they've got that much damage. To them it's just "Something just doesn't feel right anymore".

bill440cars · « **Reply #10 on:** February 18, 2008, 06:51:51 AM »

THIS is why We keep coming back here!

There's just SO many GOOD folks here, SO many TOUGH bikes AND SO much info to be had.

I mean, Mike (as an example) has asked for input on buying a "Sport Bike" and you all just load him up with Great Info! Some places, he wouldn't get ANY response or, if he did, it would be a bunch of BS! Just more proof positive as to why this place is the Tops!

hondatwins.com is trying to get there and is coming along, picking up some fine folks along the way, thanks to Mike & Mark.

Later on, Bill

mikedialect · « **Reply #11 on:** February 18, 2008, 01:07:55 PM »

Quote from: Cvillechopper on February 18, 2008, 05:40:36 AM

I read an article in Motorcyclist mag a few months back on buying used sport bikes. One thing they mentioned is that some of the earlier generations of sport bikes (having been stunted as mentioned above) would have fractured frames near the neck. That area takes a beating when you're hitting the brakes from a standing position.
Just one more thing to check. Most of the time the owners won't even know they've got that much damage. To them it's just "Something just doesn't feel right anymore".

awesome advice. thanks!

mikedialect · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2008, 03:43:55 PM »

Well, with the advice here- and if I can borrow my buddies common sense for the evening- I'll be going to look at this one owner 16k bike. Thanks for the advice- I have not donated enough to the site over my stay.

I think it's sexy...

but not as sexy as this:

DarkRider · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2008, 06:02:58 PM »

Nice looking CBR!

Bob550four · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2008, 07:50:51 PM »

Looks like its a solid deal to me. DO IT!

mikedialect · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2008, 08:01:11 PM »

I really want to- my flatmate was in shock I was looking at a 'new' bike.

ps- local folks... back off

hehe

paxtonpony · « **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2008, 03:18:10 PM »

Am I late? Probably. At any rate, if you're looking for a "modern" sport bike, take a real hard look at the 1990-1997 VFR 750. Really strong all around bike. Read a few reviews on these things. I love the heck out of mine. Real comfortable, fast and great handling. Plus it sports a 5 1/2 gallon tank, gives 200-220 miles comfortably between tanks.

BobbyR · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2008, 03:33:01 PM »

I would say after you have satisfied yourself that the bike is what you want and is mechanicaly sound. I would shop for a good Long Term Disability policy. I am not kidding I Bike sat a Ninga for a friend who was away for several months. Those things make you feel you can do anything and get away with it.

heffay · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2008, 04:33:02 PM »

Quote from: paxtonpony on February 26, 2008, 03:18:10 PM

Am I late? Probably. At any rate, if you're looking for a "modern" sport bike, take a real hard look at the 1990-1997 VFR 750. Really strong all around bike. Read a few reviews on these things. I love the heck out of mine. Real comfortable, fast and great handling. Plus it sports a 5 1/2 gallon tank, gives 200-220 miles comfortably between tanks.

i've ridden my girlfriend's vfr800 for that many miles and i must say... after 200+ miles on any bike w/out stopping, "comfortably" is debatable.

paxtonpony · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2008, 08:07:42 PM »

Haha! No kidding. What I was referring to was not many bikes have a 200+ range between gas stations. But the VFR isn't bad for distance trips. I did a 6 hour ride to go get corbin bags for it 2 weeks ago. Fun little trip up to Salinas but man it was cold in the morning. My feet were freezing. The way back in the afternoon was great. Sunny, warm and very little traffic. If I had a couple more hours I would have shot back on PCH, but I was testing the wife's patients anyway running up there and buying $500 worth of bags.

my78k · « **Reply #20 on:** February 27, 2008, 06:00:39 AM »

looks like I missed this thread...Mike if you haven't bought it already...do so!

I have an F3 and love it. Very forgiving but still plenty of balls and will hang with the newer bikes. Personally if I had the cash I go a little newer and get the injected model but really the carbed version aint bad at all!

I know on the F3's and older clutch noise was a big issue! Well not really an issue really they just had a lot of basket rattle...no problems but scared some folks off if you didn't know to expect it.

Also, that cbrforum is a decent site...could poke around in there too...

Dennis

mikedialect · « **Reply #21 on:** February 27, 2008, 08:51:57 AM »

I actually opted to pass on it. I ran across a few other older bikes that I could not say no to.

I think I have a bigger problem than I thought!

bill440cars · « **Reply #22 on:** February 27, 2008, 09:11:42 AM »

Quote from: mikedialect on February 27, 2008, 08:51:57 AM

I actually opted to pass on it. I ran across a few other older bikes that I could not say no to.

I think I have a bigger problem than I thought!

Join the club, it's an addiction!

Later on, Bill

dusterdude · « **Reply #23 on:** February 27, 2008, 11:21:42 AM »

i seriously drooled on a cbr 600 at the dealers last summer.i damn near pulled the trigger on it,very nice bike.

paxtonpony · « **Reply #24 on:** February 27, 2008, 06:22:29 PM »

I really like the look and lines of the R6 even though I'm not a Yamaha fan. Wouldn't buy one though, my next ride is going to be a 97-03 Blackbird. I plan on picking one up and selling off the VFR after I get back from my deployment this summer.

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Author Topic: What to look for when buying a modern sport bike? (Read 3837 times)

Bob550four

Bob550four