Paul D'Orleans is well qualified to comment on the state of our sport. Moto historian, author, commentator, rider, collector; Paul lives motorbikes and its culture.

In his latest ramblings on his website "The Vintagent," he touches upon the current value doldrums in our world as he offers this advice to hesitant buyers….

"My advice…if you want a Mk8, or any motorcycle, make it happen. Soon. It's a great time to buy. Sell a bike or two, and get what you want: you only live once. That's not just a cliché, but words to live by.  We have no idea if the bottom has fallen out of the market permanently, or if prices will rise again: I've seen four major price cycles in my 42 years of collecting, and consider this to be another one, but nobody really knows, since so many collectors are dying off and releasing their hordes to the market.  Current values may be the new normal...but at any rate, they are for now.  Live your eff'n dreams."

Sound words based in experience. Folks who try to buy motorcycles as investments are usually dissatisfied in the end. With few exceptions, bikes don't spike in value enough, or often enough, to cover the cost of ownership over the short term, and rarely over the long term. Most enthusiasts are in this thing out of a two-wheeled passion, and we fully expect our hobby to cost some discretionary income.

So, what he said: If there's a bike that's calling you, try to make it happen. Tomorrow is promised to no one, nor is good heath. Bikes are a liquid commodity, relatively cheap to acquire, don't take up much room and fun to use, look at or just talk about. If you're just yearning to experience that CBX, a classic Brit-bike, your favorite V4 or (fill in the blank)…now's a good time to start your search. Have fun!

What: 2007 VFR800 Anniversary
Why: Low miles, near perfect
Where: Wilkes Barre, PA
​Price: BaT no-reserve auction
UPDATE: SOLD $7500+ buyers fee

The one-year only VFR800 25th Anniversary Edition has slowly come into its own since being launched to a lukewarm reception. With an all red model offered alongside the stunning red/white/blue, many of these languished in showrooms for years, offered at steep discounts. But time and the owner-applied white wheels have a way of bringing forth a renewed level of appreciation for the obvious flair this color way provides.

We saw this beautiful Anniversary Edition two years ago here and on the Bring-A-Trailer site, where it sold for $8250+ buyer's fee. It still shows only 4800 miles and is at least a 9 of 10 in the looks department. The seller states, "rest assured that this VFR is perfect and you’d be hard pressed to find any flaws." The 2007 VFR800 offered two major options, neither present here: color-matched saddlebags and anti-lock brakes. The auction ends Sunday with bidding currently at $4900. I would expect this to reach somewhere around the previous selling price, even in today's soft market conditions. Here's hoping the new caretaker gets her on the road for the rest of us to admire.

I've been asked by readers more than a few times if their VFR is running badly….they're usually not. The V4 has a unique idle cadence, caused by one cylinder firing slightly off-cadence. I love the sound, it always reminds me of a small block Chevy with a mild cam. For your enjoyment, here's a short video I made yesterday while tuning a freshly rebuilt set of Gen-3 carburetors.
(please copy & paste, YouTube won't allow me to load the video at this time)

https://youtube.com/shorts/_pE5tfpZAFE?si=D6iVuMe87WR2Mctn

SOLD: $54,500

Third time's the charm, so they say. I featured this lovely VFR750R on this blog in January & February; first on eBay auction then as a featured listing on RSBFS.com. It was bid to $59,600 on eBay, failing to meet reserve, and apparently also failed to sell on RSBFS (asking price unknown). This time, back on eBay, the bike sold for $54,500, $5K below last time around. You can't force an open market, it sets its own value.

What: 2001 VFR800 FI
Why: Nice condition, low-ish miles
Where: Mt. Zion, Illinois
Price: $5200

Here we have a final-year Gen-5, a model which many consider the sweet spot for the VFR lineage. Boasting many upgrades over the previous carbureted V4s but still retaining the iconic gear-driven cams, these bikes sit high on the classic sport touring ladder.

This one is waiting in central Illinois and said to be a 2-owner bike showing just shy of 20,000 miles with newer tires and beautiful paintwork, at least according to the photos. Not many details in the ad, but I do spy an aftermarket seat, slip-on muffler and windscreen. If there's a little room on the asking price, this could be a winner.

What: 1984 VF1100S Sabre
Why: Great condition, low miles
Where: Danvers, MA
Price: $5250

This one really is kinda special. A big-block V65 Sabre dressed in the optional swoopy fairing from the CBX with only 12,131 miles and looking like a time capsule. Even the aftermarket tail pack manages to match the factory colors.

Our seller is prone to some marketing hyperbole but this example might be worthy of some special words:
​"...it has been lovingly preserved and maintained to an exceptional standard. The paint gleams, the chrome shines, and the engine pulls like the day it left the showroom floor. Everything functions as it should, and it rides like a dream — smooth, powerful, and confidence-inspiring."

Looking closely at the photos, the finishes do, in fact, reflect the low miles and 42 years of caring owners. With some additional detailing this could really make a statement for its next caretaker. The asking price is at the high end, for sure, but could be easily rationalized for the right buyer.

Moto-journalist Neil Graham recently penned an article for ADVrider.com on riding and aging. Citing some relevant science on the subject from the Mayo Clinic he added his own, less scientific, observation, specifically for us of the Baby Boomer generation….

"The aging motorcyclist lacks something missing from the Mayo’s list: thankfulness. Rather than anger that motorcycles have sophisticated electronics, or have grown too large, or that, eventually, they’ll be powered by something other than gasoline, look back at what you’ve gained. That you lived in an age when a stinky liquid pumped from the ground and decanted into a gleaming fuel tank powered a vehicle that took you along California’s coast, or deep into Oregon’s interior, or around a racetrack at breakneck speed. We are on the crest of a great convulsion, that of the baby boom generation’s death. It was never going to be pretty. Harley has its head in a vise. Indian, with its brand-new ersatz 1950s Chief, is sitting pretty on an old horse galloping straight off a cliff. Instead of grousing over change that’ll happen after we’re dead, let’s celebrate the times we’ve had and encourage those replacing us, those who will remake motorcycling in their own image, to set the house on fire then build it up from the ashes. It’s what we did. Why would we begrudge them the indulgence to do the same?"
Neil Graham

I stumbled upon these rare items courtesy of FB Marketplace — Used Honda OEM saddlebag set with mounting hardware, keys and liners color-matched to the 2007 VFR800 Anniversary Edition. According to the seller:
"Used, like new. Honda VFR800 saddle bags. Matching to a 2007 anniversary edition VFR800. Excellent condition. Comes with interior bags and several keys. Also mounting brackets and passenger handles."

These should, of course, fit any Gen-6 VFR800. Asking price is $750, no mention of shipping. Click on the image for the link. Better hurry!

What: Maddox Cordless Hot Stapler
Where: Harbor Freight
Price: $99.99

I have done what seems like 1000 hours of plastics repairs. Using my trusty Polyvance Mini-Weld Model 6, I've melted a mound of ABS welding rod, saving countless fairings and brackets. It's not technically difficult but between the prep, welding and finishing for paint, there's a time commitment. But the results are very satisfying, giving new life to an original part that hasn't been available for 20+ years.

I've relied on heating/melting, very much like metal welding, but there's a newer technology using metal staples that not only joins a gap but provides a mechanical support (the staple) between the parts — seems like a great solution. I've improvised a similar approach using thin nails or stiff wire for added support, but the staples would have been more elegant and effective.

​Here, Harbor Freight is offering their version, which seems very complete and has the bonus of being cordless. This kit does both staples and traditional heat welding, which you'll want to complete the repair; the staples would be applied to the backside of a crack and then the crack heat welded, finishing with a heat weld to the front side. If I were just getting into plastics repair, I'd certainly want this technology.

For much less money Harbor Freight also offers the alternative kits shown below, suitable for small or occasional jobs. Amazon and eBay also offer many name- and off-brand kits.

I have one freshly rebuilt & tuned carb set for the 1990-93 VFR750. These are tuned to run well with both stock and mildly modified engines (air filter and/or slip-ons).

Price is $530 with shipping to the U.S. An exchange credit is available; contact me for details or questions.

​These carbs are ready to bolt on, add gas and go.