What: 1994 VFR750 "Custom"
Why: I got nothin'
Where: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Price: $2800 OBO

Satirist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg once quipped, "It is impossible to have bad taste, but many people have none at all." Gorge lived a few centuries before motorcycles existed, but were he with us today, I'm sure he would point to this situation as validation.

The colorway is enough to put me off my lunch, but those chrome bullet speakers on a sport bike, paired with open exhaust, is an indicator that this seller may have been dropped once too often as a baby. Predictably, there's also LED lights mounted, "with remote." Our seller notes, "bill of sale," so not sure about the title situation, not that I would actually operate this baby on a public road…or on my trailer for that matter. The ad includes a walk-around video for your enjoyment. Good luck with the sale.

This past weekend I hosted a reader in the shop for a "gab n' wrench" session. Reader Bill has recently acquired an exceptional example of a 1990 VFR750, complete with a leaking set of carburetors. After some discussion, Bill decided to hit the easy button and swap out his carbs for a rebuilt set I happen to have on the shelf. He's only two hours away so arranged a trailer and motored down from Wisconsin for some garage therapy…for both of us.

Bill arrived around noon, but our work session was delayed for a bit while I ogled Bill's stunning Italian Red survivor. This is, of course, the only year that Honda combined this brilliant red with white wheels, giving the classic '90's sportbike look. I was first impressed by the low 17,587 miles but even more so with the very correct details of an original survivor and the obvious loving attention lavished on this bike for the past 36 years. The only variations from stock are the Delkevic carbon slip-on, a perfect Corbin seat and a bobbed rear fender. Not pictured, but included, is the passenger seat cowl.

Eventually we did get busy with the task at hand, beginning with the removal of the tank, seat, tail cowl and side fairings, affording access to the carbs and fuel lines. This was fairly new to Bill and I'm happy to share any knowledge I can, so that's where the "gab" came in. Things progressed well and, once primed with fuel, the "new" carbs fired up and ran well, the Delkevic singing its perfect V4 score. With everything accessible, we replaced the tank-to-pump fuel line and filter. The rear brake fluid was a little dark, so we did a quick flush. By the time we got everything buttoned up. the day had moved on, leaving too little time for a two-bike local test ride, which Bill completed the next day, reporting "bike is running great."

It was a pleasure to meet Bill and share some wrenching time on such an exceptional machine. An afternoon well spent — we're already thinking of pairing up for a Gen-3 ride in Wisconsin's Driftless Area. What a rare experience that would be.

Reader and forums contributor, Baz, seems to be on a mission to rescue as many of the 1987 blue/silver VFR700 F2 models as he can manage. He recently sent along a photo of a portion of his collection. These four are "complete and operational," he says. He also has the other Gen-2 colors and a Gen-3. Baz is definitely doing more than his part to save these beautiful bikes.

A few months ago I advertised an unused container of aluminum cleaner on FB Marketplace and when the buyer, Rob, showed up I happened to ask him what he planned to use it for.

It was at this point that our worlds began to merge as we shared our moto activities, Rob mentioning that one of his more recent acquisitions is a Moto Guzzi Griso which he'd purchased in the Cincinnati area from a guy named Rick. A dim bulb lit in my memory as I connected the dots to my "Blue Ridge Dreamin'" trip of September 2023, where I rode with a Griso…owned by a guy named Rick…from Cincinnati.

Yep, same bike, now residing in our small town in Illinois. Well, turns out Rob is part of a local group of guys who, for years, have regularly ridden together in southeast Wisconsin and call themselves the "Geezers." All the guys seem to have long moto histories and ride, wrench and live bikes. Rob graciously invited me to join a group ride a few weeks ago and again yesterday.

My day began at 7:30 with unseasonably crisp temperatures but blue skies and bright sun as I swung a leg over the '93 VFR and steered toward the meetup point outside Twin Lakes, WI. This was the VFR's debut with the group so it got its share of attention while we talked as today's riders rolled in. Only nine bikes this morning as we rode to our breakfast stop at the friendly Princess Cafe in East Troy. After fueling our bodies, Rob led us through a maze of twisty Wisconsin backroads toward the southern section of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. We took a butt break in the heart of "The Kettle" along Hwy ZZ followed by a great ride along several of the area's finest roads — twisty, smooth, with pastoral scenery and mostly devoid of traffic on this Thursday morning. One more group stop in Eagle before working our way toward our respective home bases, eventually shedding riders till I was solo for the final ten miles or so, gliding into the garage at 2:30, the trip meter showing 135 miles.

The VFR, of course, was the perfect riding companion. When the curves appear or the speeds pick up, this bike responds with confidence-inspiring ease, true to its VFR lineage. The changes I've made to the bike's ergonomics give these old joints a break, making a day ride like this a pleasant experience.

I've always been, let's say leery, of group rides. Unless you have confidence in all the other riders, it can be more nerve-wracking than relaxing. Not so in this case. After two rides, I have no qualms with this group — they are obviously experienced and capable riders who ride their own rides with poise and skill. I hope I've demonstrated the same, and that they might welcome me in the future.

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 are fun to use, look at or just talk about. If you're 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.