Click on image for the eBay listing What: 1986 VFR700 F2
Where: Vernon-Rockville CT
Price: Ebay: $2250 opening bid
I want to be clear upfront that I'm not picking on our seller, well-known Kaplan Cycles who has earned a 100% positive eBay rating over many years of selling motorbikes. Nor am I intending to nit-pick this bike, but rather pointing out that buyers need to be aware of unintentional mis-information provided to sellers in this day of buying vehicles sight-unseen via the wonders of the internet, and I thought that this sale would provide a good example.
This bike was part of a collection, one of several V4 models, and was given a refurbishment at Kaplan Cycles (see the listing for details). It shows 16,880 miles and is represented as "all stock & unmolested." The VIN plate shows the bike to be an RC26 (700cc) with a manufacture date of Feb. 1986, production number 357, which would make it one of the earlier F2 models. The F2 was an update to the original "F" and was introduced in the latter half of the 1986 model year, continuing through 1987. The visual cues to the '86 F2 are the Pearl Crescent White color and "square" instrument gauges which this bike has, but is lacking the correct dark blue seat. There's also aftermarket mirrors and front turn signals fitted.
This bike has been down on the right side, and the seller is up front about cosmetic damage to the tank and right side fairings. The right side muffler shows rash, which isn't pointed out. There's short pinstripe decals added to the tail light fairing which makes me wonder about having all "original paint." The chin fairing doesn't align and seems to be lacking the lower clip. The front reflectors are missing brake line routing brackets and the OEM windscreen is lacking the edge molding. The optional centerstand and passenger seat cowl are not with this bike. I didn't see a reference to the valve clearances being checked.
Ken himself does a riding and walk-around video in the listing — the bike sounds good and revs off idle nicely. He indicated that the tires are "brand new" Dunlops but I think I made out a 2001 date code on the rear, but I could be mistaken. The ignition switch and fuel cap have been replaced, so there was apparently no key available when Ken acquired the bike. The appeal of this bike is the low miles but the real fly in the ointment here is the lack of title which could be a major issue for many buyers, as this is a rider-grade example, not a museum queen.
The listing has an opening auction bid of $2250, with reserve, and a buy-it-now price of $4250. I'm not sure who our potential buyer is here, considering the lack of title. I've learned (the hard way) over the years to glean as much information from a sellers ad copy, photos and videos as possible then always communicate with a seller to fill in the blanks and get a "feel" for the seller. He's a consummate salesman, but to my knowledge Ken Kaplan has always been an upfront, straight-talking guy — I hope this VFR finds a good home.
Where: Vernon-Rockville CT
Price: Ebay: $2250 opening bid
I want to be clear upfront that I'm not picking on our seller, well-known Kaplan Cycles who has earned a 100% positive eBay rating over many years of selling motorbikes. Nor am I intending to nit-pick this bike, but rather pointing out that buyers need to be aware of unintentional mis-information provided to sellers in this day of buying vehicles sight-unseen via the wonders of the internet, and I thought that this sale would provide a good example.
This bike was part of a collection, one of several V4 models, and was given a refurbishment at Kaplan Cycles (see the listing for details). It shows 16,880 miles and is represented as "all stock & unmolested." The VIN plate shows the bike to be an RC26 (700cc) with a manufacture date of Feb. 1986, production number 357, which would make it one of the earlier F2 models. The F2 was an update to the original "F" and was introduced in the latter half of the 1986 model year, continuing through 1987. The visual cues to the '86 F2 are the Pearl Crescent White color and "square" instrument gauges which this bike has, but is lacking the correct dark blue seat. There's also aftermarket mirrors and front turn signals fitted.
This bike has been down on the right side, and the seller is up front about cosmetic damage to the tank and right side fairings. The right side muffler shows rash, which isn't pointed out. There's short pinstripe decals added to the tail light fairing which makes me wonder about having all "original paint." The chin fairing doesn't align and seems to be lacking the lower clip. The front reflectors are missing brake line routing brackets and the OEM windscreen is lacking the edge molding. The optional centerstand and passenger seat cowl are not with this bike. I didn't see a reference to the valve clearances being checked.
Ken himself does a riding and walk-around video in the listing — the bike sounds good and revs off idle nicely. He indicated that the tires are "brand new" Dunlops but I think I made out a 2001 date code on the rear, but I could be mistaken. The ignition switch and fuel cap have been replaced, so there was apparently no key available when Ken acquired the bike. The appeal of this bike is the low miles but the real fly in the ointment here is the lack of title which could be a major issue for many buyers, as this is a rider-grade example, not a museum queen.
The listing has an opening auction bid of $2250, with reserve, and a buy-it-now price of $4250. I'm not sure who our potential buyer is here, considering the lack of title. I've learned (the hard way) over the years to glean as much information from a sellers ad copy, photos and videos as possible then always communicate with a seller to fill in the blanks and get a "feel" for the seller. He's a consummate salesman, but to my knowledge Ken Kaplan has always been an upfront, straight-talking guy — I hope this VFR finds a good home.
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