Today marks the mid-point of our riding season here on the top half of the globe. Here's a 5-minute video reminder to get out there and enjoy our very special machines.
​​(credit: Stahlkatze)

What: 1987 VFR700 F2
Where: Hugo, MN (Minneapolis area)
Why: Rare blue/gray, clean, original
Price: $3800

In the U.S. market, the 2d-gen VFR was offered for 1986-87, and the '87 was available only as the 700cc F2 model. Of the two color choices, Pearl Crescent White was, by far, the most common, with relatively few arriving in Candy Wave Blue with gray accent, seat and wheels, as shown in this very original example.

Our seller is of limited words and photographic expertise, but the basics sound good — "clean 2-owner…all original, no scratches, never down." Just what a smart buyer is looking for, complete with passenger seat cowl. The $3800 price seems in line with what's being offered.

What: 2010 VFR1200F
Where: Naperville IL (Chicago area)
Why: Clean, stock, fair price
Price: $5500

In the world of Grand Touring motorcycles, the 7th-generation VFR1200 holds its own against European and other Asian competitors. Powerful (170 HP enough for ya?), fast, stable and impeccably dressed, for the discerning few this V4 is their mount of choice.

This example is waiting for its next owner not far from the V4 Dreams complex and appears to be a completely original one-owner, showing 24,000 miles with no accident history and fresh rubber. No mention of the optional saddlebags, but a great-looking example and realistically priced.

SOLD: $15,700

The NC30, or VFR400R, was the third generation of the VFR400 series and is often referred to as the smaller sibling of the 750cc RC30, as the two models share looks and basic mechanical architecture.

This example sold recently via eBay auction out of Canada and is a UK-spec model. It is represented as a "near-mint unrestored survivor" and shows 20,465 miles on its MPH-numbered speedometer. Other UK-specific features include larger turn signals and the addition of an oil cooler, and this is one of only two color schemes available. The seller says that the bike is a no expense spared example with maintenance up-to-date and sports a Scorpion exhaust.

The winning bid shows the value of an original survivor bike, which was used but loved, and being a gray market import from England solidifies its rarity in North America.

Reader Peter R., from the far south of England, recently needed a few carburetor parts and shared a bit of his V4 history. Peter once raced a full HRC race-kitted RC24 in the World Endurance Series in 1986-87 and later the RC30. "I wish I'd kept the old VFR," he laments. Peter was kind enough to send along some photos. Here's a partial listing of his V4s:
(1) VF1000R
(4) RC24 (still has one)
(3) RC30
(1) NR750
(2) RC45 (still has one)

SOLD: $2651

This 1986 VFR700F should have fetched more than the final bid, and the reason for the give-away price was lazy marketing. 

This bike shows 28,600 miles in original condition, complete with seat cowl and centerstand, and appears to be in above average cosmetic condition with a unique repair to one of the plastic panels.

The original listing included all of 18 descriptive words with incorrect mileage and engine size. So...I tried to get more details on the bike by sending a personal email to the seller with six basic questions — three were answered (15 words) along with four additional photos.

It will forever remain a mystery to me why some sellers consider it an imposition to actually provide pertinent details on an unknown machine that they expect to sell for thousands of dollars, sight-unseen, to a potential buyer hundreds or thousands of miles distant. I hope this isn't becoming the new normal in our virtual selling world. In any case, well bought.

Reader Phil R. has been on the hunt for his ideal V4, a VF500F. We've been in contact for several months as he sought out advice and encouragement before finally located this beautiful example in Wisconsin. I can see that Phil is off to a fine start — there's a lot you can do with some metric tools, a dead-blow hammer and a tall can of WD-40.

This evocative image is courtesy of Allard Appel from the RC24/RC26 Facebook group. He recently enjoyed this view on a ride into Luxemburg. That beautiful front end assembly consists of VTR1000F forks, CBR600 F3 wheel, VTR 4-piston calipers with EBC pads and Bridgestone S21 rubber. He describes the modified bike as "amazing."

Our vintage VFRs came in a variety of colors. Here in North America, we got the iconic red/white/blue, blue/gray, several reds, pearl white, silver and black. But, between other markets and customizers, we can get more ideas if we feel like a change. Here's a few examples….
(click on an image to enlarge)

SOLD: $4600

Recently sold via eBay auction, this 2007 VFR800 Anniversary Edition fetched $4600 with only four bids. This example, from the Houston, TX area, shows about 22,000 miles and the sparse description states "no accidents." The photos show an aftermarket seat, windscreen, levers, RAM phone mount, smoked signal lenses, some wheel stripe decals and rear fender eliminator.

Auctions give us a real-life idea of current valuations, but this one might have done a little better with some more thorough marketing efforts. Well bought.