What: 2007 VFR800
Where: Charlotte, N. Carolina
Why: Low miles, unmolested
Price: $5000

If you were shopping for a new Interceptor in 2007 your color choices were two: the r/w/b Anniversary Edition or this more Honda-like Candy Glory Red.

Today's example is a one-owner, purchased new in 2010 and ridden only 5500 miles. The seller claims the bike is unmodified, never down and "not a scratch on it," excepting some scuffs on the matching OEM saddlebags. The title is clean and the price firm. If you're in the market for a new-looking sixth-generation Interceptor, your search could easily end here.

Back in June a very special Interceptor was off-loaded from the transporter after its long trek from south Florida. This example is unique for a few reasons, the most significant being the 1112 miles showing on the odometer. The bike is a one-owner 1986 VFR700F in red/white/blue with original everything, right down to the tires and battery (drained and bagged). 

Some history: Seller Jim purchased his new Interceptor as a showroom "left-over" from Gables Honda, Miami Florida, on November 28, 1988 (now Gables Motorsports & Marine). The selling price was $3979 plus fees and tax, giving an out-the-door total of $4257, according to the original sales contract provided with the sale. Jim also provided the second key, still with its protective plastic sheath, tool kit, owners manual, an unused Factory Service Manual and the optional center stand in its factory wrapper.

Jim managed to put a few miles on his new bike before hurricane Andrew hit south Florida in 1992, the most destructive U.S. hurricane of record. Jim was then busied rebuilding BP facilities throughout south Florida for the next few years. When the VFR eventually failed to come back to life, weeks turned into months and months into years. It would be three decades before Jim decided to finally resurrect his "new" bike. He completed a thorough brake system rebuild before contacting me about some carburetor parts. After some discussion the possibility of a sale came up…and it became my project…Project 35.

I immediately took to checking the mechanical basics of valve checks (a few intakes and all exhaust valves were tight), compression check and visual inspection of electrical, fuel line replacements, etc. The gooey carburetors were tended to, installed, and the old engine came to life without hesitation. After a carb syncing, the bike was running well, so as a final check I ventured out on a short test ride to verify that the suspension, clutch and transmission were correct — it was a tentative outing due to the 35 year-old rubber, but everything checked out and the bike felt tight, together…basically what a new 1986 Honda VFR would feel like. This was a very special experience for a VFR geek like myself.

I've developed a plan to keep this bike in its original state while bringing the mechanical systems up to snuff. It will be a running, riding time capsule. And it may well be on the podium at the 2022 Las Vegas auctions. It's a bittersweet reality that rare, original finds like this one have reached the collectability stage in their life where further miles and risk of damage are counter-productive to the bike's monetary and aesthetic appeal. But, that will be up to its next caretaker.
(click on an image to enlarge)

What: 2005 VFR800
Where: Cottage Grove, WI
Why: Low miles, unmolested
Price: $4195

Offered in the Madison, WI area is this clean, unmodified, one-owner 6th-gen non-ABS Interceptor showing only 7400 miles. Our seller is of few words but notes that the bike has a fresh battery and oil, with no mention of extras like luggage. The photos show a missing battery cover and the rear fender may have been eliminated, but otherwise looks complete and original. His asking price reflects the bike's low miles and clean condition.

A reader from the UK sent along some photos and his story with this beautiful silver 4th-gen VFR. Marco found his bike as a non-running project on the Isle of Wight, an island off the south coast of England. It had been inactive since 2010 and was being offered for £700. Marco and the seller settled on £550 ($749), figuring he's not out much if things didn't work out. But they did. With lots of carburetor work, fuel system flushed, tires, full brake service, filters, etc., the Honda fired up, ran and rode well.

I think the 4th-gen looks great in silver with black. Congratulations to Marco and his exceptional rescue.

"One is apt to overestimate beauty when it is rare," wrote Mark Twain. This observation holds true in our sport more times than I'd care to admit — the Munch Mammoth of 1969 comes to mind. Obviously, I'm biased toward the Interceptors when it comes to classic sport bikes, but there's one period comparison that I've never quite understood, and that's the visual attraction of the original Suzuki GSX-R750.

Compare the GSX-R to the same year Honda Interceptor.

Lines, angles, shapes, color. These design elements blend into a cohesive style; lithe, light and sexy. I don't know what style Suzuki was chasing — Steampunk Endurance Racer? — but they missed the mark.

And don't get me started on engineering and build quality....

Yes, you're seeing that correctly…the bike pictured below sold for $11,550 at Mecum's Las Vegas auction, held this year at the end of April. This example represents an above average 1986 VFR750F showing 18,665 miles and coming out of the Northern California Superbike Collection.

Mecum gives very sparse details (which aren't always accurate) on their auction bikes, in this case stating, "factory stock condition with no modifications." Well, there's the Yoshimura 4-into-1 slip-on, braided brake lines, aftermarket rear turn signals, missing passenger pegs and incorrect black painted radiator screen…but caveat emptor, right?

As for condition, this is a very nice rider with below average miles (~25,000 is average for the 2d-gen bikes in my experience) and several touched-up spots on the paintwork, notably the left side fairings, which obviously met the ground at some point.

All I can say is, WOW, well-sold. The real significance of this sale, I hope, is that it signals a long-overdue value increase for second-gen Interceptors.

What: 1985 VF1000R (project)
Where: Pepperell, Massachusetts
Why: Nice example, but….
Price: eBay auction

Up for a project? No, not the Swamp Thing, or someone's freshly crashed "streetfighter." This one is a nicely presented square-headlight 1985 model (with a round-light '86 paint job) showing only 16,020 miles and several desirable upgrades already accomplished, including suspension, exhaust, paint and brake lines. The elephant in the room is the oil dripping out of the head gasket area of #2 cylinder. Not being a VF guy, I'm not sure if this requires an engine removal, but it will be an involved repair in any case. If you're up for it you'll be rewarded with a very pretty big-block V4 with lots of miles in its future. Bidding is at $1763, reserve not met, with four days left in the auction.

Two widely divergent VF1000Rs sold recently via eBay auctions, one a project or parts bike (with parts missing), the other a nice running example. The value difference came out to $5452.

First up is this 1985 with a claimed 4845 miles. What you see is what you get, minus a title and not run since 2004.

This will be a real gamble for the buyer if he/she is interested in a useable engine, as one has to wonder why a high-end sport bike was parked with so few miles. Beyond that, it might serve as a parts bike or a project basis if a title can be secured.

Sold for $2200 with 22 bids.

Next up is this pretty 1985 example showing 11,628 miles and in need of only a battery, according to the listing. Details are scarce but is described as "very clean" and "coming out of a private collection."

The photos indeed show a very clean bike, complete and original.

Well bought for $7652 with 28 bids.

What: 2002 VFR800 ABS
Where: Swedesboro, New Jersey
Why: Low miles, well-kept, ABS
Price: $4650 BIN, or Make Offer

There's a combination of factors making this first-year VTEC 800 a bit special, beginning with a life of light use as evidenced by the 12,953 miles showing on the odometer. It's also adult-owned and obviously well cared for and maintained, while the Delkevic stainless slip-ons are a nice touch to highlight that magical V4 music. The rear fender isn't chopped, it hasn't been flung down the road on its side and there's no boy-racer decals sullying the Italian Red paintwork. The red wheel stripes can be easily removed, if desired. The maintenance is up to date and all the original parts are there along with tool kit, manuals, etc. All-in-all, a very nice package with the safety advantage of ABS brakes.

Yesterday another project left the shop as owner Steve brought his trailer to take his baby home to Michigan.

Project 34 is a sparkling 1987 VFR700 F2 with 23,300 miles on the odometer. Steve's Interceptor got a cosmetic and mechanical make-over and is now ready for many more miles and smiles. Steve's owned the bike for many years as it's followed him around the country through moves and a growing family, but he knew the day would come when he and the bike would return to the road. Yesterday was that day.

The carburetors on this one were among the worst in my experience, but once they were sorted the bike came together bit by bit, always with an emphasis on keeping the bike's originality and character in tact. I think we achieved that goal as this is a beautiful survivor, with a look, sound and feel right from 1987. I hope Steve is proud of his VFR and they enjoy many years of safe and enjoyable rides together.
Photo album.