All Categories - V4 Dreams

A Video History of the Honda VFR

2/12/2019

Known as a "motovlogger" (yes, it's a real thing), HeroRR is a serial YouTube video producer. His channel features a lot of Honda content and he's a VFR fan. One of his more ambitious projects is the video presented below — The Incredible History Of The Honda VFR. It's a very complete and fast-paced historical account of the V4 sport bikes from Honda with some personal perceptions thrown in based on having owned a few of the VFR models discussed. There's a few small mistakes, but generally an accurate overview.

I was surprised to see one of my bikes, Project 9, pictured at 5:30. Enjoy.

Market Watch - Eighth-gen Interceptor

2/11/2019

Click on image for eBay link.

Unsold: $6211 with 31 bids
Update: Unsold at $6003 w/24 bids

From Timbrook Honda in Winchester, VA, a new 2014 VFR800 DLX in pearl white has failed to meet reserve with bidding to $6211.

This kind of result is significant in that it paints a real-time picture of current market value for a given model. You do need to make value adjustments for factors like time of year, location and potential shipping costs, plus additional dealer costs — in this dealer's case the buyer would have to add $614 in dealer fees. Timbrook's website lists this bike at $7999. That shows us a serious disconnect between the seller and the market.
UPDATE: Timbrook has relisted this bike at $7999 or make offer.

Market Watch - VF1000F

2/8/2019

Click on image for the eBay listing.

SOLD: $4550 via eBay auction

The big-block Interceptors were a short-lived option here in the U.S. Introduced for the 1984 model year the "F" was not able to generate the needed sales and was replaced the very next year by the Euro "R" version.

With similar architecture to the VF700/750 Interceptors, the VF1000F was essentially a larger version, sporting 95 HP at the wheel. Unfortunately, the model was instantly overshadowed by Kawasaki's Ninja 900.

This particular example is special because it's a survivor. The seller represents it as an original, unmolested example with only 13,259 miles. The photos support that claim, with just enough patina evident to show that this is not a restored bike. The selling price is comfortably below the more desirable "R" model. For VF aficionados this would represent a great-looking addition to the stable.

For Sale - Hard Bags For VFR800 VTEC -- SOLD

2/8/2019

SOLD
I've finished detailing the hard bags from Project 23, a 2002 VFR800, and am offering them for sale.

$225 Trunk + shipping to CONUS (only)
$275 Saddlebags + shipping to CONUS (only)

These bags will fit years 2002-09. Color is Italian Red as used on 2002-04, but will be close to other Honda reds. Complete mounts, two sets of keys, instructions and hardware included. The trunk and bags are packaged for shipping separately (bags in one box, trunk in another). The trunk & mount retailed new for $565, and the saddlebags & mounts for $946. Neither are available from Honda.

Trunk condition is excellent. Right saddlebag is very good to excellent, left has some touched-up rash in the lower front, but is otherwise very good to excellent. I tried to photograph the repaired area, but not much luck. See the Flickr link for photos. These bags look great on the bike.

These are each shipped in a large box which weigh 30 lbs, so shipping isn't cheap. FedEx Ground rates per box (one box for the trunk, one box for the saddlebags):
To the Midwest = $43
To the East Coast = $60
To the West Coast = $70

Accolades - Part II

2/7/2019

From Motorcyclist Online comes a write-up by Seth Richards titled Top Ten Motorcycles Of The 1990s. Just from that title I knew there'd be at least one Honda V4 listed. Turns out there are several, as the article's banner photo (above) suggests. Richards lists the iconic RC30 and its successor, the RC45, along with the much more accessible Interceptor. "The VFR750F...became the everyman’s ride-to-work, blitz-the-twisties, perennial bike of the year. Unerringly smooth and undemanding, the Veefer was the consummate Honda."

Another significant V4 included is the ST1100, which is credited, along with certain BMWs, as cementing the sport tourer as a staple genre in motorcycling.

The rest of the list:
Honda NR750
Ducati 916
Yamaha GTS1000
Honda Valkyrie
Kawasaki ZX-11
Honda CBR900RR
Ducati Monster
Suzuki GSX-R 750
Buell RS1200

Accolades

2/5/2019

While perusing the Motorcyclist magazine archives this article popped up on my screen, The 11 Most Important Motorcycles of All Time. That's an ambitious title and also fairly subjective, beyond a few obvious selections, like the bike which the article pronounced the Motorcycle of the Century. That choice isn't a tough one — the Honda CB750.

For our purposes the list also includes the first Honda Interceptor, the VF750F. Calling it "one of the most sublime" street bikes of the time, they also note that the technology it embraced helped make it a "fine-handling, aggressive-looking package, the Interceptor was an immediate best-seller — and Japan's first real repli-racer."

The V-45 is no stranger to being singled out for its significance in our sport, having been selected for the Art of the Motorcycle exhibition at New York's Guggenheim Museum in 1998.

Exclusivity Has Its Price

2/1/2019

Click on image for the eBay link.

What: RC30 Rear Wheel Stand
Where: Woodland Hills, California
Why: You must need one
Price: $1100 or offer
Here's a seller who's hobby involves restoring OEM wheel stands for resale, and he's offering this item which he states works with the RC30 and RC45.

I'm aware that every RC30 was delivered with one of these but not sure about the RC45. I'm not sure of the market (doesn't every RC30 owner already have one?) or the value, though anything associated with the RC seems to be gold plated. I hope seller and buyer find one another.

Designer Lid

1/31/2019

I spied this gorgeous vintage helmet a few weeks ago on eBay for only $35 including shipping right to my front door. I had to have it, of course, and last week it appeared on my doorstep.

What is it, you ask? Well, I've done some research — turns out it was offered in the mid-eighties and the model is a Z-100. It was available in a few colors but this one was specifically produced to coordinate with the VF Interceptor line. Which it does; the colors are a perfect match to Honda's. I found another seller who states it's an Eddie Lawson edition, but I can't find anything to support that. And Fast Freddie Spencer used Arai helmets. Regardless, it sure is pretty, and if the photo looks like it's in perfect condition that's because it is! What a great display piece for my home office. The second image below is a period ad.
(click on an image to enlarge)

An interesting footnote; the Z-100 was designed by a gentleman by the name of Giorgetto Giugiaro. While he may not be a household name to most of us, in the world of design he's seated firmly at the top.

Giugiaro has made his mark on everything from the Maserati Ghibli to Nikon cameras. He designed the DeLorean DMC and De Tomaso Mangusta, the Ducati 850GT and Suzuki RE5. But wait...there's more. He's in the Automotive Hall of Fame and was named the Car Designer of the Century in 1999...the century.

I had no idea when I clicked the "bid" button on that auction that I'd have a touch of this man's genius on my wall.

"MY VFRs" Page Updated

1/30/2019

I've brought the "My VFRs" page up-to-date with briefs on all of my completed projects.

Las Vegas Auction Results

1/30/2019

The 2019 Las Vegas auctions are in the history books, and a handful of Honda V4s have changed hands among the well-heeled. The money leader at Mecum's was a 1939 Crocker Big Tank at $704,000. But in the top ten, amongst the antique museum queens, was a lone Honda — a 1992 NR 750.

Some of the more shocking sale prices, at least to me, were a batch of Honda minis from the 60's. These little guy's popularity is spiking — these three sold from $5225 to $12,100.

Here's the lineup of V4 sales....

1992 NR 750
Estimate: $75,000-100,000
Sold: $181,000

1988 RC30 (0-mile)
Estimate: $50,000-65,000
Sold: $121,000

1990 RC30
Estimate: not provided
Sold: $27,500

1990 VFR400R NC30
Estimate: $10,000-13,000
Sold: $23,100

It seems that these lots sold for well over the auction company's estimates. Unsold were a set of two V4 classics being sold as a set — a '90 RC30 together with a '94 RC45.