What: 2016 VFR1200X
Where: Shawnee, Oklahoma
Why: Great price on a great bike
Price: $9999

From Shawnee Honda near Oklahoma City, OK, comes this left-over VFR1200X from their demo fleet. Known as the Crosstourer in other markets, the 1200X appeared in the U.S. in 2016. The model was instantly overshadowed by Honda's own Africa Twin which was more suited to actual off-road use than the X and enjoyed instant success.

The 1200X offers lots to like including ABS, three electronic ride modes, optional DCT, shaft drive and more. In various road tests, the X seems to shine as an upright, comfortable, mile-eating sport tourer more so than a genuine dual-sport. With an original MSRP of $15,600 this one is a real bargain....with factory warranty!

Here's a useful road test from Ultimate Motorcycling.

Here's a period accessory that doesn't come up to often. From beautiful Lompoc, California comes this GIVI luggage rack assembly to fit the forth-gen VFR, 1994-97. Hard bags were not a factory option for these bikes, so this is a great alternative to get more "touring" in your sport touring. I'm guessing any Monokey Givi bag will fit these racks. The seller notes that a small part needs replacing and offers the part number. Bidding starts at $130.

From Ricambi-Weiss in Germany comes this replacement fairing kit. Listed for years '88-89, which would be a European model, this nonetheless looks like it may be adaptable to the '86-87 VFR with some mounting modifications. This is a four-piece item — a close look at the photo shows that it's been taped together to show the entire part. Don't expect the appropriate mounting holes or stock headlight bosses, but for a track bike or custom this might be just the ticket.

The eBay listing prices the fiberglass piece at $297 including shipping. The company website shows the part for 170 Euro, or $195 USD (no shipping).

In a previous post I featured an RC30 tool kit listed on eBay for what seems like a premium price of $1500. Not a chance.

Just sold on Bring-A-Trailer (.com) is this vintage tool kit from a Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing for an impressive $20,500. No, that's not a typo.

I guess we've got nothing on the car guys.

From Tucson, Arizona this very nice 2015 VFR800 Deluxe recently auctioned for $5500.

With an original MSRP north of $13K, this 7800-mile example proved to be a genuine bargain for the winning buyer. Unfortunately it also sends a dismal message about the low popularity and resulting resale values for the excellent eighth-generation VFRs.

Introduced in 2014, the latest 800 never gained traction in the U.S. market and, in fact, Honda is no longer showing the model in their lineup. We know that the era of dedicated sport and supersport repli-racer bikes is waning, if not dead on arrival, but the Interceptors have always seemed to define their own space in the marketplace. I guess that's just not enough for today's new bike buyers. With the boom of minimally-faired standards, ADV and retro bikes, plastic-wrapped sport bikes have had their day.

But if you're one who still appreciates the experience of an exquisitely engineered, V4-powered riding tool slicing through the twisties on a quiet Sunday morning....the many generations of VFR Interceptors being offered for a song await on the used marketplace.

Project 17 came to me with some pretty nasty-looking exhaust pipes as part of the SuperTrapp slip-ons. Normally I would have them sandblasted but my guy's machine was out of service, so I simply went old-school — elbow grease.

I start with a thorough degreasing, then wire brushing the big stuff, then hitting the metal with a rotary rust-removing disc, and finally hand-sanding — first with 100-grit paper followed by a finer wet-sanding with sponge-backed sandpaper. Sponge paper helps get into the grooves and small crevices. After a wipe with acetone the pipes are hung to be sprayed with hi-heat primer and finally several coats of flat black. After a few days to cure I rub out the black paint with a clean, dry microfiber cloth giving the pipes a medium sheen which is very close to the factory look. Fresh gaskets and new chrome clamps finish 'em up.

The aluminum mufflers were finished with various grades of wet-sanding with a light hand polishing, which I've covered in previous posts.

NOTE: The spray-can paint used here is not at all impervious to gasoline or other chemicals. But if future touchup is necessary it's pretty easy.

Motorcycle tool kits are like disappearing socks in the laundry. It's always a mystery where or how they've managed to get themselves lost. I don't know how many cars and bikes I've looked at for possible purchase that have no owners manual and/or tool kits. Even original-owner vehicles. And don't get me started on titles...but that's another story.

​One might question the usefulness of an onboard tool kit of dubious quality, but I like the peace of mind knowing that at least I have an option other than standing next to a dead bike looking lost. And, as our bikes age, having all the pieces adds value. VFR tool kits do come up for sale occasionally and here's four on eBay now, ranging from the mundane to the exotic. TIP: check the listing's photo against a parts diagram for a parts inventory.

From a father & son motorcycle breaker operation in Virginia, comes this '02-09 VFR800 kit. It's been made presentable with a sandblasting and cleaning and is offered for $44.98, or make offer, with free shipping. There appears to be a couple of parts missing, like the screwdriver handle and 7mm feeler gauge.

One essential item in the kit, which applies to all gen-3 bikes and newer, is the large C-spanner used for chain adjustments. The size- and length-specific spark plug wrench is also a nice-to-have tool. Both are also available separately from the aftermarket.

Here's a kit listed with the Honda part number 89010-MT4-000, which translates to the '90-91 VFR750F. The kit looks nice but when compared with the parts diagram it comes up short (photo below).

We're missing a few parts, and at $100 (or offer) plus $8 shipping I would expect the complete kit. I wouldn't expect this one to sell anytime soon.

Finally, from Colorado we have something of the Holy Grail of tool kits — a kit and owners manual for the RC30 VFR750R. 

Our seller states that the items are from his personal bike which he still has. That begs the question of why one would sell two items that the next owner will surely want and expect to have included with the motorcycle. Hmmmm.

In any event these items are listed for a hopeful price of $1500, and as if that's not quite enough our seller is also charging $20 to ship them.

Recently sold on eBay for an impressive $4750, this 700F model shows a very low 3830 miles. This is the lowest mileage second-gen Interceptor I've seen sell in the past ten years.

Our seller doesn't offer a lot of detail but calls the bike "like new" with fresh tires and some maintenance completed. He or she also states that it's never been in the rain — I'm never sure how I'm supposed to take such an impossible to quantify statement. After all, riding a bike in the rain doesn't age it anymore than washing it. I suppose it's an attempt to suggest how the bike was babied. Personally, I'd be more interested in how it was maintained, or in this case, how it was stored, especially considering it came from hot and humid Georgia.

In any event, this looks like a keeper. Congratulations to seller and buyer.