Need everyones 2cents regarding a bike I may buy

[kazspeed]

So I am looking at a 2002 f4i with 5000ish miles on it

The owner has had it garaged, and is selling because he has a different bike.

The bike is stock, except for a rear tail eliminator, flush mounts, and has a full erion racing exhaust.

Since the bike is 8 years old, what concerns should I have for a bike having such low mileage? Anything in particular I should look at when seeing the bike in person?

The owner says there is barely a scratch on it and says he has had it problem free, never tracked, never stunted.

What's everyones 2 cents?

[butcher bergs]

Check the stanchions for pitting, scoring or other damage.

Check for leakage on the suspension, cooling and oil systems.

Inspect for dry rot on the rubber components.

Make sure all the bulbs and switches work as designed.

Inspect brake components as well as lever/ pedal action.

Before you arrive, request the seller does not start the bike for at least 12hrs prior to your arrival. When you get there, start it up and be sure the cold engine doesn't emit any odd sounds as it warms up. Let the bike warm up until the fans kick on....should be around the 210* area.

[Jim]

remember if buying in MA, the seller is responsible for guarenteeing that bike to pass safety inspection for your sticker. in other words "as is" on your bill of sale is BS. if the tires, brakes, etc will fail, he has to put the parts on there to make it pass.

other than that, what bergs said

[Stromper]

Some guy just said he cross 200000 miles on a similar bike
unless it was raced 5000 is nothing

Does the other bike look like its taken care of

title in his name?

[kazspeed]

Some guy just said he cross 200000 miles on a similar bike
unless it was raced 5000 is nothing

Does the other bike look like its taken care of

title in his name?

According to him it was never raced. And yes he has a clean title in his name.

Almost seems too good to be true, I am going to check out the bike this weekend. Fingers crossed it is as good as he says.

[Pigman]

Also, ask if the CCT has been done and at what milage.....and whats he looking to get for it?

[kazspeed]

Also, ask if the CCT has been done and at what milage.....and whats he looking to get for it?

Brace yourself for a noob question......


What is CCT?


He's asking for $4500, I believe I can get it for $4k though.

[ultraTwist]

It's a Honda and it's made out of aluminum what are you worried about?

[kazspeed]

It's a Honda and it's made out of aluminum what are you worried about?

Just being super cautious because it is the first bike I am buying...want to make sure I have as much knowledge/advice as I can get before I purchase.

Pardon the noob questions!

[Stoneman]

Even $4K for an 8-year old sport bike is too much. Especially one so common. I'd start at $2500 and see how he responds to that...

I'll also echo what Bergs said. Most importantly, insist that he NOT start the bike. If anything feels even slightly warm on it when you get there, walk away. He's fuckin' with you...

I think you're nuts planning on spending that kinda money on that bike though. And I don't care what 'blue book' is on it. Not only are they a dime-a-dozen, but you & him both need to take the current state of economy into consideration. There's a bazillion of 'em out there. I wouldn't go any higher than $3K...

[kazspeed]

Even $4K for an 8-year old sport bike is too much. Especially one so common. I'd start at $2500 and see how he responds to that...

I'll also echo what Bergs said. Most importantly, insist that he NOT start the bike. If anything feels even slightly warm on it when you get there, walk away. He's fuckin' with you...

I think you're nuts planning on spending that kinda money on that bike though. And I don't care what 'blue book' is on it. Not only are they a dime-a-dozen, but you & him both need to take the current state of economy into consideration. There's a bazillion of 'em out there. I wouldn't go any higher than $3K...

Really??!! I totally understand what you are saying but I am just putting myself in his shoes and I wouldn't let a bike go for that little. He doesn't need to sell it either, I only know it is for sale through a friend, so I can't use that to my advantage either.

Anyone else agree $4k is too much?

[Pigman]

The CCT is the Cam Chain Tensioner common issue.....and FYI my 02 F4i that I sold last year went for 4k and was in Very Good condition...so unless you really want it I would be more on the 4-3500 side....

[kazspeed]

The CCT is the Cam Chain Tensioner common issue.....and FYI my 02 F4i that I sold last year went for 4k and was in Very Good condition...so unless you really want it I would be more on the 4-3500 side....

Thats what I figured...I am sure I could possibly get it for 4k, but it would depend on the seller and how bad he needed to sell it.

In this case the bike isnt even listed anywhere for sale, and he's in no rush to sell it.

Maybe I am a sucker but I think $4k would be a fair price for the low mileage and apparently perfect condition it is in....

[BLACK SQUIRREL]

The CCT is the Cam Chain Tensioner common issue.....and FYI my 02 F4i that I sold last year went for 4k and was in Very Good condition...so unless you really want it I would be more on the 4-3500 side....

im with this guy

[Degsy]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_0_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8A400 Safari/6531.22.7)

Also, ask if the CCT has been done and at what milage.....and whats he looking to get for it?

Some are noisy, some are not. Its not a requirement that they be "done" shawn. It's hit and miss with them, even new ones from Honda. If they start to be trouble, a manual one is he way to go. Just worked on an f4i with 24k miles and the cctl (it's the lifter that goes noisy by the way, not the tensioner) was quiet as a mouse.

[Pigman]

Thats what I figured...I am sure I could possibly get it for 43k, but it would depend on the seller and how bad he needed to sell it.

In this case the bike isnt even listed anywhere for sale, and he's in no rush to sell it.

Maybe I am a sucker but I think $4k would be a fair price for the low mileage and apparently perfect condition it is in....

As I said mine was worth 4k all day long......and if its what you really want then call you Insuracnce and see what they will value or Blue book the vehicle out at and cover it.....cause thats who's gonna pay you if its a total loss and its the REAL valuse or what its worth.....not what you paid....


and post pics.....I can tell you if its worth the $$$$$$

[Stoneman]

...I'd start at $2500 and see how he responds to that...

...I wouldn't go any higher than $3K...

Really??!! I totally understand what you are saying but I am just putting myself in his shoes and I wouldn't let a bike go for that little. He doesn't need to sell it either, I only know it is for sale through a friend, so I can't use that to my advantage either.

Anyone else agree $4k is too much?

The CCT is the Cam Chain Tensioner common issue.....and FYI my 02 F4i that I sold last year went for 4k and was in Very Good condition...so unless you really want it I would be more on the 4-3500 side....

Just saying what MY threshold for the bike would be. I wouldn't pay over $3K for it, regardless. Look harder, you can find a much better deal out there. I wouldn't even call this a 'deal'. I'd call it 'fair'. 'Fair' & 'deal' are very much different. I'd look for a true deal, you have all winter. Be patient...

[Pigman]

See....

[kazspeed]

[Chippertheripper]

Just saying what MY threshold for the bike would be. I wouldn't pay over $3K for it, regardless. Look harder, you can find a much better deal out there. I wouldn't even call this a 'deal'. I'd call it 'fair'. 'Fair' & 'deal' are very much different. I'd look for a true deal, you have all winter. Be patient...

I'm with this guy. It's your first bike, not your last.

[Duffy]

I would hold out for better deal. That's a lot of money for that. Just for a reference I bought my bike when it was 10yrs old, 5700 miles, before economy went to pot and in excellent condition, In New York CITY from a dealership and it was under 4k......so yeah....if you want it try to haggle towards a more reasonable price or just wait around for another bike.

[OreoGaborio]

It's your first bike, not your last.

Word for word, that's exactly what I tell all MSF riders asking about what they should get for a first bike.

The wise thing is to buy something cheap that you can easily afford to chuck down the road and throw a leg over again... not that it's GOING to happen, but it can. Have enough money left over to buy everything else you need, plus some. Bike, helmet, jacket & gloves aren't all you're going to want to spend money on.



Regarding that particular F4i, I'm with the others... Unless he's willing to come down to ~$3500-3750, I'd walk and hold out for a better deal.

[Origin]

yea i wouldnt pay more than 3 for that, you can easily find a pre-03 600 for less than $3000.. check out more f4i's, 636, yzf600r..any of them can be found cheap.

Until the warmer weather comes around, prices will not be going up..you have nothing to lose by waiting on a better deal

[kazspeed]

yea i wouldnt pay more than 3 for that, you can easily find a pre-03 600 for less than $3000.. check out more f4i's, 636, yzf600r..any of them can be found cheap.

Until the warmer weather comes around, prices will not be going up..you have nothing to lose by waiting on a better deal

Other than a month of riding!

[Jim]

Other than a month of riding!

a month of riding isn't worth spending an extra $1k for the same bike. i agree that $4k is too high