Honda VF500 interceptor

[P_easy]

whats up everyone,

I am just 1 more MSF class away from getting my endorsement, so its time for me to really start looking for a bike. While I have kinda had my heart set on a Hawk GT (NT650), they seem have wildly variable prices depending on who is selling them, and in general are a little more than I'd like to pay for my first bike (2k+ for a somewhat minty example). I would just man up and make a go at getting all the money I need, but mountain bike season is just around the corner, and my old race bike is shot to sh!t. As such it looks like I'll be buying two bikes this summer, so I'm looking at getting maybe a bit cheaper bike. I have been trolling craigslist daily in hopes of a find, and today I came across this http://burlington.craigslist.org/mcy/1171847102.html

It's an old, pretty well worn VF500 interceptor, so i have come up with a few pros and cons

+
I am an f'ing sucker for hondas in red/white/blue, especially with white as the base
the price is nice
the location is VT (where i am staying this summer, tho i am currently in PA)

-
40k miles means its gonna need parts at some point soonish for sure, which could be tough on an '84
obviously missing the two side fairings (i can deal with this im just saying)
This person says they "would like to see it gone this week", and I am staying in PA until the 26th, and don't really have any way of getting to the bike until I am back in Vermont with one of my friends to drive me to Rutvegas

Anyway, I am looking for opinions on this bike. From what I have read its a classic sport bike, so me likey, but anyone with riding experience or stories about this beast, please share!

P

[Ri_De_bike]

good deals on CL disappear quickly. better to have cash in hand before you turn on the computer. be prepared to drive/ride to where the bike is. don't be afraid to walk away and don't negotiate thru email; it WILL be gone. take along someone that knows bikes if you don't know yourself.

v4s by honda were very good, not good by modern standards but in thier day, nice. still rideable today but falling into that classic catagory. might be better to look at mid 90s 600s instead.
a project bike is more fun when you already have something to ride.
just get what you can afford. get on two wheels and stay there. good luck

[Ericthejet]

I saw that one as well. Just looking as I already have an older bike.
Good little bike and the price seems fair.

If the bike was well cared for I'm sure it will roll for many more years yet.
The 500 Interceptor did not have side fairings that year, BTW.

[beet]

the vfs was good bikes

[P_easy]

might be better to look at mid 90s 600s instead.

Which 600s are we talking about, like early CBR's and such? I don't want something thats going to turn me into a stain on the road if I crash, but I was in fact thinking that the older 600 sport bikes might be slightly less powerful than the newer ones.

[spicy]

they are, but they still don't make great starter bikes. most of them still make a little under 100hp and weigh 450+/- lbs, and will handily destroy 97% of cars on the road.

just because faster things have come out, doesn't mean they weren't flying around tracks winning world records at some point...

[P_easy]

yea, case closed, still looking for a more beginner oriented bike

[csmutty]

yea, case closed, still looking for a more beginner oriented bike

My dad has a Yamaha XS650 that he would be willing to part with. it makes a great beginner bike and is bulletproof. The engine was just gone through and it has low miles too.

[The Crashing Tomato]

Wow Spicy ....I have never seen anyone turn back towards a beginner bike quicker than after your last post.

Peasy

couldn't recommend a better beginner bike than the VT500 or the NT650!

check out www.hawkgtforum.com there are always good Hawks for sale there. I have several Hawks in various states of assembly just none that are street worthy. but one has the street project stamp on it. just taking my sweet time getting it done

[Woodsy]

Wow surprised it has not been said yet...

you my friend need an EX250 or EX500.

They are cheap, plentiful, the power curve is linear, they do not surprise in anyway, they handle great (ask the EX racers on this forum) and you can get one that is late model for short money. I started on an EX250 and I can assure you that if i made some of the mistakes on a CBR/GSXR/VTR/bigger ninja that i had made on the 250 i would be a stain. SERIOUSLY CONSIDER THIS BIKE>

[Honclfibr]

I'm surprised at the responses, I think that would make an excellent first bike. Just about 400lbs dry and just under 70hp makes it comparable to an SV650. The EX500 would also be an excellent choice, a little heavier, a little less horsepower...but I don't see why the VF wouldn't be a good choice as well if it's in good condition.

[spicy]

i was only referring to the older-gen 600SS, not the OP's VF500 Interceptor, which would probably make quite a good first bike.

[Doc]

I can get you a Hawk. PM me.

[The Crashing Tomato]

I am a Hawk guy

..... that rode an ex250 for a very very short stint

they are great starter bikes .... Peasy

[benVFR]

Not sure about 500s but I thought the prevailing wisdom (definitely with 750s) is to avoid a "VF" and only get "VFR".

They added the "R" when they fixed the top end oiling problem that plagued the first few years of V-4s.

I had also recently talked to someone who owned an early Honda V4 when he saw my VFR and he was lamenting the fact that parts are getting harder to come by.

[nt650hawk]

I'm a Hawker. I also love the white/red/blue

[beet]

the 500s are good bikes.

[6 Fingered Man]

I can get you a Hawk. PM me.

Just keep recruiting them you will have a hawk army

I'd Pm doc for the hawk they are cool as all hell and you can VERY easily modify the bike as your riding progresses an ex 500 or older bike is much more limited in this aria.

(I just got one from him he is a class act)

[benVFR]

Do Hawks take 17" wheels stock?

[6 Fingered Man]

Do Hawks take 17" wheels stock?

yup

[nt650hawk]

Stock: tire size
110 17"
150 17” Can fit a 160 rear out back with no problems.


Modified Front end. If you so choose.
You can slap in just about any Honda front end with no modification.

I have a F4 front:
It allows me to go to a 120 front tire.

[Kurlon]

The VF's didn't really have an oiling problem, they just had people that refused to let them warm up before hammering them. It was usually the V65s that would eventually eat a cam if abused, the lil V30s almost never showed signs of abuse even when hammered. Keep up on your oil changes, and let teh bike warm up before thrashing and it'll be fine.

[Karaya One]

The 500 was a great bike for its time, and very good handling. It even had its own race series for a couple of years.

The only issue I see now is the 16" wheels limit your rubber choices.

Should be plenty of spares at the breakers.

[P_easy]

Ya I would be very inclined to get a hawk, but my earning options at my lifeguarding job this summer are a bit limited, so I'm not sure that I'd want to blow all of my earnings on a hawk (I need to have a bit of money left over to scoop an XC race bike for the upcoming mountain bike season). However, I am returning to my Burlington, and thus, my job a bit earlier than I expected so maybe I will be able to pound out a few hundred right away.

I like the vf500 more and more every time I look at it, I will be taking a serious gander at it if it is still available on my way back to Vermont this coming sunday. If not, I will take it as a sign that its time to buckle down, put in some serious hours and get the money I need for any bike I can think of...

thanks for all the suggestions

P

[GNTurbo6]

I was looking at some VFR500s as a second bike or project bike. I asked around about them a bit and there's apparently a pretty decent following and a decent amount of parts availability so that part shouldn't scare you away. On the other hand, those bikes are 25 years old so who knows what will go wrong with them. Bikes are more fun when you get to work on them when you want to and ride them when you want to as well.