80's VF500, Good for a starter?

Adh007 · 10-13-2005, 01:34 PM

Linky \/ \/
VF500F

Is this a good starter sport(y)bike? I know it's old, carburated, and from the 80's and everyone seems to recommend starting on a ninja 500 or a GS500 (unless they start on a 250).

The VF seemed to be the stuff in it's day, and it's a v-4 meaning it should be smooth and torquey, but not crazy overkill for a beginner like a 4cyl 600+ supersport right?

Oh yeah, my little brother started on a magna 750. I've ridden it and it didn't seem too heavy or way too poweful for a beginner (he likes it). Unless I'm wrong it's a pretty similar motor except for the displacement, right?

Power2weight · 10-13-2005, 01:48 PM

should be pretty good, but really what kinda mechanical condition do you expect to find one in?

Adh007 · 10-13-2005, 02:00 PM

It's a honda, Right? I'm thinking, mid-80's honda should be cheap, but still run fine.

Little ZZR · 10-13-2005, 02:01 PM

Great starter bike, if you want to learn how to fix it.
They are very reliable and have good power.
If you find one make sure you look at it closely and take someone to pull you away if it is a piece of crap. Most of all when you are looking don't be in a hurry.

Vic

PJFZ1 · 10-13-2005, 02:02 PM

The VFR would be a great bike to start on. The only issue might be tire size - I beleive it ran on 16" wheels, and there aren't many companies still making decent tires to fit those wheels.

Adh007 · 10-13-2005, 02:35 PM

I think it runs 16 in the front and 18 in the rear.

"Front Wheel
100/90-16
Rear wheel
110/90-18"

I didn't even think about those being hard to find.

EDIT: I just did a search, seems the 18 in the rear would be easy to replace but the 16 in the front would be a little harder, but they are still made. The back tire wears down alot faster right?

EDIT #2: Wait, isn't this front tire the same tire size that the most recommended starter bike ever, the Kawasaki EX250, still wears as of 2005?
It shouldn't be That hard to find a quality one then, right?

paulb · 10-13-2005, 05:02 PM

if its in good condition you shouldnt have a problem with it

andyM · 10-13-2005, 06:08 PM

That is the tire size off a Ninja 250. They make a decent (hardly overwhelming) selection of front tires.
The rear is a 120 or 130 width, still a 16".
edit: Sorry, you have an 18" rear, so that doesn't matter!

Ghost Rider · 10-15-2005, 10:43 AM

A VFR would be a good bet, but a VF will likely have problems with premature cam shaft wear, and there are four of them. If you can get one with fresh cams for cheap it might be a good bet.

coolatula · 10-17-2005, 07:09 PM

They are wonderful little bikes,but like the VFR 1000R(gear driven cams)I had if it needs major engine work down the road it could be expensive to repair.

They are unique machines(the 1000R even more so) and with a pipe/can(s) just sound wicked. Hard to describe how MEAN they sound. My 1000R sounded powerful just idling and the gear whine was just pure mechanical music.

They(80's VFRs) are also relatively heavy for size and the engine/trans take up a lot of space,but they do make good power.

I loved my VFR,but I knew if the engine went south it just wouldn't be worth the cost to rebuild it. That said I wouldn't mind finding a good 500/750 myself some day as a commuter.

The 1000Rs are collectors now(actually where kind of a limted production from the get-go) and prices are going up for good examples,so getting another one of those would be too costly.
There wasn't many of those sold/imported in the first place and they were exspensive even when new.

So,long answer short if it's in good shape and you can do most of your own work on it they are great bikes.