1984 Honda 500 Interceptor- advice?

[kennyman]

Been getting great advice from all you readers on the purchase of my first used bike. I just completed my Motorcycle Safety Course last weekend and am submitting my paperwork for my M2. After looking for many weeks, I stumbled upon a 1984 Honda 500 Interceptor that has has the frame repainted, rear wheel bearings replaced, new front and rear tires, cylinder heads professionally reconditioned, including valve lapping, etc., braided front brake lines installed, new battery and all parts cleaned and inspected before reassembly. The cams appear to be in excellent condition. The asking price is $1450 (safetied). Would this be an appropriate bike for a new rider given the age of the bike? I am not sure what type of bike fits my style yet and I just want to get riding?

[yzf1000jon]

Sounds like a pretty fair deal, I don't see why not. It certainly won't be slow, but not so fast as to scare you either.

[KZDon]

A safetied bike that runs for $1450 - sounds perfect. If and when it gets scraped up you won't cry as much. And you'll be much smarter than the M2 holders who just ponied up for brand new R1s or 1800cc cruisers. The 500VFR is a also a fairly versatile bike - good for learning, but not so small or underpowered that you would be afraid to take it on the highway.

[metalredneck]

Sounds good to me!

[Caper]

Sounds like the perfect bike at the right price.

[TimP]

Great choice. Let me know when you're ready to move up. I may have a buyer (and I'll bet I'm not the only one).

Just out of curiosity, how old are you and what is the cost of insurance?

[kennyman]

I'm almost 50 and the cost for full insurance is 700, without the full (1000 deductible anyway) it is only around 260.

[Kootenanny]

I do like those bikes, and this one sounds like it's been well taken care of (you said you checked the cams...).

The one thing against it is, it has mid-80s tires and suspension...the tires might be odd sizes (I think the front is 16") and therefore your options for replacement are limited...you'll be stuck with bias ply tires, for one thing (not necessarily a bad thing, though--especially not for a beginner--many of us rode for many years on bias ply tires with no problems, until the early 90s that's all that was available).

So yeah, get the bike, ride it for a few years, then trade to something newer (or not...). There is an informative e-mail group devoted to old Interceptors, but I can't recall what it's called.

[OLd Fart]

I had a 85 500 Interceptor and liked the bike a lot. If it hadn't been for my crippled old knees I would still have it. The bike just cramped me up too much.

[Bus Rider]

Hey, great bike in it's day! This was my first bike and it was a great beginner...not too fast and not too slow. Sounds like someone has put some TLC into her. Go for it! $1450 is inexpensive by today's standards to get on a bike. Besides insurance will be cheap.

[Viffer]

Been getting great advice from all you readers on the purchase of my first used bike. I just completed my Motorcycle Safety Course last weekend and am submitting my paperwork for my M2. After looking for many weeks, I stumbled upon a 1984 Honda 500 Interceptor that has has the frame repainted, rear wheel bearings replaced, new front and rear tires, cylinder heads professionally reconditioned, including valve lapping, etc., braided front brake lines installed, new battery and all parts cleaned and inspected before reassembly. The cams appear to be in excellent condition. The asking price is $1450 (safetied). Would this be an appropriate bike for a new rider given the age of the bike? I am not sure what type of bike fits my style yet and I just want to get riding?

vfrdiscussion.com (http://www.vfrdiscussion.com) The site will answer ANY question you have about 1 gen VFR.. Great buy Grab it..:D

[Laker]

.... I stumbled upon a 1984 Honda 500 Interceptor that has has the frame repainted, rear wheel bearings replaced, new front and rear tires, cylinder heads professionally reconditioned, including valve lapping, etc., braided front brake lines installed, new battery and all parts cleaned and inspected before reassembly. The cams appear to be in excellent condition. The asking price is $1450 (safetied)....

Much like the 500 interceptor this guy is possibly not firing on all cylinders so why not beat him down to a couple of hundred bucks? Front brake lines but not rear, rear wheel bearings but not front, new battery but not a chain and a painted frame thrown in for good measure. Fuck, some people are just too stupid to believe.