Good Price for a 1998 VS 800?

[Austin]

I'm looking at buying a 1998 Intruder VS800.

8700 miles, garaged, absolutely showroom condition. Perfect - not a speck of dirt anywhere on the bike. Extras are saddlebags, windshield, exhaust, some chrome goodies.

Book is $3200. Owner wants $3700. Good price?

Here are some pics:

[Trapper]

She sure is purdy. Good price? I'm not sure but to the forum

[hawker]

The book is something the dealers sometimes use and I believe has no real bearing on the value of the machine. That said, from the pictures this one looks like it's well kept and does have $500 - $700 worth of extras. The red clinches the deal for me.

I'd try for a little better, but not feel bad if I paid that price for it. Why get a cheaper one that you won't like as well?

[Austin]

Originally Posted by hawker

I'd try for a little better, but not feel bad if I paid that price for it.

She had it listed (on a bulletin board at work) for $3800.
I offered her $3200, then raised my offer to $3500. The lowest she'd go was $3700. I told her no thanks.

But...

I printed a picture of it and taped it up to my desk here at home. I've spent the last 3 days looking at the picture, convincing myself that $3700 is a fine price. I think I'm almost convinced...

Also, she said she'll gift it to me - so I won't be paying WA state's silly 8.8% sales tax.

[bat4255]

Looks like a nice ride. I would consider maintaince more than price. Book price is an average, I have seen 1 year old bikes that were trashed and 12 year bike in showroom condition.

Looks like a nice find, from the pics. anyway.

[tlwisner]

It looks pretty darn nice. If it's not needing tires, brakes, battery, etc - itwould probably make you happy for $3700.

[axel_2078]

It looks like a pretty nice bike to me.

[Austin]

Well, I bought it today. $3700.

It has the original battery. It's doing fine right now, but it'll likely need a replacement battery soon. Other than that, it needs nothing.

Now I get to buy an Aerostich Roadcrafter commuter suit

[DrBob]

Congrats on the purchase! While the Kelly blue Book value listed is 3200, the fine print says that they are assuming 'normal' mileage of about 31,000 on the odometer. With only 1/10th of those miles on yours, it is well worth what you paid for it, and then some.

[Austin]

I've now read the owner's manual and the Clymer repair manual, cover to cover. I've got a couple questions...

The previous owners were adamant in saying that the VS800 requires premium fuel, however both manuals state the required fuel is 87 AKI by the (R+M)/2 method. What is the fuel requirement? I can't imagine anything more than 87 being required on a 10:1 motor built for model year 98...

What is the engine redline?

What should I expect for fuel economy?

Should I start a new thread for these questions?

Thanks!

[DrBob]

I have used the cheep gas for over 32,000 miles mow, and have never had a problem. If yo pt in cheep stuff, and you get some pinging or knocking, try the medium stuff.
I forget what the redline is, but the rev limiter will cut in before you reach it, so over-reving is not a problem. The motor makes peak power around 8000 RPM.
I get anyplace from 38 to 56 MPG, depending in the type of riding I do, how mch I let it idle, etc. At 55 MPH on mountain roads I get very high MPG, around town and stuck in city traffic I get poor mileage, and burning up the interstate at 80 on those 700+ mile days I get about 47. But i have modified my exhaust also, which boosted my MPG a bit over stock. See my website for details:
www.bobhenneman.info/intruder.htm

[Austin]

Thanks DrBob!

I've done a bit of searching, and you're a real asset to the site. Great website, too!

I think I might put up an Intruder section on my own website - Mind if I steal some of your stuff? Paint codes, helmet laws, exhaust mods, etc.

[DrBob]

The helmet law and paint code stuff are pretty common, so help yourself. As for the 'how to' articles, they are original, so you can link to them, but not copy them.