VF500 Interceptor

Message

SDuncan · #1 Unread post by **SDuncan** » Mon Sep 26, 2005 3:44 pm

I am looking for some information about these bikes. I went to look at one today, a 1986. It is in nice shape, well taken care of and still all original. It is at a Honda dealer here and they have gone over it pretty well. I like the seating position of the bike, I like that it is a 500cc and I like the price. I understand they were a pretty good bike in their day but how do they compare to what is available today? I am sure there are a few people on this board that have owned/ridden them over the years.

BudmanTom · #2 Unread post by **BudmanTom** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:05 am

From what I remember they were great bikes and kept up with the 600cc of that day.

Tom

jmillheiser · Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:55 pm

just looked that badboy up on bikez. That sucker is pretty powerful for a 500cc bike. 70hp from the V4. In comparison a GS500 put out 40ish HP and a ninja 500 puts out 50hp

High_Side · #4 Unread post by **High_Side** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 3:35 pm

My brother-in-law had a 500 Interceptor and while they were good for the day I'd be tempted to go for the EX500 -'93 or newer. More modern suspension and tire choice and as for performance: never EVER believe h.p. figures from the 80's!

jmillheiser · Tue Sep 27, 2005 3:42 pm

oh were they fudging the ratings a tad with the cheap tricks that they cant use anymore

High_Side · Wed Sep 28, 2005 12:57 am

jmillheiser wrote:oh were they fudging the ratings a tad with the cheap tricks that they cant use anymore

Yes. A V-65 Magna was rated at 116 h.p. or about 85 of todays h.p.....

jmillheiser · Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:16 pm

ahh. guess they didn't have to go to SAE net till later on bikes. I know the car companies had to adopt SAE net HP in 72 or so. I know that there is a sizable difference between SAE gross and net. gross was with no muffler or accessories, net is as installed in the vehicle.

they actually just changed the standard again starting in 2006 model year. So if the published HP figures for cars seem a tad lower than the '05 model it is because of the new standard. iirc Honda and Toyota have already adopted the new standard and the rest of the industry will be soon.

so im guessing the VF500 puts out more like 50hp not 70

SDuncan · #8 Unread post by **SDuncan** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:17 pm

I like the bike but I think the asking price is pretty high, $3K. Everyone I talk to says that is about $1K more than it is worth. The shop has put some money into it but it is still a 20-year old bike.

flynrider · #9 Unread post by **flynrider** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 3:24 pm

$3K is nuts for a 20 year old japanese 500. It doesn't matter if the shop put $4K into it, it will still be a 20 yr. old Honda 500, and not worth $3K. You can buy a much newer and better bike with that kind of money.

SDuncan · #10 Unread post by **SDuncan** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 4:02 pm

For an extra $1500 I can pick up an '01 Suzuki Bandit 600. The bike is dead sexy IMO, I am just a bit leary about it being too big. I've read the advice from people on this board.