So I found a 2002 954 rr with 11k miles and the owner has some other bikes. He bought this one new in 2002. Is there anything specifically I should look at or problems to be aware of with this model? Mechanically he said the bike is very sound. When is the valve adjustment suggested? It was dropped and repainted black. He said it was in a parking lot at less than 5mph stator cover and mirror were scratched as well. Shouldn't be a huge issue. He's asking $3500......any input would he appreciated!

 

well, it's an awesome bike. these bikes are pretty good - so long as they're taken care of. make sure it has the proper amount of oil in it.


it sounds kind of fishy to me though that he re-painted the bike with only a minor drop... get down on a knee by front wheel, and look at the mounts for the radiator - if they're bent, he was probably in a pretty big fall.


make sure the bike is COLD when you start it up. watch the bike go through the ENTIRE heat cycle. cold - to running temp - to too hot - make sure the fan comes on and drops the temp or maintains it. bike will through a code at 250 degrees - but it should NEVER get there.

when its cold, you'll hear a distinctive rattle - thats the HTEV. it should go away though as it warms up.

look at bottom of fork legs for oil residue from blown fork seal - if its there, it means he most likely liked wheelies.

test ride the bike.

not a half bad price considering the mileage. good luck with purchase


o - valve adjustment is recommended at 16k, but most likely, you'll be fine until almost 20k

 

+1 Conrice...if I drop my bike at 5mph...replace stator, replace mirror...and savage a fairings somewhere to maintain the bike's scheme...repainting entire bike??? Sounds like too much work for dropping down at 5mph....

One thing about custom paint...it'll peel, matter of time exposed to the sun....original factory will not peel off...

To get an idea of how much?

I paid $3100 for my 94 900rr with 18K never laid/drop.

If owner is honest & he just repainting for his own pleasure...then $3500 @ 11k is a great great price...

But once you buy it...not easy selling it...

 

Well.......he has an RC51 sitting next to it and a couple other bikes. His wife said pick one it has to go. So he is trading me for a fishing boat. I have a buddy who's a mechanic......but he's just far enough away that I can't have him inspect it. He said his intent was to repaint it and but red stickers back on it.......but he hasn't done it yet. My sister works for a company that does vehicle wraps.......so that doesn't bother me much......as long as the plastics are good enough to wrap over. Any companies highly recommended for new plastics? Any gearbox issues with these.......my mechanic buddy didn't know if any so.........

 

That's the risk of buying used...you just need to obtain as much info then go with your feel about this seller...if he's mature & responsible, I say go for it...

I bought my bike off eBay, 3000mile away, no test ride...& paid $700 shipping.

Some seller just tell you off the bat...sorry no test ride.

As long as the frame are not bent...anything on the RR can be fixed...but with 11k...that's like a new bike to me.

Good luck...

 

Yeah......well my last bike was an 07 yzf600r and I bought it new. On an 10 year old platform I had tons of problems It left me stranded 3 times that first Summer. So even new can be a pain in the butt! Those seemed to have alit if gearbox issues in general........so I was just mainly looking for typical problems with them.

 

Well, the only reason I got an older carburetor bike is because I can get my hand dirty...if anything fails...newer bikes you have electricals & FI...I am no way mechanical inclined but after I got my new (94) old bike, I was able to all the basic maintenance work...change the fork seals@22k by my mechanic...

In a way, you have to have a mechanic on the side for the tougher jobs that you unable to do yourself.

The 954 is beautiful bike!! More power than my 900....they are all well built bikes. But there are many choices...

 

like i said.... if you're the slightest bit mechanically inclined, use your judgement. and make sure you're able to ride the damn thing. as far as aftermarket farings - there nowhere near as good. they never are.... OEM are the best. they fit the best, they flex the best, they don't crack, etc.

use your judgement. it's not a bad price. i bough an 03 w/ blown motor for under $2k, then i bought an 03 titanium mint one with under 8k on the odometer for over $5k. it just depends.

some stuff doesn't really matter. other stuff really does. make sure there aren't any leaks, make sure there are no noises, ride it. have fun.

if you don't feel right about the bike - walk away.