Been on the look out for the second bike for a while now, but something always stops me from taking the plunge. Mainly the new extension that is still in planning stage but should be done early May! Then I will have a shiny new garage/man cave to fill up with bikes! I'm not in the market for a new model just yet, want something of a future classic shall we say. I've always loved the 954rr and constantly looking at them. I've found a 2003 model with 21k described as the 'tidiest around' and I have to say, looking at the pictures it does look tidy. Pretty much standard with the kind of mods i would make myself. Sure there is tidier with less miles out there, but for £2800 I can go and get this today with cash! Jesus I'm tempted but first i thought I'd ask the forum what experience anyone's had with Tadao Baba's classic design??
Unfortunately, i can't help with the earlier models. As a serial buyer though, I'd say that by the time Honda progressed to the 954 they'd ironed out bugs and refined the bike to the max. I'm sure no one needs to tell you to check MoT history and try to verify any service records. Look UNDER the bike also. People will quick clean the frame and paintwork, but only conscientious owners will polish the out of sight areas. Find out how long the present owner has had it and WHY he is selling it. It has never washed with me when a seller says: 'I don't get time to ride it.' It's a cop out and cover-up for something serious. When we love bikes we can always MAKE time. I would hope that not too many mods have been done. From a 'holding value' perspective, the more original - or the means to return it to original - the better. (Just like you keeping the HRC fairings) I think the 'gut feel' plays a big part too. If you look at a bike and umm and aar and have to think about it, I'd let it go. All the best.
As a former 954 owner, I say GET THE BIKE!!!! Such a wonderful machine. Plenty of power, handles well and has that classic sportsbike look. I often regret losing that bike, but at the time I had no place to keep it and was on my way to a sandy shithole. Post pictures!
Great bike but I would say go for a more desirable colour like the white/blue or the blue/black then just ride it.
Shame it's sold @PauloHRC. A point I forgot to put in my previous post: Act impulsively. Remember @Millsp1 post earlier in the week about the RSV? I'd done the deal within 8 minutes of seeing it - just to prevent you guys from slipping in beneath me. On the other hand, it could be a disguised blessing for you. You are now more focused on getting something, and might lean in favour of @raphael 's advice re colour. Hasn't one of the 'current' members got one of these as a second bike? Sure I've seen pics of a couple of mint ones.
What you've bought an RSV?? I've seen a 954 in showroom condition with 2k miles on it but for 8 grand!! I'd say it's worth the money but I'm sure I can pick something for 3 to 3.5k in very good condition. It is a Honda after all, I won't buy anything butchered! Its a second bike......doesn't have to be mint, I've got a mint one. I don't mind something as a bit of a project, nothing major though!
Huh? Where you been: https://www.1000rr.co.uk/threads/rsv-factory.36253/ For 8 grand you could get a mint VTR SP1 or fairly good SP2 if that interested you. For a 954 worth that much you wouldn't want to ride it and I don't think that's you - with respect, of course. You should have no probs in the 3 to 3 and a half bracket, especially now the season's over. Mileage is key!! Some guys would rather just sell their bike and buy different the following year.
I have just bought this 954, totally original except crash bungs and only 7000 miles on it from new. Just tried to post picture but unfortunately it say the files too big. Can’t wait for the better weather to get out on it. Have had two 929’s in the past.
Hi, that's great news for you. I've missed out on two this week both priced around 3500. What did you pay for your new one?? Try taking a screenshot of the picture you're trying to upload. The pic taken with your camera phone maybe too large, but a screen shot of said pic will use much less memory. I have to do it all the time!
Thanks for that, it worked as you can see, I paid over the odds for it but as you can see it is one of the best I have seen, and if I didn’t have it, it would have got snapped up by someone soon. I just wanted an original Blade, without all the tech on it and a future classic maybe. I paid £5000 for it, traded in my Tiger Sport and for the first time in my life got money back from a dealer, and was happy with the price he gave me for mine.
Stunning that mate, I'm a little bit jealous so my like of your post was a 'hate like' hahaha Seriously though, it's a stunner and yes you have paid over the odds but it is possibly the best out there judging by the pics.... At this point in time I'm looking to spend 3500 which is the around the right figure but I expect with some work to do to bring it up the the standard of yours!
This was the 2002/3 colour I didn't have. I had the red/black and yellow/blue but didn't manage to get a blue/white, looks to be in really good nick. Never did get on with the yellow/blue, picked it up at a Harley dealer who took it in px and was a grand under book price.
