1997 HONDA VFR750F

748cc 209kg 105bhp 800mm seat height

Dealer price £2250-£3500 Private £700-£2750 This one £1250, private sale Deservedly a legend. One of the best-engineered, most reliable and simply most complete motorcycles ever built, and considered by some superior to the current (chaindriven cam) model. Comfortable for two, it goes, handles and stops brilliantly and is so robust that even 100,000-milers can be worthwhile purchases. A long production run means a model and a price for every pocket, from 1986 to the 1998 when the 800 came in.

Buyer beware

You need to check it’s charging as regulator/rectifier failure was always an issue, and alternator failure is not unknown. If the header pipes are corroded and/ or blowing, it can mean complete engine removal to change them. Suspension can get soggy with age, too. The later the model the better, and post-1994 ones are the best.