Looking for tips on buying used bike low miles

[gdb069]

Congrats on the bike purchase. Didn't have a chance to post earlier but in case there are other members who are looking at the thread, I will add one item to your list: Service Records. Like tgelphman mentioned about peoples life habits I believe a bike with full service records (and better if DIY service records) indicates an owner who properly maintained and cared? for the bike. I have owned about 40 MC and am not totally loyal to a particular brand so there is a lot of selection. If full records I will purchase no matter what mileage or age. If no records or partial records I just move on. I have bought a few vehicles on-line that I had no opportunity to see, hear or drive before I flew to buy them but with service records I was assured of what I was getting without tearing the vehicle apart. Of my 40 bikes I have sold 34 with full service records and believe I have received high value for them and they have all sold quickly on the first or second viewing.

G.

Although I wish I was able to keep all of them but even now the wife complains when she has to park down the street.

[RRDavid]

Originally Posted by tgelphman

My method of purchasing anything with a motor is to go to the seller's home and casually observe how they take care of their things, including yard. I've always felt that you can tell how a person takes care of their stuff based on a simple look into their world. If i see a weed filled yard and dirty vehicles then i assume (perhaps wrongly) that they treat everything that way. It has served me very well to date including purchasing many vehicles, boats, and now a bike.

Way to creep! Probably a good idea though...
Here's an article I just wrote on some of the hurdles of buying a used bike (especially off craigslist) I figure it applies, but if this isn't allowed feel free to yank it mods!, enjoy...The Hunt: Buying a Bike Off Craigslist | RoadRUNNER Motorcycle Touring & Travel Magazine

[spudbuzz]

As long as the bike runs good and the tires are not dry rotted, I would go for the 04. You could not buy that bike around here for $2500.

[hiteck]

Originally Posted by gdb069

Congrats on the bike purchase. Didn't have a chance to post earlier but in case there are other members who are looking at the thread, I will add one item to your list: Service Records. Like tgelphman mentioned about peoples life habits I believe a bike with full service records (and better if DIY service records) indicates an owner who properly maintained and cared? for the bike. I have owned about 40 MC and am not totally loyal to a particular brand so there is a lot of selection. If full records I will purchase no matter what mileage or age. If no records or partial records I just move on. I have bought a few vehicles on-line that I had no opportunity to see, hear or drive before I flew to buy them but with service records I was assured of what I was getting without tearing the vehicle apart. Of my 40 bikes I have sold 34 with full service records and believe I have received high value for them and they have all sold quickly on the first or second viewing.

G.

Although I wish I was able to keep all of them but even now the wife complains when she has to park down the street.

Thanks and good idea on the service records. I know the owner of the bike I purchased and he takes care of all of his vehicles, home, etc....

Originally Posted by spudbuzz

As long as the bike runs good and the tires are not dry rotted, I would go for the 04. You could not buy that bike around here for $2500.

I missed out on that one and actually had him down to $2,000. I picked up the 07 in my sig this past friday 10/2 for $3k just under 12,000 miles with Cobra exhaust, jetted carbs and led lights.

[justinmahn]

Don't haggle anyone down until you have cash in hand. If you haggle him from $2500 to $2000, then someone can (and should) steal it for $2100 before you get there.

[tgelphman]

Originally Posted by RRDavid

Way to creep! Probably a good idea though...

LOL i didn't mean i sneak around their place at night. I just choose to meet at their place and while talking I observe their environment.

[hiteck]

Originally Posted by justinmahn

Don't haggle anyone down until you have cash in hand. If you haggle him from $2500 to $2000, then someone can (and should) steal it for $2100 before you get there.

Lesson learned, but am actually happy it turned out the way it did. I sold a vehicle since then and was able to pay cash for my current bike and was going to borrow against one of the others and honestly I think I ended up with the best deal of the 3.

[kacealraid]

Sounds like a win to me. Take care of that thing

[Dauntae]

Is that your hurst in the background, that's an old one, Nice bike choice too, looks good.

[Obedient2]

2looks like it has a better seat.


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