Used Bike Buying: My Observations

To quote the great Frank Barrone, "Holy Crap!"
I've been toying with the idea of getting a smaller bike (e.g. MT-10/09). While searching in Facebook Marketplace and CycleTrader, I've come to the conclusion that Mr. Hand was right; most people are on dope!

"Entry level" bikes: Most have some sort of road rash in varying degrees. Some ads don't even bother to mention it, but when looking closely, you can see evidence of get offs.

600CC sportbikes: Same as above, but with the addition of tacky add ons, hammered numma wun stunna tanks, often times "new fairings" that don't look OEM, freshly repainted fairings, or stickers that clearly indicate a stunt club.

Liter sportbikes: Same as the 600s but to a lesser extent. Some look to have been flogged within an inch of their lives, some have extended swingarms, huge 240+ rear tires, and Ricky-Racer add ons yet the bike is still rockin all the reflectors and other items that make it look like its never seen a track.

Sport tourers: Most are in very good shape, a lot of them have high mileages (but, for example, 80,000 miles is not a lot for some decent sport tourers like an FJR, for example), there are a few lower mileage units out there that look like someone wanted a bike an only rode it a season or two and decided it wasn't for them.

Adventure bikes: Same as above, for the most part.

Cruisers (all brands): Most seem to be in great shape due to the low mileage that many of them have. There are some high mileage cruisers out there but most seem to be summer weekend toys.

All of this being said, it almost makes me want to say "Screw it; I'll just buy new. The pricing isn't that far off from the used bikes and I know exactly what I'm getting."

So hopefully this summer I'll have an MT10 in my garage.

 

I have a coworker that did just that last week. He had been looking at used bikes for months, decided it wasn't worth the effort and risk, and just bought a new one.

 

If only the OEMS could sell sport bikes with the $30 chinese levers and blacked out windscreen already installed. Think of all the wasted plastic it would save!

 

If you go into it understanding, all motorcycles have stories... And I mean ALL OF THEM. You just weed out the bad ones and keep looking. They all have stories though. "Never down and not my fault"= You get there see rash, point it out, oh year, my buddies kids, friends, uncle, sat on it and tipped over. Walk away. Also, if whatever they have for sale is the cleanest thing in the household... Walk away. I have pulled up to people's homes, and had my wife say, "you know you are not going to buy anything this guy has with the looks of the house and cars, why are we wasting our time". She gets me. LOL

If it weren't for all the add on dealer fees, new would be an option but, I hate that shit, even more. Add states 9999.99, get there and OTD it is 11899.01. Yeah... NO!

Ski

 

I said Fuck it and bought new

 

Yep! The guy can't be bothered to cut his 15" high grass, clean the mold that covers 2/3 of his house, replace the broken porch lights, keep the garage even a little bit organized, yet his Gixxer is so clean it looks like he just cleaned it for the ad. Wait... I've also seen the opposite where it looks like the bike hasn't seen a mere wipe down since it arrived at the dealer. You'd think if you're trying to sell something for at least a few thou you'd make it look half way presentable.

 

If Marketplace is any indicator... the clean well photographed stuff with informative copy goes pretty quick.
I had stuff posted for months with the typical "I got cash I'm entitled to an 80% markdown" idiot or bot inquiry "Is it available?"
Then like magic my all 9 items sold in a matter of days.
These days there is very little I desire to purchase used. Vehicles especially... the common question about ownership paperwork gets answered with "Muh budday owned it before me" if the ad is at least intelligible

 

Yup... I bought a bumper pull 32' camper a couple years ago. The seller dude had crappy photos and had it for sale for a year. I owned it for 2 months, then did some really nice photography and sold it in 1 day at a $6K profit.

 

I gauge all of these kinds of things as well. Are his other vehicles clean and well cared for, same for the house. Can he write adult sentences, and use correct grammar when we are first texting/emailing. Does he answer my questions with vague, minimal answers, or does he give me detailed and informative answers.

Act like you want my money!

 

As a self avowed Grammar Nazi, reading most ads makes me wonder how these guys function in normal society.

 

I think its a street cred thing.... there's no way people can be that stupid.

 

When I was looking for my GT I found one locally and I have to say it was a rare find.

Most bike ads on FB are a no go for me. They are the 3rd owner bla bla bla and no title.

The guy ended up selling B4 I pulled the trigger (he wanted too much imo) so I ended up buying a new bike.

 

I see so many sport bikes with no plates makes me wonder if these guys are being chased by the cops then get scared and sell the bike before it's ever been registered or titled in their name.

 

#thanksAlGore

 

$hUt uP n3Rd I nO WhAt I h@v3!!!

 

Implying that they ever intended to register them. I've spent a little time hanging around the cycle gear store in Baton Rouge. There's a number of riders that acted surprised when I said I didn't want to get pulled over. Their response was "why would you stop?" If that's their response to riding dirty, then why would they even care if it was a stolen bike? Same kinds of kids also ride bikes with fork oil pissing all over their brakes, and balding shinkos. I'd stay the hell away from any bike being ridden with no tag.

 

I went to the cycle gear bike night a couple weeks ago. Not my crowd but I did speak to a guy on a Vstrom that seemed somewhat normal. 90% of them are clueless and will be in jail or toss the bike soon for lack of skill.

 

I have some good used sport bikes here, low hours from the 2008 vintage era, original plastics, never seen the street in the USA. and ready to ride......LOL

 

An awful lot of bike ads scream:

"Yes, dear, the bike is listed "For Sale", just like you told me to. As soon as we get all that money, I'll remodel the mancave into your yoga studio. No idea why it hasn't sold yet - I better take out and keep the carbs from getting gummed up again - can't sell it if I don't".