- This topic has 2 replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 9 months ago by ShannonG.
Word to the Wise on Used Bike Purchases (….from a total newb of course :P)
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July 22, 2008 at 1:08 pm #1756CityHunter357Participant
I’ve been reading a lot of posts from people looking at used bikes as their purchase choice. I honestly think this is the best way to go. Plenty of good rides available on the market that are 5 years or less old at good prices! However, I thought I’d share my recent experiences with my “new” used bike purchase last week.
The base price I paid for the motorcycle was $4300. Since I wasn’t willing to ride it last weekend because my gear hadn’t arrived in the mail yet, I just wanted to start it up a couple of times and ride it around behind the house in first gear. Being the total newb I am, I stalled the bike in first gear like three times. After the third stall, I couldn’t start the bike again!! Turns out, the battery was dead. I had to go out and buy a trickle charger ($35) to charge the battery to start it again. After careful examination and asking my buddy that owned the bike before me, I found out the battery was the original from 2004. Everything I’ve heard about motorcycle batteries indicate they’re only good for about 2 years or so. So I went out and bought another one ($120). He also told me other consumable parts on the bike were original like….the spark plugs. So I bought a set of NGK’s and changed them out ($10). Since I was getting so comfortable taking parts of my new motorcycle apart I also inspected things like the air filter, etc. I’ll be changing out a few other things this weekend
My point here is used bikes are great, but factor in about an extra 10% or so to replace used and worn parts. At least after I’m done going over this bike some more I can rest assured it’s been P.M.’d.
July 22, 2008 at 6:05 pm #9110AnonymousGuestHi,
I went through similar exercise – just that I have inspected the prospective bikes up front. Some of the expenses I discovered (Canada):
– set of tires, mounted, -$500-ish
– leaky fork, -$350-ish + new set of brake pads in very likely case the oil have contaminated them
– battery $100-ish
– good shakedown service (oil, coolant, bolts, valves …) $300-ish, or mechanic going over your bike for $110 per hr.All those prices are a little bit on the high side and some costs can be cut by knowledgeable individual, but we are talking a beginner buying his/her first bike, not knowing much and wanting to be safe.
I went with very ‘new’ used (2008, 1000kms) bike at the dealer. Initial depreciation mostly went away, still under warranty and no reason to worry about wear items like tires.
July 22, 2008 at 7:28 pm #9120ShannonGParticipantI’m sure after learning to ride on it, my bike is very used on the inside. But I bought new because I wanted the peace of mind of having something that hadn’t been abused before I got my inexperienced hands on it.
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