buying cheap sv, advise?

[captainsmelly]

i'm viewing a curvy tomorrow, did have a quick look last week but i want to see it again.
in the dry!
its done 35k, but there's not a lot of history
i can't test ride it as i dont have a licence until next week (hopefully)
should i avoid it because of the history/lack of?
its being sold for £1500 with a months warranty.
listed on biketrader its the yellow fully faired one
would like to get something better but i can't afford anything else near me

[instigator]

Don't avoid because of the lack of history but do some serious research on what should be checked when viewing a bike.

Things like frame numbers and V5, hpi, oil levels (before it's started!), strange tap tapping noises, sometimes suggested as a tickling would mean the Cam chain tensioners need adjustment/replacing. I bought a low mileage sv recently, only got a stamped book but no mots...and I checked the oil level after I bought it and it was a fair bit below the marker...hardly had a thing in it!! Just check all of the essentials. History doesn't mean a thing when it can be so easily faked in my opinion.

[embee]

That sounds very expensive for a curvey at that mileage with little history. I'd search further if I were you from the sound of it. You could easily end up with a few hundred to spend, depending on what state it's in (tyres, sprocket/chain, battery, brakes, leaky fuel tank?, all the usual stuff).

[Sosha]

Sounds pricey.

[instigator]

Sorry, didn't pick up on that. Far too expensive, I got my k2 8k mile-er for £1200 recently. DO NOT RESTRICT YOURSELF TO BUYING BIKES THAT ARE CLOSE BY!!!!!

[instigator]

Infact, there are a few on eBay right now that are within 50 miles of Caterham.

[captainsmelly]

Sorry, didn't pick up on that. Far too expensive, I got my k2 8k mile-er for £1200 recently. DO NOT RESTRICT YOURSELF TO BUYING BIKES THAT ARE CLOSE BY!!!!!



bargain! but i'm quite limited in terms of distance, dont have a car!
what i remember of the bike was that it had a pretty new rear trye, not so new front
chain seemed newish, loads of adjustment left
some scuffs on the fairing and the lower half was a slightly lighter shade than the top+tank
i'm not a huge fan of ebay but i'll try that
thanks for all your advice

[stanie]

i just travelled over 100 miles to get mine. in fact, ive got to go back, cos i only left a deposit as i couldnt get all the money out in time!!!

[Paul the 6th]

it can sometimes help to take a friend along with you. When I had just passed my test, I never knew half of the things to look out for and it's only really by passing your test and riding that you pick up the 'instinct' of what is "normal wear and tear" versus "this thing's shagged".

Failing that I'm sure a few more people will be along shortly to add to the list of things to look for... I've got this jpeg I made a while back for a mate. It doesn't have every last item to check (such as frame numbers and hpi check for finance/insurance write off/theft) but it helps you look at the right areas on the bike and check the wear on key aspects. Hope it helps :) feel free to print it off and take it with you. Oh and BikeTrader has a "Buyers guide" in the first 10 pages or so of each copy. Only about 2 quid for a copy and it has lots of helpful info... by the way, the oil window is in the same place on a curvy.

http://www.godesign.me.uk/buying%20an%20sv.jpg

sorry if i seem like im teaching an old dog how to suck eggs, but i'm not sure of your knowledge levels and I was completely clueless when I first got my bike :)

[instigator]

Have a look on eBay, really.

I've bought about 7-8 bikes off ebay without any hiccups. Train there, check bike over, cough up, ride home. If it's not as described, I walk away. Any doubts, post up a link and we can all have a wee look.

[sam anon]

I spotted a couple of good value SVs on pistonheads.com earlier today, check them out!

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/630352.htm

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/655930.htm

[simesb]

If you can get the seller to give you the reference off the MOT or V5 (and the reg), you can check the MOT history here (http://www.motinfo.gov.uk/internet/jsp/ECHID-Internet-History-Request.jsp). You should see the dates, mileages, advisories and failure reasons. Not perfect, but gives you some more info.

[Biker Biggles]

Sounds expensive.Is that from a dealer?You may as well buy private at that age,and pay bottom £.Theres plenty about,and prices are keen if you look around.

[fizzwheel]

Its way over priced. I sold my 36K curvey with service history, receipts to back it up, new rear tyre, chain and sprocket for £800

[yorkie_chris]

Seems very pricey. Nice pic above... but I wouldn't care about getting an original exhaust, if it has one yo're only going to chop the bugger off anyway.

[Stu]

buying cheap sv, advise?

That's not a cheap one ;)

[captainsmelly]

That's not a cheap one ;)

shall i change the thread title to:
not buying an over-priced dog, advice heeded?
cheers everybody, spoke to both the sellers off pistonheads, sound good especially the pembrokeshire one!
thanks for that picture paul the 6th, will be well useful

[branny]

Don't fall into the trap of wanting a bike so much that you buy the first one you see in the local area. I have done this with cars in my time.... you will only regret it.

Saying that, there is no reason to think this SV nearby is not your perfect bike, have a good look at it and make your decision, but i would recommend checking out at LEAST one other SV, or if you can't find an SV, take a look at a bandit or something, just to get an idea of good/bad condition.

[sam anon]

shall i change the thread title to:
not buying an over-priced dog, advice heeded?
cheers everybody, spoke to both the sellers off pistonheads, sound good especially the pembrokeshire one!
thanks for that picture paul the 6th, will be well useful

Well let us all know how you get on!

[Dappa D]

hiya captain as everyone said really jusy throw in my 2 pennies worth....

mine was on 32k....curvy, x reg..heated grips, seat cowl, viper end can, 2 extra teeth on the back, febbri tinted screen...

travelled 4hrs on a train to go view it...spoke to the bloke before hand...agreed as long as the bike was as described id pay him asking price - minus hundred pound haggle...minus my train fair.....he agreed and i paid a grand for it...

when u do your searches always search national, think a much more value for money bike will come up than the yellow one mate

[jambo]

Caterham, not far from my neck of the woods (South Croydon / Purley). There are a few people in the SELKENT section of the forum that might be pursuaded to come and view a bike in the area with you to see if there's a major problem with it.

Jambo

[chakraist]

I got a 19k mile W plate curvy (2000) for £1750 with a CCC exhaust, GSX-R750 front end, braided lines, pyramid hugger and belly pan, mint condition.

Oh and I took a 5 hour train journey to get to it and rode it back :)