cat c bikes

[theshed]

as you can see in the stuff wanted section im on the lookout for a curvy for my son in law, iv'e come across one or two cat c that seem reasonable but really dont understand the implications. is there anyone out there that can give me any advice

what to look out for
what the legal side
effects when you come to sell
and how much i should expect it to devalue the bike


any help be welcomed

[kwak zzr]

1, You should knock about 1/3rd off for a cat C bike,

2, Cat C means heavy cosmetic maybe structural,

3, Ive owned 3 and would own another their a great 2nd hand buy,

4, All a cat C bikes needs is a new MOT to show its road worthiness,

5, When u come to sell u don't need to tell the buyer about the bikes history, a shop does but private u don't have to.


Just something to think on - even dropping a bike valued at £1500 on its side can cat C it, bike parts and labor are so expensive it becomes a uneconomical repair so the insurance company's write them off. don't let the stigma of cat C scare u off.

[454697819]

However Some insurance companies wont re insure them... (this is the case for my car insurance at least) you dont have to delcare it unless asked but check your small print.

I have had one and it was fine. but do look past the shiny bits to see what might still be bent or broken.

[kwak zzr]

ive never had any problems with insurance.

[theshed]

the one im looking at it particular is a little stiff on the throttle a 2001 18000 on the clock with an asking price of around £1200
would i be right in saying its value is more realisticly to be around £1000 ?

[Dappa D]

1, You should knock about 1/3rd off for a cat C bike,

2, Cat C means heavy cosmetic maybe structural,

3, Ive owned 3 and would own another their a great 2nd hand buy,

4, All a cat C bikes needs is a new MOT to show its road worthiness,

5, When u come to sell u don't need to tell the buyer about the bikes history, a shop does but private u don't have to.


Just something to think on - even dropping a bike valued at £1500 on its side can cat C it, bike parts and labor are so expensive it becomes a uneconomical repair so the insurance company's write them off. don't let the stigma of cat C scare u off.

+1

to give you an example, I had a crash in november.....the third parties insurance company wrote the bike off as they would have had to repair/replace every bit of plastic on it as they were all scratched..and few minor cracks....I bought it back in December for £100, early january i bought a new front footrest hanger for £44 (if id of waited could have got a second hand one cheaper probably but hey ho...) fitted it myself, and bought a 2nd hand mirror for £15, mot £30 ish...

they classed my bike as a cat c, not including buying it back or having to re mot it..it cost me £59 to put it back on the road.....plus when its finaly sorted out they will send me a cheque for almost £2k for the bike....and ill continue riding my £59 bike, cat c i wouldnt worry about, especially if someone else has already made it road worthy again after the write off so then u know there is no structual damage

HTH

Dappa

[Dappa D]

oh forgot to say.....my insurance has no problem with it my policy just continues....

and secondly...id say keep looking as i paid £1050 for mine, 2000 x reg curvy and it was in lovely condition....

personally if id pay upto about £800, maybe £900 for a cat c, just my opionion tho bud

[kwak zzr]

cat C bikes are hard to shift because of the stigma attached, offer silly money i think you'll be surprised, as for the insurance? my last bike the sv1000s that i crashed (now owned by pookie) i fixed my self and the insurance just carried on as stated above, i ain't gonna say wat pookie paid me for my sv1000s mint with about 6k on the clock but i still say to this day he got one hell of a lot of bike for his buck! when i had the sv1000s MOT'd i told the tester of its accident and i asked him to give it a good going over to check for everything, if it passes an MOT then its fine.

[Paul the 6th]

interesting... Where can we find out more about the different categories of damage? I'll be on the look out for a smashed fireblade soon. Only really need the engine & gearbox to be in good nick :)

[kwak zzr]

just google it, dvla explains it all, just be carefull on the reading because bikes differ to cars.

[theshed]

ok found this site http://www.motorcycle.co.uk/insurance_write_off.htm
that pretty much explains it but at the end of the day there is nothing like experience and that is where you lot are of great help especially on what to look out for and values
thanks for everyones input so far