View Full Version : Buying a bike. Previous owner only had it 2 months.
Fallout
25-07-12, 11:30 AM
Going to look at a bike today. I got a HPI check and everything is clear, but the last ownership transfer happened 2 months ago. Small alarm bells are ringing.
I'm going to ask the owner how long he's had it and see if he lies. If he doesn't and has a good excuse, I guess it's ok. However, with such a short ownership, my initial thoughts are he'd bought it, descovered it's a lemon (crash damage maybe) and is now trying to sell it on.
His reason for sale is he wants to free up money to work on a car he's modifying. Looking at all his ebay history, it looks like he has a good rep for selling stuff and does do a lot of mechanical stuff. It appears to have had some work done on it, has brand new tyres, new powder coated rims and isn't listed as having any fairing damage.
So my question is, should I be worried, and what do you reckon could be hidden things I might not be able to see? I will be giving him the cash and taking it for a test ride, so hopefully will be able to spot any issues.
Elliott
25-07-12, 11:35 AM
Bought cheap and selling for a profit.
Had a few that I've noticed the same way and always tried to catch people out. 9 times out of 10 its legit!
Fallout
25-07-12, 11:36 AM
You could be right. It comes with 6 months tax, 12 months MOT, brand new tyres. You reckon he bought it as a bit of a wreck and got some good deals on getting it up to scratch? I'm happy with that if that's the case.
LankyIanB
25-07-12, 11:47 AM
If there's crash damage it should be obvious and you've got a nice day for visibility - don't forget to check lock stops!!
Take some string if you want to check for straightness, taut string doesn't do curves.... (well it does, see the winch wire when they launch gliders at Lasham, but gravity doesn't have that big an effect on short lengths of string)
Elliott
25-07-12, 11:55 AM
You could be right. It comes with 6 months tax, 12 months MOT, brand new tyres. You reckon he bought it as a bit of a wreck and got some good deals on getting it up to scratch? I'm happy with that if that's the case.
In that case definitely! Either bought as light crash damage/auction/off a friend.
Nothing to worry about bud. But as with any bike check it over properly.
The Idle Biker
25-07-12, 12:12 PM
I'd take someone with you whose objective about the Bike, sometimes we've subconsciously bought it before we've even got on it.
Fallout
25-07-12, 12:16 PM
Thanks chaps. Good advice. What I'll do it pull over on the test ride and have a good look so I don't feel pressured. I'll take a bit of string with me! ;)
@TIB - You're right mate. I've already bought it subconsciously. I know it. Could do with a second pair of eyes. It's actually kind of down your way, and it's also a gixer. Please tell me you're not at work and you've got nothing better to do this afternoon?! ;)
_Stretchie_
25-07-12, 12:26 PM
As above really, just ask him why he's selling after only having it a couple of months.
If his ebay feedback is all good and and it's got new this that and the other it's probably just bought at the right price, tarted up and passed on but it's always good to be cautious.
You could buy a buy that your mate has had since new and serviced on the dot each time and you could still end up with a load of problems from it. Second hand is always a gamble but if everyhting else adds up it sounds like this one is as good a punt as any
Fallout
25-07-12, 01:19 PM
The only reason why I'm cautious of the tarting up thing, is the bike is only 1800. New tyres + powder coated rims etc. Can't see any profit in it unless he bought it under 1k, and then I can't imagine what state it was in. All I can do is ask though I suppose, and keep my sensible hat on .... if I can find it!
Owenski
25-07-12, 01:53 PM
You'll be surprised how cheap powder coating is.
If he picked it up as a "knock about on it whilst doing a bit of work on it here and there" but has now seen something else to get his teeth into then the sale might be legit. Only an inspection will tell you if its a lemon or not, if its HPI clear and its a plastic fantastic then I'd be surprised if its ever been in a knock. Few folk would be able to replace the plastics alone, never mind the mechanicals so even low speed spills often go through insurance.
Spank86
25-07-12, 01:57 PM
Yeah, for £1800 new plastics would be most of that if not more.
Fallout
25-07-12, 02:03 PM
Hoping that's the story mate. Cheers for that. Yeah, I get the vibe he is the sort to buy and sell toys all the time. Hopefully I'll be going to see an honest bike. :)
Sid Squid
25-07-12, 02:06 PM
I don't see it as a problem specifically, maybe he did buy it to trade on and make a bit on the deal, maybe he bought it and then decided he didn't like/want it.
It doesn't really matter and it wouldn't put me off going to see it, and I'd examine it and him just as closely if he'd owned it 2 days, 2 months or 5 years. When buying second hand the owner is as important as the bike, what's the reason for owning it so briefly? If he says he just doesn't like it, or that he only bought it to trade on, well there's nothing wrong with either as long as he's honest about it.
If either the bike or the owner isn't right, don't buy it. That's the same however long it's been owned.
Bordtea
25-07-12, 03:19 PM
What bike is it mate? :D
@Bordtea
It's actually kind of down your way, and it's also a gixer.
Fallout
26-07-12, 07:14 AM
Bought it in the end gents. Thanks for the advice. It was a 2001 GSX-R 750. Will post up some pics and details later on when I get drag it out of the garage for it's photo shoot. :)
Dicky Ticker
26-07-12, 07:31 AM
Not so much bikes but cars,I buy something that is tatty and with a bit of elbow grease and a few adjustments here and there sell it on.If I can avoid it I don't even add my name to the V5 which may seem iffy to some people. An easy way to make a bit of beer money every now and then but i am only talking about £5-700 cars nothing expensive.
Elliott
26-07-12, 07:44 AM
Yea I've done it with several bikes now, an always been honest with who's bought it. I I intend to sell on and not ride I tend never to sort the v5 out and wait for the new owner.
Fallout
26-07-12, 09:07 AM
Interesting chaps. Personally, if you bought a bike from me and said you'd rather not do the V5, I wouldn't let you have it. It's the whole traffic camera, ownership type issue thing. No slur on you whatsoever! Just surprised people would let you buy something from them which stays in their name.
I think that's what this guy was doing though. Bought it. Did a few jobs on it. Rode it around a bit for a laugh, but would rather have the cash for his Mk1 Escort he was doing up. :)
mister c
26-07-12, 10:22 AM
When I HPI'd my last curvy, it said it was Blue, in fact I think it still does (it was yellow in the photos) So I called the bloke, who turned out to be a bit of a dealer working from home. I just asked whether there were any problems with the bike & he was really open & said that it was blue, but the bodywork looked shabby, so, he had another curvy with a broken fairing, but the rest of the bodywork was in brilliant condition & fitted the panels off that onto the blue one. Most people are genuine
Littlepeahead
26-07-12, 11:51 AM
Now I've seen a picture of it I know exactly why it was cheap and he decided to get rid after only 2 months. It's got orange wheels! You may as well just stick on some rim tape too and really ruin it!
Spank86
26-07-12, 01:29 PM
At least it'll make him easier to find when it's upside down in a ditch.
Every cloud...
Fallout
26-07-12, 07:52 PM
My orange wheels are brand spankingly newly powder coated eye catching bling bling who's ya daddy in yo face trend setting awesomeness.
Diss the orange wheels and expect a glove around the chops and a stern dressing down!
i'm undecided if it's worse to ahve orange wheels than a yellow pointy SV
Fallout
26-07-12, 08:05 PM
Shut it tart! Look at it. Pure filth!
Paul the 6th
26-07-12, 08:06 PM
orange wheels.... does he think it's a repsol honda?
Still, looks lursh as furk.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/325905_10151993303755601_629970968_o.jpg
Littlepeahead
26-07-12, 08:07 PM
My orange wheels are brand spankingly newly powder coated eye catching bling bling who's ya daddy in yo face trend setting awesomeness.
Diss the orange wheels and expect a glove around the chops and a stern dressing down!
I really need to wear my glasses. Thought you were offering me a stern dressing gown. Did you not like the silk nightie?
The Idle Biker
26-07-12, 08:10 PM
The bike is a good 'un. I saw it. I've been riding bikes since 2010. I know what's what.
The Gypo he bought it off seemed genuine.
He had loads of old bike bits behind his Garage so I think he was a genuine dealer, bike builder, trader.
He gave me £50 to say nice things about the bike which was a plus.
Ah was it your mate he bought it off TIb ;) if so, i bet you made better commission than that
Fallout
26-07-12, 08:17 PM
TIB was my expert eye. He even put the wheel back on for me when it fell off and wee'd into the oil filler cap when we realised it was ****ing oil.
BUT ON A SERIOUS NOTE, he saved my bike when the pleb I was buying it from left his hand brake off and it rolled back into the SV. TIB is an angel, even if he did encourage me to buy a broken gippo bike!
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