Buying and pricing tips for 99 SV650 wanted.

Am still looking for my first SV and have looked at some real rubbish.

However, I've been offered a 99 naked with 12k on the clocks.

Problem is it's been stored outside so the cosmetics are rubbish.

That's the first problem.

Second one is that it's been lowered to accommodate the 4ft 11" lady rider. Not sure what's been done to it but at a foot taller than her I'd need to reverse the process. Any ideas?

Also, how much is too much to pay for this? She's asking £1100 but I'd reckon it's worth £7-800 even with it's new MOT, carb clean and caliper service?

All comments welcome.

11 years old and your worrying about a few scratches and scuffs? complain if theres dents and cracks everywhere maybe but not a couple of scuffs after 11 years.

she should have the orginal dog bones of it was lowered that way which is easy enough to replace then you need to do something with the forks YC or spanner man should be along to explain better its easy enough, maybe just buy some long dog bones from ebay, unless its the seat which has been lowered which means you need a new one from ebay. check how it was lowered first.

£700-£1100 sounds about right for a 99 depending on condition.

Thanks for the advice.

It's more than a few scratches and scuffs I'm afraid. The bike's really tatty. Usual problem like the lifting tacho sticker, peeling forks, rusty chrome everywhere there is any, lacquer lifting on most lacquered surfaces. Also in need of a really good clean.

Seats definitely been shaved and it looks like the rear's been dropped. Forks look like they've been left alone though, so that's good.

It just needs a decent bit of tlc really.

It'd also be good to get it back on the road as it deserves to be used, not stuffed under a cover on a driveway.

well if you part ex a 2000 model in mint condition against a used bike you get £1300 and against a new one you get £1500 for it so at best selling a 99 model private in mint condition would be about £1100, the condition your talking about, tell her to drop the price to about £750 and work from there, according to the price checker i use

IMO your right asking for it to be lowered as Valve Clearances are due at 15k.

Tattyness isn't that bad because of the bike's age but £900 seems okay. Just factor in what you may/maynot need i.e Chain, tyres, clearances, adjustments to suspension and if you aren't prepared to pay it find another SV.

I wouldnt give that much money for that bad a bike. My bike is well looked after (frequen servicing, and regular tinkering and cleaning and maintianing) mean that at 43,000 miles its still in good form. I would only expect to get 1100 max for it though.

think about it like this

If somone cant be bothered to spend £20 on a cover to keep a bike looking alright, can they be bothered to spend £30 on 4 liters of oil and an oil filter? Maybe not. Can they be arsed to get some lubricant on the chain? doubt it.

When I look at a bike...any bike...i ignore the shiny / non-shiny finish anyway. Look straight to the chain...does it look like it has lube on it? If so, then perhaps some other essential things are looked after aswell.

Alternativly, offer the owner 800 quid and say that it needs this that and some other things done to it...then it can be your small project. I'm a big fan of rescuing unloved bikes and returning them ot their former glory

my sv is a 99, lives out side, got marks, after market stuff and bolt ons etc, I'm still having a lot of fun on her

I'm with Alpinestarhero and believe that all bikes left out like this deserve a chance. Seems like most folk agree with me on the pricing.

[Biker Biggles]

Buy on condition not so called low mileage.If it looks like a shed price it accordingly.From your description I wouldnt pay over £500 for it.

Originally Posted by GaryP

I'm with Alpinestarhero and believe that all bikes left out like this deserve a chance. Seems like most folk agree with me on the pricing.

for some inspiration...click on the link about the VFR400 NC24 in my sig down there....