Rust.

Just been to look at a naked 650 at garage and for its age (K4) it seems...well I'll let you decide.

Can't tell its been dropped/slid or whatever so not worried about that too much. The few points that got me thinking though (and I dont know much about bikes) are:

1) looks like the screen (and some parts of the bike) have been polished with a Brillo pad. Bloody awful - is that normal? I'm looking at a DB screen anyway because of my height - but that just put me off this bike more.

2) Where the downpipe ends and the exhaust begins, the hoseclip on it is very very rusty (should have taken a few pics, sorry). Also the downpipe is not a pretty sight but not rusty until the clip.

3) The bikes heated grips control has yellowy gunk behind it. Is that glue or sealant or...?

4) The grab rail, fairing beside the seat and clutch/brake levers are lightly scratched. Is that usually wall damage? Is it common, or does it indicate its not been very well cared for?

5) Its at >10K miles, and hasnt had the 3rd service yet. That means its both 2000 miles (and also 11 months) overdue. Although this is promised before it gets sold, its not good is it to be that far out?

6) Quite a bit of the black finish on the headstocks(?) is chipped (keys?) which leaves grey dints in it. Also the front forks have some kind of corrosion (not rust, its still silver - has it been repainted?!) right at the bottom. About a square inch. The Kwak it was next to was 3 times its age and had no damage down there.

Remainder of the info is:

54 plate
10.5k miles
2 prev owners
Reg 11/04

Anyone like to comment on any/all of the above please?

Is the hoseclip meant to be there, or has this bike been crashed and a new exhaust fitted to hide the damage...?

I just feel like theres something not quite right.....

Cheers

Originally Posted by ooger

I just feel like theres something not quite right.....

then walk away, there is loads of bikes for sale this time of year


how much is it?

[G]

Originally Posted by hovis

then walk away, there is loads of bikes for sale this time of year


how much is it?

+1 if something doesnt feel right then just walkaway, it doesnt sound loved to me.

Originally Posted by hovis

then walk away, there is loads of bikes for sale this time of year


how much is it?

Yep, I think youre right.

Its £2750. How does that sound?

Originally Posted by hovis

then walk away, there is loads of bikes for sale this time of year


how much is it?

I'd second that. I was looking on bike trader last night. There are bazillions of SVs. Hold out untill you get the best example you can.

Originally Posted by ooger

Yep, I think youre right.

Its £2750. How does that sound?

very expensive

you should have got furrybeans k5 for that money

dont rush into the 1st one you see

Originally Posted by svpilot

I'd second that. I was looking on bike trader last night. There are bazillions of SVs. Hold out untill you get the best example you can.

This one's on Bike Trader (i've been living on that site for the last......well, we won't go there)

I'm not up to buying one privately though, so I'm kinda restricting myself.

Originally Posted by ooger

I'm not up to buying one privately though, so I'm kinda restricting myself.

theer is 5+ bikes for sale on here.

i would not buy from a shop, cant you get somebody to go with you?

Dude, dont buy it, if you've flagged up those issues after the first look then you are either going to have to spend a load of time/cash putting them all right or they are going to haunt you every time you open the garage.

As people have said there are absolutely tons about. I'm after a bike and may (or may not) be after an SV so have looked at a fair few. They dont tend to weather well if not looked after and that missed service would ring alarm bells with me. Someone who has let it get 2K miles past its date obviously will not have bothered with other areas of maintenance either.

Walk away if not 100% sure you are happy with it.

Originally Posted by ooger

This one's on Bike Trader (i've been living on that site for the last......well, we won't go there)

I'm not up to buying one privately though, so I'm kinda restricting myself.

Fair dos. The exhaust clamp and forks are prone to corrosion, but that bike does sound a little unloved.

I can understand wanting to buy from a dealer, but if you arm yourself with knowledge of the SV from this site and you could grab good deal privately esp. this time of year. Good luck!