Cat D write off - would you buy one?

I looked at a 1200 Bandit out of the local free ads. When I HPI'd it, it turned out to be a Cat D write off shortly after it was new.

I walked away but should I have considered the bike?

It's been back on the road since 2000 and is in excellent condition now and very well cared for. Current owner was genuinely oblivious as he's never HPId it when he bought it.

What would you do? Leave it and walk away or try and use it as a bargaining tool?

First, find out what made it a Cat.D...normaly its just cosmetic issues. Cat C is the one to really look out for, and cat B and cat A are what you point and laugh at and then walk away from.......quickly.

If its mint, cared for and the owner could prove the service history, then there's no problem but if you wanted to sell it on then the next person might be wary like you

Not only would I buy a Cat D, I'd buy a Cat C. In fact, I did.

Being as it's worth what someone is willing to pay for it though, it should be cheaper now he knows it's a write off, so bargain away.

Buy it cheaper. It's at least ten years old so value isn't going to be too great anyway. Obviously someone did a proper job of repairing it or it wouldn't have got through so many MOTs and the current owner would have noticed accident damage.

I can't understand why so many people are frightened to buy a bike that's been dropped. If they applied that rule hard and fast they'd only buy new cos 99% of bikes have been down, it's what happens with two wheeled conveyances.

[fastdruid]

I'm sure there are *plenty* of bikes that *should* be a cat D if only they'd told the insurance company/had fully comp insurance. I mean technically my VFR would have been a cat D if I'd bothered to claim after someone rammed me from behind and I dropped it[1][2].

Druid

[1] Scratched the top fairing (£330), side panel (£140), cracked the rear plastic (~£75) and slightly bent the rear sub-sub-frame (£175), plus bent front brake lever (£16), scuffed rear brake (£30) and slightly scuffed can (£360) for a bike worth ~1k. I just replaced the front brake lever.
[2] If it was mint I probably would have but I added up the cost of ebay bits against how much my premiums would rise for having an accident (even if a non-fault one) and figured it wasn't worth it.

yes, its not a problem, just pay less than one that isnt. about 30% less iirc

I'm currently riding a Cat D bike after i crashed it, was purely cosmetic. I'd use it to bargain but i would have no problem riding a cat d

I had a Cat C car (which should have been a Cat D in hubby's opinion as it was purely cosmetic) he did the necessary repairs and it was then summonsed to a VIC check! The problem I then had was finding an insurer who would cover it - got there in the end and had a lovely car for a very good price but wouldn't go through the hassle again.

[yorkie_chris]

Yeah just a useful bargaining tool.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by ArtyLady

I had a Cat C car (which should have been a Cat D in hubby's opinion as it was purely cosmetic) he did the necessary repairs and it was then summonsed to a VIC check! The problem I then had was finding an insurer who would cover it - got there in the end and had a lovely car for a very good price but wouldn't go through the hassle again.

Sure for a car, but for a bike there is far less hassle with it.