buying cheap sv, advise?

i'm viewing a curvy tomorrow, did have a quick look last week but i want to see it again.
in the dry!
its done 35k, but there's not a lot of history
i can't test ride it as i dont have a licence until next week (hopefully)
should i avoid it because of the history/lack of?
its being sold for £1500 with a months warranty.
listed on biketrader its the yellow fully faired one
would like to get something better but i can't afford anything else near me

Don't avoid because of the lack of history but do some serious research on what should be checked when viewing a bike.

Things like frame numbers and V5, hpi, oil levels (before it's started!), strange tap tapping noises, sometimes suggested as a tickling would mean the Cam chain tensioners need adjustment/replacing. I bought a low mileage sv recently, only got a stamped book but no mots...and I checked the oil level after I bought it and it was a fair bit below the marker...hardly had a thing in it!! Just check all of the essentials. History doesn't mean a thing when it can be so easily faked in my opinion.

[embee]

That sounds very expensive for a curvey at that mileage with little history. I'd search further if I were you from the sound of it. You could easily end up with a few hundred to spend, depending on what state it's in (tyres, sprocket/chain, battery, brakes, leaky fuel tank?, all the usual stuff).

Sounds pricey.

Sorry, didn't pick up on that. Far too expensive, I got my k2 8k mile-er for £1200 recently. DO NOT RESTRICT YOURSELF TO BUYING BIKES THAT ARE CLOSE BY!!!!!

Infact, there are a few on eBay right now that are within 50 miles of Caterham.

Originally Posted by instigator

Sorry, didn't pick up on that. Far too expensive, I got my k2 8k mile-er for £1200 recently. DO NOT RESTRICT YOURSELF TO BUYING BIKES THAT ARE CLOSE BY!!!!!

bargain! but i'm quite limited in terms of distance, dont have a car!
what i remember of the bike was that it had a pretty new rear trye, not so new front
chain seemed newish, loads of adjustment left
some scuffs on the fairing and the lower half was a slightly lighter shade than the top+tank
i'm not a huge fan of ebay but i'll try that
thanks for all your advice

i just travelled over 100 miles to get mine. in fact, ive got to go back, cos i only left a deposit as i couldnt get all the money out in time!!!

[Paul the 6th]

it can sometimes help to take a friend along with you. When I had just passed my test, I never knew half of the things to look out for and it's only really by passing your test and riding that you pick up the 'instinct' of what is "normal wear and tear" versus "this thing's shagged".

Failing that I'm sure a few more people will be along shortly to add to the list of things to look for... I've got this jpeg I made a while back for a mate. It doesn't have every last item to check (such as frame numbers and hpi check for finance/insurance write off/theft) but it helps you look at the right areas on the bike and check the wear on key aspects. Hope it helps feel free to print it off and take it with you. Oh and BikeTrader has a "Buyers guide" in the first 10 pages or so of each copy. Only about 2 quid for a copy and it has lots of helpful info... by the way, the oil window is in the same place on a curvy.



sorry if i seem like im teaching an old dog how to suck eggs, but i'm not sure of your knowledge levels and I was completely clueless when I first got my bike

Have a look on eBay, really.

I've bought about 7-8 bikes off ebay without any hiccups. Train there, check bike over, cough up, ride home. If it's not as described, I walk away. Any doubts, post up a link and we can all have a wee look.