RE; Buying a used Bike - Dealer or Private?

Originally Posted by Lozzo

You want dealer back up, a warranty, somewhere to buy spares when you need them in a hurry, a friendly mechanic whose brain you can pick now and then... stop moaning about dealers charging a little more than a private sale.

I do want dealer back up, for a new bike. For a used bike I've got all the back up I need right here. A warranty might cover something useful and it might not. Spares in a hurry? Internet. Dealers don't keep every bike in its component parts behind the counter, he's just as likely to have to order them, so order them yourself and save a trip. Friendly mechanic? Spanner Man will be along...10 minutes ago!

I'm not moaning Lozzo, and it's not 'a little more', if it's over a grand on a 3 grand bike that's taking the michael.

Originally Posted by Tiger 55

I'm not moaning Lozzo, and it's not 'a little more', if it's over a grand on a 3 grand bike that's taking the michael.

You seem to forget that what seems like a grand profit isn't really. He may be paying £2300 now for the bike, but in 6 months time, when the bike eventually sells, it may only be worth £2800 and not the £3400 it was when he took it in px. He already has 3 K6s in stock, he doesn't really need another one because he's got far too many as it is - your bike may be sitting there for a year before it's sold. On top of that, he may have to do a little work to make it 100% fit for sale and reliable. Most bikes are not fully ready for sale when they arrive at the dealership in px, and some require a lot more than meets the eye. When this happens it eats into profits and some even end up being completely unprofitable. A dealer has to factor these sorts of things into deals, and that's why there's a Glass's Guide and CAP Green Book.

It's no easy life being a bike dealer you know, and I don't know that many who lead extravagent lifestyles or have money to waste.

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Lozzo

You seem to forget that what seems like a grand profit isn't really. He may be paying £2300 now for the bike, but in 6 months time, when the bike eventually sells, it may only be worth £2800 and not the £3400 it was when he took it in px. He already has 3 K6s in stock, he doesn't really need another one because he's got far too many as it is - your bike may be sitting there for a year before it's sold. On top of that, he may have to do a little work to make it 100% fit for sale and reliable. Most bikes are not fully ready for sale when they arrive at the dealership in px, and some require a lot more than meets the eye. When this happens it eats into profits and some even end up being completely unprofitable. A dealer has to factor these sorts of things into deals, and that's why there's a Glass's Guide and CAP Green Book.

It's no easy life being a bike dealer you know, and I don't know that many who lead extravagent lifestyles or have money to waste.

Plus staff wages, overheads, etc... i'll back you on this one Lozzo.

Even better, buy off a member on a forum, that way, there is a chance to see if they have reported problems with their bike.

Buy private and get your own warranty. Best of both worlds!

Well it really depends. A key point is, that if you are not very mechanically minded, to take along a friend that does know about motorcycles. I brought my bike private; it needed a few things doing, but my dad looked at these issues and each one said "easy, easy, easy". So i bought it. Always go and look at a bike with someone else; you might be so excited that you overlook an important issue. Remember to ask to see things like the V5 (or is it V5c now?). Buying from a dealer does give you some back up, but it depends on the sorts of issues and if you hunt good and hard enough, you'll find a private seller with a bike that, as long as you look after it, will give you no trouble