should I buy '97 tl1000s? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

Skate1248 · 11-22-2004, 01:47 PM

hey guys I'm new here... I have the chance to buy a 97 tl1000s for $2200. I have never owened or ridden a bike before (except my uncles old dirt bike) and I've been wanting one for a while now. A guy my friend works with at the BMW shop here in iowa city is selling it. I actually did ride it the other day (scariest moment of my life...) and I did pretty well. I did stall it once trying to turn that huge thing around on a narrow street. It has yosh pipes and the back suspension thing has been replaced (I heard the 97's had problems w/ that?). the body is near perfect with a very small dent in the tank. the set back is that it has like 35,000 miles on it. the current owner has hardly put any miles on it so I dont know where all these miles came from or how they were put on. the bike starts up and runs great. SHOULD I BUY IT? thanks a lot for your time and I would love some feedback.

axel_2078 · 11-22-2004, 02:24 PM

I know you're about to get hammered on this one. As far as the price goes, I'm not so sure that's a reasonable price for so much mileage. You should Kelly blue-book it to find out. However, none of us would ever recommend a bike that powerful for someone who's never ridden before. I would recommend getting a smaller, used bike (around 500CCs) until you perfect your riding skills. I understand the bike you want is used and somewhat older, but also very powerful. Just something to think about.

**Clint** · 11-22-2004, 05:02 PM

No. Do some reading here if you want to know why.

Good move asking in the first place, though. It may save your butt. Welcome.

LayinLo · 11-22-2004, 07:12 PM

Count me in with the NO's. It just a bit too much for a beginner.

Skate1248 · 11-22-2004, 11:21 PM

thanks for your comments so far...the bluebook value is $4390 and it says the average mileage on a '97 750-over is 34,500. is there any mechanical reason to avoid this bike, or is it just too much for a beginner? I figured it is such a good deal, and having a friend who is a motor cycle mechanic helps. I thought I could just garage it for the winter and maybe sell it in the spring for a bit more. thanks again for the advice. p.s. I'm 20 years old if that matters...

Larry L · 11-23-2004, 09:40 AM

Don't do it. Start small and work your way up. You've got plenty of time to enjoy riding, take the MSF beginner course first, get yourself a nice used 500cc something-or-other, rack up some miles, then trade up. You'll be happy you did. Trust me on this.

Skate1248 · 11-23-2004, 02:15 PM

alright well if I buy it and dont ride it (since its winter now anyway), is it still a good deal so I can sell it for a bit more in the spring? I think I am going to find an older cbr600 or something to start out on, maybe a 94.

Skate1248 · 11-23-2004, 02:16 PM

alright well if I buy it and dont ride it (since its winter now anyway), is it still a good deal so I can sell it for a bit more in the spring? I think I am going to find an older cbr600 or something to start out on, maybe a 94. or maybe a katana

**Clint** · 11-23-2004, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skate1248

if I buy it and dont ride it

That's almost like saying you'll ride it but you won't open it up. Yeah, sure. On top of that, you likely won't have insurance or a license. Too much temptation. Move along. Nothing to see here.

1. Get training.
2. Buy gear.
3. Buy a bike.
4. Get more training.
5. Practice regularly.

In that order.

Skate1248 · 11-23-2004, 06:52 PM

well I CAN'T ride it in an iowa winter...and I'll take the motorcycle safety class over the winter as well. my main goal is to sell it anyway. all I am wondering now is weather or not it is a good deal.

**Clint** · 11-23-2004, 11:12 PM

I know all about January thaws.

Ok, I'll shut up now.

As for the price - it all depends on what else is available in your area. Check local papers and websites. Blue book value means little in these matters.

Skate1248 · 11-24-2004, 12:50 AM

there is litterly nothing around here, and even if I find one within 100 miles I still have no way of getting it home.

**Clint** · 11-24-2004, 08:03 AM

I didn't mean you, I meant the market as a whole. The TL is worth more if there aren't many around.

Skate1248 · 11-24-2004, 11:48 AM

yea theres about nothing around here. I think I'm gonna buy it.

LayinLo · 11-24-2004, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skate1248

well I CAN'T ride it in an iowa winter...and I'll take the motorcycle safety class over the winter as well. my main goal is to sell it anyway. all I am wondering now is weather or not it is a good deal.

1. Can't ride in Iowa winter?

So.....

2. How are you gonna take the MSF?

**inspiron** · 11-24-2004, 04:34 PM

Now don't go getting practical there, LayinLo ...

To ammend what Clint said:

1. Get training.
2. Buy proper fitting gear.
3. Buy a beginners bike.
4. Get more training.
5. Practice regularly.*

* Practice means practicing proper use of the clutch, proper gear selection and use of the front brake and rear brakes, and riding the appropriate speed; all while practicing
- slow-speed manovers (circles / slalom / figure-8s),
- emergency stops from road speeds (coming to a COMPLETE stop in the shortest possible distance from 50 mph),
- evasive manovers (do I go around in front of or behind that truck that just pulled in front of me?) ,
- curve techniques (use of your head and eyes, choosing your line, etc.)
- street awareness (developing that 6th sense that tells you when someone is about to do something stupid right in front of you)
- night riding (riding within your sight distance, not over-riding your headlight)
- bad weather situations (riding in rain, watching for road hazards, wet leaves, oil spills, etc.)

Don't try to learn this with a 1000'er machine - you may live to regret it. Get a beginner's machine (like an old 250 or something), learn to ride it, then work your way up to the 1 liter categories.

You didn't go off and buy a Porsche or a Viper as your first car, now did you?

LayinLo · 11-24-2004, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inspiron

You didn't go off and buy a Porsche or a Viper as your first car, now did you?

rogerthat · 11-24-2004, 06:37 PM

dude! buy it and sell it for more! just like you planned. you already know your not going to ride it. the money you get off of buying it, will help you to your gixxer sixxxer or something.

Skate1248 · 11-24-2004, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerthat

dude! buy it and sell it for more! just like you planned. you already know your not going to ride it. the money you get off of buying it, will help you to your gixxer sixxxer or something.

yes thank you. I do plan on doing that. It will be the only way I can afford a smaller bike.

and if those Porsches and Vipers cost $2200, yes I would buy them as my first car.

**inspiron** · 11-25-2004, 03:38 AM

Damn! I should have known that with a nick like Skate1248 that he's a f'ing teenie. Friend of yours, soad?

Yea, you can buy a Porsche or a Viper for about $10.00 - from HotWheels.
Or for about $100.00 as an RC toy.
Or for about $100,000.00 from a Porsche or Chrystler dealership.

11-22-2004, 01:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Skate1248 Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 TL1000S Location: Iowa Posts: 38	should I buy '97 tl1000s? hey guys I'm new here... I have the chance to buy a 97 tl1000s for $2200. I have never owened or ridden a bike before (except my uncles old dirt bike) and I've been wanting one for a while now. A guy my friend works with at the BMW shop here in iowa city is selling it. I actually did ride it the other day (scariest moment of my life...) and I did pretty well. I did stall it once trying to turn that huge thing around on a narrow street. It has yosh pipes and the back suspension thing has been replaced (I heard the 97's had problems w/ that?). the body is near perfect with a very small dent in the tank. the set back is that it has like 35,000 miles on it. the current owner has hardly put any miles on it so I dont know where all these miles came from or how they were put on. the bike starts up and runs great. SHOULD I BUY IT? thanks a lot for your time and I would love some feedback.

11-22-2004, 02:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
axel_2078 Sit speling cheker Joined: May 2004 Bike: 2003 Marauder 800 Location: Fairview Heights, IL Posts: 1,668	I know you're about to get hammered on this one. As far as the price goes, I'm not so sure that's a reasonable price for so much mileage. You should Kelly blue-book it to find out. However, none of us would ever recommend a bike that powerful for someone who's never ridden before. I would recommend getting a smaller, used bike (around 500CCs) until you perfect your riding skills. I understand the bike you want is used and somewhat older, but also very powerful. Just something to think about. __________________ "Rome didn't win wars by holding meetings. They did it by crushing those who opposed them." - unknown Everyone has a dark side. Mine's just a little closer to the surface.

11-24-2004, 04:34 PM	#16 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,073	Now don't go getting practical there, LayinLo ... To ammend what Clint said: 1. Get training. 2. Buy proper fitting gear. 3. Buy a beginners bike. 4. Get more training. 5. Practice regularly.* * Practice means practicing proper use of the clutch, proper gear selection and use of the front brake and rear brakes, and riding the appropriate speed; all while practicing - slow-speed manovers (circles / slalom / figure-8s), - emergency stops from road speeds (coming to a COMPLETE stop in the shortest possible distance from 50 mph), - evasive manovers (do I go around in front of or behind that truck that just pulled in front of me?) , - curve techniques (use of your head and eyes, choosing your line, etc.) - street awareness (developing that 6th sense that tells you when someone is about to do something stupid right in front of you) - night riding (riding within your sight distance, not over-riding your headlight) - bad weather situations (riding in rain, watching for road hazards, wet leaves, oil spills, etc.) Don't try to learn this with a 1000'er machine - you may live to regret it. Get a beginner's machine (like an old 250 or something), learn to ride it, then work your way up to the 1 liter categories. You didn't go off and buy a Porsche or a Viper as your first car, now did you? __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

11-25-2004, 03:38 AM	#20 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 12,073	Damn! I should have known that with a nick like Skate1248 that he's a f'ing teenie. Friend of yours, soad? Yea, you can buy a Porsche or a Viper for about $10.00 - from HotWheels. Or for about $100.00 as an RC toy. Or for about $100,000.00 from a Porsche or Chrystler dealership. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

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11-22-2004, 07:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
LayinLo Flipper ( Don't Ask ) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Crunchy 02 GSX-R 750 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,936	Count me in with the NO's. It just a bit too much for a beginner.

11-22-2004, 11:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
Skate1248 Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 TL1000S Location: Iowa Posts: 38	thanks for your comments so far...the bluebook value is $4390 and it says the average mileage on a '97 750-over is 34,500. is there any mechanical reason to avoid this bike, or is it just too much for a beginner? I figured it is such a good deal, and having a friend who is a motor cycle mechanic helps. I thought I could just garage it for the winter and maybe sell it in the spring for a bit more. thanks again for the advice. p.s. I'm 20 years old if that matters...

11-23-2004, 09:40 AM	#6 (permalink)
Larry L Where Am I ? Joined: Mar 2004 Location: Ormond Beach, Fl Posts: 35	Don't do it. Start small and work your way up. You've got plenty of time to enjoy riding, take the MSF beginner course first, get yourself a nice used 500cc something-or-other, rack up some miles, then trade up. You'll be happy you did. Trust me on this.

11-23-2004, 02:15 PM	#7 (permalink)
Skate1248 Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 TL1000S Location: Iowa Posts: 38	alright well if I buy it and dont ride it (since its winter now anyway), is it still a good deal so I can sell it for a bit more in the spring? I think I am going to find an older cbr600 or something to start out on, maybe a 94.

11-23-2004, 02:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Skate1248 Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 TL1000S Location: Iowa Posts: 38	alright well if I buy it and dont ride it (since its winter now anyway), is it still a good deal so I can sell it for a bit more in the spring? I think I am going to find an older cbr600 or something to start out on, maybe a 94. or maybe a katana

11-23-2004, 06:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
Skate1248 Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 TL1000S Location: Iowa Posts: 38	well I CAN'T ride it in an iowa winter...and I'll take the motorcycle safety class over the winter as well. my main goal is to sell it anyway. all I am wondering now is weather or not it is a good deal.

11-24-2004, 12:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
Skate1248 Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 TL1000S Location: Iowa Posts: 38	there is litterly nothing around here, and even if I find one within 100 miles I still have no way of getting it home.

11-24-2004, 11:48 AM	#14 (permalink)
Skate1248 Where Am I ? Joined: Nov 2004 Bike: '97 TL1000S Location: Iowa Posts: 38	yea theres about nothing around here. I think I'm gonna buy it.

11-24-2004, 06:37 PM	#18 (permalink)
rogerthat Banned Joined: Oct 2004 Bike: 2003 mongoose team issue, custom Location: motorcity Posts: 187	dude! buy it and sell it for more! just like you planned. you already know your not going to ride it. the money you get off of buying it, will help you to your gixxer sixxxer or something.

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