Is it good to get a salvaged bike? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

hairykc12 · 03-25-2004, 02:43 AM

alright, so i was wondering if it is ok to buy a salvaged bike?

im not quite sure how the salvaging works since some people just drop it, crack the fairings and maybe break one or two other things like the forks or whatever and claim it's salvaged???

the price goes down of course but how about the performance of the bike? how much worse does it get? because people buy salvaged bikes then restore them right? so what's the deal? is the bike going to fall apart after another 1000 miles?

i was just wondering if it was a good idea to look into since newer 'salvaged' bikes are so much cheaper.

Phease · 03-25-2004, 03:37 AM

My 96 GSX600f was an insurance write off when i bought it because the bit of frame at the back that holds the exhaust in place got bent in an accident. all it required was grinding the old bracket off and welding a new one into place. it is a lot cheaper, but some insurance companies will sting you for it because it is a salvaged bike. Also the bike will probably have to be inspected by a member of your driving authorities to ensure it is roadworthy before you can re-license it.
Apart from that the only factor as to if it falls apart is how well you fix/maintian it before getting it back on the road, my bike has now done 4000 miles and still runs perfectly.
just look for bargians like that which require little work otherwise it could get costly in parts.

Gixxerdale · 03-25-2004, 08:34 AM

A salvaged bike can be a good or a bad deal. If you find one you are interested in take an experienced bike owner/rider/mechanic with you to inspect it and test ride it. New body work/fairings can hide a lot of damage. A tweaked frame may look fine, but will never handle properly. It's not cheap to fix. You may get an awesome deal and you will be happy with it for years, or it may become a frustrating money pit. Hmmm.... but then the same holds true on a non salvage bike. Bottom line is to have a knowledgable person with you so you don't get screwed. If they won't let your experienced assistant test ride it, walk away.

As far as insurance, make up some scenarios you are interested in, like salvaged 2000 SV650, 10,000 miles, and get a price from your agent for insurance. I'm south of you in LA and have State Farm. I pay about $600.00 a year for full coverage on my 02 gsxr 1000, but then I'm an old F*** too. I have all my vehicles insured there so that also helps the cost, as well as a clean record.

If it's your first bike check with a local club. Our club has several bikes we sell to members as learner bikes. It's always a cheap well maintained bike and you know the history of it. We just ask that it be resold to a member at a reasonable price for the next Newbie to learn on. Then you can also benefit from the members experience and help.

Good Luck

hairykc12 · 03-25-2004, 05:24 PM

good information. thanks guys.

as for the local club, ill make sure to look one up. thanks!

Gixxerdale · 03-25-2004, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hairykc12

good information. thanks guys.

as for the local club, ill make sure to look one up. thanks!

Here are two for you to investigate;

http://www.postmoto.com/

http://www.bayarearidersforum.com/forums/index.php

03-25-2004, 02:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
hairykc12 Newbie Joined: Mar 2004 Location: bay area, CA Posts: 9	Is it good to get a salvaged bike? alright, so i was wondering if it is ok to buy a salvaged bike? im not quite sure how the salvaging works since some people just drop it, crack the fairings and maybe break one or two other things like the forks or whatever and claim it's salvaged??? the price goes down of course but how about the performance of the bike? how much worse does it get? because people buy salvaged bikes then restore them right? so what's the deal? is the bike going to fall apart after another 1000 miles? i was just wondering if it was a good idea to look into since newer 'salvaged' bikes are so much cheaper.

03-25-2004, 08:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
Gixxerdale Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst. Joined: Mar 2004 Bike: 02 GSXR 1k Location: The warm and twisty roads of SoCal Posts: 3,028	A salvaged bike can be a good or a bad deal. If you find one you are interested in take an experienced bike owner/rider/mechanic with you to inspect it and test ride it. New body work/fairings can hide a lot of damage. A tweaked frame may look fine, but will never handle properly. It's not cheap to fix. You may get an awesome deal and you will be happy with it for years, or it may become a frustrating money pit. Hmmm.... but then the same holds true on a non salvage bike. Bottom line is to have a knowledgable person with you so you don't get screwed. If they won't let your experienced assistant test ride it, walk away. As far as insurance, make up some scenarios you are interested in, like salvaged 2000 SV650, 10,000 miles, and get a price from your agent for insurance. I'm south of you in LA and have State Farm. I pay about $600.00 a year for full coverage on my 02 gsxr 1000, but then I'm an old F*** too. I have all my vehicles insured there so that also helps the cost, as well as a clean record. If it's your first bike check with a local club. Our club has several bikes we sell to members as learner bikes. It's always a cheap well maintained bike and you know the history of it. We just ask that it be resold to a member at a reasonable price for the next Newbie to learn on. Then you can also benefit from the members experience and help. Good Luck __________________ Proud Father of a U S Army Soldier... The key to life is to die young...at a very old age... Ride like you own the road...and...someday the road will own you.. My Favorite Ride? Tomorrows!

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03-25-2004, 03:37 AM	#2 (permalink)
Phease Clunked into first gear Joined: Oct 2003 Bike: '96 GSX 600F Location: Oxford, England Posts: 211	My 96 GSX600f was an insurance write off when i bought it because the bit of frame at the back that holds the exhaust in place got bent in an accident. all it required was grinding the old bracket off and welding a new one into place. it is a lot cheaper, but some insurance companies will sting you for it because it is a salvaged bike. Also the bike will probably have to be inspected by a member of your driving authorities to ensure it is roadworthy before you can re-license it. Apart from that the only factor as to if it falls apart is how well you fix/maintian it before getting it back on the road, my bike has now done 4000 miles and still runs perfectly. just look for bargians like that which require little work otherwise it could get costly in parts.

03-25-2004, 05:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
hairykc12 Newbie Joined: Mar 2004 Location: bay area, CA Posts: 9	good information. thanks guys. as for the local club, ill make sure to look one up. thanks!

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