Buying and selling bikes

[Pulser]

Hey Guys,

 

What do you guys think about buying a bike and then reselling it for a profit? You buy a bike for a good deal and then fix up all the minor issues with the bike like changing the chain/sprockets, tyres, battery etc and then ride it for sometime and then since the bike is already running in good condition there is nothing much more to do to it so no more fun, so just consider selling it trying to fetch a good price since you originally got a good deal and then added value to it and now can just quote a price above market price on the forum and if no one wants it no problem, its your only bike so continue riding but one fine day someone actually wants to buy the bike after a bit negotiation but still its a decent 500$ higher than the price that you bought it taking into account all the additional cost that you incurred, so you sell it off. You are bikeless now, so its fun again to start hunting for a good deal and then find a bike and this cycle continues.

 

Do note that its not just the profit of 500$ per bike that is the motivation here. Its all the whole experience of being in constant involvement for bikes, its like an addiction just like trading or gambling.

 

What do you guys think? Have you guys ever thought of this?

[BlackBandit]

TS,

Have you ever heard of depreciation? Any vehicle depreciates over time regardless of whatever aftermarket parts you put in it. Most people have thought of it but the fact remains that depreciation is inevitable. For example, you get yourself a $20,000 bike. The moment you ride it out, the bike depreciates by $2000-3000. If you were to push it back to the bike shop in the next minute, they would probably accept the bike at $17,000-18,000 value. No matter whatever aftermarket parts you slap on it, it will still mean a loss. Also, most bike shops don't take add-on parts as part of the value and the same goes for smart buyers. Pre-used bikes are no different. Different bikes have different depreciation value with Suzuki the worst and Honda has the best holding price.

 

The only time you can make money out of it is when you buy from a seller at way below market value or when you have a gullible buyer. Otherwise, the only persons who profit out of this are the bike shops who have the prerogative to buy it below market value and sell it at a higher price.

 

And by the way, I'm not an advocate of changing bikes too often as we may occasionally end up with a lemon. Plus, I have a list of criterion on what I want in a bike (e.g. large fuel tank, decent consumption, ample pillion accommodation, touring capable, etc) as I want the bike to work for me and not the other way. A penny for your thoughts.....

[georgekoh]

I think it's totally not worth it.

Unless u are a very big company that is able to ship many parts into the country at a cheap price and knows the machine well enough to get a bike rebuilt at minimal cost.

I've seen a few bike shops doing that though.

[georgekoh]

I think it's totally not worth it.

Unless u are a very big company that is able to ship many parts into the country at a cheap price and knows the machine well enough to get a bike rebuilt at minimal cost.

I've seen a few bike shops doing that though.