Caution buying used bikes

[teambhp]

Dear Readers

 

There are many bikes on sales in this forum. Some are from direct owners and some are from bikeshops.

 

I would like to caution about buying from direct owners. Some of the questions you should think about are

 

1) Owner has changed a lot of parts on the bike, added accesssories etc. Some even overhauled the engine and claim that bike is in good condtion. Think about it! Why would anyone in the world spend money to repair the bike, then sell it off to you?

 

2) All bikes have wear and tear items. The older the bike, the more problematic it is. Yet there are sellers claiming that the bike is in prefect condtion. How is that possible? Even new bikes are not prefect.

 

3) Assuming you find a really good offer. Seller dilligently maintain bike. Outlook is good. Wear and tear parts replaced and there are receipts to prove. You want to buy from him/her. Please think again. Outlook can be done nicely. Parts can be replaced by a good seller. One word of caution though....Internal leaks within the engine that cannot be seen by the naked eye.

 

For example, if the bike has excessive oil consumption problem, you will not know it till you have clocked up some mileage. By the time you know, it is too late. How about coolant seeping into the combustion chamber slowly? It will be months later before the bike will give out smoke. Do you have recourse? Anwer is NO.

 

Therefore, please buy with care and ride safe.

[matthias76]

Your vested interest might invite flamers. But I can attest to your claims having bought both from direct owners and bikeshops myself.

 

I have said before in other posts, it doesn't really matter if you do not research well into the bike that you are buying. Most bikeshops offer a 1 to 3 months guarantee on the purchase while Direct Sellers don't. Some may think a 1 to 3 months is worth crap, but I would say its valuable time for a person to see whether the bike needs significant repair.

 

However, if the bikeshop is a black shop, there isn't any difference. They will have the tricks of the trade to repair cheap and put a problematic bike out for sale also.

 

Good shop value their reputation. So does good people. The difficulty is finding one.

[teambhp]

Let the flamers come. I am just cautioning all bikers here. From I read in the sales section, a lot of direct owners are claiming that their bike is in good condition. Really? Think again

[kzone]

if u're really serious about buying, request for the bike to be inspected at the workshop of ur choice then make an offer after the assesment.

[teambhp]

if u're really serious about buying, request for the bike to be inspected at the workshop of ur choice then make an offer after the assesment.

That would be a good idea. If the owner reject, then you know something is wrong

[Siphon]

Buy from shop, you are covered by lemon law. Buy from "owner" you are not covered.

 

Sometimes buyer/seller will also give sob stories to make you lower price and such... end of the day you are the one deciding. Whether you want to sell or not to sell. Its always a hard choice because it deals with the heart. But recently i'm feeling there are more and more "heartless" people just out to make a profit... sad.

[teambhp]

Buy from shop, you are covered by lemon law. Buy from "owner" you are not covered.

 

Sometimes buyer/seller will also give sob stories to make you lower price and such... end of the day you are the one deciding. Whether you want to sell or not to sell. Its always a hard choice because it deals with the heart. But recently i'm feeling there are more and more "heartless" people just out to make a profit... sad.

 

 

Here are some of the bikes that i will highlight. I will keep this list updated and leave it to the buyers to make their conclusion.

 

1)TDM 900

COE expire 2 Oct 2017 (Left around 1.5 yr or so)

Selling price $8500

Depreication per year= $5666

 

2)Super 4 Spec 3

COE expire July 2017 (Left around 2 yr)

Selling price $8500

Depreication per year= $4250

 

3)Super 4 Spec 3 Bol'dor

COE expire 19 Jan 2017 (Left around 1.5yr)

Selling price $8000

Depreication per year= $5333

[matthias76]

Let the flamers come. I am just cautioning all bikers here. From I read in the sales section, a lot of direct owners are claiming that their bike is in good condition. Really? Think again

 

I applaud your effort and have no intention of flaming you at all. Hope you dun misunderstand.

 

Perhaps there is a greater problem of the newer type of sellers as mentioned - people who flip bikes with direct sellers for a higher price.

 

The benefits of buying from a shop currently may be slightly better than getting it off a direct seller. Given that most direct seller nowadays mark up their prices due to COE. In such cases, I would rather buy from a shop I trust instead.

[teambhp]

I applaud your effort and have no intention of flaming you at all. Hope you dun misunderstand.

 

Perhaps there is a greater problem of the newer type of sellers as mentioned - people who flip bikes with direct sellers for a higher price.

 

The benefits of buying from a shop currently may be slightly better than getting it off a direct seller. Given that most direct seller nowadays mark up their prices due to COE. In such cases, I would rather buy from a shop I trust instead.

So far,no flamers yet. I am providing a free service by highlighting those sellers asking for crazy prices.

[kzone]

Here are some of the bikes that i will highlight. I will keep this list updated and leave it to the buyers to make their conclusion.

 

1)TDM 900

COE expire 2 Oct 2017 (Left around 1.5 yr or so)

Selling price $8500

Depreication per year= $5666

 

2)Super 4 Spec 3

COE expire July 2017 (Left around 2 yr)

Selling price $8500

Depreication per year= $4250

 

3)Super 4 Spec 3 Bol'dor

COE expire 19 Jan 2017 (Left around 1.5yr)

Selling price $8000

Depreication per year= $5333

 

haha! more expensive then my 1.6L car I just sold recently.. depreciation $4k a year only

 

good list bro! appreciate the efforts!

[beginner444]

if u're really serious about buying, request for the bike to be inspected at the workshop of ur choice then make an offer after the assesment.

 

I second that, and they are becoming more and more greedy, suka suka jack up the price, sshit lah.

[kzone]

I was camping at the sales thread in this forum to look out for cheap buys for bikes nearing COE expiring.... but dont have. I thought with high COEs now, many wud find it not worthilw to renew COE so wud let go their 9ish old bikes cheap.. but instead, the prices of such bikes balooned!

 

wonder what will happen to these bikes since unlikely to find buyers

[teambhp]

I was camping at the sales thread in this forum to look out for cheap buys for bikes nearing COE expiring.... but dont have. I thought with high COEs now, many wud find it not worthilw to renew COE so wud let go their 9ish old bikes cheap.. but instead, the prices of such bikes balooned!

 

wonder what will happen to these bikes since unlikely to find buyers

As long as you not desperate, take your time to chose, there will be no profits for these sellers. What for let these people get your hard earn money? A yamaha diversion 900 asking for close to 15k.would you buy?

[200sx]

teambhp, you reinforced my concept on buy and selling in Singapore. the price is crazy and I wouldn't pay more then 800$ per year for a bread and butter transport.

[hachi]

Well, I can shared my experiences on purchasing over 19 bikes in my 17 years of riding. Out of my 19 bikes, 2 were lemons and almost cost half as much to repair. As all of them are paid in cold hard cash, profit can be made even you have rode for 10-20 months.

But I do have a habits of maintaining my rides, outlook plays an important part in the sale.

You need a certain experiences in identify problem bikes, check for leaks, outlook, if the bike is in good condition, most likely it should be clean and shiny as the owner takes good care of it. Listen to the sound and request for a test ride if possible, have the owner pillion you due to insurance issue.

Look for the confidence that the owner has in his bike. Usually class 2 bikes are better cared by its owners than smaller bikes. Check for wrapped rotors, sneaky suspension and unusual sound during the journey. After the ride, chat with the owner and park the bike on a clean parking lot to check for unsuspected leak which may suggest a repair as some seals or crack in the engine will only be shown when the bike is heated up.

If in doubt just walk away. And I dont knwo how to check for good condition scooter till now. LOL

[teambhp]

teambhp, you reinforced my concept on buy and selling in Singapore. the price is crazy and I wouldn't pay more then 800$ per year for a bread and butter transport.

800 per year depreciation is it? Nowadays hard to find.even a r6 that left one year coe still asking for 6k.

[teambhp]

Well, I can shared my experiences on purchasing over 19 bikes in my 17 years of riding. Out of my 19 bikes, 2 were lemons and almost cost half as much to repair. As all of them are paid in cold hard cash, profit can be made even you have rode for 10-20 months.

But I do have a habits of maintaining my rides, outlook plays an important part in the sale.

You need a certain experiences in identify problem bikes, check for leaks, outlook, if the bike is in good condition, most likely it should be clean and shiny as the owner takes good care of it. Listen to the sound and request for a test ride if possible, have the owner pillion you due to insurance issue.

Look for the confidence that the owner has in his bike. Usually class 2 bikes are better cared by its owners than smaller bikes. Check for wrapped rotors, sneaky suspension and unusual sound during the journey. After the ride, chat with the owner and park the bike on a clean parking lot to check for unsuspected leak which may suggest a repair as some seals or crack in the engine will only be shown when the bike is heated up.

If in doubt just walk away. And I dont knwo how to check for good condition scooter till now. LOL

When it comes to sports bikes, hard to detect problems as engine n gearbox is covered by fairings. Someone suggest bring to workshop for inspection n it's a good idea. Do not be taken by beautiful words from sellers. Am I too hard on sellers? Yes. and why so? Because they are asking high prices. You,as the buyer, should demand the best since you are paying for it

[teambhp]

Here are some of the bikes that i will highlight. I will keep this list updated and leave it to the buyers to make their conclusion.

 

1)TDM 900

COE expire 2 Oct 2017 (Left around 1.5 yr or so)

Selling price $8500

Depreication per year= $5666

 

2)Super 4 Spec 3

COE expire July 2017 (Left around 2 yr)

Selling price $8500

Depreication per year= $4250

 

3)Super 4 Spec 3 Bol'dor

COE expire 19 Jan 2017 (Left around 1.5yr)

Selling price $8000

Depreication per year= $5333

 

4)HD Sportster 883R

COE expire Oct 2017 (Left around 2.5 year)

Selling price $14000

Depreciation per yr = $5600

[200sx]

5) Diversion 900

COE expire 2023

Selling 16k

Depreciation per yr = $2k

 

Problem is the bike only have the COE value of 2k. the appropriate depreciation of a COE bike should be around 1k. You pay 16k, straight you lost 14k if you want to sell to shop unless you found a super enthusiast of Diversion which I doubt so.

[teambhp]

4)HD Sportster 883R

COE expire Oct 2017 (Left around 2.5 year)

Selling price $14000

Depreciation per yr = $5600

 

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/426283-lt-Premium-Deal-gt-Honda-CB1000-S

This one depreciation super high. COE less than 1 yr

[teambhp]

5) Diversion 900

COE expire 2023

Selling 16k

Depreciation per yr = $2k

 

Problem is the bike only have the COE value of 2k. the appropriate depreciation of a COE bike should be around 1k. You pay 16k, straight you lost 14k if you want to sell to shop unless you found a super enthusiast of Diversion which I doubt so.

 

You know what? Some shops also do not want to take in this model

[teambhp]

4)HD Sportster 883R

COE expire Oct 2017 (Left around 2.5 year)

Selling price $14000

Depreciation per yr = $5600

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php/426859-Orange-Harley-Davidson-Sportster-883-R-For-Sale

[wat3v3r]

I totally agree.

 

If owner wishes to mask the problems, not matter what, the naked eye will not be able to see.

 

I had recently bought a used bike to realise that the owner had glued the oil seal back to prevent an overhaul of the engine. Which will not last for a few months due to the heat involved.

 

I beacon to all out there to do your inspections carefully and to make sure that the seller's character could be trusted.

[kzone]

As long as you not desperate, take your time to chose, there will be no profits for these sellers. What for let these people get your hard earn money? A yamaha diversion 900 asking for close to 15k.would you buy?

 

 

yes agree... I'm just wondering what will happen to these bikes... I respect the time u take to go thru the sales posts to identify these bikes... would it be too much trouble if u can also update when is sold and if there are any indication on the final selling price.

 

for some bikes, I wud say that the bike value is not zero after coe expiry. That's why I'm curious to know the final selling point to gauge the value of a bike upon its COE expiry cos unlike cars where u can use the parf as a guide

[filtered]

How abt bikes which can be considered 'classics' or 'collectors item', since no longer in production?

 

For example bikes below? How would you value them?

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/used_bikes/35357/ducati_sportclassic_sport_1000/

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/used_bikes/34924/ducati_sportclassic_gt1000/