Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Buying a used motorcycle and the balance between quality and price.

Jimellow · 04-19-2009, 08:07 PM

I completed the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Course last year. I've been keeping my eye on Craigslist and local bike listings via other outlets, but haven't purchased my first bike yet.

I met a guy at a party last night who had just bought a new Honda CBR600RR and was selling his 2001 Suzuki Katana, also a 600cc.

He is selling it for $1,000. It has been ridden hard, has road rash (cracked right front fairing, and some scuffs on the same side), and has about 30,000 miles on it. I knew it was ridden hard based on discussions with him and his friends, as well as him telling me how fast he got it up to, etc.

I'm starting to look at bikes again with the weather getting warm, and while $1,000 is a nice price for a motorcycle, I'm a bit turned off by the damage, mileage, and riding history of the seller. On one hand, it's a nice bike to start on, with a reasonable price and pre-existing damage. On the other, while $1,000 is reasonable, I feel it might be spent better invested on a bike that I expected to have a healthier past, and longer future.

I am not entirely sure on the type of bike I'd like to buy yet. I've found the sport offerings of Suzuki and Honda to be most comfortable, but in terms of comfort and longer rides, a more upright sitting position, or even cruiser, could seem appealing to me. I also think I am less likely to kill myself on the latter. Self control has its merits, but being able to go very fast in a very short period of time makes me skeptical that I would have trouble resisting the urge all the time, despite me being a very disciplined person.

In regards to bike quality, I was reared with the approach that quality remains long after the price is forgotten, and even if I am buying a motorcycle with the understanding that it will likely be dropped a few times and not remain in pristine condition, I am a bit reluctant to buy a mediocre beater bike solely on that basis; as it generally goes against the core of my approach to purchasing things I truly care about. With that said, I don't look to buy new vehicles either, especially in this instance, but I don't think that necessarily means I should just settle for any nicely priced piece of damaged goods I come across either.

If anyone has thoughts, please share them.

04-19-2009, 08:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jimellow Junkie	Buying a used motorcycle and the balance between quality and price. I completed the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Course last year. I've been keeping my eye on Craigslist and local bike listings via other outlets, but haven't purchased my first bike yet. I met a guy at a party last night who had just bought a new Honda CBR600RR and was selling his 2001 Suzuki Katana, also a 600cc. He is selling it for $1,000. It has been ridden hard, has road rash (cracked right front fairing, and some scuffs on the same side), and has about 30,000 miles on it. I knew it was ridden hard based on discussions with him and his friends, as well as him telling me how fast he got it up to, etc. I'm starting to look at bikes again with the weather getting warm, and while $1,000 is a nice price for a motorcycle, I'm a bit turned off by the damage, mileage, and riding history of the seller. On one hand, it's a nice bike to start on, with a reasonable price and pre-existing damage. On the other, while $1,000 is reasonable, I feel it might be spent better invested on a bike that I expected to have a healthier past, and longer future. I am not entirely sure on the type of bike I'd like to buy yet. I've found the sport offerings of Suzuki and Honda to be most comfortable, but in terms of comfort and longer rides, a more upright sitting position, or even cruiser, could seem appealing to me. I also think I am less likely to kill myself on the latter. Self control has its merits, but being able to go very fast in a very short period of time makes me skeptical that I would have trouble resisting the urge all the time, despite me being a very disciplined person. In regards to bike quality, I was reared with the approach that quality remains long after the price is forgotten, and even if I am buying a motorcycle with the understanding that it will likely be dropped a few times and not remain in pristine condition, I am a bit reluctant to buy a mediocre beater bike solely on that basis; as it generally goes against the core of my approach to purchasing things I truly care about. With that said, I don't look to buy new vehicles either, especially in this instance, but I don't think that necessarily means I should just settle for any nicely priced piece of damaged goods I come across either. If anyone has thoughts, please share them. __________________ Desperation is no excuse for lowering one's standards.