Fix the Biff Bird or get a newbie?

[Biff]

Those of you that know, will know that Biff banged his Bird and that it's currently sitting with Casbolts in Christchurch waiting to be fixed. At least that's what I thought a month ago before I left for my travels.

I'm not shocked to find out that fk all has been done since I've been away, despite loads of e-mails back and fro and a few phone calls. But let's not go there eh. My fault I guess for not harassing them.

So - here's where I am:
Casbolt's claim to have found someone interested in buying the Banged Biff Bird for $8000. I bought it brand new last October for $18K. The insurance company have apparently agreed to give me $8K and let me sell the bike to this guy, in that that is the estimate of the repair bill to get it back on the road. So that, in theory leaves me with $16K.

Taking into account that I need to pay $700 for excess and a few hundred bucks here and there for rego and to paint my Givvi luggage (Biff Bird Mk I was blue, the new one would be black) I probably need to pay out, for arguments sake, about $3500 for a brand new bike.

The old Biff Bird had done around 12 thousand Kilometres. So, as I haven’t a clue what the depreciation of a brand new bird that's covered that sort of distance would be in NZ I need your help and advice.

Wotdoyareckon?

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Hmmm I would sell it and move on. A rebuild should bring it back to good but for the cost of $2500.00 I would go new. Recheck your replacement cost and look for any hidden costs. If it still works out to be $2500.00 for a new one I would go that way. It does let the insurance company off a bit of the cost. I mean to sell and not have to repair has to be cheaper for them. Wounder if you can negotiate another grand on the payout?

[Biff]

Hmmm I would sell it and move on. A rebuild should bring it back to good but for the cost of $2500.00 I would go new. Recheck your replacement cost and look for any hidden costs. If it still works out to be $2500.00 for a new one I would go that way. It does let the insurance company off a bit of the cost. I mean to sell and not have to repair has to be cheaper for them. Wounder if you can negotiate another grand on the payout?

Apologies - my intial maths were crap. I'll need to find another $3500 ish.

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Or you could buy it back and do the track thing............no worries about the plastic bits then...............Get another one for the road............. I am sure Mrs Biff would be happy with that :whistle: :niceone:

[Gixxer 4 ever]

Apologies - my intial maths were crap. I'll need to find another $3500 ish.
It is getting to the fix it stage. I would ask the shop to see if the buyer will lift another grand and work on the insurance company a bit more. Go in and sit face to face with them. You just might get both parties to move a bit and make it work. Anyway good luck on this and I am sure others will have good advice.

[Zed]

Take the money and run! Save yourself all the hassle.

I recall in another thread recently that you claimed to earn tonnes of cash in your job, so whats with this splitting hairs about finding another $3.5k? :msn-wink:

[dangerous]

it's currently sitting with Casbolts in Christchurch waiting to be fixed. At least that's what I thought a month ago before I left for my travels.

I'm not shocked to find out that fk all has been done since I've been away, ?
Well mate...... I have been in there but figgered it wasent worth letting you know what was going on... as the bloody thing hadent moved since lt was parked up there, they are are fuking usless bunch of dicks in there and you would have to move in, in order to get shit moving... even then only if ya lucky.
Sorry that nouts happened........... go for the new Bird, in the long run you will be happier with that choice.
worry bout the boxs being repainted later, but on top of the $3500 you will also have to buy a new d/b screen and clear indercators wouldent you??? they did look shit hot on the current Bird.

ps: C U next week

[TonyB]

Yep, sell it. Reasons?

It's going to take ages to be fixed from the sound of it
If it's fixed, you will still own an expensive bike thats had a major crash
If it was still mint and you traded it in, you prolly would have lost more, so looking at it that way, you still come out on top :niceone:

[Coyote]

Sell it. Get a Black Bird, they look farkin awesome

http://orbita.starmedia.com/~tiapo1/Honda/CBR%201100XX%20Super%20blackbird.gif

or you could go for something like this:

http://www.arnoldsfairings.co.uk/Images/New/Blk%20Bird%20RB.jpg

[StoneChucker]

Sell it for sure. Really, whats 3.5K when you can have a brand new bike, and not a repaired one from a major bin... Then you can add the bling on whenever you want :Punk:

[Sensei]

Buy new then you have al the warranty's etc . If ya paid 18k for it new then you would get around 12-13k for a trade going by the shop like to make a couple thou as well . NEW NEW NEW is for YOU :niceone:

[ktulu]

I'd have to say I think new would be the way to go, for the main reason being the obvious.... you get a new bike!! Plus like stone chucker said you won't have one repaired from a major crash.

Plus this way you could upgrade to a suzuki

[justsomeguy]

I'll reiterate what everyone has said and I hope we've sort of got you thinking of the same option: BUY A NEW ONE:niceone:

[dangerous]

I high sided a 500 Eurosport once, after it was rebuilt it was never the same..... was never happy with it aye, so thats why I'd go for a new one.
I know that the extra $$$ is a pain, espesially when it has to be ok'ed by 'her in doors' but I'm sure ya can work on that :msn-wink: (have to watch what we say now aye shes a lurkeing in the shadows :spudwave:

[Silage]

Hey Biff sell it. You should be able to get Casbolts to give a good discount on the new one as you have "traded in" and bought a second new one in such a short time :banana:

[dangerous]

You should be able to get Casbolts to give a good discount on the new one :
:killingme LMFAO.......... you have never delt with that shop now have ya.... I brought a new bike from them..... Mr C wouldent give me SFA... actually, NOTHING of a $14.50 can of chain lube. :no:

[Skyryder]

Hell I would go and have a look at the Guzzi sports. They are just next door if for no other reason than to play them off against each other. Who knows you might be impressed. :ride: :ride: :love: :love:

Skyryder

[gav]

Sell it, it'll never be the same....shop around

[Wolf]

New bike cons - have to shell out for on road costs and some bling

New bike pros - warranty, guaranteed to be in good condition (no hidden damage) more resale value if needed for trading up/across (compared with older bike that's been in major crash).

Go with the new bike, dude. Less hassle all round. Unless the original bird has superfantastic sentimental value (given to you by your mentor before he passed away, you lost your virginity on it, that sorta fing) you're best to get rid of it and get yourself new wheels.

[MSTRS]

Pop the cash in your back pocket & go shopping

[mikey]

buy the one on kiwibiker with NOS

[Ghost Lemur]

I concur with the majority.

Maybe even don't get another bird, but try something different. Life's too short to stick to one bike.

From my reading, $3k-odd depreciation write off is a pretty sweet deal, especially with accident damage. Don't think you'll get a better deal than that.

[onearmedbandit]

I used to work for casbolts, and discounts don't happen there. I could devote an entire website to the stories I have from there. Mr Casbolt is the problem, most of the staff are okay, albeit a bit cocky. Anyway Biff, do the deal (obviously negotiate for your best interest) and buy new.

[inlinefour]

I'd probably let it go and look at another bike. I just don't feel the same about a bike after a decient crash. :no:

[gav]

Just out of interest, if this deal has been on the table its not suprising that Casbolts havent started on the rebuild. They would need a specific order from either the insurance company or yourself to start this, and I guess it sounds like the insurance company are quite happy to go either way, eg repair it or pay you out and give you the bike back. Was there an option where the bike was written off and the bike auctioned and you paid out say $16K or replacement? Why not go this way and get a brand new bird?

[RiderInBlack]

If Your finances can handle it go new (haggle man). If not then buying a little older bike with low Kms and that has not been damaged is going the be better on resale than yours repaired. If you real miss you bike and have built a bond with it, then kick they fu*ken lazy arses and tell them that they better fu*ken will get that bike fixed or you will not only go else were to get the bike serviced in the future, but will also telling your mates to do the same:mad:

[zeRax]

If Your finances can handle it go new (haggle man). If not then buying a little older bike with low Kms and that has not been damaged is going the be better on resale than yours repaired. If you real miss you bike and have built a bond with it, then kick they fu*ken lazy arses and tell them that they better fu*ken will get that bike fixed or you will not only go else were to get the bike serviced in the future, but will also telling your mates to do the same:mad:


im pretty sure if you tell them that your going to tell your friends to go elsewhere also, they will take you to court and give you a bad day, that kind of thing is a nono, even thou it happens everyday

[Ghost Lemur]

im pretty sure if you tell them that your going to tell your friends to go elsewhere also, they will take you to court and give you a bad day, that kind of thing is a nono, even thou it happens everyday

Actually it's a yesyes. You're thinking of Defimation. And to the best of my knowledge it takes two particulars to be found guilty of it. One is publication, the other is fabrication of fact (ie lying).

Opinions don't count, everyone is free to have an opinion and voice it as such, even more so when they can back it up by reason (ie they suck ass, had my bike for over a month and it hasn't moved, let alone been fixed, useless fuckers).

As for publication, my understanding is because the plantiff has to show that harm was ment and done. Which can't really be said to happen in a one on one conversation.

[James Deuce]

Biff the bike and get a new bird.

No. Hang on. I think that came out wrong.

[dangerous]

Biff the bike and get a new bird.
LMFAO....... hey can I have the old bird :msn-wink: :whistle:

[madboy]

Having just got back from Chch where I spent the weekend, I'd go for a quad with snow chains!

But seriously, I don't think there is really a choice here - it's bleeding obvious, isn't it?! And while you're at it - give some thought to another sort of bike perhaps as has been suggested here. Not knocking the Bird (I don't know enough about them to make that sorta call), but don't just replace it with the same - variety is the spice of life (although Mrs Bird might not quite agree given your recent holiday, umm... business trip :whistle: )

And on the plane ride down I read the TwoWheels article on the new K5 Gixxer thou... holy shit. Don't know if that's your thing or not, but with the sorta money you're talking I know which dealer I'd be heading to...

[zooter]

it's a nobrainer. Choice is repaired bike worth whatever, maybe 14000?? and $2800 still in your pocket or a brand spanker and no Fiji holiday this winter. If I read it correctly you've still got your insurance excess to fork out either way so it doesnt figure in the equation.
Any emotional attachment to the old one will soon become a distant memory on the new black fantastic.

[Wolf]

Biff the bike and get a new bird.
Mrs Biff would not be too thrilled - especially if she got given to Dangerous as well...

[White trash]

Buy a Buell.

[flyin]

Sell it, take the insurance companies money (that has to feel good....) plus.... You are also giving the person buying your crashed bike a great deal...... $8grand for a near new blackbird ridden/crashed by Biff Baff himself!! :niceone:

[LED]

Buy a Buell.

Enough said......

[White trash]

Buy a Buell.

Enough said......

Oh yeah, and buy it from me.

[gav]

Trade a lightly buffed Black biffbird thingy? Those scratches will polish out...nah, suppose to look like that....thats pretty common with this model.... :whistle:
hang on, thats what you normally say, huh?

[RiderInBlack]

Actually it's a yesyes. You're thinking of Defimation. And to the best of my knowledge it takes two particulars to be found guilty of it. One is publication, the other is fabrication of fact (ie lying).

Opinions don't count, everyone is free to have an opinion and voice it as such, even more so when they can back it up by reason (ie they suck ass, had my bike for over a month and it hasn't moved, let alone been fixed, useless fuckers).

As for publication, my understanding is because the plantiff has to show that harm was ment and done. Which can't really be said to happen in a one on one conversation.Thanks Ghost:niceone:
Look I live or die on word of mouth in my trade. If I do a shit job, it loses me many customers. If I was stupid enough to make a case over it, even if I won, I would do my business more damage than good. A little fear that they might lose some businees is the only thing that makes some businesses try to do a half descent job. Personally, I have not time for businesses that are being slack and are doing shitty work. This goes even more so with my bike. Shitty slack half arse work done on my bike has the potential of getting me killed. I am willing to pay the money to get the job done right and expect the shop would do their resonable best. If they don't, then I will try to find someone who will. If I get asked what I think about a shop, I will say so, and why. You will find this is true for most bikers. Try sueing us if you like, but you more likely to put the shop in receivership.
Rave done:whocares:

[Coyote]

Oh yeah, and buy it from me.
They got a 250 then?

[Biff]

Cheers chaps. Sound advice and all in tune with my thoughts.

I'm now back in NZ and have just spoken with Casbolts, there's now a new twist to the story; the guy that wants to buy the bent Biff Bird has a a Duke with Casbolts waiting to be sold. The guy has to sell the Duke before he can afford the bent Bird. Bollox. I deserve a chocolate fish for not going freakin crazy.

Bottom line is the reason Casbolts hadn't gone ahead and repaired the Bird is that they thought I may be interested in this guys offer. Erm yeah - but why not phone me or drop me a mail as we'd agreed? Anyhoo, count to ten, relax, at least for the next week max. Then I'll go fkin crazy if I'm pissed about any more.

I'll wait the week, then if fk all happens it's back to fixing the bent Bird. Unless that is there is anyone else out there who fancies buying my Bird....? Estimated cost to repair the plastics about $4k.

I don't know about getting another model of bike, I love the Bird and the only other sports tourer that yanks my chain is the Sprint ST, and they're a little more than MS Biff would let me spend. Unless WT can do me a real deal...?

[Sniper]

Take money, run, buy new bike, give it to me :)

[Flyingpony]

Buy a new one.