Just been up to Levin this morning to pick the XS650 crank up and they were repairing an early model Fireblade. Poor sod had bought it off Trade Me, turned out to be an ex proddie racer bent forks (well badly straightened out anyway) and other 'issues'. Poor bugger had paid $7000 and was up another 2 on parts then labour on top of that
Familiar story. As I said in the recent Yello Peril thread, workshops are getting a heap of bikes bought off trademe with "multiple issues." When I had mine at Kingsland motorcycles there was a CR500 in there with a rooted engine, needing upwards of two grand in parts. The seller told the buyer to take a hike and the thing was heading towards small claims court. Lloyd May said it's a difficult issue for the workshops, with the bike's problems becoming his problems - and they often take many hours to sort out (with the new owners going nuts when they find out how much it's going to cost to get their new pride and joy sorted.) People buying stuff sight unseen, taking the seller's word for the condition of the bike.... and the photos hide a multitude of sins.
You're right guys, It's a jungle out there! I bought my GS1150 from a seller in the States. I spent a month sussing out his and the bikes backgrounds through emails, etc, etc. I rang him twice to get a feel of his integrity, and got him to produce a video clip of the bike running. All checked out okay, so i took the plunge. I wouldn't have taken the risk, had I not had half a life time of racing and tuning experience to fall back on, when making my assessment. Many are buying bikes now, with rose tinted glasses firmly affixed.
Dieseldoom Many are buying bikes now, with rose tinted glasses firmly affixed. Yes, I am embarking on collecting a bike from only trademe pictures and 2 phone calls then riding the 600 odd kms home, hope it's not pissing down so I can wear my rose tinted sunnies Cheers fellas for the confidence inspiring posts, I'm planning on 3 nervous poos before I leave for the airport to catch the redeye south on Monday and have set the alarm time approprately
It should be fine, Dodgy. After all, what can go wrong? How hard can it be? Oh, wait . . . . .
I'll go on stand for Monday rescued Friday Flash and broken van last nite from Norsewood, but I know you will be okay. trailer available ,, Hawkes Bay BFTP Rescue tx 027 2450019
Yeah....I hope his map reading skills have improved in the last couple of weeks....imagine...an Italian Tom Tom.... " justa reversea across the Notha Africka...thena up to a Roma"
I can form the Manawatu section of the Guzzi retrieval chain. Will have the vehicle on standby and oil packs on board. Dodgyiti. My number is 06 3766155 if needed.
I bought a Chaing Jaing off TM sight unseen, Toaster off T and E with phone photos, and a GPZ 900. The GPZ guy make me take it for a ride prior to handing over cash, lucky so far...... What about those bikes that have a low reserve and people pay way over it....off a few pics and a vague description....its hardly the sellers fault???
Hey cheers you guys I am taking a range of spares and this bike being a round barrel I'm in my comfort zone as far as what tools to take and so forth, I just hate the unknown quantity thing. You know it would have been about $120 cheaper if I took the trailer and picked it up? No cheap flights around this time of the year and I had to pay extra for baggage because of the afore mentioned tools and spares which sneak in at just under the 20kg limit No fun in trailering it home if it has WOF/Reg though eh? That is for 'collector fags' not riders
