Buying a bike that is not near you...

[sgtp]

EDIT: found a bike I am going to check out
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129999639
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If you had to do it again, would you by a bike sight unseen on trademe? I will be buying my first 250cc pretty soon, and have found that I can not limit my search to wellington to find the bike I want to buy. So, if you have done it in the past, would you feel confident buying something sight unseen again?

As a newb, I would not attempt to ride it home if its going to be a days ride away. I plan to find a freight company to move it.

So...

Any regrets?
Was the bike's condition described honestly?
Was your freight company experience acceptable?

[lone_slayer]

I have to say you do see a lot more in the flesh. Mine looked great in pics but up close there was definetly a few issues + you can make sure atleast all lights go and it starts before you hand over your money... But even seeing it in the flesh for 5 mins you will notice more when you get her home... And good luck with your 1st bike... What are you looking for?

[The Everlasting]

One thing you can do when you find a bike your interested in,is make a thread asking if a fellow kiwibike member could have a quick look at the bike for you.

[Gibbo89]

You need to be prepared for there to be issues, so if you can, have a chunk of money left behind for a service etc. The ad may say one thing, but it might not be what is really the case, especially if the owner has no real idea about bikes, but just rides them.

[Gibbo89]

Depending on the type of 250 your looking at, often the 250 bikes can be a bit thrashed or not looked after as well as say some big ass touring bike that learners or inexperienced bike riders almost never jump on and therefore are hardly ever dropped etc.

[bsasuper]

I would never buy a bike unless I saw it myself, other peoples ideas of condition are always different to yours.If you do buy sight unseen, you have no one to blame but yourself if it turns out to be shit.

[cbfb]

Nah mate, been there done that wouldn't do it again. Bike was OK but if I had seen it first hand I wouldn't have bought it, or at least offered a lot less. Has taken a bit of work to get up to my idea of vgc!

[BuzzardNZ]

I would never buy a bike unless I saw it myself, other peoples ideas of condition are always different to yours.If you do buy sight unseen, you have no one to blame but yourself if it turns out to be shit.

agree with this post 100%

[blackdog]

I did it a couple of years ago and was disappointed when I picked it up.

I've just done it again, but I will be getting it looked at independently before I pick it up on the weekend.

I'll let you know how it turns out on Monday.

[Hawkeye]

Bought a 2 smoker a few year ago, sight unseen. Filled the cage, hooked up the trailer and headed up to New Plymouth to pick her up.
Was told it needed a battery, mirror, horn and indicator to get the WOF. Looked brilliant in the 4-5 pics used on TM (from every angle.)
However, when I got there it was nothing like described. I was lucky in that the guy was genuine and suggested we took it to a shop to get it assessed.
$1500 for parts plus labour to get her up to spec.
Didn't buy it and the guy advertised it the next week for a much less asking price and listed the things that needed doing to it.
I was lucky. Had I paid up front and got it transported, I could have been screwed.

[Hurrie]

I wouldnt recommend it unless you have someone experienced look over it. i bought a bike a couple of weeks ago from a dealer and the condition of the bike was no where near what was described ended up having to return the bike and losing $380 on shipping it would be worth it if you could even fly/bus and have a look at it yourself instead of wasting your money.

[sgtp]

Thanks for the replys. I am looking for a Suzuki bandit/gsf250, for the record.

I guess I have three things that could happen:
1) have the seller bring it to a local shop for evaluation at my expense
2) have a KBer check it out for me
or
3) take a chance on a bike if the seller can provide adaquate proof of maintenance.

I'll see what happens. I am not in a hurry to buy, so this might take a while before I can report how things turn out

[firefighter]

Only from a dealer. I would'nt again privately. No major scare story, definitely still a great deal. just a few 'far from' truths that disappointed me when seeing it for real. (things like chain and sprokets far from having a lot of life left etc). Basically it was sold as 'ready for thousands of worry free kms', when it NEEDED chain, sprockets, plugs, and I did the oil too which was'nt too bad but dirtier than i'd personally let it get.....

In the end we were both surprised it sold so cheap, so worth it, but I was still pissed that I was lied to.

Flights are cheap enough now.

[cbfb]

Thanks for the replys. I am looking for a Suzuki bandit/gsf250, for the record.

I guess I have three things that could happen:
1) have the seller bring it to a local shop for evaluation at my expense
2) have a KBer check it out for me
or
3) take a chance on a bike if the seller can provide adaquate proof of maintenance.

I'll see what happens. I am not in a hurry to buy, so this might take a while before I can report how things turn out

1 or 2 is an option I guess (providing 1 isn't the seller's best mate and 2 knows what they're doing). Wouldn't bother with 3 if I were you, sellers get a bit of amnesia when it comes to the problems the bike's had.

If you're not in a hurry, keep an eye on TM in your local area and get one near you, chances are something will come up.

[sgtp]

Hey, good news! I found a bandit near me and hope to check it out soon.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/List...x?id=356194672

As a complete newb (got BHS done, planning to sit the test this week), I dont think I can perform a thorough test ride, so I will need to focus on the condition of the bike. My list so far is:
1) check chain, rear sprocket
2) check turn signals, lights, etc
3) check tires
4) visual inspection of the brake pads
5) Is the battery flat?
6) Start it up, check for anything out of sorts?
7) ask for maintenance history

Anything I am missing?