Detective work

**oracle** · 31st August 2011, 19:56

Looking at a bike on trademe that had been resprayed. I assured that this was just due to a low speed drop and even then it was to match what the previous owner had done (as the original colour was different). I had a strange feeling about the bike and after noticing a bike shop sticker on it (and through the suggestion of kiwigraham), gave the shop an email. Got back from them confirmation that they had been maintaining the bike as the seller said but the last time they saw it (sometime after June) was for an insurance repair quote and it was a write off

Whew! Don't want to even touch something that's been written off, especially with my (lack of) experience

Any other sneaky detective work that people have done when buying a bike?

**axdout** · 31st August 2011, 20:47

What kind of bike, Insurance companys write bikes off for shit all damage, might not have even been a major.

**FJRider** · 31st August 2011, 20:56

So ... you believe "written off" ... is another way of saying ... unrepairable/UNSAFE ... ???

"Written off" value is often a third/half the insured value ...

Fairing replacement costs often result in bikes getting "written off"

SAFETY issues do not apply ... (usually)

**oracle** · 31st August 2011, 21:00

It was a zeal so no fairing. I thought of that myself that it may not be really anything to effect the integrity of the bike but as I don't have much experience with bikes I'd rather be safe than sorry

**PeeJay** · 31st August 2011, 21:09

Originally Posted by oracle

Looking at a bike on trademe that had been resprayed. I assured that this was just due to a low speed drop and even then it was to match what the previous owner had done (as the original colour was different). I had a strange feeling about the bike and after noticing a bike shop sticker on it (and through the suggestion of kiwigraham), gave the shop an email. Got back from them confirmation that they had been maintaining the bike as the seller said but the last time they saw it (sometime after June) was for an insurance repair quote and it was a write off

Whew! Don't want to even touch something that's been written off, especially with my (lack of) experience

Any other sneaky detective work that people have done when buying a bike?

Thats good of the bike shop. Freely giving out information pertaining to their customers to a random email.
Regarding a bike being written off, thats insurance speak for its cheaper to pay out than fix it. It doesnt mean the bike is stuffed. When a set of plastics costs $7000 and the bike is worth $5000 you can see their point.
When you did the rego check it would include info regarding deregistration at the insurance companies request.
If they havent deregistered it then highly likely it was expensive cosmetic damage, which ties in with the respray.
At the right price could still be a good buy

**oracle** · 31st August 2011, 22:20

Originally Posted by PeeJay

Thats good of the bike shop. Freely giving out information pertaining to their customers to a random email.
Regarding a bike being written off, thats insurance speak for its cheaper to pay out than fix it. It doesnt mean the bike is stuffed. When a set of plastics costs $7000 and the bike is worth $5000 you can see their point.
When you did the rego check it would include info regarding deregistration at the insurance companies request.
If they havent deregistered it then highly likely it was expensive cosmetic damage, which ties in with the respray.
At the right price could still be a good buy

That's why I haven't included the bike shop's name incase people don't want to deal with them for that reason, as they are good guys and have helped me on other occasions. Yes I can but as this was a naked bike I am not so confident and don't want to risk it. I am a student so don't exactly have money to risk on anything, I would rather just wait until the right bike comes along

**yungatart** · 1st September 2011, 13:55

A few years ago, my son's bike was rear ended. The insurance company wrote it off.
We repaired it and revinned it, for under $700.
It was a naked bike, so no fairing damage, but the front brake disc and caliper was shot, the seat was broken and the foot peg was munted, plus some damage to the side plastics.
It was perfectly safe after its rebuild. What is your issue?

**oneofsix** · 1st September 2011, 14:07

Last time my bike was in the workshop it was in for an insurance quote and they (the insurance company) wanted to write it off. As far as the shop was concerned it was an insurance write off returned to the insured after buy back but their parts department know I bought the genuine replacement parts for the broken bits through them. The rest was cosmetic. Less than $500 for broken bits $4000+ for scratches. Same bike re-insured with same broker but now at a reduced value. The only broken bits are required for a WOF so had to be replaced.
Where's the problem?

**imdying** · 1st September 2011, 14:21

A nigger doesn't wanna own a pre fucked bike, simple as that, get off her fucking case.

**oneofsix** · 1st September 2011, 14:28

Originally Posted by imdying

A nigger doesn't wanna own a pre fucked bike, simple as that, get off her fucking case.

but what if they are passing up a good bike through a miss perception?

**imdying** · 1st September 2011, 14:58

Originally Posted by oneofsix

but what if they are passing up a good bike through a miss perception?

And, what if? Big deal.... there's hundreds of bikes for sale and no good reason to buy one that has been damaged enough to be written off by an insurance company.

**onearmedbandit** · 1st September 2011, 15:04

Exactly. And if may affect her re-sale in the future.

**oracle** · 1st September 2011, 15:16

imdying and onearmedbandit get it. I know it could be fine, but I don't want to risk it. It wasn't a one-off dream bike, and there are plenty more 250cc out there, just have to find one that ticks all my boxes. The shoddy respray is what made me look further in the first place so anyone who goes to buy it when I'm done will likely be a bit dubious as well (don't have money or time to redo it myself). All I wanted was to start up a conversation about what people had done when looking to buy there own bike as I thought it would be interesting

**oneofsix** · 1st September 2011, 15:27

Originally Posted by oracle

imdying and onearmedbandit get it. I know it could be fine, but I don't want to risk it. It wasn't a one-off dream bike, and there are plenty more 250cc out there, just have to find one that ticks all my boxes. The shoddy respray is what made me look further in the first place so anyone who goes to buy it when I'm done will likely be a bit dubious as well (don't have money or time to redo it myself). All I wanted was to start up a conversation about what people had done when looking to buy there own bike as I thought it would be interesting

You've done well and made a decision for your own reasons knowing as much as you could.

**Road kill** · 1st September 2011, 19:04

Originally Posted by oracle

imdying and onearmedbandit get it. I know it could be fine, but I don't want to risk it. It wasn't a one-off dream bike, and there are plenty more 250cc out there, just have to find one that ticks all my boxes. The shoddy respray is what made me look further in the first place so anyone who goes to buy it when I'm done will likely be a bit dubious as well (don't have money or time to redo it myself). All I wanted was to start up a conversation about what people had done when looking to buy there own bike as I thought it would be interesting

Would of been a good idea any other place.
Good luck buying a new bike.