Ex-demo bikes

[Kirill357]

So what's the deal with ex-demo bikes, should I buy one (cbr1000 in particular)? I assume since they hadn't been ridden in properly, that could have some consequences, is it?

[buellbabe]

Who knows HOW they have been ridden? Its been my experience that generally the shop will put the first few really crucial kms on themselves and after that they do caution riders...

Personally it wouldn't put me off buying one. My Buell had 4000kms on it when I bought it and the odometer was disconnected when I was demo-ing it so in reality it obviously had more than that LOL!

I just kept to the service schedule from the moment I bought it and it hasn't had any issues other than wear and tear (116,000km service just done).

[Sue VFR]

I bought my Fireblade ex demo from Boyds exactly 1 year ago with 300kms on the clock. I've done 19000kms now and it's brillant

[Forest]

Personally it wouldn't put me off buying one. My Buell had 4000kms on it when I bought it and the odometer was disconnected when I was demo-ing it so in reality it obviously had more than that LOL!

That sounds a bit dodgy. Does the speedo even work with the odo disconnected?

[barty5]

dealers do it all the time fiats can have the speedo reset twice to 000000 as long as they dont go over 1000km.

[Usarka]

So what's the deal with ex-demo bikes, should I buy one (cbr1000 in particular)? I assume since they hadn't been ridden in properly, that could have some consequences, is it?

A common view is that running in isn't that important as it once was. If you subscribe to that view then there is likely to be nothing wrong with an ex-demo.

[discotex]

A common view is that running in isn't that important as it once was. If you subscribe to that view then there is likely to be nothing wrong with an ex-demo.

Yep.. All that really matters is that the gearbox shavings are removed at the first service.

The engine is already worn in. Well at least my Honda was. No rules about RPM etc in the manual. Just don't thrash the clutch and gearbox off the line for the first 1000km.

I planned to buy the demo but I missed it by a matter of hours. Happened to be my lucky day and got the brand new one in the paint I preferred for the same price

[AllanB]

I know a couple of people who have had demos with no problems during ownership.
Often the shops pop a few goodies on them as well - pipes, carbon bits etc and you can score a hottie at a good price.

I purchased my Hornet new and at the first service I asked for the oil filter back. I cut it open to have a look inside as I was interested in seeing if there was any evidence of any form of metal caught in it during the running in period (ah shutup you lot so I'm anal about my bikes...).

The filter was clean to the point that it was in theory a waste of $20 changing it!!!

But then it is a HONDA.

[Squiggles]

I've known some demo bikes to have been ridden pretty hard and not even had the oil changed at 500 clicks mark