Buying a Bike With A Salvage Title
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 2,055
From: Paradise (almost, Florida )
Seller lied, he knows why it has a salvage title. Who would buy one and NOT make sure he knew all about it?
Also, you can buy most any bike you want today from a private seller for KBB trade in value, maybe a few hundred over. Any bike. So, if you're getting a salvage for HALF that amount, it might be a deal if there wasn't much wrong in the first place.
Also, you can buy most any bike you want today from a private seller for KBB trade in value, maybe a few hundred over. Any bike. So, if you're getting a salvage for HALF that amount, it might be a deal if there wasn't much wrong in the first place.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: NC
Bent frames are the biggest danger because that is not always visible. Not sure if it's just my state or all states, but if any vehicle suffers damage above a certain dollar amount(?? $5000 ??), the title is automatic salvage title. This is to tell the next buyer it has been wrecked.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 14
From: Western MD
i would ask the seller why he was selling it, is he the 1st on the salvage tilte, 2nd or 3rd.. if hes the 2nd or 3rd in a relatively short time, theres definitely something wrong and i would steer clear..
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
My last three bikes are salvaged machines built from the ground up.Having the right tools and equipment makes the job of making the bike right very easy.Also knowing what you are looking for and how to correct it is paramount.Registering and insuring should not be a problem.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 844
Likes: 4
From: Central California
Little more info....the bike doesn't have a passenger seat. The stealership qouted him 1K for the changeover. He says that he would rather sell it and get one that is already set up instead of dealing with it. Retail blue on the bike is $6200, trade-in is $4350. Asking price is 3K.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Fair Oaks, Caliphornia
There are some sites on line where you can run a check on the bike and find out what its history is. That doesn't make sense he doesn't know why it was salvaged. He's either playing stupid or is stupid. I wouldn't even think of buying one unless I knew what it had been through. As others have said some bikes get totaled just because the repair bill on having it fixed is higher than it's worth. I'd try offering him at least $500 below what he's asking for it. The worse is he can do is say no and then you can offer more or walk away. If it's a salvage title to begin with, he's gotta be wondering it it'll sell, especially if he doesn't know the bike's history or is hiding something. Just my2 cents worth...
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
I was just today offered a trade on a corvette I'm selling. Salvaged titled sporty I turned him down, not because its a sportster, just need to make the money back on what I want for the car, but I'm looking to resale, so I'd say it depends on if you plan on holding on to the bike. If hes only asking $3000, thats not too far off.
Or you could buy that, then turn around and trade me for a corvette. j/k
Or you could buy that, then turn around and trade me for a corvette. j/k
Last edited by Beauregard; Dec 5, 2010 at 01:11 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,190
Likes: 5
From: Eastern Washington
Little more info....the bike doesn't have a passenger seat. The stealership qouted him 1K for the changeover. He says that he would rather sell it and get one that is already set up instead of dealing with it. Retail blue on the bike is $6200, trade-in is $4350. Asking price is 3K.