Buying a Bike With A Salvage Title
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 844
Likes: 4
From: Central California
Buying a Bike With A Salvage Title
I've been offered a pretty good deal on a bike, but it has a salvage title. I know about possible insurance issues...I'll call my agent on Monday. I also know how little it takes some adjusters to total a bike, a good friend of mine can attest to that! Since this is unchartered territory for me, have any of you bought a salvage titled bike? Would you?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,788
Likes: 5
From: Tennessee
Never bouught one but have several friends that have. Only problem i've seen is one guys ultra wears a back tire out in about 6000 miles. A little premature. It rides great but starts to cup the rear at 6 grand. He changeed to a dunlop and it seems to be doing better. 4 grand and no signs of unusual wear. Get it up to 60 or so and take your hands off the bars and let it coast down to nothing (or close to noothing). If it doesnt shimmy or shake as it slows your probably in the clear. Just my 2cents
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Same here.. just a friend who had his rebuilt,, after he t=bone someone who turned in front of him..
He still owns it and puts but 8k a yr on it... never heard any complaints bout anything wrong with it...
He still owns it and puts but 8k a yr on it... never heard any complaints bout anything wrong with it...
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 964
Likes: 9
From: Savannah, TN
Katrina gave us several bikes with a salvage title for less than half market price and very little wrong... most flooded and bent tins. Some good buys if you look hard enough.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 709
From: DFW
Yes I bought a '97 Ducati Monster 900 that had a salvage title. The main problem was the left side front fork was slightly bent and leaking fluid. Not a bad leak, as I rode it home and for a few weeks until I got different forks and changed them out. It was a laydown on the left side. Added some mirrors and changed out the turn signals to LED anyway. Look a the damage and the cost of new parts and what your total investment will be to get it running.
Took the bike to get it registered, person in the office came out and looked at the bike and the VIN and about 5 minutes later, new title.
As someone said earlier, there are plenty of non-salvaged bikes out there that peeps are selling inexpensively. Unless you are looking for a project bike (that what was why I bought the Ducati - could afford to buy a new bike for cash) and can get a great deal. I am happy I got the salvage bike as I have learned much more about cycles and especially the Ducati - I am less apprehensive now about working on the bike.
Good luck in your decision.
Took the bike to get it registered, person in the office came out and looked at the bike and the VIN and about 5 minutes later, new title.
As someone said earlier, there are plenty of non-salvaged bikes out there that peeps are selling inexpensively. Unless you are looking for a project bike (that what was why I bought the Ducati - could afford to buy a new bike for cash) and can get a great deal. I am happy I got the salvage bike as I have learned much more about cycles and especially the Ducati - I am less apprehensive now about working on the bike.
Good luck in your decision.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,148
Likes: 2,975
From: WACO
I bought my 2007 Ultra as a salvage. 5000 miles with cosmetic damage for $6900.00. I had no problem with insurance. But. Only the minimum liability insurance required here in Texas. Why full coverage on a salvage? Unless you are trying to pull a scam? I bought it to ride. If it breaks I can fix it.
Last edited by OLD 96; Dec 5, 2010 at 12:56 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 844
Likes: 4
From: Central California
Appreciate the replys....this is a 2002 BMW 1150RT. Almost half the price of a clear title. The seller says he doesn't know why it has a salvage title. Runs great, looks good......