Salvage title?..No

 

I'd pay .30 cents on the dollar AFTER repairs were made and the bike was inspected and re-titled.

 

what I have learned about salvage titles.

1) many places won't loan money for a bike with a salvage title
2) many insurance companies won't insure a bike with a salvage title

your experience may be different

 

Buying a bike with a "Salvage Title" will certainly save you some cash. The potential problem is that it will be hard to resell and virtually impossible to recoup your investment when the time comes to get rid of it. But if you're a gambling kind of guy... Go for it. Who knows, you may get lucky.

Ride Safe - Ride Smart

"He Who Lives In Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca. 1750's

 

I attended an insurance auction and it seemed to me the bikes were selling for good money given the 'salvage' title, damage and procedure to get it (RMV inspected) back on the road ('repaired' title).

A big factor has to be your home state rules. There are states that require NO title (New Hampshire) and NO safety inspection at all (Conn), neither or both. I am in a both ++ state.

I just watched, without a dealer. A dealer only auction. I could not bid. I had a willing dealer, but; he advised me there was no incentive or way for him to profit on these bikes-either the new frame route or fix it with the Harley VIN frame. Both a no win for what the bikes were bringing when done. But; he would buy one for me if I really wanted it. First, he suggested I check it out before buying his services for a day.

And, Yes, some had very minimal damage. Those sold for better money.

I am sure this must work for guys with right connection or a plan. I suspect most of the buyer's were reselling as parts. These must be a gold mine in parts.

IMHO, just seeing bikes on Craig list for 15-17k, does not mean they are all selling for that. Some maybe. Or what somebody else payed for that matter. I respect that working full time with a family does not necessarily leave time to visit a dozen Craig list ads to haggle that one bargain. I am at the stage in life where I have the time and the salvage route did not work for me.

 

I wouldn't buy a salvage titled bike. If I knew how to repair and resale that same bike then maybe.

 

omg im so tired of this . if you have reservations about buying a bike with a salvaged title then don't . for those of us that have pretty much already know resale value will drop . and we know what we are looking at and what to look for . some of us buy them for a build some of us buy them to fix and ride . im pretty sure those of us that do buy them to fix and sell know dam well thay are not going to get a ton of money for them so problems with a titled salvage bike? sure ! but I also know of brand new bikes that came straight from the dealer with problems that Harley cant or wont fix .. case in point my brother bought a new electra glide from the dealer and it went down the rode staggering after several complants to the dealer they deamed it as nothing wrong with it it was rider error he sold the bike privately and shortly after it got wrecked note no other vehicle was involved the bike slide out from the rider in a slight sweeping turn go figure ..

 

kitt90 -- I know of places that search for wrecked bikes, they have salvage titles and they still put a high price tag on them.

 

Why was the bike declared a total loss and what was the damage.

More bikes get totaled than fixed. This is because bike shops charge more than body shops, so there is a higher labor amount

Used and aftermarket parts are few in number and costly. Remember we as appraisers, have a requirement to restore a vehicle to pre loss condition.

Suspension parts are normally OEM only, again $$$$$

If there is any suspicion that there is frame damage, the bike will be considered a constructive total loss, it we can not make the argument on the basis of Actual cash value and anticipated salvage value.

Many bikes that could be fixed are totaled because of the constraints I mentioned above, but get them into the hands of a shop that has spare parts they can document, and spare time to work on them, and they are repairable. I made a fortune doing salvage titled cars that way.

If you know what the damage was that totaled the bike, and the quality of the repairs, and you can negotiate a price you are happy with, then go for it.... but know NO dealer will ever take it on trade, some banks will not loan money on a salvage title (if it turns out to be a lemon, and the owner defaults, the bank can't get rid of it easily), and when you go to sell it "private party" expect to be offered 50% of "book" or less.

One of the problems I see with salvage bikes , or more so damaged bikes, is that they bring huge money at salvage auctions.... you have a bike worth 10 grand, it has 5 grand in damage, the bikes are bringing 7500 at the auction.... the bike was a total at 2500 bucks.... Around where I ply my trade, ARGO cycles bids up and buys every bike that runs across the block at Co-Part or IAAI auctions... they pay stupid money for them and nobody else can get one.

With any "used" bike, it is buyer beware, at least with a salvage title you know what you are in for...

 

again if you can find a bike with a salvaged title and you know what is going to take dollor wise to fix and are not to worried about reselling it by all means go for it . I got my rk for a song ill admit it was dam near impossible to get the paint I needed but I did get paint . I did the work that was needed with the help of a retired Harley mechanic friend , ive done some modifications to it ie lowered it put this and that on it exc. im happy with it and I don't think id ever sell it and if I did I got to ride it for a long time ..