I was looking at a bike online today. It’s a 2014 Ultra Limited with 6,000 miles. It’s a 2nd owner and it was repo’d from the first. Would you let that deter you?

Sorry it’s my first post but have been on here for a while.

 

Just make sure that you get both keys/FOBs.

 

Good point. I know people get down on their luck and can’t afford the payments. I’m worried the first owner had no intentions on paying and ragged the crap out of it.

 

I would shy away from it. And after reading what people do to/with their bikes on this forum I'd shy away from most used bikes.

 

How well do you know the second owner? Has it been taken care of since they've owned it?

 

I don’t know him personally but he said he has the records.

 

It would not deter me. many dealers buy used bikes from the auction to put on their floor. They go to auction for a variety of reasons....one being repo'ed

 

how long has the second owner had it?

If not long, it is suspect that there is an issue and they are dumping it vs an expensive repair

Now if you are afraid it has been beat on, tires are a good indication of history, including the back one

If you know where and how to read tire date codes (lots of videos on YT) look at the tires, if original (2014 manufacturing date, nothing newer) and the rear tire is in good shape (even wear, not cupped, etc) then that is one of many indicators you can use to make a reasonable guess on the condition of the bike.

I'm not worried about 6K on the bike, these things are pretty stout, if you ride it and it sounds and feels OK chances are it is.... condition of the fluids, no leaks, no oil on the forks from leaky seals that would indicate an accident/bent forks.... look for replaced parts, tool marks on nuts and bolts that should not have been touched except for scheduled services.... scrapes/scratches on the frame, crash bars, etc.

Play detective, don't ask a lot of stupid questions but look at everything and ask yourself is this the way it should be on a 6K mile bike?

 

Cool I might look at it some more. He didn’t say long he’s owned it but he’s only put a couple thousand miles on it.

 

If that were the case, I would expect there to be a lot more miles on it, especially since the second owner put 2,000 miles on it, means the original owner only put 4,000 miles on it in 6 or 7 years. Doesn't really fit with the not pay and rag the crap out of it scenario, at least in my head.