Buying Bikes online
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Bossier City, LA
Buying Bikes online
I was wondering what experiences any of you have had with buying a motorcycle online, without ever having actually seen the bike, and then having it shipped tp you. I'm located in a somewhat remote area of the US and the local market has a limited selection. Since, typically better deals are to be had during the"off" season,the weather hasmade it impossible to ride a bike back home. (located in North Dakota)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,148
From: Western South Dakota
RE: Buying Bikes online
Yep, I did that and live in South Dakota. Found a 99 fxstc that was in Yuma. Guy said that he would meet us 1/2 way. I said cool. I thought Ogden or something like that... The day before the trip he said that he could only make it to Flagstaff. Yeah, ok, whatever. So left Rapid City on a Friday afternoon and got to Flagstaff Saturday afternoon, 1250 miles later, 24 hours later. Didn't give him a nickel though, prior to seeing it. Saved 2 grand though by spending the time and money to go and get it. Still got it, 7 years later, and gonna put a 107 and 6 speed in it, pretty soon. Love it. Heard that got great deals in ND though, maybe that's just on new bikes though?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,558
Likes: 280
From: Russellville, Arkansas
RE: Buying Bikes online
I've bought and sold lots of Harleys online either through Ebay and various online Harley auctions.....of course that was when the market was still pretty good. Nowdays.....I don't dare buy a Harley for resale....only to keep.
I would have plenty of pictures sent to me and I would also request pictures pertaining to specific parts of the bike. I would always check the VIN as well. If I found any thing fishy with the VIN or the seller does not take the additional pictures I requested....then I was not going to buy.
For several years.....I was having lots of fun just buying and selling.
I would have plenty of pictures sent to me and I would also request pictures pertaining to specific parts of the bike. I would always check the VIN as well. If I found any thing fishy with the VIN or the seller does not take the additional pictures I requested....then I was not going to buy.
For several years.....I was having lots of fun just buying and selling.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,393
Likes: 2,060
From: N. Atlanta Burbs
RE: Buying Bikes online
Aren't there professional buyer agents available anymore? Used to be, for somewhere between 1 and 2 hundred bucks, a company would send one out for you before you signed or paid. They would give you pictures and a professional write up. If it were a quick sale they would call you from the sellers location and some of them would even take your money wire, pay for the bike, make arrangements for shipping and check all of the paperwork too as part of their service. Shipping was extra of course.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
RE: Buying Bikes online
At risk of stating the obvious, I think it's very tough, if not impossible, to know the real condition of a bike without seeing it in person. And what you think of as cherry or mint may not be the seller's idea of same.
Recently, I responded to an online ad and got burned by a jerk who misrepresented the condition of the bike and refused to return my $500.00 deposit. And this was a guy who had an indy shop! I filed a complaint against him and his shop with BBB, but beyond that, if it's beyond state lines, going after someone is pretty hard. What are you going to do, file in small claims court in his state, then travel 500 miles one way on the appointed day in the hope of getting a judgement for five C notes? (The majority of small claims judgments are never collected). I"ve been buying used all my life and never had a problem until this A-hole, so maybe the odds were that I was finally due to lose one. At least I wasn't into thousands. But frankly, in my experience, motorcycling attracts more than its share of dishonest dirtbags regardless of brand.
I am in a similar remote area where bikes are not exactly thick on the ground, but I will travel first to see the bike before trusting someone to state the truth again.
Recently, I responded to an online ad and got burned by a jerk who misrepresented the condition of the bike and refused to return my $500.00 deposit. And this was a guy who had an indy shop! I filed a complaint against him and his shop with BBB, but beyond that, if it's beyond state lines, going after someone is pretty hard. What are you going to do, file in small claims court in his state, then travel 500 miles one way on the appointed day in the hope of getting a judgement for five C notes? (The majority of small claims judgments are never collected). I"ve been buying used all my life and never had a problem until this A-hole, so maybe the odds were that I was finally due to lose one. At least I wasn't into thousands. But frankly, in my experience, motorcycling attracts more than its share of dishonest dirtbags regardless of brand.
I am in a similar remote area where bikes are not exactly thick on the ground, but I will travel first to see the bike before trusting someone to state the truth again.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
RE: Buying Bikes online
I sold my 2004 BMW on Ebay and turned around and bought my 2004 Road Glide from a guy down in Tenn. on Ebay. Both transactions were very smooth and honest. Can't say it would always be that way but I did ok. I saw the RG on Ebay and liked it. I had been shopping for several months. I bid and won the RG at what I thought was a reasonable price. I saved lots of money because when I saw it, he had added almost every chrome piece you could think of. When I went from NC Indiana to E. of Nashville, Tenn. to pick it up I was amazed at the condition of the bike. GOT A REAL GOOD DEAL! It's really a toss up because I have had one bad experience selling on Ebay too. Good Luck
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,921
Likes: 264
From: Deep in the heart of New Jersey
RE: Buying Bikes online
I have bought 2 bikes that were on line. one was on hd trader.com and was close enough to go look at before the deal. there was no problem as no deposit money had changed hands. the other bike was an Ebay auction .I bid on the bike but did not leave a deposit. took a long ride to see it and it was as advertised. paid the lady ,loaded on trailor and headed for home.if it was not as advertised, I would have turned around and walked away. Ebay feedback means nothing to me when I have cash in my hand. My thoughts on buying is if you cant look at it or have a trusted person vouch for its condition dont buy it, also if you get what you consider a deal, and you have to pay $600 to ship it, you might as well look local for one and pay $600 more for it.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,183
Likes: 1
From: Lenexa, KS (KC)
RE: Buying Bikes online
Bought my bike on line through eBay. Bike turned out to be in pretty good condition, although it had a small finishing nail in rear tire. Everything thing else has been in very good condition and I'm really happy with it. Bike had 28k miles when I bought it and the crossover pipe had a small crack where it joined the header, but I changed out the exhaust anyway soon as I received the bike. Person I bought from shipped an extra windshield and Kuryakyn grips with the bike, as well as a cover. Paint is perfect, except for the small nick I added replacing a passing lamp -- dammit. Took a little over two months between when I put $500 down on eBay to when I received the bike -- shipped from Boston to KC. Would I do it again? Probably if I could get a good deal again and the sellers has perfect feedback on eBay, especially since their purchases are insured up to more thanwhat I paid. On the other hand, I'd look locally first, including craiglist, as there may be bikes closer by that would save you the shipping cost and anxiety involved in buying over the net. Good luck. Jim
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 270
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Buying Bikes online
I have bought 2 Harleys off E-bay, One was a dealer in Scranton, PA. Electric City, I couldn't of been happier. Bike was even better than they described. I saved about 3K buying it that way. I bought my first one local, after the reserve wasn't met. It was 15 miles away. I went and looked at it the next day, and drove it home. If I were buying from E-bay, I would check their feedback, and phone before I bought.