How much should I offer for this bike?

[Raydr]

Hey guys!

I blew up the engine in my GS500 (see this thread). I'm slowly looking for a replacement engine, but I just came across this post on Craigslist:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/mcy/3027521068.html

I'm thinking I could actually just buy that bike, swap some stuff from my dead bike on to this one, and be back on my way.

My question is: How much should I offer for that bike? I really have no clue what the value of it is.

[Kijona]

$2000??? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did they accidentally add an extra zero??

That thing isn't even worth $1000.

Needs new tires, fairing's f%&ked, battery is dead...probably needs a chain (people that f%$k bikes up like this are usually bad about simple things like chain maintenance).

I'd offer them no more than $500 and if they don't take it, walk away.

...$2000...gimme a break.

[Soloratov]

2K does seem a little high, however, it is an 07. Kijona...did you read the ad?

1. A dead battery is a VERY small issue. Maybe it just sat too long, and didn't have a charger: Not worth ignoring the bike

2. Guy says he has the new tires (that's worth a few hundred right there)

3. HE HAS REPLACEMENT PLASTICS. Unpainted sure, but again, he has all the parts to fix this bike!

4. Don't know how a dropped bike relates to bad maintenance, but there seems to be no reason you can't go look at it.

5. IF, I STRESS IF, you get there, and other than the fairings and some scratches it looks good, then see if it turns over....do you have a charger. or the battery from your bike?

All in all, you owned one already, you know what it should be like. If we are just talking aesthetics...you can fix it with your parts. Honestly I would gladly hand the guy 12-1300 for a good condition NAKED bike. It's an 07....with what I consider low miles.

[ohgood]

$2000??? LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Did they accidentally add an extra zero??

That thing isn't even worth $1000.

Needs new tires, fairing's f%&ked, battery is dead...probably needs a chain (people that f%$k bikes up like this are usually bad about simple things like chain maintenance).

I'd offer them no more than $500 and if they don't take it, walk away.

...$2000...gimme a break.

+1

It will cost you in time and hunting down parts that he/she lost while half assing everything.

If the bike were complete, as an E or F, sure, $1500 with an owner honest about crashing it. Dishonest seller= price drops faster than dollas at the hoe down.

[Kijona]

2K does seem a little high, however, it is an 07. Kijona...did you read the ad?

1. A dead battery is a VERY small issue. Maybe it just sat too long, and didn't have a charger: Not worth ignoring the bike

2. Guy says he has the new tires (that's worth a few hundred right there)

3. HE HAS REPLACEMENT PLASTICS. Unpainted sure, but again, he has all the parts to fix this bike!

4. Don't know how a dropped bike relates to bad maintenance, but there seems to be no reason you can't go look at it.

5. IF, I STRESS IF, you get there, and other than the fairings and some scratches it looks good, then see if it turns over....do you have a charger. or the battery from your bike?

All in all, you owned one already, you know what it should be like. If we are just talking aesthetics...you can fix it with your parts. Honestly I would gladly hand the guy 12-1300 for a good condition NAKED bike. It's an 07....with what I consider low miles.

No offense man but that's way too much. Think about how much he'd have to pay a shop to repair all that crap...I guarantee it'd be more than $1000. Completely repaired but wrecked before, the bike is probably worth $1500-1800. That bike will never be worth $2000...ever, in my opinion.

As far as tires? So what...you can't ask more because you've got a set of tires that aren't on the bike. All it means is you'll have to take care of it yourself. You have any idea how much a shop charges to put tires on a bike? I promise you it'll probably be more than one of the tires is worth.

Like I said. Figure it'd cost $1000+ easily, even WITH your own parts, to fix it at a shop...how much is your own time and frustration worth? Subtract that from what a GOOD condition bike with no previous history of crashes...which is at MOST $2300 for 5 year old motorcycle that only cost $5k to begin with.

I think $500-600 is what that bike is worth. Unpainted fairings? Might as well have no fairings at all...it means you'll have to paint the rest of the bike to match whatever paint you use unless you get a shop...and again...that's expensive.

[codajastal]

No offense man but that's way too much. Think about how much he'd have to pay a shop to repair all that crap...I guarantee it'd be more than $1000. Completely repaired but wrecked before, the bike is probably worth $1500-1800. That bike will never be worth $2000...ever, in my opinion.

As far as tires? So what...you can't ask more because you've got a set of tires that aren't on the bike. All it means is you'll have to take care of it yourself. You have any idea how much a shop charges to put tires on a bike? I promise you it'll probably be more than one of the tires is worth.

Like I said. Figure it'd cost $1000+ easily, even WITH your own parts, to fix it at a shop...how much is your own time and frustration worth? Subtract that from what a GOOD condition bike with no previous history of crashes...which is at MOST $2300 for 5 year old motorcycle that only cost $5k to begin with.

I think $500-600 is what that bike is worth. Unpainted fairings? Might as well have no fairings at all...it means you'll have to paint the rest of the bike to match whatever paint you use unless you get a shop...and again...that's expensive.

+1 totally agree but I would offer at lease $750-$800

[Kijona]

No offense man but that's way too much. Think about how much he'd have to pay a shop to repair all that crap...I guarantee it'd be more than $1000. Completely repaired but wrecked before, the bike is probably worth $1500-1800. That bike will never be worth $2000...ever, in my opinion.

As far as tires? So what...you can't ask more because you've got a set of tires that aren't on the bike. All it means is you'll have to take care of it yourself. You have any idea how much a shop charges to put tires on a bike? I promise you it'll probably be more than one of the tires is worth.

Like I said. Figure it'd cost $1000+ easily, even WITH your own parts, to fix it at a shop...how much is your own time and frustration worth? Subtract that from what a GOOD condition bike with no previous history of crashes...which is at MOST $2300 for 5 year old motorcycle that only cost $5k to begin with.

I think $500-600 is what that bike is worth. Unpainted fairings? Might as well have no fairings at all...it means you'll have to paint the rest of the bike to match whatever paint you use unless you get a shop...and again...that's expensive.

+1 totally agree but I would offer at lease $750-$800

I'd pay that if he put a new battery in it and had the tires put on.

[Soloratov]

I guess you make a good point. It's hard for me to pass up anything that I can fix for little cost...without a shop. I guess thats really the question in the end, how much can YOU do, and is it worth it to you. I spent 2 weeks hunting carb issues and fixing random things, but to me, it didn't matter because I learned everything there is to know about the bike in the process.

It's never a question of how much is it worth, it's a matter of how much someone will pay for it.

[Kijona]

I guess you make a good point. It's hard for me to pass up anything that I can fix for little cost...without a shop. I guess thats really the question in the end, how much can YOU do, and is it worth it to you. I spent 2 weeks hunting carb issues and fixing random things, but to me, it didn't matter because I learned everything there is to know about the bike in the process.

It's never a question of how much is it worth, it's a matter of how much someone will pay for it.

Well think of it this way...the guy's being a lazy SOB and doesn't want to deal with it himself. He wants to unload a non-premium bike for a premium price and not have to do anything to it.

[cbrfxr67]

Houston here,...if I was looking at it I'd try 900 and maybe go up to 1000.  'Runs Fine' automatically makes me think something is wrong with it so I'd go over it pretty good.  $2000, the seller is smoking crack.

[Raydr]

Wow, great replies. While I was waiting I sent an impulse e-mail offering $1400. How embarrassing. I guess I overvalued it thinking that since the bike is running "fine" and all I need to do is move the battery, fairings, and tires from my bike on to this one, it'd be a good deal.

The guy hasn't replied. I imagine he was insulted by my "low balling".

I understand now that it's worth $750 at the most. I'd be okay going up to $1000 assuming it does run great and I don't need to do much more work than what I listed.

Back to my search for an engine or something else. What concerns me is that so far the engines I've been able to find on eBay are $800+ (including shipping) and would required a couple of days of work. My schedule makes it tough to do the work myself so I'm looking for the easiest+cheaper options.

[pliskin]

Wow it's crazy to see how prices flux from area to area. I got my 06 with 4500mi running in like new condition for $1700. There was another 06 F just like it on (York PA) craigslist with about the same milage but had been sitting for a while and had some rust in tank for $1600.

Then I see older GS's  in other parts of the country with more miles with asking prices over 2-3k and 06-09's in the upper 3-4k range. I guess it's supply and demand.

[ohgood]

Wow it's crazy to see how prices flux from area to area. I got my 06 with 4500mi running in like new condition for $1700. There was another 06 F just like it on (York PA) craigslist with about the same milage but had been sitting for a while and had some rust in tank for $1600.

Then I see older GS's  in other parts of the country with more miles with asking prices over 2-3k and 06-09's in the upper 3-4k range. I guess it's supply and demand.

I don't know about supply/demand. If a machine is cared for and maintained, it holds value after the majority of initial depreciation happens.

I bought my 96 for $1800 with 3k miles, and sold it for $1800 with 33k miles. It was in better condition than when I bought it, with new tires, cogs, chain, signals, and as always fresh oil and filter. The difference between a new E and mine was only noticable if the milage was seen.

When a bike is in pieces, uncared for, and in disrepair, there isn't much money being thrown at it. I've seen cbr f4i's go for $1000, as complete bikes, but in booxes. The same machine in good condition with an owner that obviousely cared for it fetches 4 times that, and then some.

[noiseguy]

Wow, great replies. While I was waiting I sent an impulse e-mail offering $1400...The guy hasn't replied. I imagine he was insulted by my "low balling".

Yeah, don't do that. I ignore all emails and texts like that... too many kiddees with cell phones sending stupid offers. I don't negotiate with anyone via text, and rarely via phone, and I don't do it to others.

Why? B/c you're not in a position to make an offer until you're standing there, looking at the thing, with cash in hand and a truck to haul it away. Every other situation is BS. There are just too many variables in play otherwise.

Wait a few weeks, then go see the thing in person, and make your offer.

[Kijona]

Wow, great replies. While I was waiting I sent an impulse e-mail offering $1400...The guy hasn't replied. I imagine he was insulted by my "low balling".

Yeah, don't do that. I ignore all emails and texts like that... too many kiddees with cell phones sending stupid offers. I don't negotiate with anyone via text, and rarely via phone, and I don't do it to others.

Why? B/c you're not in a position to make an offer until you're standing there, looking at the thing, with cash in hand and a truck to haul it away. Every other situation is BS. There are just too many variables in play otherwise.

Wait a few weeks, then go see the thing in person, and make your offer.

Yes, agreed...however:

Sometimes you can only offer a certain amount (may be all you have) and if you tell them that up front, then you won't waste your time, or theirs.

[noiseguy]

Yes, agreed...however:

Sometimes you can only offer a certain amount (may be all you have) and if you tell them that up front, then you won't waste your time, or theirs.

I'll do that on a limited basis if I think they are really out of line on the price to set expectations, but that's a phone call, not an email / text. Usually is something like "Based on the condition that you're describing the bike in, I think it's worth more in the ballpark of $500. Here's why... Are you still interested in selling at that price? If so, I'd like to come take a look at it..." Sometimes you can reason with them, sometimes not.

My favorite is "it will be worth what I'm asking with some minor work." Great. Owner can haul it to the MC shop and have that done, then we can have a conversation on the new proposed price. Both parties know how expensive and time consuming that is. I personally don't work for free.

[Kijona]

Yes, agreed...however:

Sometimes you can only offer a certain amount (may be all you have) and if you tell them that up front, then you won't waste your time, or theirs.

I'll do that on a limited basis if I think they are really out of line on the price to set expectations, but that's a phone call, not an email / text. Usually is something like "Based on the condition that you're describing the bike in, I think it's worth more in the ballpark of $500. Here's why... Are you still interested in selling at that price? If so, I'd like to come take a look at it..." Sometimes you can reason with them, sometimes not.

My favorite is "it will be worth what I'm asking with some minor work." Great. Owner can haul it to the MC shop and have that done, then we can have a conversation on the new proposed price. Both parties know how expensive and time consuming that is. I personally don't work for free.

I think what I was saying was misunderstood. Let's say you have $2800 to spend but not a penny more. You see a bike you want that's listed at $3500...it would be worth calling them and saying "Hey look, I've got cash in hand but this is all I have...can we do a deal?" rather than showing up with no more than $2800 and the whole thing being a waste of both parties' time.

[Paulcet]

Yeah, I see what you mean. I bought mine kinda like that. It was well photographed and documented and I wanted it. But didn't have the asking price in my pocket. Made an offer which was accepted after a small negotiation on the clip-ons and mirrors.

[Raydr]

Alright, got a new one for you guys. This guy is asking $650 for an 06 GS500 with a seized cylinder. Is this an opportunity where I can pick up the bike, put this engine on my bike with my existing cylinder head, and have a running bike? How hard is this job?

[ohgood]

Alright, got a new one for you guys. This guy is asking $650 for an 06 GS500 with a seized cylinder. Is this an opportunity where I can pick up the bike, put this engine on my bike with my existing cylinder head, and have a running bike? How hard is this job?

Skip it. Get a good engine