Buying a bike, private sale/dealership

[gquinns]

I'm curious if people think it's stupid to buy a sport bike from a private sale. I'm thinking that probably 10% of sport bike riders actually truly care for their bike and a dealership HAS to have the bike in as perfect condition as possible right? What do you guys think?

[sapaul]

I know plenty of guys who see it as a scource of pride to keep their bikes a pristine as possible and would have no problem buying private fom them. There are also plenty of dealers who for a small price will do a 50 or 60 point check on the bike and put it on the dyno. If a private seller refuses to let you do that, then you know the bike is no good. Lots of guy's here do that and think that the price of the test is worth not getting a lemon.

[Sev]

There are a fair number of dealers around here who won't do that great a job of fixing up a bike either.

[cb360]

I don't think I'd buy a brand new bike if I had a million on ice. There are way too many late model, low miles bikes to be had. I personally feel that you can tell if they have been abused. If you can't, you can spend the thousands you saved on repairs or upgrades and still have money left over. Warranties are nice, but the fact is that you pay for the warranty because they make you get the absurdly priced dealer servicing to keep the warranty in effect. I've bought three used bikes on almost no budget at all and they all run wonderfully.

[snwbrdr]

i agree. i got my bike from a guy that a friend met in a german class, i met the bike and guy at the same time. before i left i had decided i could trust the guy, but hadnt decided if i wanted the bike. he was very honest and it was obvious that he wasnt lying. he was a cowboy... idont think the can lie.

[Pin_Cushion]

If I was buying something very expensive (like my dream Confederate Wraith) then I'd definitely go to a dealer. For just buying a normal bike, I'd always go used. Bikes are too mechanically simple to have to rely on a dealer warranty. If you don't know enough to judge whether someone is selling a lemon, there's always a motorhead that will love to show off his knowledge for you.

[canuckerjay]

I've always bought used, though this spring I'm shopping at dealers. Just once, I don't want to be worried about what has happened to it before, and don't want to discover the quirks that have developed with the previous owner. Same with cars -- I've never bought new, and have always discovered some things I've had to live with. This time, I'm buying new. Probably won't make a habit out of it, but I'm just sick of inheriting other people's problemos.

[storysunfolding]

I'm too young to buy new, at 22 there are too many nice used bikes. Even the ones that are a year or two old are much less expensive than a new bike in both price and insurance.

At the same time, if I were buying a "dream bike" I would suck it up and buy it new. A dream bike is a source of pride and happiness.