Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hi there, sorry if this has been posted before, but i couldn't find it when i searched.
So, I'm a new rider and looking for a cheap, small (250-500cc) used bike, but the cheapest bike I've been able to find is an '82 Yamaha Seca that needs carburetor work (which I don't mind doing, my bro works on bikes and can help). I'm really just looking for a crappy bike that runs so I can practice with it.
What I don't get is this, I bought my '15 year old pickup truck with 150k and some cosmetic damage for 500 dollars, about 1/30 of its original cost and it runs great, but I can't seem to find a 25 year old bike for less than 1/3 of its original cost. Why is this, are people just asking too much for their bikes on craigslist? Should I just be prepared to buy for more than I think is right, and if that's the case, does it make more sense to buy a new 250cc instead of taking a 400 dollar discount for one four years old? Thanks!

bikes hold their value really well.....

post what you've found with the prices and you should find out if its a good deal ro not.

noobie mcnooberson wrote:does it make more sense to buy a new 250cc instead of taking a 400 dollar discount for one four years old?

you hit the nail on the head. people have differing opinions on this, but for me, the peace of mind associated with buying new for my first bike was worth it.

as has already been said, bikes hold their value well. the entry level ones (250/500) are always in demand and are especially easy to unload via private sale at a good price-- certainly better than the dealer will give you for trade-in.

i assume you have been looking on craigslist in our area. there is always a plethora of superbikes languishing on the private market but the EX's and gs's come and go like lightning. if you want to buy one used you will have to be ready to move quick. when it come time to sell and move up, the ball will be in your court.

I made a post about this exact thing. To me if its only a 400-600 difference for a 4 yr old bike im going to go new. Not worth the price difference imo.

i would never recommend buying new for your first bike, unless the price difference was very minimal. if a new bike X is 4000 and a 5-6 year old bike X is 2000 that's pretty reasonable and it won't depreciate much more than that. but if folks in your area are asking 3400+ for a 5-6 year old bike X then go buy a new one.

the main problems with a brand new bike for a first bike are the new tires can be a bit slippery which leads to a few more spills for people who don't get them scrubbed in well and then if you do fall and scratch/dent your brand new bike it hurts your pride a lot more than if it was used.

simple benefits are that you will know how a new bike was broken in because you will be doing it, you will know it hasn't been down (unless the dealer dropped it) and you will have a warranty.

In your situation, if you can't find a worthy contender used, then by all means by the new one.

I bought new for my first bike. It was that classic situation... used bikes were going for absurd amounts and new was worth an extra $500 to me. The bike now has 3600 miles .. no problems so far.

OTOH, some people do drop their bikes soon after getting them (for whatever reason, and I don't buy the "tire not scrubbed in" thing) and that would kinda suck. There is something to be said for earning your own battle scars though.