Used Bike Purchase

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wickedrider · Mon Nov 06, 2006 5:04 am

Would any of you experienced riders purchase a used bike with the mirrors and odometer exchanged, car fax indicating an alert for mileage problems for basically blue book value. Is there any way to determine mileage by visual inspection? The exterior of the bike looks good.

CNF2002 · #2 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:01 am

Heck no!

wickedrider · Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:05 am

Thanks. That's what my little voice was saying. But I needed confirmation.
Would you pay anything for a 2002 Suzuki SV650 with the problems stated above?

#4 Unread post by **Wrider** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:43 am

If it has problems like that, you'll end up probably paying what you would for a non problematic one just in repair costs. Plus, if the odometer has been exchanged, it prolly means it was really high mileage. And the mirrors, if they are still the stock mirrors, but have been exchanged, means it has probably been endo'd or something along those lines. If you're still considering it, make SURE to bring a mechanic along that knows what he's doing, or else you'll probably regret getting it.
Wrider

DivideOverflow · Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:02 am

With odometer fraud, I'd probably ask for 15-20% below bluebook.

Make sure to still have a mechanic look at it. It isn't worth getting a bike and then finding out that you need to replace a bunch of stuff.

Just try to find a bike without problems.. they are out there! Stay away from the r-titled, broken mirrored, odometer frauded motorcycles. It sounds like you are trying to save a buck, but it will end up costing you a lot more.

flynrider · Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:23 am

Wrider wrote:Plus, if the odometer has been exchanged, it prolly means it was really high mileage.

Odometers are often changed out because they break. Electronic odometers are often replaced when the electrics that drive the display have flaked out.

Without documentation or an inspection by an experienced bike tech, it's basically a crapshoot. It might be a high mileage bike, or it might be a creampuff that had bum odometer. The problem is, you just don't know.

logitech104 · Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:43 am

ask to see if he still has the old speedo.

CNF2002 · #8 Unread post by **CNF2002** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:49 am

Isnt it illegal to replace an odometer without having it properly set to the right mileage by a dealer or mechanic?

flynrider · Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:18 am

CNF2002 wrote:Isnt it illegal to replace an odometer without having it properly set to the right mileage by a dealer or mechanic?

Rules vary by locality. Many times, the old odometer reading will be incorrect or unavailable.

wickedrider · Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:43 am

In Virginia, you just get a notation on the title that states that the mileage is an approximation.