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So, this kid has a bike up for sale. He's asking $2k under KKB values, and right at NADA value for a "poor" condition.

I looked at it (well-me, BF, some biker friends, etc.) It's got some rust on the chrome pieces (likely not dried after being in the rain), previous owner took the rear turn signals off (not required in my state, but I'd put some on it anyway), and it has been dropped (could only see damage on front fender). Looked at all the welds, none were cracked. Engine and shaft drive were perfectly fine. All the lines looked good. No damage beyond rust spots on the chrome from the forks to the back. Needs a new front tire.

Prior owner had put these loud-as-"crumb" Cobra dragsters on it; I can probably put the "Quiet" inserts in them to calm it down. The no Power Commander-type unit on it; just other-than-stock pipes, so that's another option (order stock pipes). I suspect I can use Nevr-Dull to get most of the rust off the chrome bits.

The four of us looked at every inch that we could short of pulling the bike apart in the parking lot. Fluids looked clean, gas sample looked clean (no rust flakes-couldn't see up into the tank).

He also immediately knocked the price down $500 when I mentioned it had been dropped. I should add that if I'm going to drop a bike, it will be this one due to the weight difference from the S40, although it handled really well.

Is this a decent deal for a bike that has cosmetic damage? Is there anything else I should have looked at? He did let me test drive it, and all seemed well at slow speeds and opening it up on the highway. All my buddies could say was "It's not a Harley!" I'm guessing that's as close to a seal of approval as I'm gonna get from them...BF thought it was a great deal for a little elbow grease. He's including the full service manual with it, so we'll replace all the potential "disposables" like brake pads, lines, etc. Any thoughts?

ETA: ROFL, I guess I should add it's a 2005 Suzuki C90 with 4600 miles.

Very good price, you robed the person you got it from . I seen the for sale like that for 1200 to 1400 dollars.

When your buddies say "It's not a Harley!" tell them "Yeah you're right, this bike actually runs!" They love stuff like that.
From your description it sounds like a good deal to me. I guess the only thing I might have done would be to start it when the engine was cold. If you did that and it fired right up then hey go for it. It's only money, you'll make more.

Gunslinger wrote:When your buddies say "It's not a Harley!" tell them "Yeah you're right, this bike actually runs!" They love stuff like that.

My response-"If you want to get me a Road King, I'll gladly take it-with a warranty and the full service manual"

I wish I could have started it cold, but he had to ride it off base so I could see it-Hopefully it's just a battery thing if it doesn't like starting.

Any Harley rider who says that to you isn't worthy of riding with. If it has two wheels and an engine, who the ---- cares where it was built.

Congrats on the bike! looks like you got a good deal.

Gummiente wrote:Any Harley rider who says that to you isn't worthy of riding with. If it has two wheels and an engine, who the ---- cares where it was built.

Congrats on the bike! looks like you got a good deal.

FTR, I really do want a Road King, and they know it - I just to hand back what was dished out I'm just not willing to drop that kind of money on a bike I'm HIGHLY likely to drop until I get used to the weight. The C90 is pretty darn close to the weight, height, and handling as a RK. It just seems smaller for some reason, maybe saddle width?

I haven't signed on the dotted line yet-I'm forcing myself to sleep on it. And look up parts that may need replacing. And research tires. And commit the OEM schematics to memory. You know, normal stuff

SCgurl wrote:I haven't signed on the dotted line yet-I'm forcing myself to sleep on it. And look up parts that may need replacing. And research tires. And commit the OEM schematics to memory. You know, normal stuff

You're preaching to the converted here. Funny, though, how we put more thought, effort and research into a bike purchase than we do in choosing a mate.

Gummiente wrote:

SCgurl wrote:I haven't signed on the dotted line yet-I'm forcing myself to sleep on it. And look up parts that may need replacing. And research tires. And commit the OEM schematics to memory. You know, normal stuff

You're preaching to the converted here. Funny, though, how we put more thought, effort and research into a bike purchase than we do in choosing a mate.

Are you kidding me? I worked with the BF for 5 years before agreeing to go out on a date with him-8 years ago I'm still undecided

J/K-I really do love the BF

Congrats, sounds like a decent deal on a low mileage bike.

My only concern would be the pipes. If you want to buy a set of stock pipes, your best bet would be to search Craiglist or Ebay for a set. When people change the pipes for lousy aftermarket units they often sell the stockers at giveaway prices.

Problem is, stock pipes cost a fortune from the OEM suppliers. So when the new owner decides its time to get the bike back to a reasonable sound level they are in for a shock.

Ugh-found the rub....he's got a payoff he has to make before he can get the title Unfortunately, he has to sell the bike to make the payoff.

I have 0 reason to think the bike is stolen, as he is riding it on base (we saw him come out of and go through the gate when we met). I have the VIN and ran a check-no issues there, but it is showing a lien. Ugh. I'm going to have to think about how to handle this.

Conventional wisdom is not to buy it without the title in hand. I don't think this kid has a malicious bone in his body, but a lot can happen in 21 days.

Ugh.