My next bike

[Skant153]

What's a 959 Panigale worth? Now there's a pretty bike.

I like the mv agust f4 myself. I have a 90s carbed liter bike and I'll say, it sounds great.

If your CBR runs, it won't need much work. Honda's inline 4 is the most reliable motor in the business. The only issues with the cbrs are the r/r, which can be replaced by an after market unit and not be a problem, and the fuel pump. Both easy as pie.
I'm sure the r1s are pretty reliable as well, just not familiar myself.
Even if you did buy a $5k bike and put $2k into it, you'd still be better off than the new one. Plus, insurance is was cheaper without the lien. My most expensive bike was $2100 and I've put no more than $200 in any of them. Hell, my latest buy is an 07 vt1100 I bought for $800 because it didn't run. Charged the battery, cleaned the carb and it fired right up. Bikes are easy work.

 

[Gemini]

I like the mv agust f4 myself. I have a 90s carbed liter bike and I'll say, it sounds great.

If your CBR runs, it won't need much work. Honda's inline 4 is the most reliable motor in the business. The only issues with the cbrs are the r/r, which can be replaced by an after market unit and not be a problem, and the fuel pump. Both easy as pie.
I'm sure the r1s are pretty reliable as well, just not familiar myself.
Even if you did buy a $5k bike and put $2k into it, you'd still be better off than the new one. Plus, insurance is was cheaper without the lien. My most expensive bike was $2100 and I've put no more than $200 in any of them. Hell, my latest buy is an 07 vt1100 I bought for $800 because it didn't run. Charged the battery, cleaned the carb and it fired right up. Bikes are easy work.

what is the max amount of miles i should be looking at? there is a guy selling one with 34k miles on it, which to me seems like a lot

i also found this one... im thinking if i got it for 7k it would be a bargain, but not sure if dude is gonna wanna go that low. also, i would have to sell my R3 first.

New and Used Motorcycles for Sale in Bellflower, CA - OfferUp

Find great deals on Motorcycles in Bellflower, CA on OfferUp. Post your items for free. Shipping and local meet-up options available.

offerup.com

 

[WEB]

I had a '99 CBR600F4i with 120,000mi on it and it still went great. Gearbox was clunky but come on, 120,000mi

Well maintained 34k miles? No problems. Thrashed and trashed for 34k? Problems... buy on overall condition not on milage

 

[Skant153]

mine has 52k miles on it and had a very rough life. it was a stunt bike before i got it and started working on it. i haven't touched anything in the engine or transmission, just the cosmetics and gauges. there's a reason people say "it's a honda."

things to ask about when looking at higher mileage bikes. when is the last time fork seals/oil were replaced. when were the valves last checked/adjusted? steering head bearings, wheel bearings. look at the chain and sprocket. open the tank and look inside for rust. look at the underbelly and exhaust for rust. the headers and exhaust on my 97 have no rust on them. that's how they should look. if there's rust, it hasn't been cared for or it's been stored outside. look for signs of rash on the plastics. if the foot pegs. levers, bar ends or clipons have been replaced, it's very likely been dropped.

i'm a bit weary of 'low mileage' bikes. ask why it hasn't been ridden much. it could be he has multiple bikes to spread the miles out. it could have been sitting for years. he could have used it sparingly and kept maintenance up on it. some hints about how well they maintain, ask about oil change interval, chain tightening, what kind of sprockets he uses and if he kept the stock ratio. try to get the guy to tell the story of the bike, it's a lot better than yes/no questions and an interrogation.

 

[Gemini]

mine has 52k miles on it and had a very rough life. it was a stunt bike before i got it and started working on it. i haven't touched anything in the engine or transmission, just the cosmetics and gauges. there's a reason people say "it's a honda."

things to ask about when looking at higher mileage bikes. when is the last time fork seals/oil were replaced. when were the valves last checked/adjusted? steering head bearings, wheel bearings. look at the chain and sprocket. open the tank and look inside for rust. look at the underbelly and exhaust for rust. the headers and exhaust on my 97 have no rust on them. that's how they should look. if there's rust, it hasn't been cared for or it's been stored outside. look for signs of rash on the plastics. if the foot pegs. levers, bar ends or clipons have been replaced, it's very likely been dropped.

i'm a bit weary of 'low mileage' bikes. ask why it hasn't been ridden much. it could be he has multiple bikes to spread the miles out. it could have been sitting for years. he could have used it sparingly and kept maintenance up on it. some hints about how well they maintain, ask about oil change interval, chain tightening, what kind of sprockets he uses and if he kept the stock ratio. try to get the guy to tell the story of the bike, it's a lot better than yes/no questions and an interrogation.

For sure thanks, I didn't know to look for some of this. What would be considered points to haggle on price versus red flags to run away from the bike?

 

[Skant153]

all those things i said. chances are they won't have an answer for them. just say those are things you'll probably have to replace especially with 30k. if you talk with confidence and make it look like you know what you're doing, they'll be honest and, if they don't know, they'll assume you know what you're talking about.
if the forks feel slow to respond or have never been done, that's a $150 job at a shop.
to adjust valves, a shop will probably charge 4 hours. your local rates will vary.
steering head bearings are hard to check with the front wheel on the ground. push the front down and feel it on the way up, turn the bars from lock to lock. if anything feels amiss or if they've never done steering head bearings, they should be done.
worn sprockets look thin and pointy. just look up a picture and you can see it. check chain play and compare to OEM recommendation, probably 20-30 mm or something.
bring a dip stick or long thin strip of paper. dip it in the oil pan and look at the oil. they'll immediately tell you how often/long ago they changed it. any time i buy a bike i always change the oil and plugs. it's really cheap and you can't count on anyone else doing the maintenance before you.
look around the primary cover where the chain goes to the tranny and other lower engine components. if the easiest parts of the bike to keep clean aren't tidy, how good could the inside be.

mentioning these things to someone who isn't meticulous about their bike will usually lower their bottom line a little but they may also wait for someone with less scrutiny to come along. don't bother looking at nada or kbb. look at other list prices for bikes and take 10-15% off. that's likely what they're selling for. then try to say the bike needs a little work and knock a bit more off. if you're talking to the guy for the one you posted, it'll be tough to bring him down at all. i also think his price is a little high. sure it looks pretty, but any other one will run just as well and can look as pretty with a good clean.

 

[Gemini]

all those things i said. chances are they won't have an answer for them. just say those are things you'll probably have to replace especially with 30k. if you talk with confidence and make it look like you know what you're doing, they'll be honest and, if they don't know, they'll assume you know what you're talking about.
if the forks feel slow to respond or have never been done, that's a $150 job at a shop.
to adjust valves, a shop will probably charge 4 hours. your local rates will vary.
steering head bearings are hard to check with the front wheel on the ground. push the front down and feel it on the way up, turn the bars from lock to lock. if anything feels amiss or if they've never done steering head bearings, they should be done.
worn sprockets look thin and pointy. just look up a picture and you can see it. check chain play and compare to OEM recommendation, probably 20-30 mm or something.
bring a dip stick or long thin strip of paper. dip it in the oil pan and look at the oil. they'll immediately tell you how often/long ago they changed it. any time i buy a bike i always change the oil and plugs. it's really cheap and you can't count on anyone else doing the maintenance before you.
look around the primary cover where the chain goes to the tranny and other lower engine components. if the easiest parts of the bike to keep clean aren't tidy, how good could the inside be.

mentioning these things to someone who isn't meticulous about their bike will usually lower their bottom line a little but they may also wait for someone with less scrutiny to come along. don't bother looking at nada or kbb. look at other list prices for bikes and take 10-15% off. that's likely what they're selling for. then try to say the bike needs a little work and knock a bit more off. if you're talking to the guy for the one you posted, it'll be tough to bring him down at all. i also think his price is a little high. sure it looks pretty, but any other one will run just as well and can look as pretty with a good clean.

Thanks for the tips. I feel like going into a deal I will feel much more confident now. And yeah I agree his price is too high. I just saw one sell for 5400, not in as good condition and with about 8I more miles. I feel like 7k would be a fair price for it, but I doubt he would agree. There is one more that looks pretty promising for 6900 list price, I'm sure I could get it at 6k or at least low 6s

 

[Gemini]

Potentially final update.. I found a deal I dont think I can pass up. It's a 2018 R1, blue, 2700 miles. It has a full akrapovic exhaust, mirror delete with side mirrors on the clip ons, crg levers, custom rearsets with carbon fiber gaurds, frame sliders, spools, quick release gas cap, tank grips. Asking 13,950 out the door. This bike is a steal. I'm going to look at it Saturday. What's concerning me right now is the place selling it is a small privately owned shop, and the man I spoke to, the owner, basically tried to talk me out of the R1. He just wants to make sure I fully understand what I'm getting myself into. He said even in the liter bike class this bike demands more than the others. I need to be 100% sure I'm responsible enough to handle this much bike.

 

[Skant153]

What does "demands more than the others" mean? Maintenance or driving skill?if it's skill, he's probably concerned you're coming from an R3 with minimal history. It's a big jump but if you kill yourself, what's it matter to him?

 

[Gemini]

What does "demands more than the others" mean? Maintenance or driving skill?if it's skill, he's probably concerned you're coming from an R3 with minimal history. It's a big jump but if you kill yourself, what's it matter to him?

Yeah he means skill. I think he is someone that's ridden for decades and awen a lot, and at this point in life he cares more about other riders and their safety than 1 sale.. which is fair.. and he probably feels the moral obligation to make it clear to whoever he sells these powerful bikes to about what they are buying. I dont blame him whatsoever, these bikes probably shouldnt even exist.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Most who have ridden a while worry when they see someone jump from 45bhp to 190+BHP
I have already told you my concerns, you'll go with your heart.you'll love having a 1000cc of power, and you might not crash it.....
.... but many do, many trash these beautiful bikes as they think they can handle it.

I am not being holier than thou.... I trashed a 600 not respecting it, cold tyres... little bit of throttle, and a stupid highside at under 30mph.

Get the bike that makes you happy, it is your money.... just remember these bikes will bite if mistreated, TC/ABS etc, will only protect you a little. Bike skill and control is what saves crashes, and that really only comes from saddle time.

I honestly will be very envious if you do get a litre bike, they are phenomenal machines... Even with 30 years saddle time I do not think I could justify a superbike, even on trackdays as I have so much still to learn on lower cc bikes!

Please bung some pics up as soon as you get it though mate, this Yam R1 sounds lovey! <3

 

[Gemini]

Most who have ridden a while worry when they see someone jump from 45bhp to 190+BHP
I have already told you my concerns, you'll go with your heart.you'll love having a 1000cc of power, and you might not crash it.....
.... but many do, many trash these beautiful bikes as they think they can handle it.

I am not being holier than thou.... I trashed a 600 not respecting it, cold tyres... little bit of throttle, and a stupid highside at under 30mph.

Get the bike that makes you happy, it is your money.... just remember these bikes will bite if mistreated, TC/ABS etc, will only protect you a little. Bike skill and control is what saves crashes, and that really only comes from saddle time.

I honestly will be very envious if you do get a litre bike, they are phenomenal machines... Even with 30 years saddle time I do not think I could justify a superbike, even on trackdays as I have so much still to learn on lower cc bikes!

Please bung some pics up as soon as you get it though mate, this Yam R1 sounds lovey! <3

Thank you and I appreciate your honesty. And I dont disagree with anything you've said.. maybe i have to learn the hard way but hopefully not... but to top everything off, I only ride in full protection. I always wear my alpinestars 2 piece suit with tech air vest fully charged.. I hope that I never have to have it set off though, and I know gear only goes so far. But I think that speaks to my level of caution and understanding the nature of motorcycles and the risks involved. People crash every type of bike, die on every type of bike... it's a sad truth.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Thank you and I appreciate your honesty. And I dont disagree with anything you've said.. maybe i have to learn the hard way but hopefully not... but to top everything off, I only ride in full protection. I always wear my alpinestars 2 piece suit with tech air vest fully charged.. I hope that I never have to have it set off though, and I know gear only goes so far. But I think that speaks to my level of caution and understanding the nature of motorcycles and the risks involved. People crash every type of bike, die on every type of bike... it's a sad truth.

Absolutely.... and to show the flip side of my coin, my old man encouraged me to ride, but insisted I took small jumps in engine size (and as he often helped me up on my biking ladder in the early days, I kinda had no choice hahaha ) but I pretty much crashed every bike I owned from 16 until I was 30, which was around 9 or 10 bikes, some of them multiple times. So a smaller, lighter, lower powered bike does not stop you necessarily from having an off, it just often means they are at a lower pace!

 

[Gemini]

Absolutely.... and to show the flip side of my coin, my old man encouraged me to ride, but insisted I took small jumps in engine size (and as he often helped me up on my biking ladder in the early days, I kinda had no choice hahaha ) but I pretty much crashed every bike I owned from 16 until I was 30, which was around 9 or 10 bikes, some of them multiple times. So a smaller, lighter, lower powered bike does not stop you necessarily from having an off, it just often means they are at a lower pace!

This is going to sound stupid, and most people wont believe me, but I plan on buying the R1 and just cruising it... again I doubt people believe that, or they think I believe that but when I get it I wont cruise it, but really that's all I want out of it. And the reason that sounds stupid is because its probably the worst bike ever made to cruise.. but hey I'm gonna do my thing and hopefully enjoy it haha

 

[Gemini]

This is going to sound stupid, and most people wont believe me, but I plan on buying the R1 and just cruising it... again I doubt people believe that, or they think I believe that but when I get it I wont cruise it, but really that's all I want out of it. And the reason that sounds stupid is because its probably the worst bike ever made to cruise.. but hey I'm gonna do my thing and hopefully enjoy it haha

I just found this article and it sums up exactly how I feel in the first few paragraphs. But man it makes me feel ignorant at the same time. Or maybe naive, not sure. But yeah read this lol

Yamaha R1: Our Complete Buyers Guide, 1998-today | Motofomo

This is why and how to buy a Yamaha R1, from 1998 to today (2020+): a complete buyers guide to every model of the Yamaha R1.

hooshmand.net

 

[Gemini]

Welp, pulled the trigger today. 2018 R1, 13950 out the door. Full Akra evo carbon exhaust, frame sliders spools axle sliders, mirror delete, tank grips, carbon rear sets, crg levers, team yamaha blue. Seat has slight damage from a strap it seems, fairings on left have some small scratches 2700 miles on the odo.

 

[Hippo-Drones]

Congrats mate, that looks beautiful

 

[Gemini]

Congrats mate, that looks beautiful

Thanks I cant wait to ride it... getting delivered sometime next week. I'll probably remove the silly wheel stickers, replace the seat... what do you guys think about vinyl wrapping (something classy, nothing outlandish) or should I look into getting the scratches repaired, or just repaint or replace the fairings?

 

[Hippo-Drones]

I'd not bother until you have gotten used to it!

 

[Gemini]

I'd not bother until you have gotten used to it!

True lol fix the fairings and drop right away xD