Buying a crazy low mileage bike. Good idea?
Discussion
Would really appreciate some thoughts...
After packing in riding about 7-odd years ago, I'm back in the market for something to ride on sunny Sunday mornings. For reasons I can elaborate on if anyone's interested, I've settled on a 2004 CBR600RR in Red/Black/Silver.
As this particular bike/model/colour has a particular significance for me and I'm in no rush, I've been hunting for a totally standard minter for the last couple of months. There's always a few up for sale either at 25k miles, or others down at the 10-13k miles bracket.
However, I've just spotted one at a dealers that's too far away for me to just pop by for a visit that's only done a ridiculous 3.5k miles. It's had 4 owners and the last one lost the service book (seems a common issue for bikes). It's got a solid but slightly gappy MOT history (looks like a couple of periods where it's been off the road for a year or two) adding a few hundred miles each year. Looks absolutely mint in the pictures and the dealer seems genuine and assures me it's a peach - but they would say that.
It's got fresh tyres and I would insist on an oil and filter service before buying, but.. what's the view on the low mileage? It seems to have regular use over the years so someones probably serviced it, and even if not it's only done 3.5k miles. As it's a dealer it's unlikely to be clocked or have been tracked as the work to get it back to looking mint would be more than the value of the bike.
So - thoughts? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy an almost box-fresh dream bike... or a suspicious recipe for disaster?
Cheers
After packing in riding about 7-odd years ago, I'm back in the market for something to ride on sunny Sunday mornings. For reasons I can elaborate on if anyone's interested, I've settled on a 2004 CBR600RR in Red/Black/Silver.
As this particular bike/model/colour has a particular significance for me and I'm in no rush, I've been hunting for a totally standard minter for the last couple of months. There's always a few up for sale either at 25k miles, or others down at the 10-13k miles bracket.
However, I've just spotted one at a dealers that's too far away for me to just pop by for a visit that's only done a ridiculous 3.5k miles. It's had 4 owners and the last one lost the service book (seems a common issue for bikes). It's got a solid but slightly gappy MOT history (looks like a couple of periods where it's been off the road for a year or two) adding a few hundred miles each year. Looks absolutely mint in the pictures and the dealer seems genuine and assures me it's a peach - but they would say that.
It's got fresh tyres and I would insist on an oil and filter service before buying, but.. what's the view on the low mileage? It seems to have regular use over the years so someones probably serviced it, and even if not it's only done 3.5k miles. As it's a dealer it's unlikely to be clocked or have been tracked as the work to get it back to looking mint would be more than the value of the bike.
So - thoughts? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy an almost box-fresh dream bike... or a suspicious recipe for disaster?
Cheers
MDifficult said:
Would really appreciate some thoughts...
After packing in riding about 7-odd years ago, I'm back in the market for something to ride on sunny Sunday mornings. For reasons I can elaborate on if anyone's interested, I've settled on a 2004 CBR600RR in Red/Black/Silver.
As this particular bike/model/colour has a particular significance for me and I'm in no rush, I've been hunting for a totally standard minter for the last couple of months. There's always a few up for sale either at 25k miles, or others down at the 10-13k miles bracket.
However, I've just spotted one at a dealers that's too far away for me to just pop by for a visit that's only done a ridiculous 3.5k miles. It's had 4 owners and the last one lost the service book (seems a common issue for bikes). It's got a solid but slightly gappy MOT history (looks like a couple of periods where it's been off the road for a year or two) adding a few hundred miles each year. Looks absolutely mint in the pictures and the dealer seems genuine and assures me it's a peach - but they would say that.
It's got fresh tyres and I would insist on an oil and filter service before buying, but.. what's the view on the low mileage? It seems to have regular use over the years so someones probably serviced it, and even if not it's only done 3.5k miles. As it's a dealer it's unlikely to be clocked or have been tracked as the work to get it back to looking mint would be more than the value of the bike.
So - thoughts? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy an almost box-fresh dream bike... or a suspicious recipe for disaster?
Cheers
Others will probably disagree but when it comes down to it it’s a 15 year old bike, and at that age you’re much better off buying condition than mileage in my opinion. After packing in riding about 7-odd years ago, I'm back in the market for something to ride on sunny Sunday mornings. For reasons I can elaborate on if anyone's interested, I've settled on a 2004 CBR600RR in Red/Black/Silver.
As this particular bike/model/colour has a particular significance for me and I'm in no rush, I've been hunting for a totally standard minter for the last couple of months. There's always a few up for sale either at 25k miles, or others down at the 10-13k miles bracket.
However, I've just spotted one at a dealers that's too far away for me to just pop by for a visit that's only done a ridiculous 3.5k miles. It's had 4 owners and the last one lost the service book (seems a common issue for bikes). It's got a solid but slightly gappy MOT history (looks like a couple of periods where it's been off the road for a year or two) adding a few hundred miles each year. Looks absolutely mint in the pictures and the dealer seems genuine and assures me it's a peach - but they would say that.
It's got fresh tyres and I would insist on an oil and filter service before buying, but.. what's the view on the low mileage? It seems to have regular use over the years so someones probably serviced it, and even if not it's only done 3.5k miles. As it's a dealer it's unlikely to be clocked or have been tracked as the work to get it back to looking mint would be more than the value of the bike.
So - thoughts? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to buy an almost box-fresh dream bike... or a suspicious recipe for disaster?
Cheers
25k to 35k wouldn’t unduly worry me on one of these, provided it had a full service history (not necessarily dealer, would be equally happy with receipts from owner servicing) and evidence of callipers being cleaned and overhauled, front and rear suspension serviced/ oil changed etc, swingarm and linkage bearings greased, all the things that need doing regardless of mileage every now and then.
Other opinions may differ, but I wouldn’t pay a premium for one with low mileage, especially without a service history.
All good points, thanks mate.
A couple of things I should probably have said originally: The price is not at a particular premium - the dealer recognises the lack of history isn’t ideal so it’s equivalent to a bike with higher mileage but a better history.
I’ve also requested some high res photos of the key wear areas etc so I can try to asses the condition - but I can already see from the photos that the typical things that corrode like brake pipe clips all seem super clean.
However you’re right - I’ve got no actual evidence it’s even been touched with a spanner!
A couple of things I should probably have said originally: The price is not at a particular premium - the dealer recognises the lack of history isn’t ideal so it’s equivalent to a bike with higher mileage but a better history.
I’ve also requested some high res photos of the key wear areas etc so I can try to asses the condition - but I can already see from the photos that the typical things that corrode like brake pipe clips all seem super clean.
However you’re right - I’ve got no actual evidence it’s even been touched with a spanner!
How much?
It is a slightly odd bike to have had 4 owners but such a low mileage. I wouldn't rule out it having been someones track toy.
I looked at a similarly low mileage GSXR a few years ago. It was a prvate sale so I googled the chaps name and sure enough pictures of said bike with track fairings were on his facebook.
I would still have bought it if I thought he had looked after it but the oil was black and the sump plug looked like it had never seen a spanner.
Thing with that bike is that if a dealer put new tyres on it and fresh oil and cleaned the chain it would have looked a minter.
I wouldn't pay a much of premium for the bike you have seen advertised and would want eyes on it before I parted with the cash.
It is a slightly odd bike to have had 4 owners but such a low mileage. I wouldn't rule out it having been someones track toy.
I looked at a similarly low mileage GSXR a few years ago. It was a prvate sale so I googled the chaps name and sure enough pictures of said bike with track fairings were on his facebook.
I would still have bought it if I thought he had looked after it but the oil was black and the sump plug looked like it had never seen a spanner.
Thing with that bike is that if a dealer put new tyres on it and fresh oil and cleaned the chain it would have looked a minter.
I wouldn't pay a much of premium for the bike you have seen advertised and would want eyes on it before I parted with the cash.
Cheers, agreed - track bike was my fear but with four owners and no visible mods whatsoever it seems unlikely no? The owners have been spaced out reasonably evenly over the 15 years.
I can’t remember the rules on posting eBay links so I’ll play ignorant and post it here:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
I can’t remember the rules on posting eBay links so I’ll play ignorant and post it here:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
MDifficult said:
Cheers, agreed - track bike was my fear but with four owners and no visible mods whatsoever it seems unlikely no? The owners have been spaced out reasonably evenly over the 15 years.
I can’t remember the rules on posting eBay links so I’ll play ignorant and post it here:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Could be an ex. race school/track day hire bike? I can’t remember the rules on posting eBay links so I’ll play ignorant and post it here:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Lee540 said:
Could be an ex. race school/track day hire bike?
I guess it’s possible, but the mileage and owners has been pretty even over the years and it’s totally unmodified and spotless. I guess they could have totally stripped it down to frame and motor and kept everything else to be refitted but four different owners? My usual inclination is always to walk away if I’m not 100% convinced but mint 15yo bikes don’t come along too often
Lee540 said:
MDifficult said:
Cheers, agreed - track bike was my fear but with four owners and no visible mods whatsoever it seems unlikely no? The owners have been spaced out reasonably evenly over the 15 years.
I can’t remember the rules on posting eBay links so I’ll play ignorant and post it here:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Could be an ex. race school/track day hire bike? I can’t remember the rules on posting eBay links so I’ll play ignorant and post it here:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Fwiw I bought a 2011 Monster with 1801 miles on it in March.
I made sure it'd been serviced etc, but mileage was entirely believable given how mint it was, and just bought it.
It's been a peach since other, than needing a new battery. Now on 4800 miles and running beautifully.
My advice: do it!
I made sure it'd been serviced etc, but mileage was entirely believable given how mint it was, and just bought it.
It's been a peach since other, than needing a new battery. Now on 4800 miles and running beautifully.
My advice: do it!
Lukas239 said:
I'm not sure it matters really? As long as the price isn't significantly higher, condition should still be the most important thing.
Plus it looks bloody lovely.
Post up the next best option/alternative and it will either confirm or deny what has been said.
Thanks man, Plus it looks bloody lovely.
Post up the next best option/alternative and it will either confirm or deny what has been said.
This is probably the closest equivalent. 13k miles but full history and a Yoshimura Exhaust (about £500) worth. It’s a year older, but same price:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Edit: and a private sale
Edited by MDifficult on Saturday 21st September 20:21
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