Wilsons Sandbox

--- In DSN_klr650@egroups.com, ELubejko@w... wrote:

> Hello list again. I have a couple of questions for all of you.

I was wondering what the value is for my bike. It is a 98 Kaw. KLR 650. I found in Kelly's Blue Book that it is worth about $4,000. Does that seem high or low? I also live in Colorado, if that makes any difference. Also since the accident, I want to replace my helmet. want another full faced helmet with some type of sun visor on it. Only one I can find is KBC model SN-X. But this helmet was made for snowmobiling. Any suggestions? My old helmet was a Nolan N100. I do like this helmet but sun glasses doesn't always cut it. Thanks!

> Ed (biker down guy!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ed, Keep in mind that the 'blue book' value is a guide only. Some local libraries have the KELLY blue book and/or the NADA m/c guides. Kelly and NADA have websites where you can check the value. These values are nationwide averages. They both publish regional guides that more accurately reflect local prices. It goes without saying that the insurance company will probably use the guide with the lower price. I found a $700+ difference between the two guides! One guide had a retail value of $2700 & the other had $3400! The best way to establish your bikes ACV/FMV (actual cash value/ fair market value) is to find similar bikes that have been sold by dealers (top $ value) and private sales. Of course, allowances have to be made for age, condition, mileage & accessories. It may be hard to find enough local KLR sales, so use the internet to search for regional or national sales. When my bike was, totaled, I used several search engines to find KLRs for sale nationally. http://www.traderonline.com is one source. There are many online m/c classified ad sites. FWIW, I settled my basically stock '95 KLR total loss for $3600 acv in 1998 (not including sales tax & license fees). In determining the value of your bike, be sure to include the value of any extras. If your bike is all tricked out, it's worth more than a stock KLR. If you recently replaced tires, chain, sprockets, etc., your bike is worth more than one with with average wear items. If you recently spent $400 on these parts, your bike is not worth $400 more, but you should be able get $100-$200 more. Also, if these parts are well worn, your bike is worth less than the going rate. Don't forget that your entitled to damaged clothing items (from the other company (but not from your insurance company, if you go under your collision coverage). This information is highly generalized, rules & guidelines vary from state to state. Re helmets, if you want the best of both worlds (road/dirt), you may want to buy a full-face road helmet & try to mount the old style 3-snap visor to the face shield. Hopefully, the snaps would not interfere with the face shield fit. The dirt helmets come with removable visors, but I don't know how noisy they are on the road. I use a slip-on flexible sunglass visor (available at REI & other sporting goods stores). It's not as effective as a helmet visor, but it's better than naked sun glasses. Glad to hear that you're doing better & will be back in the saddle soon. Professor 95KLR650 A9 Federal Way, Wa [USA]