Wilsons Sandbox

first time buyer

first time buyer

first time buyer

first time buyer

first time buyer

Seems very high to me. But then I'm a bottom feeder when it comes to buying motorcycles. It also comes down to how desperate you are, what the availability and pricing is locally and how far you are prepared to travel. First off, have a look at www.kbb.com (at both the retail and trade-in prices). Back that up with www.nada.com (they only advertise retail, but give the spread between low, mid and high. Typically their retail is less than NADA. Then you may want to do some research on www.cycletrader.com on current _ASKING_ prices for the KLR: you will find dealers asking a lot less than list price for new 2002 models, typically from $4.5k upwards. Also look at the list servers, www.dualsportnews classifieds, your local paper and classifieds magazine (in Maine / NH there is an excellent magazine www.unclehenrys.com that advertises bikes of various types, if you are patient). Typically these sources are more likely to be the source of a bargain than the bigger sites such as Cycle Trader, although I saw two excellent deals ($300 - 400 under NADA trade-in) on Cycle Trader for Kawasaki Concours' when I was looking last year. Typicall, eBay sucks for a bargain price. Some rules that I use with buying used vehicles (and especially motorcycles where repairs and reconditioning can be very expensive): - Develop a list of make / models and years that you are prepared to consider. To me in my current search, that means any KLR650 or DR650 from '96 onwards, or any KTM LC4 640 from '99 onwards. Tnak them in order of preference. Base this on feedback from owner lists (preferable, as you pick up the long-term issues), magazine reviews (www.dualsportnews.com has back issues you can order, www.motorcycle.com has a list of reviews for various machines). Some eZines are not worth much: when did you ever see a negative report from www.motorcycledaily.com? Do look at the reviews on newer models: often the list of improvements gives away what was wrong with the previous model, which was given a glowing report when tested. - Work out your opening bid and maximum price you are prepared for each model and year. - Never pay more than retail. I am not prepared to pay more than NADA trade plus a third of the difference between NADA retail and trade. - Work out what accessories you really want, and what you are prepared to pay for these. I am NOT prepared to buy a bike with extensive performance mods. It's pointless paying for any mods you would not make yourself. - Never look at anything that the owner does not claim is in excellent / immaculate / as new condition. 'Good' means it starts and goes. 'Very good' means that all the parts are there in some shape or format. - Do check on the reason for selling. This helps you assess whether the bike is a lemon, or whether the owner has a 'compelling event' that constrains him to sell the machine quickly. - Never look at anything that has been repainted (crash damage?), is a rebuild, or has extensive performance mods (in the case of a KLR, I would look askance at extensive off-road modifications) - Look for a deal where the seller may have some issues in closing a quick deal: remote location, season (winter in the north), model that is not popular in a specific area. - Don't be afraid to walk away, despite claims of 6 other folks lined up with cash in hand, rarity or whatever. I am currently delaying my search for a KLR, as I have just bought a 2001 Concours, in excellent condition, low mileage for less than the KBB trade price. Will be back on the market in a few months when the cash replenishes, or I have dumped the R11GS. Using the above, I have bought two Connies for up to $700 under dealer trade-in, and that did not even take the included accessories into account. Both in excellent condition. Last year I bought a Miata for less than trade, with two small scratches in the bumper. I did break my rule for the new R11GS I bought (never, ever buy new unless you are desperate, the GS was the worst buy I have made in the last 7 years...). And I paid a bit over trade book for my Aurora, but it was in really immaculate, as new condition, with an anal owner. Good luck with the hunt.