Hypothetical Motorcycle Crash Selling Question...

[galaxy]

So I've got a hypothetical question in regards to selling a crashed bike a buddy asked me about. He has a bike that was literally, I do mean honestly, a 10 mph fall over in a parking lot. 100% cosmetic only damage. And now he needs/wants to sell it.

So the question comes up...1--fully repair it and sell it at a fairly normal price, or 2--leave it as is and sell at a substantially reduced price.

I vote #2 for a couple of reasons and here's my justification...

Anytime someone is looking at a used bike, the first question they're going to ask is "has it ever been down?" If you're honest and don't want to lie, you'll have to tell them it's been down, and then stuck trying to convince them of just how minor the mishap was. If you leave the bike as is, now they can clearly see just how minor it was and that you're not trying to cover anything up...which they may think you're doing if you repair the damage. Anyways, just thinking out loud...whay say ye?

[hailwood]

you could also photograph the damage and then repair it. if you do the repair keep all receipts and obviously if a dealer does it there will be records of it. I think the damage can be conveyed properly to a perspective buyer with photos and paperwork.


I think you will get better money for a bike that is 100% than selling a bike that needs to be repaired.

[lushbaugh-00'748]

Originally Posted by hailwood

you could also photograph the damage and then repair it. if you do the repair keep all receipts and obviously if a dealer does it there will be records of it. I think the damage can be conveyed properly to a perspective buyer with photos and paperwork.


I think you will get better money for a bike that is 100% than selling a bike that needs to be repaired.

thats right, and being honest is a plus, its always good for business

[galaxy]

I agree about honest, but every motorcycle crash has that stigma on it. You tell a potential buyer "Hey, I swear it was a 10 mph drop in a parking log" and the whole time he's thinking that's code for 'tumbling down the infield of turn 4 at 110 mph...nice try'.

I don't think he can win either way, but it is what it is. The repair with photos of the damage is a great idea. My favorite thus far...Thanks hailwood.

[lushbaugh-00'748]

Originally Posted by galaxy

I agree about honest, but every motorcycle crash has that stigma on it. You tell a potential buyer "Hey, I swear it was a 10 mph drop in a parking log" and the whole time he's thinking that's code for 'tumbling down the infield of turn 4 at 110 mph...nice try'.

I don't think he can win either way, but it is what it is. The repair with photos of the damage is a great idea. My favorite thus far...Thanks hailwood.

the photo of the light scuffing should rule that out, now if it were a gsxr or something thats commonly abused , not saying ducatis are not, its would be more of an "i bet it was" scenario

[tonto]

I was trying to buy a 748 from a chap in Philly a few years back and He said the bike was perfect except for a tip over in the garage. I had a friend go to the fellows place to take pictures (I live in Toronto, Canada). Once I saw the pics I had to email the guy- "exactly how fast was the garage going when the bike fell over!"
What a mess


Tonto

[couchflyer]

Tell him to file a claim with his insurance carrier.

[lushbaugh-00'748]

Originally Posted by tonto

I was trying to buy a 748 from a chap in Philly a few years back and He said the bike was perfect except for a tip over in the garage. I had a friend go to the fellows place to take pictures (I live in Toronto, Canada). Once I saw the pics I had to email the guy- "exactly how fast was the garage going when the bike fell over!"
What a mess


Tonto

hahahahaha nice