I have bought two salvaged Ducati's at salvaged yards. BE careful!!! Make sure you inspect the hell out of them. For instance one of the bikes looked really good, not too much damage, minor stuff. Upon closed inspection it had thrown a chain and had a bent output shaft.
Depending upon your state laws all bikes should have a "salvage title" . Once an insurance company has paid off the bike and gets the original title from the owner, it now has to file with the state DMV for a salvage title, in most states a complete inspection is needed ( not to be confused with a safety inspection) before a new title can be issued certifiing that the bike has been restored to like "new condition" and there are no defects still remaining from the cause of the accident. These inspections can be a pain in the ass. Because while cosmetic damage may not effect the bikes operation it has to be repaired to like new condition. it seems that most insurance companies don't want to repair damaged motorcycles and adjusters will overestimate minor items just to "total" the bike. Quess what happens now. When you go to get the bike reinspected for the repair of the crash damage, the inpecting agency wants a copy of the original damage estimate from the insurance company, and the inpector wants you to also produce receipts of all the parts you replaced. Now if you didn't have to replace much to get the bike road worthy they don't care. You didn't replace the damaged parts per the estimate. Quess why they want receipts? You guessed right "STOLEN PARTS" off other bikes.Talk about getting into pissing contests with a skunk!!! Of course if you what a track bike and it will not be used on road or register forgot the above because there no liscening required.
Becuase of all of the above salvaged bikes are worthy 10% of the value. So don't pay any crazy amount. Caveat Emptear!!!