Advice on a purchase (dropped or crashed?)

[Slithern]

Hello all,

First post but i've been lurking for a while. I am looking to purchase an 08 S with low miles for a good price. The bike I am looking at has fallen over. Not crashed according to the owner but just dropped. The repairs to the rear brake lever and some other minor cosmetic stuff have been done and the bike "looks" clean. The question is, how do i know that's all that has happened? What should i look for that might signify it was more then what the owner says.

Thanks,

Bill

[hyperstrada77]

Look at the steering stops if they're bent, they usually are in case of a crash.. If you want to be sure, I'd have it checked out by a local dealer or something to make sure the alignments etc. are still good.

[archimedio]

While I'd have it checked out by a dealer....some obvious stuff is: scratches on the cases/swingarm/forks, bent steering stops, bent steering head (look for any paint cracks around the steering head), make sure the subframe is straight and aligned properly with the rest of the bike, etc. Then ride it on a flat road without crown and make sure it tracks dead straight with no vibrations.

Also, ask him for the repair estimate/paperwork so you can see exactly what was replaced. That should give you some idea how serious it was. Maybe ask if he has any pictures of the bike in its damaged state. People often snap them after a mishap.

You typically don't snap a brake lever in a tip over, so my guess is he was moving when it went down.

[Slithern]

All good advice. At the price he's asking, i just have an uneasy feeling.

[Ferrell75002]

Go with your gut, if you don;t feel it then don't buy, thats not the one for you.

[Raiden]

Originally Posted by Slithern

All good advice. At the price he's asking, i just have an uneasy feeling.

Do you mean the price seems low or high?

[Slithern]

Around $8500 for an "S" with VERY low miles. Seems low but maybe that is the going rate these days?

[Raiden]

That's a low price. I droped my bike in my driveway on it's right side, after Geico was done paying it was like close to $3,000. Also had to replace rear brake lever it didn't snap off but it was bent bad.

[Decreasing Dave]

I just paid $9200 for an "S" with 43 miles, Black too. Maybe your price isn't that far out of line.

Mine was owned by the owner of a Harley Dealership that "Had to have it", then never rode it. It went nicely with his 19 Jesse James Choppers, yes, I typed "19".

The prices are pretty low for Hypers these days. I say that as long as it's straight, has a clean title, and looks and rides like it should, buy it.

Dave

[jeremykeijo]

FWIW, I picked up a new 08 S a couple weeks ago for 8995.