Buying a bike from a salvage/used dealer. Would you?

Crom

Crom

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One of the bikes I am looking at is being sold by one of our local salvage/used bike dealers. I can't find any reviews of the shop on here or the net, and the whole idea it makes me nervous. Even though the shop does buy and sell used bikes, I can't help but assume the worst, being that it has been damaged in some way, and has been fixed up for sale. And unless it was in an actual collision with a police report, there's really no way of telling whether this is true or not.

Replaced fairings from a tip over or SLOW speed drop, not a huge deal. But what I am afraid of is a high speed drop that has bent the frame out of spec, even a small amount. From what I have read this sort of thing won't be obvious until you are at high speed on the highway (vibration).

Has anyone here bought from a salvage/used dealer? What was your experience?
 
Crom said:
One of the bikes I am looking at is being sold by one of our local salvage/used bike dealers. I can't find any reviews of the shop on here or the net, and the whole idea it makes me nervous. Even though the shop does buy and sell used bikes, I can't help but assume the worst, being that it has been damaged in some way, and has been fixed up for sale. And unless it was in an actual collision with a police report, there's really no way of telling whether this is true or not.

Replaced fairings from a tip over or SLOW speed drop, not a huge deal. But what I am afraid of is a high speed drop that has bent the frame out of spec, even a small amount. From what I have read this sort of thing won't be obvious until you are at high speed on the highway (vibration).

Has anyone here bought from a salvage/used dealer? What was your experience?
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The only thing i really worry about with downed bikes is bent forks/triples. You have to toss a bike pretty hard to damage the frame, as long as there isn't a visible impact obviously.
 
I didn't even think about bent forks. Is that something you should be able to notice upon visually inspecting the bike? Or is it something that even a very slight bend, that the naked eye can't detect, can show up while riding?
 
But isn't it possible for a bike to sustain damage from a bad dump or mild collision such as slight frame damage, or bent forks, etc like FriendlyFoe mentioned, and not be written off as salvage?

I'm really in the dark when it comes to this stuff :P
 
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Crom said:
But isn't it possible for a bike to sustain damage from a bad dump or mild collision such as slight frame damage, or bent forks, etc like FriendlyFoe mentioned, and not be written off as salvage?

I'm really in the dark when it comes to this stuff :P
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It would be illegal to put an unsafe bike on the road. Of course, inspect the bike thoroughly, but it's unlikely that the dealership will sell you a bike with a damaged frame. You can always bring a mechanic with you to inspect a bike.
 
I just found out that the shop bought the bike from a dealer, and at that time, the front fairing and headlight were not present. Seems like it might have taken a pretty hard tumble, or worse.
 
There are only 2 brands in Ontario: No brand and Unfit (I believe they are called)

If a bike is written off by an insurance company for ANY reason (Even just cosmetic) it can not be registered for the road ever again.

They might have just bought the bike as they hard the parts to fix it from an accident in which it wasn't branded.
 
My rule of thumb is if you have any misgivings at all about either the bike or the seller, look for a different deal.
There are thousands of bikes for sale right now.
 
If you have any concerns of any dealer, you can always contact OMVIC http://www.omvic.on.ca/

Certified Dealer (Every Dealer) is governed by them, and if they dont tell you the whole story, or lie about something OMVIC can investigate. Also they have an INsurance fund if you do get screwed somehow.
 
If it's a reputable shop... whether it's a salvage place or not, they're not likely to certify and sell you a bike that's not fit for the road. Have someone help you go over it and if everything looks OK go for it. If you still have misgivings or are getting a bad vibe, just go elsewhere... lots of places to buy bikes privately and publicly.
 
cknowles said:
My rule of thumb is if you have any misgivings at all about either the bike or the seller, look for a different deal.
There are thousands of bikes for sale right now.
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+1. I steer clear of bike salvage unless it's an absolute that the bike in question has not been down hard.
 
jeffjones said:
If a bike is written off by an insurance company for ANY reason (Even just cosmetic) it can not be registered for the road ever again.
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My Katana was written off due to the high $$ of cosmetic damage and they (kingsway) didn't brand the bike at all. I had no issues after buying it back and putting it back on the road.

But on the other hand I know a guy who broke the foot peg mount off the frame of his bike in a get off and his bike was not only written off but they wouldn't even allow him to buy it back for parts.
 
woobie said:
My Katana was written off due to the high $$ of cosmetic damage and they (kingsway) didn't brand the bike at all. I had no issues after buying it back and putting it back on the road.

But on the other hand I know a guy who broke the foot peg mount off the frame of his bike in a get off and his bike was not only written off but they wouldn't even allow him to buy it back for parts.
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They usually only let you "Buy it back" if there is no frame damage, In which it needs to be unfit.
Technically you arent really buying it back they are just paying you out less and you repair it yourself, example: Your bike is worth $5k and they offer you $3,500 and you keep your bike. They don't cut you a cheque for $5k and then ask for $1,500 back.
Also if this is the road taken then they have not written off your bike, but have paid you to repair it yourself which means your bike doesn't need an unfit branding.
 
jeffjones said:
There are only 2 brands in Ontario: No brand and Unfit (I believe they are called)

If a bike is written off by an insurance company for ANY reason (Even just cosmetic) it can not be registered for the road ever again.

They might have just bought the bike as they hard the parts to fix it from an accident in which it wasn't branded.
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If the ownership shows "unfit" at the top, it just means that the bike needs a safety before it can be plated, it has nothing to do with accidents. If u buy a car/bike and put it in your name without a safety, it will show "unfit" til u safety it and get a new title.
 
redrider said:
If the ownership shows "unfit" at the top, it just means that the bike needs a safety before it can be plated, it has nothing to do with accidents. If u buy a car/bike and put it in your name without a safety, it will show "unfit" til u safety it and get a new title.
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Yes, you are right, I was trying to remember the 2 brands off the top of my head.
My bad it was None or Irrepairable. There is no salvage or Re-built anymore on motorcycles.

"None"
  • Vehicle may have had a damage-related brand applied outside Ontario, or
  • Vehicle may have been damaged or rebuilt before March 31, 2003, or
  • Degree of damage does not meet branding criteria, or
  • Vehicle may never have been in a collision.


"Irreparable"
  • Vehicle has been written-off as a total loss.
  • Can only be used for parts or scrap.
  • Cannot be driven again in Ontario.
 
Thanks for all the input guys.

That's generally my rule of thumb as well, that if anything about the situation just doesn't feel right I don't bother. I am in no way insinuating that the seller would be dishonest in anyway, it's just that I don't like unknowns when it comes to buying a bike. Especially when there is no question that the bike has taken a hard spill. It just doesn't give me confidence in what I would be riding, and would always bother me.

The deal isn't crazy or anything. It's actually a bike that's been there since last season which was significantly reduced since it still hadn't sold.


Man... good deals on 500R's are few and far between these days.
 
Phred said:
If you have any concerns of any dealer, you can always contact OMVIC http://www.omvic.on.ca/

Certified Dealer (Every Dealer) is governed by them, and if they dont tell you the whole story, or lie about something OMVIC can investigate. Also they have an INsurance fund if you do get screwed somehow.
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Yeah you can do it, but it's still a huge hassle. I just had a bad experience with a dealer like that. Here's the review thread. http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforu...y-Motorsports-amp-Andrew-Bell-Watch-your-back!
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