Ha I learned something new this week!
Sent from phone
Sent from phone
Used bikes, and sellers' ignorance when it comes to tires.
- Thread starter Crom
- Start date
Crom
Well-known member
Giddyup69... You completely missed the point of my post. Dr Sarcasm and Marcfolch hit it bang on (thanks guys). I would never expect a seller to replace tires. But when they are selling a bike with tires that will need IMMEDIATE replacement due to them being way past their expiration (read unsafe), and they are selling said bike ABOVE market value, then yes I believe some negotiation is in order. I don't think that is unreasonable. Not to mention, that it's neither sensible, nor practical for me to drive an hour or two to take a look at a bike, to find out what he/she SHOULD already know, or be able to check in about 30 seconds. I'm always very polite about it when I bring it to their attention, but for some reason a lot of people still get miffed, and defensive.
It's not like I'm saying everyone who owns a bike should have an intimate understanding of the current condition of all it's working parts when selling it. That's not realistic. But I mean tires, especially on a motorcycle..... they're pretty vital. No to mention a huge expense. How much time and know how does it take to check them?
Outlaws Justice... I hear you. Went to look at a bike just recently which I was really excited about. Drove an hour in insane torrential downpour, and the resulting stop and go traffic to get there, only to find out that the seller had misrepresented the age of the tires, by 5 years. No biggie right? Lol.
Espro... You should never invalidate someone's feelings like that. Maybe he was more of an optimist. You know, the "tread half present" type as opposed to the "tread half worn" type. Hah!
It's not like I'm saying everyone who owns a bike should have an intimate understanding of the current condition of all it's working parts when selling it. That's not realistic. But I mean tires, especially on a motorcycle..... they're pretty vital. No to mention a huge expense. How much time and know how does it take to check them?
Outlaws Justice... I hear you. Went to look at a bike just recently which I was really excited about. Drove an hour in insane torrential downpour, and the resulting stop and go traffic to get there, only to find out that the seller had misrepresented the age of the tires, by 5 years. No biggie right? Lol.
Espro... You should never invalidate someone's feelings like that. Maybe he was more of an optimist. You know, the "tread half present" type as opposed to the "tread half worn" type. Hah!
S
SlayerofSouls
Guest
Sometimes you have to just buy new.
Not everyone can afford too!
MattB
Well-known member
My new-to-me 2006 CBR600F4i had 3,600 kms on it when I bought it from a dealership a month ago. The tires have plenty of meat left on them, and they passed safety. I'm assuming they're original. I haven't noticed any problem riding, but I will replace them before start of next season (hopefully finding a deal over the winter 
The way I see it is if the tires pass a safety check than it's up to the rider/owner to determine if he wants that extra margin of safety with fresh tires and to try and factor that into the asking price. If the seller is not willing to negotiate than move on.
As for me I have no problem spending money on the most important items that's in between me and the ground, although I have gotten into e-fights with some really cheap, irresponsible punters that will ride a tire down to the carcass threads, regardless of age.
As for me I have no problem spending money on the most important items that's in between me and the ground, although I have gotten into e-fights with some really cheap, irresponsible punters that will ride a tire down to the carcass threads, regardless of age.
espro
Well-known member
Espro... You should never invalidate someone's feelings like that. Maybe he was more of an optimist. You know, the "tread half present" type as opposed to the "tread half worn" type. Hah!
I guess I should have been more considerate of his feelings
Then again, I did get a van and drove all the way out to Waterloo to see this thing, and he wouldn't budge on his listed price by more than a couple hundred. Add to that the fact that it needed an $800 service within 1000km (something he also disagreed with!), and it was time to head home.If you're talking about a low price bike the cost of a new set of tires will wreck the deal. If you're selling a good running starter bike for a couple of grand you won't get enough extra if you put on new tires.
I sold a cheapie with lots of tread on older tires. The bike was sold uncertified and I pointed the tire age to the buyer. Last I heard he got it certified with the tires and was having fun. IMO older dried out tires are OK for putzing around a parking lot but not for the highway, especially two up.
Provided the tires aren't cracked is there an age limit that prevents them being certified? I think not. Money's going to talk as long as people want cheap bikes.
I sold a cheapie with lots of tread on older tires. The bike was sold uncertified and I pointed the tire age to the buyer. Last I heard he got it certified with the tires and was having fun. IMO older dried out tires are OK for putzing around a parking lot but not for the highway, especially two up.
Provided the tires aren't cracked is there an age limit that prevents them being certified? I think not. Money's going to talk as long as people want cheap bikes.
giddyup69
Active member
Giddyup69... You completely missed the point of my post. Dr Sarcasm and Marcfolch hit it bang on (thanks guys). I would never expect a seller to replace tires. But when they are selling a bike with tires that will need IMMEDIATE replacement due to them being way past their expiration (read unsafe), and they are selling said bike ABOVE market value, then yes I believe some negotiation is in order. I don't think that is unreasonable. Not to mention, that it's neither sensible, nor practical for me to drive an hour or two to take a look at a bike, to find out what he/she SHOULD already know, or be able to check in about 30 seconds. I'm always very polite about it when I bring it to their attention, but for some reason a lot of people still get miffed, and defensive.
It's not like I'm saying everyone who owns a bike should have an intimate understanding of the current condition of all it's working parts when selling it. That's not realistic. But I mean tires, especially on a motorcycle..... they're pretty vital. No to mention a huge expense. How much time and know how does it take to check them?
Outlaws Justice... I hear you. Went to look at a bike just recently which I was really excited about. Drove an hour in insane torrential downpour, and the resulting stop and go traffic to get there, only to find out that the seller had misrepresented the age of the tires, by 5 years. No biggie right? Lol.
Espro... You should never invalidate someone's feelings like that. Maybe he was more of an optimist. You know, the "tread half present" type as opposed to the "tread half worn" type. Hah!
then i misunderstood your original post. i am assuming the bike is being sold at fair market value so i don't see any reason for the seller to justify supplying new tires or covering the cost of them. negotiations are a whole other story and rely on all kinds of conditions.
i also agree it should not be too difficult in this day and age to snap a picture of a tire and email it to u. if those were the difficulties u were having then i totally understand your concern and point.
Buy some scrubs for $100
I think you are overestimating the ability of the average bike owner.
Viper84737 has some scrubs for sale if you're looking to go that route. PM him.
cknowles
Well-known member
We bought my wife's 2003 Virago 250 from a dealer last fall. Tires looked brand new as the bike had only 4000 km on it. She started complaining recently that the ride felt squirrely and I test drove and found the same thing. Looking closer I found cracks between the treads on the front tire. Back looks OK. The date codes were 4502 and 4602, both tires were original to the bike and are close to 10 years old. I replaced them. A safety does not count the date code on the tire, only that the tread not be down to the wear bars.
Crom
Well-known member
Oh boy. Pass!
If you haven't grasped by point of my post by now, I'm afraid there is no hope.
Crom
Well-known member
This has been covered a few times in this thread already.
I understand your post completely.Why not pull the brake pads as well and lowball the seller because they are worn too?And the bike might be due for an oil change and coolant flush this season as well.Chip another couple of hundred off.
Yes,tires have date stamps on them for a reason.I agree with your logic of wanting safe tires mounted.I have had people ask weird things when looking at buying a bike i'm selling,and i don't put up with any b.s. anymore.This is the price,don't like it....bye!
I had a guy ask me to pull the plugs on a bike once so that he could check them to make sure the mapping was done correctly.Told him sorry that i wasted his time,bye.
It is the seller's ballpark.If you don't like the price,and he has said no to your offer,then move on.
edit: please define "market value".
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NOT a bright idea. Race tires would never get up to proper operating temperature for street riding, not to mention the fact that they also will only last a few heat cycles which most likely have already been used up or the guy would still be using them on the track. Racing tires on the street are a bad idea from any vantage point.
