Used bikes with VERY low kms?

Crom

Crom

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What kind of mileage would be 'too low' in your opinion for a 2006? I saw a nice 500R for sale with under 1,500kms.

I have read that when bikes are stored for a long time and not ridden, the seals can dry up, and liquids like gas, coolant and brake fluid can leave deposits, engines can develop rust internally, etc etc. But I have never actually seen any info regarding HOW LONG this takes to happen. Is it something you'd be more likely to run into on a bike that's been stored for 15 years or so? Or is 5 years or so enough to run into these problems if the bike wasn't stored properly?

AFAIK, the bike was stored in a garage.
 
It can take just about half a year for untreated gas to gum up carbs, and that will be the first thing to go.

These bikes can be okay, it just takes a little care & caution to put them back on the road. If it hasn't moved for five years, you're probably look at replacing all fluids and battery at minimum - seals may be fine, may not be.
 
TwistedKestrel... Thanks for the reply. I really have no idea how much seals cost to replace on a bike and how big an expense it is. By seals we are talking valve cover, and head gaskets right? I know how much these cost to replace on a car, but what do they cost to replace on a bike?

What other seals are there that might need replacing? Given a worst case scenario.
 
Make it a condition of sale that you hear the bike start from cold and run up to operating temperature.

If all is well and it runs up to normal operating temperature, no apparent fluid leaks, no nasty smoke from the exhaust, then most likely it's fine.

If there are issues or if it's a no-start then obviously it's time for a very significant downward price adjustment. If the previous owner refuses then assume it's a no-start.

Friend of mine got an EX500 for free because it had sat for three years and was a no-start. Just so you have a heads-up for what you CAN be in for ... aside from a new battery and carb overhaul and an oil and coolant change (and air in the tires), that one needed a top-end engine rebuild for re-honing the cylinder block and new piston rings, because condensation had gotten inside the engine and rusted the piston rings and cylinder bore. I got it running first, but only on one cylinder, and it was belching out blue smoke, and that established the need for the engine to come apart.
 
Brian P said:
Make it a condition of sale that you hear the bike start from cold and run up to operating temperature.

If all is well and it runs up to normal operating temperature, no apparent fluid leaks, no nasty smoke from the exhaust, then most likely it's fine.

If there are issues or if it's a no-start then obviously it's time for a very significant downward price adjustment. If the previous owner refuses then assume it's a no-start.
Click to expand...

This exactly. Beautiful thing if it doesn't start is that all you usually have to do is remove the tank, open the drain for each carb's float bowl and put fresh gas in it, so that could save you a few bucks.

If we we're talking something expensive and delicate i'd worry about that kind of low mileage, those 500's are indestructible tho. Worst case it needs the carbs opened up and cleaned which is an easy afternoons job. Look for things like the chain being rusty from it having sat so long tho.
 
Crom said:
TwistedKestrel... Thanks for the reply. I really have no idea how much seals cost to replace on a bike and how big an expense it is. By seals we are talking valve cover, and head gaskets right? I know how much these cost to replace on a car, but what do they cost to replace on a bike?

What other seals are there that might need replacing? Given a worst case scenario.
Click to expand...

You would find out by running the bike / taking it for a shakedown. Check for oil/coolant/brake fluid/fuel spraying out of connections, replace as needed.
 
Brian P said:
Make it a condition of sale that you hear the bike start from cold and run up to operating temperature.

If all is well and it runs up to normal operating temperature, no apparent fluid leaks, no nasty smoke from the exhaust, then most likely it's fine.

If there are issues or if it's a no-start then obviously it's time for a very significant downward price adjustment. If the previous owner refuses then assume it's a no-start.

Friend of mine got an EX500 for free because it had sat for three years and was a no-start. Just so you have a heads-up for what you CAN be in for ... aside from a new battery and carb overhaul and an oil and coolant change (and air in the tires), that one needed a top-end engine rebuild for re-honing the cylinder block and new piston rings, because condensation had gotten inside the engine and rusted the piston rings and cylinder bore. I got it running first, but only on one cylinder, and it was belching out blue smoke, and that established the need for the engine to come apart.
Click to expand...

If your buying a used bike, he should start it anyways, not as a condition of sale. If he refuses the bike obviously does not run right.
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