[Guest]

I'm not sure if I should buy this bike or run away from it. It doesn't seem to have been used much and the battery is dead from sitting. What problems may arise from it not getting used. Is this bike worth looking at? How much shoud I offer for it?

 

[slimp]

here's a start:

www.kbb.com

 

[Guest]

Thanks. I ran it though and got a # but it doesn't allow you to enter the mileage on the bike. At least I have a basic idea though.

 

[mmoore]

You might want to post the "what happens to a bike left sitting for 6 years?" question on the Tech board. The moderator there wrote up a really good FAQ on winter storage so I'm thinking he might be able to give you some things to look for when inspecting the bike.

 

[AllyCat]

Not sure on DUCS, but on HD's if you leave a bike in storage without running it, you have a very high chance of the engine seizing when you start it. I know of 2 people who have had this trouble.

 

[Guest]

Wil Do. Thanks for the input.

You might want to post the "what happens to a bike left sitting for 6 years?" question on the Tech board. The moderator there wrote up a really good FAQ on winter storage so I'm thinking he might be able to give you some things to look for when inspecting the bike.

 

[test-reg]

most peopl think ulta low mileage is a good thing. it is not. i would be prepared to put alot of $ into the bike even if it's been stored properly.

 

[crblouch]

shoRe: What is a 1997 M900 with 600mi on it worth?

As a point of comparison, I bought a 97 M900 this summer that only had 300 miles on it. I looked virtually brand new. I had the dealer put a stage II jet kit and some DP carbon fiber exhaust cans on it and it runs great. At the 600 mile mark it started to burn oil (noticeably) and I took it in and they put new valve guide seals in it ($200), but it's still using :-/oil. I would be very cautious if I were you. If it was sitting for that long without proper preventive maintenance done then there could be all sort of bad things waiting for you, amongh them being dried out/cracked valve guide seals, bad cylinders, piston rings, valves (rust, corrosion), bad gaskets and seals throughout, etc, etc. I'd take it to a reputable technician and have it thoroughly checked out. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't.

 

[MATTinMN]

I'd rather buy a bike that has been ridden each year - I mean this one has only been ridden <100 mi a year! Hopefully the owner did winterize it - but I'd look at another.

 

[ScottRNelson]

I would expect the battery to be dead (it was), many of the seals to no longer work right, and some of the jets and passages in the carburetors to be clogged with gunk.

It's easy enough to replace the battery and to go through the carburetors, but there are lots and lots of seals that could cause problems. You have them in the engine, forks, shock, fuel tank, and emissions system.

However, if I could get such a bike for around $4000, I would put up with the minor inconvenieces. I definitely would not pay over $6000 for one that has sat that long.

 

[hammer]

Nothing, give the monster to me!

 

[blsexton]

If it's cheap enough why not take a chance?

 

[krista_k]

i hope y'all are puttin on new belts! new belts, change oil + filter, new tires, possibly chain, fuel lines, and fork oil. i'd go for less than $4k without a check up and estimate from a shop.

 

[Guest]

I bought a 95 BMW K75 a few mos ago with 800 original miles, aside from the slightly dry rear tire which I replaced, it ran like new, put 1500 miles on it without oil burning and 0 trouble. but it was run on a regular basis the millionare owner.

 

[Guest]

Thanks everyone for your great input. I'll be sure to have the bike checked out thoroughly before I purchase it.