Not impressed!

[MikeyC]

I put a £150 deposit on a bike (A ZX6R import)which I was planning to buy from someone I know (a mate, but not a close mate). Was due to give him £2k this week for the bike and ride it away.

A mate of mine just called up and said he's hear rumours about this bike. He's said its an import (which I knew) but then added that "not all the bike is an import", adding that he's heard the bike to be "dodgy".

Now the bike is HPi clear, it looks in great condition - but I guess I have no choice but to back out now - why would I take the risk?

Now I have a little over £2k to spend on a 600cc Jap bike, and I want one now! lol!

[Keir]

what model 6r is it? Id assume that you have done the usual frame and engine number checks etc? I wouldnt be too worried about what you have heard but use it as a tool. tell the bloke that you have heard its a bid dodgy and see what he has to say about it,. do a thorough check of the bike - fairing off etc if possible.
I dont really see how some of it is an import and some isnt.... do you mean the frames showing as an import but hes used uk parts on it? (possible crash repair?)
____________________
Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[MikeyC]

I'm thinking crash repair... my friend was a bit vague on the phone, he just said do not touch this bike with a barge pole!!

[Bomberman]

Ask the seller. Might as well.
____________________
'Allo! My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!
'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare

[MikeyC]

Ask him what though? I know its an import already and don't want to incriminate my mate!

[Keir]

just ask if its been in any accidents, had replacemnt pannels or anything like that. You will just sound like youre being thorough. To be honest if its cheap for the model then it probably has been crashed but it doesnt mean its not a good bike, it could have been overhauled with better than original parts. You just have to be aware and make sure its not a bodge job.
____________________
Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[TheShaggyDA]

Then ask your mate exactly what he thinks is up with the bike, and whether he can back it up or not. It could just be a mate of a mate of a mate doesn't like the seller and wants to screw him over every chance he gets.
____________________
Current: CB500 Previous: CB100N, CB250RS, XJ900F, GT550, GPZ750R/1000RX, AJS M16, R100RT, Enfield Bullet

[i:6e3bfc7581]But still I fear and still I dare not laugh at the madman...[/i:6e3bfc7581]

[MikeyC]

To be fair, it does look spotless, but then I don't know what i'm looking for!

He's only owned the bike for a few months, so maybe he's got wind of the fact its dodgy and is selling it on - either way, he's not gonna let on I dont think!

[Keir]

do you know anyone who knows whats to look for? whereabouts in the country are you - its not unheard of for someone off her to come and have a look with you.
____________________
Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[MikeyC]

I'm in North London, Enfield to be precise...

TheShaggy - you do have a point....!

[MikeyC]

The guy selling the bike just called me. I’d text him asking if the bike had had any crashes. He called as he realised I was being paranoid and wanted to put my mind at rest. The facts (according to him, who swore on his daughters life…)

- Its an import, but was never registered overseas
- 3 owners since new
- He’s owned the bike himself since January
- No crashes that he’s ever been aware of
- Recently been serviced, new chain, sprockets, clearances done, well maintained
- HPI clear

What do I do!

[Purplepill]

Ask the bloke who told you not too touch it with a barge pole exactly how he knows somethings wrong with it? if there actually is something wrong with it he must have some way of proving what he knows?.
____________________
''He had the confidence of a baby-goat dared to tickle a t-rex's nutsack''

[yambabe]

Hmmm let me think.

Someone you know well enough to be able to go after for retribution offers you what looks like a good bike at a good price and you pay a deposit.

Someone else hears "rumours" about the bike but doesn't tell you exactly what is alleged to be wrong with it or exactly where they have heard this.

The seller assures you it is kosher and you have already done an HPI check which has come up clear.

I can see 2 outcomes here!

1) You give the guy his £2k, take your new bike and enjoy it over what promises to be an excellent summer.

2) You lose £150, have no bike to ride til you find another one and less to spend on it when you do. In the meantime I wonder who you might see out and about on the nice bike in the next few weeks?

What to do, what to do? Bit of a no-brainer really............
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[MikeyC]

Just spoken to my mate - he think s the bike is a cut & shut, from what he's heard, but cannot prove this. How can you tell? Its not like this would appear on an HPI check is it?

[yambabe]

How the hell do you cut n shut a bike?

Get the frame and engine numbers and ring your local stolen vehicle squad if you have serious doubts. If there are no numbers that is the time to retrieve your £150 and walk away.......
____________________
Sod falling in love, I wanna fall in chocolate.

[MikeyC]

Thats exactly what I was thinking! How?!

I can't stop thinking about the fact this guy has owned the bike since Jan, rode it regularly.... if he knew it was a dodgy bike (which its claimed), why didn't he get rid sooner? Or why even buy it? I just dont get it....

Frustrating the hell out of me though, as I could go buy it tomorrow and have it for the weekend!

[natv4]

because it would be suspect to sell straight away?
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[natv4]

why did he buy it in Jan if he was going to sell it now?
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[MikeyC]

The only reason he's selling it is because he's bought an 03 ZX6R, otherwise he'd still be riding this one....

[st3v3]

It's simple really,

Check for any frame welding, any old front end/new rear and vice-versa. This doesn't necessarily mean there is anything wrong, Just it's had a change of parts, I'd be more worried that it's not been registered overseas although it's an import.

Get it for the weekend, You'll fall in love with it, or decide not to touch it again.
____________________
Roger wrote: Women don't get damp for clingy puppies. Get some better happy pills, hit the gym & buy a medallion the size of a dinner plate. Job done

[MikeyC]

Ok worst case scenario here... let's say I buy it, and it turns out to be a "cut & shut", then what?

Sell it on? Part ex it at a dealers? Could I live with myself, knowingly selling on a potential death trap? No, I dont think I could.

So worst case scenario is that its a cut/shut and I have to scrap it!

St3v3 - he said it was imported from new and registered in the UK straight away, I've no reason to doubt that if i'm honest. He has the V5, MOT until well into 2008, same with road tax, but the service history is dotted. Only a few months ago it was serviced and literally everything was done - from clearances to nut/bolt check!

[natv4]

[MikeyC]

He's selling as he has just bought a newer bike and needs the space & money....

[natv4]

I don't know many people whom plan to buy a bike and replace it within months. That is unless they buy one, don't like it, then get another and flog the crap one on. I don't want to put you on a downer, but it just doesn't add up.
____________________
Travelling around the world...a bit at a time. Where am I now? / Visit my BLOG
Bike: Blue Honda VFR800fi (*NEW*) Mileage: 22k Countries visited: GB/F/D/CZ/PL/E/I/B/A/HR/H/Rus/E/MA
West Europe...2004, East Europe...2005, Russia/France...2006, Morocco...2007

[ram_doom]

Buy it, you cant very well cut up a frame and weld it, and there'd be no point in doing so with so many readily available. If it has parts off another bike then so long as their fitted right, whats the problem?

Check frame/engine numbers. If they match
____________________
TL1000s, KDX200