Worth the risk? (Buying unseen)

[Reppyboyo]

Hi,

Im currently looking at a used Kawasaki Versys on Carl Rosners (dealer) website, seems a good deal compared to what else is around and has most accessories I would have installed myself.
However, the bike HAS been dropped, the damage isnt evident in their own pics but here is additional ones they sent me:

https://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2458/versyspicture002.th.jpg
https://img638.imageshack.us/img638/8313/versyspicture001.th.jpg

Problem being Im in South Wales so I cant view this for myself easily.
Think its worth the risk in buying effectively unseen? (AFAIK I would be covered by the Distance selling regulations should I find anything else amiss).

[johnsmith222]

In all honesty no.

If you're not prepared to travel to check the bike over then why would you buy it?

[Andy C]

I brought my Speed Four blind (as the guy delivered it) but just ask for lots of photos and the right to back out if anything was not as describe. Bike was fine (plus the owner was a policeman).

As long as you have seen lots of photos and the owner sounds like a decent guy I say go for it. I probably would again if I wanted the bike enough
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99 RS125 --> 02 SV650s --> 03 Speed Four --> 92 RXS100 --> 93 CB400sf --> 01 CB600f Hornet

[acid drop]

Unless I could see the bike in the flesh I wouldn't touch it.

[That_Hornet]

Im about 20 minutes away from croydon. Don't mind going for a little look for you.

Try and fit it into the week, But i can make it 100% on saturday.

If your willing to wait.

[Ste]

Why not go and see the bike?

[TUG]

See the bike, if your unsure this is the only way to actually be certain.
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Haz ER-5, innit!

[Ingah]

I bought from a dealer over distance thinking along your lines and got pretty badly bummed (with problem after problem and no help from the dealer, who's warranty was as good as bog roll). It seems dealers can get away with damn-near anything for an old CB500, even if they did describe it's condition as "excellent", have nice shiny pictures and say "there's no problems with it"
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-- Ingah

[G]

[Seb]

I've brought blind from dealers twice and in both cases it's been fine, I was hugely demanding on close up pictures and info though
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[metalangel]

I wouldn't buy without seeing it in person.

I wanted to buy a car on the weekend, in the pics it looked tidy but when I saw it up close I found all sorts of little niggling flaws (not to mention engine management light coming on and staying on during the test drive) which resulted in me not buying it.

On the one hand it's a hassle to go all the way somewhere to see a vehicle that might turn out to be bad. But on the other hand better you do all that and avoid buying a lemon, yes? Plus you get an adventurous trip out to get there (with all the fun of roadside burger vans and strange new service stations)
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[smegballs]

I've bought several bikes blind over ebay and such.

Some have been good, others not so good......

However, all these bikes have been a couple of hundred quid so in the worst case scenario I'm pissed off but the damage is low(ish)...

If the money got serious, £400< then I'd definately be going to check in person.

Sometimes it's not possible of course and you have to take a risk.. so lots of photos etc as others have said.

[swiftb]

Seriously wouldnt even consider it without viewing. I all but bought my bike on ebay - agreement made providing everything was as described upon viewing. Travelled 3 and half hours each way to view it and all was good so returned the following week to pay/pick it up.

Ive travelled long distance to view cars which are described as excellent condition and look mint in the photos only to tip up and find a shitbox - or a serious fault which had been 'overlooked'.

No chance I would ever buy blind (unless it was low risk - sub £200 etc)

[iooi]

I have just bought a Versys.
97 plate 6.5K on the clock. ?3200
No panniers or box, but i did get the rack thrown in.

Looking at the scrape its simply a drop on its side and nothing else from the pic.
Sadly i would want to look at the bike before to ensure that...

I did consider a ebay offering that was newer and possibly cheaper. But given that it was 3K i was spending i was not prepared to take the chance even though it was a dealer offering with a good reputation.

Personally take a look at some local ones and sit on them.
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[Reppyboyo]

Lucky me, a local one popped up not long after I posted this.
Just got it home.

Black, 07 ABS, 3030miles.
Panniers, vario screen, standard screen, extra seat and some original parts.
?3450.

Bloody bargain

[ms51ves3]

[Whosthedaddy]

I bought the TRX blind, probably the most reliable bike to date.
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy