Buying accident damage/insurance write off bikes?

Amreet · Trackday Trickster Joined: 31 May 2010 Karma :

Hi everyone,
I have noticed a few companies which auction off cars and some bikes from insurance companies and some of the bikes I have seen seem like amazing deals, they look like they were just dropped you know, scraped fairings, maybe an indicator stem snapped off and a mudguard with a corner missing. that sort of thing, but they sell dead cheap, like theres a YZF R125 which looks like its going for £100 in nice condition and I am really seriously tempted! some of the other bikes are a Honda YBF 125 and a Suzi Vanvan but the YZF is quite close to where I live as well,
I was wondering if anyone else has experienced with this sort of thing? Is there any reason for which this is a stupid idea and I should just forget about it? (I would intend to put it back on the road, the bikes are cat C or D so can be put back on road btw)
Cheers,
Dan

That_Hornet · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Apr 2009 Karma :

All they need are repairing and for a so,eone to check it over, like an extencive mot, then off you go i belive.

0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

An R125 for £100? It's a con or a mistake.Source?

Ime bike salvage companies usually want silly money for most stuff. Often you can buy an undamaged bike for what they are asking for a pretty rough one with damage.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

No real check to put a written off bike back on the road (cars do need a check).

However I agree with the above. Most of the time salvage bikes from salvage traders tend to go for too much to give you much of a saving.

All the best

Keith
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BBCTom · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 02 Jan 2009 Karma :

I agree with Oddball. I'm yet to see an accident damaged bike going cheap - usually they are just as expensive as one in decent nick.
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BanditsHigh · Worse than a woman Joined: 21 Mar 2005 Karma :

You'll get cheap and expensive written off bikes ... like everything else in life you just need to be in the right place at the right time Thumbs Up

For example, I bought my GSX1400 as a one yer old bike with 4500 miles on the clocks for under £2k ... now tell me that isn't cheap Laughing