To bid or not to bid?

[Sam_Y_93]

That is the question...

I am looking for an NC30 for after I have done my test and I have found this

It is stunning and I love it and its in my price range (well if it sells as it is) problem is its in Scotland, a mere 350 miles away from me

Talked to my dad and got the obvious no.

So I'm thinking just bid and hope the bikes as fine as it looks and then sort some sort of delivery out? Or just sit and wait for one more local and perfect to turn up?

Or I have also found this which is still 70 miles away but that seems much more reasonable, but I dont like it as much.

Just wanting some opinions of what you guys and gals think and what you would do. Cheers

Oh and sorry for all the questions
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Bikes Past: Yamaha Aerox (sold) Yamaha R125 (written off)
Bikes Current: Honda VFR 400 (awaiting restoration) Honda CB600f F-4
Theory passed July 21st Mod1 passed August 3rd Mod 2 passed 26th August

[FURBAR]

WOuld love one of those 400s ... if mint, because they can be a cashdrain from what i've heard .... again would love one ... would love a 600 - 2 .. but i'm way too throttle happy ..
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Fuk um !!

[willis1337]

Personally I would always look at a bike "in the flesh" before buying.

I appreciate thats hard for you, especially the one in Scotland. Send the guy an email, ask him for as much info as poss and if you are still interested find some way / any way, to get there to see it to be sure - £1,500 is alot to spend / lose if these's any probs.

If there's no way you can go see it then give it up and look at local stuff. Something will come along that's just as good if not better

PS a mate had a one - it was awful - cost him a fortune - loads of stuff wrong with it and was a sod to get second hand parts for, he sold it on (neither of those you posted up though).

[m0l0t0v]

TBH, while NC30's are nice bikes (ode one for a year and a bit) I think it's a lot of money for... well not a lot bike. Yes it's fast, but you can get better bikes or newer bikes with far far more spares to hand for less or similar money.

Dead set on NC30's? I used to love the idea of one. Then got the chance and I was dissapointed... Enjoyed it but not as good as I'd thought it'd be.

Also, looking a bike in the flesh is far far better to do than just buying it...


You can always ask some members of the forum if they'll go have a look for you
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'99 Hornet 600 , VFR 400 NC30 '92 , Kasawamasaki GT 550 , '98 Hornet 600
**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed

[G]

350 miles isn't too far fetched for a day. Get a plane/train/lift-share up there. However, have asked a decent lot of questions first and if it doesn't match up to the reported condition, accept that you're going to incur the cost of getting home again empty handed.

[Slacker24seve...]

I looked at a lot of NC30s after I passed my test, pretty much everything within a 60 mile radius on Ebay and Autotrader. Almost all of them were shagged or had evidence of having been down the road at some point that were only visible to my uncle's expert eye, not mine.

Make sure you check it out, I ended up with a Hornet and I'm now quite glad I did, its a lot roomier yet still light and very post-DAS newbie friendly. Oh and a good 30 or so bhp quicker too
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[m0l0t0v]

[Sam_Y_93]

I'm fairly set on one, I mean they're so pretty

Have had the thoughts of getting something like a Hornet but I feel I would be disappointed if I never got the chance to own one of these. Plus I'm pretty short so an NC30 would be good for me

I don't really fancy buying without looking either.
Might just let it slip and wait a while, My test isn't until early September any way, although I'm really hoping for a cancellation
____________________
Bikes Past: Yamaha Aerox (sold) Yamaha R125 (written off)
Bikes Current: Honda VFR 400 (awaiting restoration) Honda CB600f F-4
Theory passed July 21st Mod1 passed August 3rd Mod 2 passed 26th August

[m0l0t0v]

It's not height. It's leg length that's the issue.

NC30's are pretty, but I find Hornets prettier, when done right

Try not to "set" yourself on one. They are nice but can be money pits and has been said before, getting second hand parts is a pita. I would know

Edit:

Doovy off here is a short arse with short legs and rides a Hornet 6. He does have a cut down seat though, but as far as I know it's easy to do.
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'99 Hornet 600 , VFR 400 NC30 '92 , Kasawamasaki GT 550 , '98 Hornet 600
**\Tarmacsurfer/** said: It's that immaculately manly coiffure of yours isn't it. One glimpse of your virile locks and the punters can't wait to buy whatever it is you suggest, as it might let them be just a little bit like the Adonis that is our very own Molly Doovydoo said: Its not my fault I can't get it up properly, I just wasn't blessed

[Slacker24seve...]

[Sam_Y_93]

Last big bike a sat on was a Speed Four and I struggled with it, not sure how they compare to others.

I'm not sure about Hornets being prettier, I agree they are nice bikes but come on have you seen craigs23 NC30? that is a thing of sheer beauty.

I will keep on looking at others, but I think I will steer towards the NC30 how ever much you lot try and convince me
____________________
Bikes Past: Yamaha Aerox (sold) Yamaha R125 (written off)
Bikes Current: Honda VFR 400 (awaiting restoration) Honda CB600f F-4
Theory passed July 21st Mod1 passed August 3rd Mod 2 passed 26th August

[ms51ves3]

[RussG]

I'm in a similar situation. Always loved NC30's. Heard they can become expensive but the whine makes up for it. The second one is nicer IMO.
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Geek, father, biker

[Sam_Y_93]

Well I think I'm about 5'6" and my leg length is around 30 if not a little less.

The second one isn't the proper Repsol colours I believe, it hasn't got the right wheels which puts me off it a bit
____________________
Bikes Past: Yamaha Aerox (sold) Yamaha R125 (written off)
Bikes Current: Honda VFR 400 (awaiting restoration) Honda CB600f F-4
Theory passed July 21st Mod1 passed August 3rd Mod 2 passed 26th August

[Slacker24seve...]

[tahrey]

In response to the original question: No, no, no, no, no, no, no and NO.

Totally not worth it mate.
Unless you've surveyed the local scene for a while and determined none ever turn up in half that radius (if you're a centre-west midlander, I understand the problem - there's bugger all decent automotive stuff nearby for some reason - but if you sit it out things DO turn up within a 25~50 mile range), have your heart absolutely unswayably deadset on that particular model, and either have the funds and time to do at least one 700 mile round trip (either viewing and deciding it's crap, or leaving it to chance and buying it unseen) or maybe two... Bear in mind that means an entire day of travel (10h @ an ambitious 70mph average, no stops, and really not much less overall on train or plane... don't even consider national express!) for maybe an hour on-site, and that's if you leave early and get home just in time to grab dinner and head to bed, and at least £100 in various costs e.g. fuel or tickets. More if you pussy out and grab a travellodge room.

BTW It's previous trouble with sight unseen distance buying of automotive materials that means I try to see anything costing 3 figures or up in person beforehand, or at least do a personal pickup so I can have it out with the seller if it doesn't match the description.

Patience, young jedi.

[Spit-Fire]

[G]

[Spit-Fire]

fair point,
but they are identical to ones sold on ebay
(they are surprising very good quality)
and the colour match between the tank and side fairings, in the photo in the best light looks like they are not a perfect match, suggesting they were not painted at the same time and/or by the same person.

also when dream machine do a rep...
don't they do the wheels too?
or like the op said, its would kind of be a incomplete job


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they say the good die young... i say we just live faster

[G]

Fair enough re the ones on ebay, I haven't checked.
Dream machine are pretty random when it comes to dealer jobs, especially if it's not going to make the dealer much, they probably won't send them the wheels, as that's a fair bit more hassle.

[instigator]

I've had 29 bikes so far and approximately 20 of them, maybe even 25 of them have all been bought off eBay. I have not viewed them before going to collect with the cash but I am a fairly good judge of character so try and build up a decent rapport via email before bidding. Which is always done at the last moment.

I don't recommend it for new buyers or for people that just don't know what they're looking for. Ultimately, if you win the bike, spend money to go get it and it's not as described, you walk away.

Only one time did one bike cause issues upon collection but the seller got it taken to a garage and I stayed at theirs for 3 hours whilst it was fixed. Had they not offered to fix it, I'd have spent the £50-80 on a train ticket back and just take it on the chin. It's always a risk but it's a calculated risk.

[dextersaurus]

Those are lovely bikes, but as said they CAN get expensive, and they aint really suited for the road due to the physical size of them - take it to the track and it'll shine through.

If i had seen this sooner i'd have mentioned i'm heading to dunfermline tonight so i could have had a look at it for you but now that the times are all set i can't.

Hope you find one though matey, have a look at the ZXR400s too, the newer UK models are lovely

Dunc

[m0l0t0v]

[Spit-Fire]

[m0l0t0v]