Buying a pre-crashed bike - Advice???

[funmonkee]

Hello everyone. I'm thinking of buying a bike that has been crashed by the first owner. The damage is cosmetic, no bent frame or forks etc. The current owner (number 2) doesn't know if there's been an insurance claim... how does this affect the bike and my insurance of the bike if I buy it?

Any advice really appreciated.
____________________
**** Don't ride faster than your angel can fly Get this Free Space
The democratically elected Mod of the Scottish Section - The Peoples Choice[b]

[McJamweasel]

Do a HPI check on it, that will tell you if its been written off.

If its not, and you are sure its straight then go for it, just remember to reduce the price according to the damage.
____________________
BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

[Mr.Everready]

[funmonkee]

Thanks, thats kindof what I was thinking. However If the HPI returns with a claim against the bike what can that do to my insurance?? Does it push up the insurance premium or does it just limit me to insuring the bike at a certain value/level? Or is there any nasty surprises that I should be made aware of?

The current (2nd) owner does not know if the bike has an insurance claim against it. He has all the papers for the original purchase and V5 etc but doesn't know and wasn't offering to check. The damage to the bike hasn't been fixed he wasn't bothered by the damage as it's cosmetic and the bike handles and rides just fine. The bike is being offered as a "Cheap Bike".

Thanks for your help

PS the bike has 8 months MOT and road tax. The left side fairing is cracked but stable. The fuel tank is badly dented - all in all from what I can see about £200 would fix all the cosmetic problems.
____________________
**** Don't ride faster than your angel can fly Get this Free Space
The democratically elected Mod of the Scottish Section - The Peoples Choice[b]

[Mr.Everready]

Insurance should not be an issue for you, you don't get asked when you apply.

Ask the seller why he didn't check to see if it was an insurance claim. He bought it in damaged condition.

I suppose it would all depend on what bike it is and how much he wants for it. Also why did he not fix it after buying it damaged ?

[funmonkee]

The guy wasn't bothered by the damage so never fixed it.
____________________
**** Don't ride faster than your angel can fly Get this Free Space
The democratically elected Mod of the Scottish Section - The Peoples Choice[b]

[Mr.Everready]

[funmonkee]

Thanks for the advice. I will try to be careful,,,but you know what it's like a different bike to ride and seemingly good deal - about as irresistable as you can get....
____________________
**** Don't ride faster than your angel can fly Get this Free Space
The democratically elected Mod of the Scottish Section - The Peoples Choice[b]

[Mr.Everready]

[Kickstart]

Hi

If it has been written off as a category a or b write off then it cannot go back on the road. Think a category c needs an official inspection.

You also need to check for any other damage that is not so obvious, such as damaged lock stops, damaged swinging arm from the exhaust touching it (very common on the R1, and the swinging arm is stupid money from Yamaha), bent fairing brackets, etc.

All the best

Keith
____________________
Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[funmonkee]

Thanks all good advice. Cheers.
____________________
**** Don't ride faster than your angel can fly Get this Free Space
The democratically elected Mod of the Scottish Section - The Peoples Choice[b]