TRX850 opinions and prices

[Nick 50]

So I was hope to garner the opinion of the BCF masses.

On my quest to find a replacement for the CBR i've done nothing but window shop for the last few months.
Recently a TRX850 has come up on e-bay in my area. The problem is the price.

The TRX850 did not sell well in the years it was on sale (1996-2000). It was Yamaha's attempt at replicating a Ducatti. Due to this not many are about, but the ones that are have a varied price range from £1000 to £2500.

The one i'm looking at:
https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280973654177#ht_500wt_1414

It looks in really good condition, registered in 96 and fairly low miles.

His first attempt just ended a few hours ago with 5 bids, with the highest being £1260.
I messaged the bloke selling it inquiring about it. He has relisted it with a reserve of £1900 .

I have checked completed listings for TRX850's. Apart from his there has been 4 others. 3 were auctions which got no bids at all and one with classified price, again did not sell.

I'm going to watch the auction, though I doubt if the highest bid first time round was £1260, I can't see how it's going to suddenly jump up to the £1900.
In an ideal world I would buy the bike but not at the price he wants. How do I put over nicely that a 16 yr old bike isn't worth what he thinks it is.

I know............ another case of buyer over-pricing, seller wants it cheap.

Coupling that with the time of year it is, fewer buyers around, what would you say it's worth?

TL;DR version, what do you think the bike is worth in the e-bay link?
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......

[Zen Dog]

I think its worth pretty much what it went for the first time. Chucking some blingy tat at a bike doesnt make it worth more. Those front wavey discs are chinese, I've got a set on the VFR.

If he's hoping for £1900+ i think he's unrealistic tbh.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[Nick 50]

[Zen Dog]

Ah, different to mine then, they're "Arashi", but very similar. I wouldn't worry too much about it, but my point is that it doesn't add to the value of the bike in any way.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[Springbok_Rider]

That would look awesome with a naked front. I guess you can offer him £1500 and if he doesn't sell it in a couple of weeks he might fold.

[Shaft]

Mileage is nice, condition appears to be good, but the seller seems to think that the mods add significant value; to me, it looks like he's crashed it into an accessory shop.

I would view that as a project that can be used and value it accordingly, same way as I did my XJ; the guy that was selling that thought it was worth a grand and spent months advertising it, I ended up buying it for less than half that, when he switched to an auction.

If you really want it (keeping in mind the TRX is a real marmite bike and you might not like it, then get stuck with it) you know what he wants, so put in a reasonable offer; if you aren't that fussed, put it on your watch list and dive in at the last minute, when he gets bored/real and offers it on the open market.
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[Nick 50]

[UnspeedySam]

I love my TRX. It is a real marmite bike though, as has been said. The clutch is quite heavy and grabby, it'll get a bit upset (as with any big twin) if you shut off mid-corner and it uses a little bit of oil. HOWEVER it is by far the single most fun bike I've ever ridden, I have no worries about it breaking down as long as I keep an eye on the oil and it looks and sounds bloody nice.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/305035_10151105368479921_586211014_n.jpg

You can take a spin on mine if you're ever down south, but unfortunately Sunderland is quite way away. I would consider getting rid of it for a 600 super sports purely because I've not owned one yet, but the insurance is MUCH cheaper on the TRX,

edit: I paid £1100 for mine but it needed a new rear disc and evoboy had crashed it (rear wheel bearing seized) so there is some right side scuffing which doesn't bother me. It is a 97 with 35000 miles then and 38000ish now.
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[Springbok_Rider]

[T0MMY]

[Springbok_Rider]

[T0MMY]

I do like that

I was looking at getting a TRX850 a while back. I think they used to be pretty cheap but I reckon the prices have gone up a bit lately, maybe just because of the rarity. Mind you the prices of all bikes seem to have gone up
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ZX6R + CBR600RR

[Nick 50]

[Zen Dog]

That moto guzzi is gorgeous, simple, unfussy, low key and beautifully balanced. But the Twig TRX looks badly proportioned to me, a bit...gangly.

The normal TRX is still a good looking bike though, and with beechbone's colourscheme its a winner.

Zen Dog
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Current - '94 VFR750FR (Dead), '00 VFR800FI, 2011 CBF125 Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[Springbok_Rider]

"Sometimes in change we find our true direction. Only those risk who risk going to far, can possibly find out how far they can go. Your aspirations are your possibilities." - I like that, particularly the last sentence.

The Moto Guzzi certainly pulls it off better. There is a Monster version here in Australia which is smart: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ducati-monster-cafe-racer-custom-naked-v-twin-sport-classic-offers-trade-ins-/290772028983?pt=AU_Motorcycles&hash=item43b35d0e37#ht_1929wt_1271 - I think that would suit me just fine!

However, if you wanted to go that route with a TRX i'm sure you would be a proud owner. I would keep the more modern exhausts though.

[Vincent]

What's the chances that "Twig" charge a fortune for their parts and are grossly overpriced? I don't even need to look at their price list.
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Space Is Deep

[Nick 50]

[Vincent]

Aye......there's way too many companies do it but people still fall for it. If you know anything about manufacturing and production methods, you can soon work out the profit margin. Oooooh! It really gets my goat If people didn't fork out, they'd do one and make way for more competitive prices. I don't like the look of their exhaust brackets either
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Space Is Deep

[robs321]

Watch out for gear box problems, I seem to remember my mates one jumping out of 2nd or 3rd a lot but he was lucky as it was repared under warranty. I found it a bit dull to ride when I had a go and was happy to give it back!