What bikes are best for buying and selling?

[harjxp]

Hi there I've tried looking over the internet for a clear cut answer to this but haven't found much help. Maybe i'm looking in the wrong places?

I'm a beginner to larger cc bikes (i.e 600 and above) (and to this forum site) but increasingly getting into this great hobby. I've dealt with quite a lot of 125cc bikes though.

Also might as well mention that I'm under the age to be able to ride these larger bikes (legally speaking but otherwise perfectly able) so my transportation will be vans, trailers and deliveries to my home.

My question is which bikes are best for buying and selling? I.e what brands, any year models that I should avoid? Should i stick to only Japanese bikes? and anything else you think might help me.

Im open to any type whether thats cruisers or sportsbikes etc. I would be selling on the likes of gumtree, facebook marketplace, ebay etc and doing so for obviously a bit of profit and also just to expand my knowledge of this hobby and have fun along the way.

Thanks

[sickpup]

Cheap ones that run and need no work to make a profit.

[harjxp]

[MarJay]

It's harder than you think. You need to know the bikes upside down and inside out. Not in terms of mechanicals but in terms of their uses, their quirks, why owners buy, why owners sell, why owners keep them. Bikes aren't like cars. The people who buy are by definition enthusiasts. If your knowledge is not as good as the buyer, they'll eat you alive or walk away.

I don't think you can make a profit unless you know your onions. I've sold the last 4 bikes I've owned for what I paid, or £100 or so more than what I paid, but I've generally put money into them during my ownership time. I've been riding for 20 years and know every bike I buy very well.

I almost started doing as you intend to do during a period of being between jobs, but I realised it's a good way to throw money down the drain unless you're completely ruthless and can trade with zero emotion. I don't think I can do that so I didn't bother. I have made money on bikes, but I've owned them, I've ridden them, and I've cherished them in between times. Flipping them doesn't generally work as far as I can tell.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[arry]

[harjxp]

[wr6133]

[Tdibs]

[quote="harjxp"]

[MarJay]

Ok... if you know better than us, and can make money from it, why are you asking? I certainly wouldn't be advertising the fact if I were in your position.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[arry]

[Ste]

Buy that ZX7R and then try to sell it to us.

If it's in good condition and you can get it for £950 then you'll easily be able to get a decent profit and the buyer would still be getting a bargain.

Or you might get to discover that your definition of good condition is different to what other people think.

It sounds like you're wanting to buy from people who're undervaluing their bike when trying to sell it. If you can browse through thousands of listings on eBay and pick out the ones which are easily worth more than the asking price then go for it.

Buy the ZX7R and sell it to us. Do it now.

[arry]

The other slight point of order here is that cheap good bikes get sold in a lot less than a day or two.

[wr6133]

[stinkwheel]

Push bikes. You can pretty much name your price at the moment.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Robby]

I think this is a terrible idea, but there are three things I have found over the years.

1. You make the money when you buy, not when you sell. You need to be buying cheap. This means being the first one to turn up with a van and cash.
2. 125s are the easiest to sell. The buyers don't know what they are buying, and the money often comes from a parent. Your job is to get on with the customer's dad.
3. Sales go a lot quicker if I'm wearing overalls and my work bench is tidy. Looks like I know what I'm doing.

In this case I would be trying to move cheap Chinese 125s and scooters with a long MOT.

[Bhud]

[oilyrag]

If you're good at lying and have no shame and no morals you'll make money buying and selling bikes and cars.

[Kentol750]

Was the zxr750 in the uk until 95ish. And then it was unchanged till 2003.
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Some bikes.

[struan80]

Pick an Iconic motorcycle from the 70's, 80's or 90's then wait. What is deemed an iconic bike is another matter.

[zark]

+1 for 125s being where the profit is.
Always a demand for the solid performers, CG, YBR etc...
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CBT - Oct 13. Theory - July 14. Mod 1 & 2 - June 15.
Rides a Fazer like an idiot... Edit: Now ride a Fazer Thou...

[Blah blah]

Presumably the OP has informed HMRC that they are a trader and is fully aware of the implications that go with being a trader...

[winz]