Advice for buying a GSXR 1000 K8

[s0urc3]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a 1000cc supersport and after having seen hundreds of reviews, videos, photos, not to mention looking at bikes all over the place as well, I've decided upon a GSXR 1000, preferably a K8.

I've found a local dealer with a used GSXR K8 in black. The dealer were not initially receptive nor particularly nice to deal with. Here are the details:

- 22k on the clock (used previously by one owner as a workhorse)
- Minor scuffs and marks here and there
- Tyres are illegal and so need replacing
- Nice Yoshi exhaust
- Data tool alarm (older type, so I'd have that removed promptly)
- They've had it for around 3 months or so
- Tax until April 2014, they'll do an MOT, the recall service on the brake caliper and a new battery / general checks etc.

Overall though, a nice bike.

They had it up at £5350, more expensive than other examples I've seen with under half that mileage. The most I could get them down to was £5k, plus £200 for new tyres (Pirelli Angel Tyres). So in total they want £5200 and it doesn't seem as if they'll budge from that figure despite my very best efforts / quite a lot of experience with sales.

I asked if they would throw in the tyres for free, they said "no but nice try" in so many words.

So my question is, what would you do in my situation?

It's the biggest potential purchase of my life so far, so definitely worth an ask.

Cheers guys
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[Hetzer]

Why aren't you going for any of the ones with "half that mileage"?
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[s0urc3]

Distance and colour primarily, not that those are particularly important in the grand scheme of things. Though because it's a significant purchase for me, I'm trying to find the best bike at the best possible price point I can.

Having said that, mileage should probably take precedence over the distance to travel in order to buy and colour.

22k isn't necessarily high mileage, though to me, £5.2k seems quite a high price point.

In your opinion, would you say that price is high considering all the details?
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[recman]

Either bite the bullet and pay the £5.2k but then again if you think its overpriced, don't do it or wait until just before xmas then try again or look elsewhere.
I'd have another pop just before xmas myself, you know it'll still be there and the likelihood of free rubber should increase.

What year is the bike btw?

[s0urc3]

Thanks recman, it's an 08
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[Hetzer]

I wouldn't buy 2nd-hand from any dealer, and certainly not from one who doesn't make the bike road-legal before putting it up for sale. I guess you'd get some kind of warranty with it but does it sound like he'd give you an easy time if you needed to claim something on it? Regardless, it sounds like you've already had friction with him and that would be the final clincher for me.

Find a private pride & joy.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[s0urc3]

Thanks Hetzer, you're probably right, the same thoughts crossed my mind.

It doesn't take much to say "Hello" and have someone guide you through the process, especially when you're looking to make a big purchase.

Someone else also mentioned the fact that they hadn't made it road legal before selling and want to charge me for it instead.

Cheers
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[waffles]

Walk away and start searching eBay, Autotrader, Pistonheads, here, GixerJunkies etc. Find a better private sale as the dealership is clearly not interested in selling that bike to you. Having a bike with "illegal" tyres and then making you pay to put others on? Fuck off. Why are they illegal? Why aren't they making the bike road legal before it is put out in the showroom?
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[s0urc3]

Hi Waffles,

I know, it seemed ridiculous to me as well.

It's a Crescent Suzuki dealership. Apparently they're switching to a Honda Franchise next year, they've had this particular bike for over 3 months, it's a good time of year to buy a bike, they need to shift stock, so why they've been the way they have is beyond me.

The tyres have next to no tread on them what so ever and definitely need to be replaced.

Never mind, I'm sure I'll find something decent soon enough (or at least I hope)
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[Musketeer]

Walk away...
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Current Bike: Yamaha XSR900 Previous bikes: Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX-6R Ninja, Aprilia RS125 2-stroke

[1198]

They aren't even allowed to sell a bike for you to use on the road that's not legal!
Tell 'em to bash it. There's more people wanting to sell GSXRs in better condition, with less miles than they will be customers want to buy a tatty snotter.
Buy a Autotrader, look on eBay, look around then offer a friend a few quid in petrol / diesel, or leap on your current bike and look around! If you are one wanting to buy you're in a strong position!

[janner_10]

Walk in with £4.5k in cash and wave it in front of his face. Show him you are serious about buying it with the cash in your hand. If he refuses - walk away.

If its been sat there for 3 months - he will want to turn it into cash most likely.
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Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[Sako]

Good condition K5 1000, is a better choice.

[Rogerborg]

[Cheeseybeaner]

Hard to see the point of buying a used bike from a dealer if they aren't even interested in ensuring that their bike is good to go before it leaves their hands! What sort of after sale come back would you get from them if that's their initial attitude!? Doesn't sound like they take much pride in their work...I've never bought from a dealer myself, don't see the attraction or the need. I would have thought that if there was any benefit in paying the extra though then that'd be in knowing the bike had been fettled properly before sale, in this case it looks like they can't even be bothered!
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My bikes: 2003 KAWASAKI ZRX1200R, 1996 YAMAHA DIVERSION XJ900S

[1198]

You could use the RTA (and sale of goods act too I'd guess) to get the tyres for nothing - their responsibility to sell goods fit for purpose - but I'd say they would be reluctant to give any type of after sales service if you'd gone that route. That would kind of negate the benefits of paying dealer prices...

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

So let me get this straight.

You've seen private examples for the same money with half the mileage, yet you'd rather get a tattier example for the same money from a dealer whom has already shown themselves to be uncooperative?

That's makes complete sense.......
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My Flickr

[waffles]

Depending on how far you are prepared to travel, there are some tidy examples on ebay at the moment that are private sales.

This one has 9k on the clocks but a crappy writeup and not many pictures. £5000 in black and its a K8.

You can spend the same (or less) and get more for your dosh!
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[bladerunner]

I would play the waiting game and be prepared to travel. £5.2k for a bike that if you do 4000 miles a year on will be getting on miles wise in 24 months....half the miles on a cheaper bike and your going to get 5 years out of it before it has the same wear and tear as that example.
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's