About to purchase first bike (XJ6) - need advice please!

[MrPeriPeri]

Hi all,

Looking for some advice.

I have been doing my DAS training on a Yamaha XJ6 and I really like the bikes.

I have found one for sale and agreed a price with the seller, however I have a few concerns. Here are the details:

2009 Yamaha XJ6N
No damage at all - described as mint
1 owner from new
Just under 10k miles
Only has 1 service stamp at 4500 miles
Since then has covered 5000 miles in the last 4 years (it seems he purchased another bike and kept the XJ6 which was the lesser used)
Owner has (apparently) changed the oil and filter every year, but doesn't have any supporting receipts
I understand it would be due a major service this year (or at 12k miles) where all fluids will be changed
All 3 keys present
V5 present
5 months tax remaining
MOT until May 2015 - but does not have any of the old MOT certificates. Isn't it possible for me to look these up online to verify the mileage of the bike?
Brand new front tyre
Rear tyre has about 2mm left

I asked if he would agree to a mechanics inspection when I viewed the bike and he was not reluctant, so I assume he's not knowingly hiding anything.

Price agreed is £2,500 which seems very reasonable, including delivery to Surrey from Sussex by the owner.

So my concerns are the lack of previous MOT certificates to verify the mileage (although if I can check this online then no problem) and the lack of service history. I understand the XJ6 service interval is every 6k miles so I am not hugely concerned, but admittedly I don't know a huge amount about bikes.

Hence asking for advice here.

What do you think of this given the details? Would you take a punt on it for what seems like a bit of a bargain?

Obviously I would HPI check it before purchasing.

Thanks,

Phil

[Mudshark]

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history-vehicle

if you have the reg, and if you are going to HPI and a mechanic , go for it
____________________
R1250RS
XT660X

[MrPeriPeri]

Thanks.

I have the reg and the last MOT number so have verified the last MOT using that service - the mileage is correct according to what the seller has stated.

I will definitely do a HPI check prior to purchasing.

Any recommendation for a pre-purchase bike check service or rough cost?

[wristjob]

service history is over rated.
looking at the bike is a much better plan.
also take someone with you who hates the xj6(they will pick out the bad stuff and not the good)
look at the seller and his other vehicles,this will give you some idea of how he/she looks after stuff.
given the type of bike its unlikely that its had the speedo removed and has been someones track day toy for thousands of unrecorded miles.
make sure all the numbers on the bike/v5 are the same.
hpi to see if there is any recorded finance/insurance trouble.
is this a dealer or private individual? look at the v5 again.
you did your training on an xj6 are you sure thats the bike you "want" or are you just going with what you are used to?
dont buy the 1st bike you see cos you just passed your test! there are loads out there,shop around.

[djrikki]

Ive got the Div F version of this and love it. Jus' saying.
____________________
CBF125 (Rusty Bin) -> CBR125R (WeeBR) -> Yamaha XJ6 Diversion F -> Suzuki GSXR750 L1 -> Suzuki GSXR750 L1 (Mark2)
CBT: 01/11/13 - Theory : 01/05/14 - Mod 1 : 11/05/14 - Mod 2 : 14/05/14 - Yam Div F : 16/05/14 - Gixxer : 02/04/2015-15/07/2015 RIP - GixxerMk2 : 16/08/2015

[MrPeriPeri]

Thanks for the replies, I will consider all these points.

Well - it's not my dream bike, but I think it would be an ideal starter bike. It's nice to ride and seems fairly forgiving. The riding position is nice, having sat on a number of bikes in this sort of class.

What I really fancy is a Street Triple R - but that's out of budget and probably not as well suited as a starter bike. I think it would make a good second bike to upgrade to in the future though...

[brains_t]

Excellent bike and the naked is so much fun, just stick a flyscreen on to deal with motorways at naughty speeds. Good price if genuine I was offered £2600 trade in for mine (looking to get a Gixxer 750) 17k miles. naked and ABS.

I would do HPI check and look up the MOT to confirm mileage though at this age there will only be two. When I bought mine it was serviced yearly but as the owner was chopping it in before warrantly ended so was not bothered taking the book in.

They are very easy to service yourself but did he just change oil and filter. They need coolant changes, throttle bodies balance and pivots/cables greased.

[Rogerborg]

5 years old, 1 owner and £2,500? I wouldn't even HPI it. But I like to live on the edge.

I'd look in his mancave. If there's tools and such, cash in hand, ride, sign V5C.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[MrPeriPeri]

[MarJay]

It will only have had 1 MOT. It sounds suspiciously cheap IMO, but if it looks OK in the flesh I'd go for it. It's an understressed Yamaha. If it's not corroded and the brakes aren't seized then it'll run for 50,000 miles with infrequent servicing. Even if it's just had a first service and not been serviced until now, a good service should sort it.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Mudshark]

https://yamahaclub.com/forums/topic/31345-who-has-got-a-xj6-what-do-you-think-of-it/

https://www.600cc.org/forum/f87/service-intervals-18717/

HTH
____________________
R1250RS
XT660X

[Polarbear]

[davebike]

The current MOT will have the date silage of the last few mot's on it !!

This has been done for the last year or more
____________________
Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[Radis]

I got £3k for my Div-F on trade in not long ago. Very similar in description to your potential bike (1 owner, not crashed) but I had all the service stuff and it hadn't needed an MOT when I traded it in.

They are good bikes around town and OK on the twisty bits and motorways if very very dull... and uncomfortable after about an hour. Major numb bum.

I taught my wife to ride on it and after she passed her test it was her first big bike, she loved it until she rode my VFR and it all got put into perspective.

£2.5k is a great price if all is sound with it but you can get a lot of other bikes for £2.5k... having owned one for just under three years I would advise trying out some other bikes first.

[MrPeriPeri]

Thanks for the responses.

I have no doubt I'd be very pleased with an XJ6 so there's not really a question over if I woukd have one.

I should add though, whilst I can inspect the bike, I won't be able to test ride it as my Mod 2 is not for another 2 weeks. Whilst not ideal, I don't want to miss out on what could be a great deal.

Assuming everything else checks out and it's not obviously been neglected I would hope it will ride just fine.

The owner will also be riding it from Sussex to Surrey for me so if there was any major issues I assume it would be apparent.

Other than taking a ride as a pillion (not too keen on this to be honest, and not sure what I would actually get out of this) I will have to go with my gut feeling after inspecting the bike and meeting the owner.

[Robby]

It's unlikely to have any major problems. Keep enough back to give it a new rear tyre and a service. It may be suffering some of the effects from sitting too long - seized brake calipers, rusty chain, that sort of thing. Not expensive things to fix, usually just a bit of cleaning and labour.

If you like the bike and it fits your budget, go for it. If you don't like it you can sell it.

[MrPeriPeri]

What are the thoughts on the service upon purchase then? Are we talking just oil and filter change or would you recommend more than that?

Also thoughts on the fact I can't test ride? Is it worth a pillion ride or shall I just go on condiiton?

Thanks again.

[Rogerborg]

I would do, in this order.

Change oil and oil filter.

Clean lubricate and tension the chain while inspecting the sprockets and chain for wear.

Clean the air filter and replace if it's in a sorry state.

Replace the brake fluid. Clean the brake pistons while I'm at it.

Flush and replace the coolant.

Riiiiiiide.

There's nothing suspicious about that bike. And if I were that seller, I'd take the money from the first person to actually put it in my hand, so you may not want to keep dithering over it.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[MrPeriPeri]

Quick update to this.

I now have an immaculate condition Yamaha XJ6N sitting in my garage

Thanks for all the advice.

It's going to be a long 2 weeks now until my Mod 2 and, assuming I pass, and then I can ride the bike.

In the meantime I will be getting the bits together to service the bike.

I know this might be a silly question but obviously the bike will be sitting for the next 2 weeks. Is there anything I need to consider in regards to this? How long would the battery tend to last on a bike that's left sitting?

Thanks,

Phil

[SQL]

Just start it once every few days up to temp if you are that worried.

[Polarbear]

[Rogerborg]

Good man!

Batteries will last for months, especially in warm weather, but they last better if fully charged. I'd invest in a basic charger anyway (motorcycle specific or trickle!), as you'll going to benefit from having one sooner or later.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike