Buying a motorcycle that is far away

[Snop Doog]

The time has come, I am now able to buy a motorcycle but I need some advice. Over 300 miles away there's a CBR 125 that I have my eye on that's on eBay and it seems to be in decent condition, but I am fully aware that I shouldn't trust the pictures/description as I'll simply never know the truth.

Bikes closer to me are far more expensive, every so often a bargain will pop up, but they're snatched up instantly. My mind is telling me that I should just wait until something close by pops up however I also feel like I'd be missing out on bikes in good condition that are sold elsewhere for "low" prices.

What's the procedure for getting a bike that's xxx miles away (or just too far to go and see) and having them delivered to you?

What's the BCF take on it? I'd greatly appreciate helpful advice.

Thanks in advance!

[mattyfattyboo...]

If it's that much cheaper just rent a van for the day and go collect it? Also, ring up and get the seller to do a walk round while on the phone to you, ask for every little scratch and mark on it as he goes over it.

[Doovy]

Where is it? There may be a friendly BCF member who might be able to go take a look for you.

London prices are not really *that much more expensive* to be honest in my experience - but perhaps more demand.
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[Baffler186]

Skype/Facetime or whatever. AT least you will have a reasonable idea if it starts and runs ok. BCF member would be idealer though.

I've just run a quote for Enterprise, and a Transit or similar is £20 per day. With your fuel that's still cheaper than most vehicle couriers I would think. Be aware though, the prices quoted (for Enterprise anyway) include NO damage waivers, so if you get a stone chip to the glass you'll be looking at paying for it, or paying their very high excess (£750 I think).
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Current: 2009 SV650 S, 1990 Kawasaki GT550
Previous: 2009 CBF125, 1998 GSF600, 2004 FZ6 Fazer, 1978 CB400a Hondamatic

[Snop Doog]

The bike is is Annan, Dumfries and Galloway. Unfortunately, although the van rental is a great idea, I just don't think I'll be able to use that method. The listing is an auction that's got a couple of days to go and it's got 0 bids, I doubt I'll get it for anywhere near the price it is now but I'm not going to lose hope.

There is a CBR near me that is said to be in good condition, it just appears to be extremely dirty. It's 6 miles away from me and it's going for £700, maybe that would be a better option?

The Skype idea is something I didn't think of, but it's great, I may end up doing that.


I appreciate the fast replies and the information that's been given to me so far!

[TheArchitect]

As said, prices aren't that much cheaper oop-north but due to less demand (perhaps) they tend to be on the market long enough for you to find them.

The saving you are likely to make on this bike will be negated by the cost of your travel up to pick it up or the courier cost.

I've considered distance buying before and have asked the same question on this forum. Depending on whether you can afford to inadvertently buy a dog, it's safer to not risk buying unseen/untested.

Getting a mate or BCFer to check it our for you is a good idea but there's still the matter of getting the bike home.

I would look closer to home as the right bike is bound to pop up. Try other sites (autotrader, gumtree, preloved) or even the local bike dealerships as you'll see bikes on them that aren't listed anywhere else.

Good luck though

PS. I doubt the seller will leave the bike at 0 bids, will probably pull it off ebay before auction ends.
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GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[Rogerborg]

Are you sure it's far away? CBR125s are very ...

https://www.mr-tee.ie/media/ideabubble/LPT-1194/photos/38/products/002-smallfaraway.png

Sorry, Annan is too far for me to jaunt down there. I'd really recommend going for a local bike. Factor in the risk of buying sight unseen, the shipping or van cost (excess mileage charges!) and the time, and it'd have to be a proper cut-me-own-throat bargain.
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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

[XBIKER]

I have absolutely no knowledge of Ebay auctions etc but I would question why a "bargain?" bike in decent condition has received 0 bids with two days to go.
As you have mentioned, any decent bargains in your area vanish very quickly so what is the difference with this one in Annan?

Be careful out there.........

[c_dug]

I've gambled a few times and bought bikes unseen, not bought a complete lemon yet, that said I wouldn't recommend it by any means. I find in gerneral you get a really good idea about the type of seller you're dealing with from the advert itself, properly written and decent pictures and I'd be far more willing to bid unseen compared to spelling mistakes and dodgy night time back of the garage 1 megapixel phone camera.

Really no need to look much further than 10-20 miles outside the m25 unless you've really found a proper bargain. Perhaps more demand inside the m25, but more supply too so it sort of balances out.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[RedPanda]

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v624/philr46/supply_zps8ff27a1b.jpg
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CBF125 (2013) -> CBR600F (2001) -> 'Ninja' 300 (2014)

[Snop Doog]

Once again thanks for the posts. I'll give that bike a miss. There is one 6 miles away from me so I think I'll contact the seller. Karma will be awarded when I get get on my pc.

[monkeybiker]

For a 125 I would stick with local bikes and don't limit yourself to a cbr125.

If it was for your dream bike that you will keep for a good length of time then it may be worth a trip but not for a 125.

[Snop Doog]

[Rogerborg]

Might as well consider YBR125s as well.

Have you had a go on a CBR125? They're rather teeny.
____________________
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

[Snop Doog]

[Doovy]

I'd consider a Varadero if I had to be on a 125.
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[petalbriefs]

I know where there might be a slightly scratched CBR going cheap shortly.............................................
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Proud owner of an R6 + ZXR400
Honda CBR 125 R - Stolen

[Beehive Bedlam]

Buy my Varadero £400.

[Nash GT]

Whatever you do , DO NOT BUY the bike above !
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Suzuki GSF600N

[daffy]

I went from mid wales to pompy to get my first bike in dads van. All it cost was derv. Doubt it would have been worth it if i had to rent a van but saving 100 or two and a road trip is fine by me.
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2000 zx6r

a b be b1 c ce c1 c1e f k p 10m swimming

[chris-red]

[stevo as b4]

It's true what people say. You are buying a 125cc bike, of which there are quite a high number of machines available for sale at any one time. Also say your definitely only getting a CBR125 and nothing else, there is still a fair number of this exact make and model around the country. For a pretty popular bike, I'd travel no more than 40miles at best, and it may pay you to be patient for a local down the road bike to pop up. If say 2-3months go buy and your desperate to buy, then cast your net further, or widen your list of potential makes and models to get a bite sooner.

If it was a rare bike, just an example say a Honda MVX250, (really rare bike), then if you really wanted one, you'd have to be prepared to travel to wherever the few that may be for sale crop up.

But generally 125's are if your not looking for obscure European stuff fairly common and it probably wont take long to find something decent in any big town or city.

Bear in mind that if you buy something on Ebay your bidding to own and not mess people about. I find the safest way to buy vehicles on Ebay is buy them as non runners, spares/repairs or project fodder.

I have however over the last 6years brought or owned at least 2vehicles sources via Ebay that were either immaculate or just very very clean and needed only basic work to make them really nice and run really well.

[mattyfattyboo...]

I've always said to people who dont want to travel far to buy a car that it's often the second biggest purchase of someones life so might as well travel for the right one.

I guess if I was buying a £1000 bargain basement motor it wouldnt be worth going miles away, same with cheaper bikes. All depends on the saving available my traveling. When I collected my old CB it cost me £35 for a van and £20 in fuel, plus obviously my time.

Given how popular they are I'd go down the route you are of looking closer to home I think.

[Rogerborg]

[Snop Doog]

I have discovered that I'll be getting some help paying for a bike, looks like I won't have to travel very far now as I'll be buying a bike from a dealership (wasn't my call, but I don't mind). Looks like I'll be adding the YZF-R125 to the list of possible bikes.


Out of the other bikes, the YZF is probably what I'll settle on though as it appeals to me the most.

I guess we'll find out in the next few weeks what route I chose...

Thanks again for the inputs!