Buying Cat C write off as a first bike

[gotomuzzi]

Hi all, I passed my mod1 & 2 last year, sold my 125 before the worst of the winter and I'm now looking to buy my first bike bike. I have about £4000 to spend, could maybe go up to £5k. Originally I planned on getting a moto guzzi v7, however I changed my mind and lately I've been looking at the MT-07s and MT-09s. I just missed an 07 on gumtree in my area that I've been kicking myself over. I spotted this on eBay today, which I would put in the same category as the MT07 and Er6n. It looks in really good nick, the mileage is low, it's cheap due to the Cat C marker, the add says it was flood damaged. I must admit I'm tempted but I don't know if it would need some kind of test before it could go back on the road, I would be buying blind and I wouldn't see it until it got delivered and I'm not sure how easy it would be to sell on two years down the line. I have googled CB650 vs MT07 etc but I can't really find much about the Honda. So my question is would you buy it?
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB-650-FA-E-2015-15-DAMAGED-REPAIRABLE-/172150086883?nav=SEARCH

[M.C]

Hi, damaged repairable means it'll need work before going back on the road, but no there isn't a test before putting it back on the road.

4k will get you a good MT-07, maybe an MT-09 (I saw one with bad gravel rash go for 4k recently).

CB650F is the replacement for the Hornet... heavier and with less power. Not ridden one so can't comment on how 'fun' they're, but personally the MT-07/09 are more appealing.

[Val]

[Pjay]

[talkToTheHat]

It's the damage you can't see that's the issue. I'd not buy a suspect bike unless I could afford for it to be a fail.

I have three ebay guitars in need of neck repairs in the post. Paid no more than 40quid each. I might not get any of them playable, i might get all 3 playable. I'll be happy if i get one playable.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[arry]

[Rogerborg]

[ShakeNBake]

I wouldn't spend 4k on a written off first big bike personally.

You've got no idea what could be wrong with it, and you defo don't want to be thrown off in the middle of a ride due to a mechanical failure of some kind.

[M.C]

Bikes from these salvage companies generally seem overpriced. By the time you've put them back on the road they're at or near what you would have spent for a non-crashed/stolen/flooded bike, and you might have trouble selling it on/have to sell it for less.

The Paddy method is best

[P.]

[derillius24]

You have a budget of 4-5k and you're looking at blind-buying a 'flood damaged' Cat C?

You mad, bro?!


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CG125, CBF250, DRZ400-SM, Z750, Street Triple R, Tuono V4R

[M.C]

[gotomuzzi]

What about bikes that have a high mileage (for their age), would that put you off? There is an MT09 within my budget but it's got 18000 miles which is a lot for a newish bike so obviously well used. Looking again maybe the cat c CB650 isn't the best idea as the main thing I need from this bike is reliability, the weather is so shit and I sometimes don't get much time off so I want to be able to just enjoy the bike without having to fix problems every time I use it, hence looking at newer bikes. There is also a very nice 2012 street triple r that's local to me but it's up for 5.7k and by the time i add insurance then it will be more than I had planned on spending. I like the sound of the MT07, it sounds like a fun bike, it's cheaper to insure but then I read comments about the build quality being a bit poor. Decisions decisions!

[M.C]

MT-09 & 07 are made a bit cheaper. With regards to higher mileage bikes, it depends if it has been looked after (service history or receipts?). Also worth checking service intervals, you don't want to buy a bike that's close to a big service.

Also don't mention a Striple on this forum, once suggested there's no alternative

[gotomuzzi]

[Bigvern72]

I wouldn't buy a cat c bike as my first big bike - but that's just personal thought. I'd be wanting dealer security (which the sale of goods act changes which became law in Oct 2015 basically give you the consumer almost all the rights) just for that piece if mind

Unless ofc you're a mechanical genius etc
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Tracer 700 (66) and Triumph America (65) - current rides
Yamaha xj600 diversion and Honda cb125f (65) - both 'retired'

[Rogerborg]

[M.C]

[arry]

[Rogerborg]

[Bigvern72]

[M.C]

There are enough stories of people struggling to get dealers to fix issues for me not to bother with them. I think as Rogerborg once said, you're buying the exact same bikes (as available privately), you're just paying more for them, and getting further raped if you trade in a bike with them.

[arry]

[Rogerborg]

The Great Borgholio.

Mmm, as noted earlier, you actually weaken your position by test riding the bike.

Standard dealer response is to tell you to get fluxxed even when the bike is a lemon out of the showroom.

Granted, you might get some of your money back, eventually. I went down the small claim route with SEAT UK many years ago and they caved the night before the court date. But it's a slow process that requires a fair bit of time to prepare your case.

I'd honestly prefer to buy private and use the money saved to just fix any problems.
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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

[M.C]

Dealers are amazing... "RECORDED AS CAT C HENCE SOLD AS SEEN WITH NO WARRANTY ETC"

Explain that one to me please?