would you travel this far to get a bike?

[sinedtomuch]

Basically theres 2 options for bikes that I'm really interested in, i'll link them if forum rules permit.

I'm moving house to Barrow-in-Furness on the 26th August, so I will be looking to purchase around 31st August, assuming these 2 i'm interested in are still available.

Option 1: Its located down in Plymouth, a good 7 hour drive 350 miles. The bike is absolutely stunning, its a 58 plate R1, very tasteful mods, very pleasing on the eye, comes with loads of extras as the guy is giving up riding. 9k miles (probably won't be too hard to find now, cough its on biketrader), full service history, not a scratch, private sale. (ASSUMPTION: His description is accurate and hes not lying). £4500


Option 2: Its located 40 miles from me, 1 hour drive. The bike is really nice as well, however I prefer option 1, very few mods, no extras, 18k miles, full service history, dealership. £4500


I obviously have a clear favourite, however the distance is really putting me off and i'm tempted to settle for option 2 but will no doubt suffer from buyers remorse after a few days. Theres a few options with regards to getting option 1:

Get the train, pick up the bike, leave the extras included and ride home.
Get a courier to pick everything up, pay the seller once the courier confirms the bike, pay courier, get bike without ever seeing it.
Drag the misses with me in the car and have her drive home whilst I ride the bike home with the extras.

Buy option 2.


Thoughts? I've probably missed out loads of information that you need to know however I'm working on no sleep. Thanks!

[weasley]

If option 1 is what it claims to be and what you want, then add on the cost of going to get it to the price to work out what it will really cost and then if you can/want to afford this. Then consider that you might spend money on getting there and realise it's a shed and will have spent ££ on nothing.
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[sinedtomuch]

[NJD]

Wait until you've moved and see what's what is my advice. 20 days is plenty of time for other people cash in handy ready to act now to snap them up if they really are desirable if not then it's a bonus for you.
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The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶

[sinedtomuch]

[dodsi]

Wait 20 days and see what is around then.

On another note, my new car is due to be delivered around early september - Dear Auntie BCF what car should I look at next in 2 years when the lease expires?

[Hahadumball]

tell the guy in option 1 if its as he says it i you will pay his fuel to you and travel back and youll take it...

if hes described it as it is then winner

if not then derp for him
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[P.]

I would travel to Italy to pick up a bike if its one I really wanted and was happy to ignore minor blemishes that didn't come out well in the 50+ photos that the person sends me initially before I decide.

[MCN]

Motorbikes are a bit like wimin in some respects.

If you really fancy it and it is really worthy then it will wait for you.

If not then you are better off without it in the long run.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[sinedtomuch]

Has anyone had any experience of using a courier? I hear nowadays they do full inspections and the like before taking receipt of said bike.

[sinedtomuch]

[carpe_diem]

[sinedtomuch]

Option 1 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607316361247?search-target=usedbikes&make=yamaha&model=r1&price-to=5000&maximum-age=up_to_8_years_old&sort=default&radius=1500&searchcontext=default&postcode=la15hb&page=1&logcode=p&adPos=2

Options 2 - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201507305652054?search-target=usedbikes&make=yamaha&model=r1&price-to=5000&maximum-age=up_to_8_years_old&sort=default&radius=1500&searchcontext=default&postcode=la15hb&page=1&logcode=p&adPos=1


If this is against forum rules, i'll remove them.

[Pete.]

That 2008 bike is not stunning at all. It's tidy, nothing more. Study the photos better.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[sinedtomuch]

[Enduro Numpty]

I very nearly travelled to the Isle of Wight from Aberdeenshire to buy a bike a couple of years back. Somebody turned up with the cash before I could do the deal and I lost out. A couple of days later I found another ideal bike in a dealers in Edinburgh. I saved close to 2K on the original 'must have' bike and the one that I did get was a beauty, plus I didn't have a 1200 mile round trip.

The moral of the story is: There will be more perfect bikes. You don't have to have either of them if the times not quite right.

[Enduro Numpty]

I very nearly travelled to the Isle of Wight from Aberdeenshire to buy a bike a couple of years back. Somebody turned up with the cash before I could do the deal and I lost out. A couple of days later I found another ideal bike in a dealers in Edinburgh. I saved close to 2K on the original 'must have' bike and the one that I did get was a beauty, plus I didn't have a 1200 mile round trip.

The moral of the story is: There will be more perfect bikes. You don't have to have either of them if the times not quite right.

[chickenstrip]

How common are R1s of that model and condition at those prices? I wouldn't go that kind of distance unless it was something very special. I've done it before - London to Guernsey - for something that was special in that it was very cheap for what it was, but I wouldn't do it again unless it was a bike that was a bit rare and I really, really had to have one.
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THERE'S MILLIONS OF CHICKENSTRIPS OUT THERE!

[Pete.]

Stunning means you're stunned by the condition when you look at it. I see dirty wheels, a manky chain, worn rear sprocket, salt rot on the steering damper. Tidy it is - stunning it ain't. He's even had to wash it to take the photos, what does that tell you?
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[sinedtomuch]

[pepperami]

I live in Ipswich and I travelled to Preston for a bike.
Luckily for me it was all ok and as stated in the advert.
That distance would of been a real kick in the arse if the bike had been a dud.
I would be more inclined to go for a bike closer to home.
That way, if it is a wrong un , you can go back and have words.
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[sinedtomuch]

Whats your opinions on the white/red one? I think its still a very nice bike don't get me wrong, just I think theres a better deal to be had with the blue one. Reading the ad it seems to involve lots of extras, gear, parts etc.

[ScaredyCat]

Are the teeth on an R1's sprocket normally that pointy? My, admittedly untrained, eye thinks it needs replacing.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/188253/_bcf/arrrr-wun.jpg
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Honda CBF125 ➝ NC700X
Honda CBF125 ↳ Speed Triple

[NJD]

The price is bugging me.

Here and eBay sold listings say adverts are asking too much. Autotrader ads say cheapest of the entire three pages of search results for 08 R1's. Gumtree have different year models for cheaper.
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The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶

[stevo as b4]

I've travelled about 130miles to look at bikes, back when I really wanted one of the 500cc replica's. I should have spent every penny I ever earned on them upon reflect though.

I do definitely agree with the much sense talked by Paddy, as I would go to Italy for lots of reasons, but not least because they have so many cool, trick and stylish bikes that we have never seen in the UK, and there's also still plenty of hard core two smoke nutters there who spend their weekends trying to get 50bhp out of a Vespa scooter, that should be applauded and encouraged!