condition of a used bike: many owners, high mileage...

[formalhaut]

Hello everyone,
Unfortunately my bike was just stolen and I'm looking for a cheap replacement (looking for medium-light commuter)... I saw a CB500F going for very cheap, the catch being that it's a repaired CAT N with blemishes, high mileage and 6 previous owners. I don't have good public transport so inconvenient for me to view before buying. On the surface it looks like it was cleaned and repaired ok (only the blemishes visible) but I'm not all that technical so if you can give some opinions, that would be really appreciated

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226521763776?_skw=honda+cb500f&itmmeta=01JHXJQN5XV98YA5354NANZAEA&hash=item34bdbfcfc0:g:KekAAOSwSNBndAmP&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKlSy%2BEFX2EhtqkZgQnYuxaDClcLlNf17OgH7OYcNryU0JV2LxBSpxhWsdTfT6eKPh0DYXriQBBdsY0llYPK5GLrRqHmR%2BPT%2B%2FxL6cDRmO4Rc5%2FrBSk%2BBR6t4x%2Bujh9kMJ9YPvkzqtsl36jB9czncR%2FdSyDF4YR5b2yBlfPqD7py%2Bp8uqH4P2aoRfTUHU2niOTXfZRkyvhYLsufq7wCN0Ul%2BQR41k8IaOf%2FMwaCw%2Fxm19R3dX4ReIUSvk1roT9r8%2B7Q%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5TT3rKPZQ
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F.

[WD Forte]

I'd rather have this 21k burgman 400 for a commuter
cheaper, half the mileage, simpler to maintain
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/196947509811?
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bikers smell of wee

[stinkwheel]

Worth going to look at. Take someone with you who knows what they are looking at. Bikes always look better in photos.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Easy-X]

High mileage in itself isn't a bad thing but when you combine it with 6 previous owners you have to wonder if all of them properly serviced the bike.

I suggest searching the InterWebs for common faults with this engine and factoring them definitely happening. "It's £1,900 now but it will cost me another XYZ in the future." Worst case scenario stuff.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[sickpup]

Since when was 42k high mileage?

[Easy-X]

[MarJay]

People go nuts about numbers of owners, but with bikes people change a lot more often than they do cars. I've never thought it to be a particular issue. If owners have abused it, then it'll be obvious when you view it and you just walk away.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Easy-X]

£1,900 is pretty much 125 prices for an A2 bike and an entire engine is £200~£500 on ebay... what's the worst that could happen
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[A100man]

For a 100 less the same seller has this.. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226531061819?

30K made for commuting bike.. This seller is quite close to me and advertises a fair few machines - so a trader - that also gives you some statutory rights AFAIK.

Cheers
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[sickpup]

[P.]

High miles is funny. Thats half of what my 125 had that was ragged down a motorway daily at the limiter with about 9 previous owners.

Would not even bat an eye at anything with less than 100k, bikes get ridden shock horror! My current is on 99,000 miles and will be around for another 100k

[sickpup]

[Polarbear]

Have to agree the owners thing wouldn't put me off. I used to change my bike yearly when I was young. Have it through the summer. Sell it in spring and buy something else.

I have absolutely no idea of the number of bikes I have owned, I only remember the ones I loved.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[formalhaut]

Thanks for the Burgman. I'm putting it on my watchlist. Unfortunately I don't have good public transport from my home (2h+ each way) so viewing is going to be a bit of a problem
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F.

[P.]

[formalhaut]

[Fullers1845]

Maybe Cat N 'cause it fell over and scratched the engine case?

42K is nothing mileage-wise on these Japanese engines, I recently pulled the camshafts to change some shims on a 46K zx6r, and the cam lobes, journals and chain were still in factory tolerance.
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Honda CB125F, Kawasaki ZX6R J1, 1922 Sheffield-Henderson Blackburne grasstrack/sprint

[slowasyoulike]

[Pete.]

46k is no miles - I bought my current bike at 75k because it was only 75k - it was replacing a bike with 121k miles and still looked and went good.
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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