Ever buy an out of state used bike site unseen?

[stevet]

I'm constantly cruising various websites for a used bike. And I see really clean used bikes for sale, but usually out of state. Just curious if anyone has ever purchased a used bike site unseen and had it shipped to you? What was your experience? I'm guess I'm too chicken to buy a used bike site unseen..... :ahhh: unless I had a friend in the sellers area that could give it a look over....

 

[MXP1MP]

I haven't but it all depends on who's selling it and how honest they are I recently just sold my KX to a guy up in B.C and I delievered it which was about 120 miles one way. But my bike was in excellent condition and I sold him anything far from a lemon if it breaks is cause they either crashed it or did something stupid like ran it without premix. Unlike so many ad's I don't advertise my bikes as "not raced" most of the time racers take better care of thier bikes. I have issue's ridding my bike if I break the front break lever.

 

[dales298]

I bought 3 and had 2 shipped I picked one up because I wasn't too sure. It was the first one and it was from an individual and I could pick it up cheaper than the shipping would cost ($350). I was lucky cause it is a risk, but all 3 were as advertised. I must say that none of the bikes were more than I could afford to lose (a key factor). If you're going to bid on one check the sellers ratings it will cut down on the risk. The first bike I ever bought came from a shop just down the street and was a POS so you really can't tell cause it looked sharp and sounded good but, I never could keep the thing running. Go figure.

Luck to ya
Dale

 

[stevet]

locally I've looked at a few bikes that were listed as "like new" .......and when I looked at them they were not anything "like new"....

I recently sold an 78 Husqvarna...I listed in the add that it was a basket case, that the engine turned over but the tranny was jammed, that the frame did have some rust, so did the pipe and the seat was thrased...plus i had alot of photos of the bike...guess my honesty paid off, must of had a dozen calls the first couple of days...sold it the second day.

 

[dales298]

Like New, Perfect condition, Never raced --- yea right-- those descriptions are automatic exclusions

Dale

 

[darringer]

I have bought 2 out of state bikes. One from New Jersey. One from Pennsylvania. Both bikes were so cheap it was worth the gamble for me. Since I do all of the work on my own bikes, I figured even if they needed a complete engine rebuild I would still fare well. Ended up getting a screamin' deal on both. But very easily could have gone the other way. Buying here in California can be so expensive. Even after Forward Air shipping the bikes were a good deal. This was before 9/11, so the shipping was much cheaper then.

 

[notenuftoys]

I bought a 4-wheeler out of state, sight unseen. I drove to pick it up (about 1200 mile round trip). I wouldn't be comfortable buying it and having them ship. I'd rather go pick it up, that way I can back out if it's a pile of junk, or needs some work.

 

[stevet]

was looking at the dirtrider magazine website and they had a review of a company called Federal Motorcycle Transport. Says they will pick the bike up, put it on a pallet and ship it for you......

http://dirtrider.com/drtested/141_0408_transport/

anyone ever use them or heard anything about them?

 

[biglou]

I've sold (at least) three bikes to out of staters. Lots of pics, phone conversations, etc., go a long way toward reassuring someone. I had plenty of clean pictures up, and took more pics at the request of sellers (close-ups of certain areas). The last one I sold, my YZ450 to a guy from Houston (we met in Ft. Smith, AR), the guy said, "This really is clean!" Fired it up, rode it up and back on the shoulder, parked it in his truck bed and handed me my money. Just trust your gut feelings. If something doesn't seem right, there will always be another bike. And also remember that the person selling is taking a risk as well, so they may have some nervousness too.

 

[rm250_rider]

I bought my RM from a contact here at DRN and had it shipped about 1000 miles. The bike was exactly as described and I was quite happy with the price and mods the previous owner had made.

If you're going to buy without seeing the bike first, talk to the owner via telephone, ask lots of questions, get lots of photos. Walk away if the owner is hesitant to fully answer any questions, won't send recent & clear photos, seems sketchy, or if the bike is a "once in a lifetime" deal.

My bikes prior owner was a DRN member and had me review his posts concerning the bike. I was well familiar with the mods he's made and steps he'd taken to set the bike up to suit him by the time I finished reading the posts. I had no ugly surprises waiting on me when we unloaded. One thing...if the bike is coming from a climate or altitude that is quite different than yours you may have jetting or other issues to deal with, but that shouldn't be too big a deal.

Much luck to ya!

 

[gwcrim]

I bought my 500 online. The seller outbid me on it on an e-b-a-y auction but rode it once and got skeer'd. He got in touch with me and asked if I still wanted the bike. From the description, it was in pretty good shape. We met 1/2 way between us, it fired right up even in the cold. There were no ugly sights or sounds so I brought it home. It's been a great bike.

I bought my boy's KX85 from an ad in the Trader online. Said it had been raced but it had a new bottom end. I had a friend go look at it, ride it, and negotiate a decent deal. We got the bike home and the "new" bottom end seized in less than 10 minutes of riding.

Buying a used dirtbike is an iffy proposition regardless of where you find it.

 

[JST122]

I would not recommend buying a Used bike sight unseen. Dirtbikes get used pretty hard and a lot of people down right abuse them. If you know the person you are buying from that is one thing, but if not I would not recommend it.

Your better off atleast getting pictures, very detailed pictures of different areas of the bike and then maybe that can reassure you.

Take a ride and go take a look at it, meet half way even, you will be glad that you did in the end, even if it is what you expect.