#1 Thread starter
I may have gotten an unusually good deal, or maybe not, but I think you can do a lot better for not much more money. The one you're looking at appears to be a neglected example that will likely present more issues down the road than the slightly pricier bike.
For reference, one year ago I purchased my '98 w/13k miles on it. 3 owners (1 unk, two older guys), some maintenance records (just oil changes and tires), receipts for goodies, paint was great, no scratches/dents, color rich, no fade, centerstand and cowl intact. Stock seat and Corbin GF/L w/backrest, in-the-box PC II, K & N filter, Ventura luggage setup/rack w/2 packs, GIVI side racks, new Pilot Powers, heated grips, hi-mount Micron Carbon Can, fender eliminator, Hyperlites, tool kit/manual, factory shop manual, etc. It ran strong, handled great, stopped great, sprockets/chain in great shape.
The bad? I took it completely apart and went through it from the ground up. It needed a new R/R and battery, the clutch fluid was original equipment, the tank vent and overflow lines were missing (as was the foam stick-on pad under the tank - all of which suggest the tank was replaced at some point, but not necessarily), the rubber flap under the seat was missing, one of the front coil mount bolts was missing (from the factory, probably, since the well-nut wasn't there either), one of the middle-lower fairing nuts was missing, 2 of the expando clips were missing, and several were damaged. That's it.
What did I pay? $4,000. It didn't hurt that the seller wasn't hurting for money and just wanted the garage space for his new Speed Triple, but I think if you look around, you could find a similar bike to mine for $4-4.5k without waiting too long. That's what I'd do.
For reference, one year ago I purchased my '98 w/13k miles on it. 3 owners (1 unk, two older guys), some maintenance records (just oil changes and tires), receipts for goodies, paint was great, no scratches/dents, color rich, no fade, centerstand and cowl intact. Stock seat and Corbin GF/L w/backrest, in-the-box PC II, K & N filter, Ventura luggage setup/rack w/2 packs, GIVI side racks, new Pilot Powers, heated grips, hi-mount Micron Carbon Can, fender eliminator, Hyperlites, tool kit/manual, factory shop manual, etc. It ran strong, handled great, stopped great, sprockets/chain in great shape.
The bad? I took it completely apart and went through it from the ground up. It needed a new R/R and battery, the clutch fluid was original equipment, the tank vent and overflow lines were missing (as was the foam stick-on pad under the tank - all of which suggest the tank was replaced at some point, but not necessarily), the rubber flap under the seat was missing, one of the front coil mount bolts was missing (from the factory, probably, since the well-nut wasn't there either), one of the middle-lower fairing nuts was missing, 2 of the expando clips were missing, and several were damaged. That's it.
What did I pay? $4,000. It didn't hurt that the seller wasn't hurting for money and just wanted the garage space for his new Speed Triple, but I think if you look around, you could find a similar bike to mine for $4-4.5k without waiting too long. That's what I'd do.