After opinions please on buying a used bike that has been custom painted. Would you expect to pay over the average or does this sort of thing devalue a bike? No idea myself so hoping someone can enlighten me. Thanks
When you say custom painted do you mean it’s got mythical creatures on it, race rep or some other one off paint. For me no I may like the custom paint job but wouldn’t want to pay more than for a standard but may make it a better proposition. But then just how good is the paint job?
It's a one off Yoshi.theme on a sportsbike. Hoping to view it tomorrow if possible and will try to find out who painted it. Other than Dream Machine who are the other well known paint shops?
I would say would never increase value, only devalue. The older/classic the bike, the more it would devalue. IMO.
My insurance company, currently Carol Nash, said no. They reckon it makes the bike more nickable! Tossers!
That's good to know. That would be a nightmare,buying the bike and then struggling to find insurance.
Personally I think custom painted bikes appeal to a smaller section of the market. So if you wanted to sell quickly you may take a small hit on the price. That said the niche that wants a special/ individual bike are likely to pay more for one which has a great paint job thats not simply red or yellow or black... Its very important that the quality of the work is top class and ideally better than OEM finish. All the above doesn't apply to rare bikes like MHR900's or Superlights, Paul Smart etc. Nor even 916's imo. Another facet of this is how much enjoyment you will get from having a bike that is different and admired/ noticed. I bet @Mary Hinge gets alot of attention with his custom look bike at track days. My Monster is far from standard & I wouldn't have it any other way -though a great many early version Monsters are significantly customised so perhaps that should taken into account. Either way its definitely not only about the money. I've been in touch with a few bike sprayers in the Midlands & North West last couple of weeks re a project bike and for a full paint job I've been quoted around £900. So that's what it might cost you to put back to standard.
Always makes me smile this one. If you want to PX or sell a custom bike to a dealer they will always tell you it’s worth less because it’s not to everyone’s taste but then when it appears in the showroom it suddenly becomes “A rare opportunity to own a one off bike” with an inflated price. Personally I’m a bit of a purist and custom bikes are a No for me.
100% as it left the factory. It's always been fucked with. Chances of getting every decal and shade of paint and thickness of paint and of clear coat and same base coat are very slim. For most it won't matter but those that know will know. I'd always rather have one that has not had a full respray than one that has
Thanks for that. I find it a complete anathema that some people don't change or upgrade their bikes (if they have spare cash) because they want it to be completely like it was made at the factory. I'm thinking of suspension, brakes, seats, lights and power upgrades especially. An uncomfortable bike that won't turn and you can't see to ride it home at night -worse still if its slower than it could be! All these things can be dramatically improved with time & money. Old Showa shocks are crap compared to a modern Nitron imo. Same goes for Marazochi vs Maxton. The factories were not always the place of excellence that some might imagine, and the quality of the products used was sometimes well below the best. Think sh*te Ducati engine paint? Or b*llox reg/ rec that turn your bike into a BBQ. There's almost no one these days who keeps their factory exhaust on a new purchase... Now cosmetics/ aesthetics are a little different, but a tired looking 35 year old red paint vs fresh? Still it would be boring if we were all the same. If I were buying an old 911, (I'm not btw) in an ideal world I would buy a Singer version, All of the original style -just better.
Yes, mine! Its had all the aforementioned done and is now most definitely "right" in my eyes. Its much faster, its comfortable, its handles really well and if I'm out after dark I can see to get home. Custom exhaust for far better sound, slipper clutch, Marchesini wheels, carbon bodywork/ fenders and a stunning paint job... PS. Schengen Mosfet anti incendiary device also fitted.
For me it depends on who did the custom paint job. If the custom paint job was commissioned by the dealer for a limited number of bikes which does occur from time to time, then they will hold their value. On the other hand, if an owner decides he wants a custom paint job, then in my view it adds no value and could reduce its value. My reasoning being is that why did they change it? Was it crashed etc?
Problem with one off custom paint jobs to me is, if for whatever reason you damage anything that’s painted, you can’t go to a dealer and get the correct colour part off the shelf.
