As I mentioned in the Newbies section, I'm looking for a tidy, early 916. Although there seems to be a fair choice on e**y, autotrader, gumtree and mcn, I'm not feeling the urge to look into any of them for further info or interest, they just don't feel 'right'. Normally when I'm out looking for a new bike, I go all out to look at any worth my time or interest, but for some reason I haven't had that 'come and get me' feeling from any of these yet. Does everyone else go through these issues too? And does anyone know of any other ads I'm overlooking, or members looking to part with theirs?
does it have to be 916 - know of two mates with 996 for sale. Re: 'doesn't feel right' yes, i'm sure a lot of us experience that or a 'gut' feeling - more often proves to be justified.
pistonheads has quite a good bike section, whats your budget? I have a 996 and went for that as its meant to be an improvement on the 916, and couldn't afford a 998, you might have to kiss a few frogs before you find your prince.
I fancy a 748 next so I have been browsing and it's been a pretty depressing exercise, most are fucked up with aftermarket crap or covered in stickers to cover up road rash, however out of the 20 overpriced pieces of shite one little gem usually jumps out of the page albeit more than your budget, which means I am afraid you get what you pay for. I think for a decent safe purchase a 748 is probably going to cost me £3500
thats fairly true, i looked at a few 748s that were not as described, luckily not too many wasted miles travelled. lots of bikes available from 2k and up on gumtree/autotrader/pistonheads etc, some of the ones i saw when i was looking around are still for sale. the better ones are pricey for a reason, and wont hang about long.
I owned 911's for 10 years and Ducati owners are very similar, there are the dreamers who just want to own one and do so on a meagre budget and then there are the enthusiasts who love originality, ride them properly and maintain the bike regardless of cost, that's the sort of person I want to buy my bike off. My humble 600ss falls into the latter camp, completely original and looked after properly. Buy a bike that that and you will never lose money.
You generally get what you pay for, I have bought several 748's over the last few years only one of which I paid top dollar for and that was a 748SPS and it was a rare bike with only 20 imported in that year and they are very slowly appreciating in price as very low numbers were made for the UK market. There are so many 748's around that you can afford to pick and choose but maybe you want to look at an SPS or an early R as they are more desirable and likely to be looked after just that bit better. The 748 S\Biposto\E was the entry level bike and in some cases has just been ridden and badly treated because some people have not had much regard for them.
My first choice is the earliest 916, I guess if I can't find the ideal one for me, a 996 would be a close second choice. I'll bear your mates bikes in mind, if that option happens, ta :smile:
I'm aware that the 996 is seen to be an improvement on the 916, but I prefer the little details that the earliest bike has, even if that means reliability isn't as good....
That's pretty much who I'd expect to buy from, a genuine owner with the bikes interest at heart, not a seller looking to move on a dog with dodgy history, trying to make a quick buck. I think sometimes it's also the owner that can sway a sale, if they're genuine, helpful, etc. Rightly or wrongly, I've walked away from bikes I've gone to look at, just because the seller is an arrogant and obnoxious arse.
We all want a bargain, but I suspect that's not going to happen for me this time, and if I have to pay good money, so be it, providing the bikes worth it mind.....:tongue:
I've seen those ones, but they're the later models which I'm not ready to settle for yet, thanks for the heads up anyway.
I fall into the meagre budget camp. My 916 is well maintained. Ive owned it for (counts fingers) 15yrs...or so. I also have every original part. Even old sprockets, pads, screws etc that ive replaced. You dont have to be wealthy, just caring. My bike may not be 100% original now but she sure is pretty.
That is like the oddest thing I heard, ever. So what seller is arrogant? You buying the bike or the seller and his ego? I mean everyone is different so why do you judge? I can make myself appear as arrogant or as good as I want you will not know as you do not know me and thinking otherwise is slightly delusional to me. Have you tried to sell, not only recently, bikes? Especially those that are purchased as dreams and toys? You either get no interest or you get 99% tire kickers, buyers who try and tell you that your price is wrong by a grand or two because bike is not stock. All that knowing full well that goodies mounted are items one would mount the moment you get the bike (termis, cf bits) and their price is grand or so. Ok it is not stock well you have all the stock parts with it buy it for 500 less, turn it stock and return all goodies to seller so he can offload those. Hm never heard that offer. Agreed
Oddest thing you've heard? A buyer being annoyed at a sellers arrogance? I'm not the judging type. One example that I can give, that happened to me; After initial contact with a seller via a couple of telephone calls, a price of 4k was agreed between us for his bike, providing it met his detailed advert and verbal information. When I arrived at his home, a 4 hour drive away from mine, checked the bike over, and was happy to do the deal. When the money was being counted, he said it was £500 short, no I said, the 4k is all there. He then went on to tell me that he'd had an offer from another buyer, offering 4.5k, so that's what he said I would now have to pay to have it. He assumed, wrongly, that seeing as I had travelled so far, I would pay the 'extra' he was adding, than to travel back home bikeless. Disgusted by his attitude and matter of fact manner, I said that I wouldn't be willing to do that, after his initial aggreement with me. As I left, I gave a passing comment that I'd think about it, in jest, to which he replied, 'If you walk away now, the bikes not for sale to you again'. I would rather it cost me a tank of van diesel than line a pocket of an arrogant, time wasting seller. Right or wrong with my call on this? Well, I'm still happy that I made the correct decision. I never tyre kick, tell a seller their price is wrong, complain about any non standard parts fitted, etc. If I go and view a bike, the intention is to buy, not to timewaste. Maybe that puts me in the minority, if that's the type of buyers you've had in the past.
I also agree with Lucazade on this. I don't think a meagre budget has to mean badly maintained. I know that regular servicing and general servicing can be done on a tight budget. As I said in answer to Carlos, 'a genuine owner with the bikes interest at heart, not a seller looking to move on a dog with dodgy history, trying to make a quick buck'.
I completely agree about not buying a bike off a tosser, if they are arrogant and dismissive they usually have something to hide, most enthusiast sellers almost tell you too much, they sell the bike/car warts and all. The seller of my 600 SS even threw in Around £400 of genuine spares I wasnt expecting, a top bloke!
