Declaration up front: I already have two bikes-Streetfighter V4S and a 998. I also have a project buggy in “the shed” that is awaiting more warm weather to get on with. And lastly, I have a dearth of storage/workspace. There, that’s out of the way I also have a weakness for “a bargain” and for something that needs rescuing. The Question: Would you buy a ‘20 Multistrada 1260S with 2500 miles BUT It’s been brought in from abroad with no NOVA papers No Service History Is missing ECU and lock set, so no possibility of knowing if it’s mechanically OK. £3750 I’ve convinced myself to leave it, but it keeps nagging at me like a hole in the tooth. Opinions appreciated
Fuck no, you been taking daft pills again? Gambles are self financed. Seriously though, if it was my last £3750, I’d probably leave it. But if I thought there’s a chance this could turn out fine and dandy, I’d probably take a punt. I’ve done it before and IME it usually works out fine. But a lot of people are shit scared of the horror stories. Which I get….
I like a bargain, correction I love a bargain. A 1260s with no histrionics at 2500 miles sounds great. However, why hasn’t it got a lock set? The ecu can be replaced but why, is it missing? Find out more. Be very careful. No history, no lock set, no …..nova? What’s that about? No notice of vehicle arrival???? Very very cheap! It does smack of being stolen and brought in. You’d have to get the frame number and do a proper search. Stinks of something and could well have been nicked.
The vendor has it down for “breaking” and has already sold the ECU&llockset. Don’t ask me why you’d do that!
The prospect (despite the vendor’s assurances) that I could be left with a stolen bike, a big hassle to get it registered, a broken engine/gearbox, having trailered it from the Scottish Borders, working on it in the cold, outside… Do I need the hassle? Probs not. If anyone fancies taking it on, I’ll put them in touch.
you've answered your own question. He brought it in to break, so whether it's got it's NOVA papers or not he won't care as it's just salvage to him. The whole lockset trinity is worth the right side of £500 probably. There's a good chance the clocks went with the lock set. I wouldn't touch it, but if I were interested I'd be wanting the VIN so I could use a search service to check across countries and see if there's any red flags.
Its a breaker, trying to get DVLA to register it without import paperwork will have you going round in frustrating circles.
If it had an ecu and I could hear it running maybe. A good one is worth £8500 running with papers +/- maybe less at this time of year? So the gamble is £3750; the risks are re registering being cancelled by the Plod taking it away, the engine being stuffed, plus doing all the work and coughing up for all the locks and ECU circa £1000. The bet has now increased to £5k All being well you get a good bike though at the time of sale its worth £2K less than market due to the dodgy history (maybe Q plate?). Doesn't sound like a huge pay off for a £4K bet, unless you are planning keeping it forever and have always really wanted one.
So I wasn’t being such a pessimistic fella as I first thought. Thanks, all of the repliers. This is the benefit of belonging to a knowledgable community like this.
