2010 1198 base model with 24000 miles, currently stripped of panels and ancillaries, so I can’t test ride it or hear it. No service history. Deal for £6K or walk away?
My vote is to walk away too. Recently seen a couple of poorly maintained examples going through the workshop, requiring serious money to rebuild. Andy
Depends if you are capable and planning on rebuilding and maintaining it yourself or if you'll have to pay somebody to do it for you? Including doing any engine work it might need yourself? Would it be a 'rider' that you'd happily fit good used parts to and ride in all weathers, or a garage queen to look at? Is the price negotiable? Are you feeling lucky?
Have a good look at it. I always tend to buy on condition. Ask a few questions. I’d buy if I felt it was sound. Of course you’ll never know for sure with a 13 year old bike, but same goes for a bike with provenance.
What would be the cost of a tatty 1198 base model, complete with all ancillaries with similar mileage that does run?
Vendor is expecting what he paid for it two years ago, despite dismantling it and not riding it since. As it has stood for two years with no sign of belts done prior, I’d be reluctant to start it until I replaced them. Reg/rec has been replaced, but battery compartment is cracked for some reason. I*really* don’t need another bike to add to the R and the Hypermotard, but this appealed as “a bargain” and is fairly nearby, unusually. Can I spanner well enough? Yes. Have I room? Probably not. Could I buy another 1198 ready-to-ride? For another £1000-1500. Would it seem easily? Without service history it’d be difficult. Fairing panels apparently need attention, whatever that might imply. If I could get it under £5K I’d be tempted, but the vendor doesn’t sound like it. Perhaps I’ll save up for a 916/996 just to complete my set. Thanks, all, for your feedback.
If you were interested you can remove the spark plugs, use an endoscope camera and rotate in gear to see the state of the pistons and see if they or the valves have launched themselves. Also drain the oil and see what that and the drain plug looks like - any metal particles? That might give you a little extra confidence in the integrity of the engine.
So he bought a runner for £6k (possibly?) and then stripped it, damaged/dropped/kicked around the garage floor, the panels and now 2 years down the line wants back what he paid for it? What does he think it is a Ford RS Mexico Sounds to me like he bought it with problems that he knew about when he paid £6k for it, stripped it with all good intentions and nows got bored and wants his money back? I’d offer him £4k and leave him your number………….
Doesn't sound great bargain - problems can get very expensive very quickly. I would suggest investing a bit more money to get something with some history that you can actually test ride.
All the above are helpful and informed. Vendor has decided to persevere with the rebuild. I’m continuing my search for a project, ideally a 916/996 should anyone know of one.
I was attracted to it by the fact that it was a project that I could work on, Tom26 but only at a price that makes sense. I already have a Panigale R and a Hypermotard, so am not stuck for something to ride.
I’d thought so too, but apparently the vendor wants the money back that he spent on it two years ago, having ridden it 10 miles, then stripped the fairings, lights and tank off. I explained depreciation to him, and lack of service history. Heigh Ho.
