[Rj650]

So I found this 2006 sv650s at a dealer about two hours away from my house. The bike has a salvage title due to a low speed drop. I contacted the dealer via email and he said that the only damage that was done to the bike were scratches on the exhaust and rear plastics and the right turn signal was replaced.

Based on what you know about motorcycles, does this sound legit? Can a bike be salvaged just by slight scratches to the body and a broken turn signal? The scratches arent anything major either.

Its going for 3,450. and looks pretty nice. you can check it out on craigslist in the sf bay area. I don't know much about motorcycles so any help would be really appreciated. Thanks

 

[eteach01]

Probably a rebuild that combined a couple bikes, or it is hot. There has been some discussion on having problems registering it.

 

[dmleong]

Here in California a salvage title usually means that the damage caused is worth more than the bike is worth. The insurance company deems it a salvaged vehicle. Then it can be bought and fixed with that salvage title on it. Thats more or less of what my sister in law told me who works for AAA, but i'm sure there are more ways to receive a salvage title. I never buy salvaged vehicles, because you don't really know what was damaged. I would however buy one for dirt cheap. Not saying the dealer is dishonest, but their main goal is to move their products. He may be telling you the truth or he may be just saying what you want to hear. If you look at blue book values salvage title are typically worth 50%less or more than what is listed. 3500 seems a bit much for a salvage title. Also if you sell you will have a hard time. If you check craigslist sf bay there are a handfull of salvaged bikes that keep on reposting, some of them for months. I personally would pass, but the choice is ultimately yours.

 

[Gerard7aa]

Too much for a salvage title.

 

[daviddowns2000]

Extremely unlikely that the kind of damage he described would result in salvage title.

 

[Zach]

if it smells like poo....

 

[Jiaguy]

smells like ********... there had to be some serious damage to salvage it. Well not major but more than the bike's value. Stock signals + labor at most 100 bucks, stock painted fairings around 700 bucks. Yeah something is fishy.

 

[Zach]

really, ask yourself, do you want to drive 2 hours, buy a bike, get it home and find out that the frame is f-ed up, or it has had some 4 year old do the wiring on it?

The price isn't screaming Buy MEEE!!! Definitely not worth it.

 

[xschizx]

I'm in the market for a new bike as well and debated on a salvaged bike, but I don't think it's worth the hassle on the stuff they may not disclose to you aswell as the pain in the A** is may be to get the vehicle registered.

 

[TOECUTTER]

Hell ,you could almost get a new one for that!

 

[bbentley40]

I bought my 05 for 3800.. and it had never been dropped.. one owner.. all service records. I dont think a 06 that has been salvaged is worth a couple hundred less. Walk away!

 

[game]

Dude hustle the dealer. They want to make money. You just have to figure out a way for both of you to get a great deal.

 

[Indigo_Southpaw]

salvage rebuilds are the only salvage title I'll touch, and even at that it'll only tend to be bikes from the 80s that I'll do that with just because a dented exhaust pipe can total out one of those.

 

[jay313]

Dealer's a liar. Who ever heard of a bike getting totaled because of a low-speed drop? No way.

 

[Zokambaa]

I'm in canada so it is hard to say how the laws are where you live... but.. here you can buy a salvage bike, rebuild it, get it certified safe by a shop and then re-register it as a "rebuilt" bike...

A bike can be totaled if they deem the market value is less than it will cost to repair it.... repairs can easily cost more than the market value when you include shop labour...


As long as it is safe.. who cares if it is a rebuild...

I got my 99 SV for $2500 (when most were going for about $3500-$4000 in similar shape)

and it ran well untill some wank decided to turn in front of me at the last minute in an intersection...

I got $4900 or so for it from the guy's insurance company... ;D

 

[dmleong]

Hey RJ is this the bike you are talking about?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcy/1023294781.html

That is definitely as pass for that price. Muffler is all scraped up, right fairing all scraped up, and missing a bar end. Paying that price for a salvage title is way to much, but paying that price for a damaged and salvaged bike is insane. For that price there should be absolutely no visible flaws.

There's a guy here selling his 06 from fresno area, i believe 5200 which looks like a bike that is well taken care of. That might be an option for you, depending on where you live.

If you really want that bike on CL, I'd say offer him half of what he wants like 1700. I'd say no more than 2000 would be my limit if I really wanted the bike. Looking at the ad makes me feel that the dealer wants to rip someone off....don't let it be you. My gut says pass, what does yours say?

 

[J-Dog]

Unless it's rediculously dirt cheap, or your going to track it, salvage titles are not worth the trouble it takes to get them registered in most cases. I'd say pass and hold out for a better deal on a bike with a title.