I'm finally, finally, finally getting around to buying the bike I've always wanted now that I've got the resources and the means to do it. I've been looking around at the used market since this will be my first street bike. I'm looking for something sporty but not ridiculous because I only want to have fun... I don't want to die. 
First, I'm currently in Portland, Maine. I've been looking mostly at 600cc (or thereabouts) bikes such as the Suzuki Katana or SV650. A Ducati Monster would be cool but I don't think I want to pay for it. I'm looking for a good deal and as long as I feel like what I'm paying is fair, I'll be happy. I'm thinking $4000 is the upper limit of what I want to spend on the bike (I'm figuring another $500 - $700 for a helmet, jacket, and gloves, by the way). Now that that's out of the way, , my searching has turned up the following two Katanas:
Katana 1:
It's a 2002, ~4000 miles, red, and is owned by a middle aged Afghani guy who is selling it because he's going over seas for the rest of the year (and no, I don't think he's a terrorist). Anyway, he's the second owner and has had it since it had about 500 miles. He bougt it from his brother. He's clearly frightened of the bike though he obviously didn't say that. He also doesn't really seem to know anything about it. Because of that, I'm sure he hasn't purposely abused it though the clutch could have taken some serious novice wear and tear. He also dropped the bike on the left side resulting in scratches on the fairing and the crankcase. The fairing has been fixed up with touch-up paint so it doesn't look too bad but it is damaged all the same.
He's asking $3900. I figure I can bargain him down due to his lack of knowledge and the body damage. Maybe $3500?
Katana 2:
Also a 2002 but it only has 3000 miles. The owner is about 27 and has owned it since it had 300 miles and was a repo. It's blue and, like the other, has some fairing damage on the left side because he dropped it in his garage. The damage is really light and honestly looked to me like it would buff right out. The guy is selling because his mom and girlfriend hate the thing and want him to get rid of it. He claims it was checked out about a month ago by a local shop I know and everything is sound. It fired right up and seemed to run well though it stuck a little around 3k RPM which I'm hoping was due to the cold carbs. I didn't ride it because it hasn't been registered since last year. He's asking $4000 even though I'm sure there's some wiggle room there, too.
Impressions:
Both bikes are bone stock and have all original parts. I like the look of the red one a lot better despite the body damage. I also have a better feeling about the owner and think I can talk him down on the price. He's going to un-winterize it tomorrow so I can see it run and possibly ride it. The battery has been out all winter and the bike has been inside and covered. The blue Katana has been inside but not covered. The battery and everything was left in.
I really like both bikes and think if I could talk one of them down to $3500 or less, I'd be getting a pretty good deal.
Ideas? Comments? Let me hear 'em! :thumbsup:
First, I'm currently in Portland, Maine. I've been looking mostly at 600cc (or thereabouts) bikes such as the Suzuki Katana or SV650. A Ducati Monster would be cool but I don't think I want to pay for it. I'm looking for a good deal and as long as I feel like what I'm paying is fair, I'll be happy. I'm thinking $4000 is the upper limit of what I want to spend on the bike (I'm figuring another $500 - $700 for a helmet, jacket, and gloves, by the way). Now that that's out of the way, , my searching has turned up the following two Katanas:
Katana 1:
It's a 2002, ~4000 miles, red, and is owned by a middle aged Afghani guy who is selling it because he's going over seas for the rest of the year (and no, I don't think he's a terrorist
). Anyway, he's the second owner and has had it since it had about 500 miles. He bougt it from his brother. He's clearly frightened of the bike though he obviously didn't say that. He also doesn't really seem to know anything about it. Because of that, I'm sure he hasn't purposely abused it though the clutch could have taken some serious novice wear and tear. He also dropped the bike on the left side resulting in scratches on the fairing and the crankcase. The fairing has been fixed up with touch-up paint so it doesn't look too bad but it is damaged all the same.He's asking $3900. I figure I can bargain him down due to his lack of knowledge and the body damage. Maybe $3500?
Katana 2:
Also a 2002 but it only has 3000 miles. The owner is about 27 and has owned it since it had 300 miles and was a repo. It's blue and, like the other, has some fairing damage on the left side because he dropped it in his garage. The damage is really light and honestly looked to me like it would buff right out.
The guy is selling because his mom and girlfriend hate the thing and want him to get rid of it. He claims it was checked out about a month ago by a local shop I know and everything is sound. It fired right up and seemed to run well though it stuck a little around 3k RPM which I'm hoping was due to the cold carbs. I didn't ride it because it hasn't been registered since last year. He's asking $4000 even though I'm sure there's some wiggle room there, too.Impressions:
Both bikes are bone stock and have all original parts. I like the look of the red one a lot better despite the body damage. I also have a better feeling about the owner and think I can talk him down on the price. He's going to un-winterize it tomorrow so I can see it run and possibly ride it. The battery has been out all winter and the bike has been inside and covered. The blue Katana has been inside but not covered. The battery and everything was left in.
I really like both bikes and think if I could talk one of them down to $3500 or less, I'd be getting a pretty good deal.
Ideas? Comments? Let me hear 'em! :thumbsup:
Facebook
Twitter