Providence

[Hagrid]

Providence?

Wandering around my very local Honda dealer this weekend, (Not looking for an AT as I knew his Stock didn't include any...) Just mumbling bike boll*x as you do with the Manager and he mentioned he's getting an AT in this week PX'd! Now that would make life easy for me instead of having to trawl around the country looking for one... )

Anyway... 1997, 14K, 1 Owner, FHSH... In Black! (Just what I'd been looking for!!!)

Anyway, hints, tips what to look for? Wheel damage etc.?

(Help I know nothing about AT's! ;o) )

Thanx
Ciao Caio
Fletch

[xrv_jim]

Obviously look for all the normal s/h bike stuff Fletch. Other AT related factors...

Wheel rim corrosion - tricky one this as the corrosion you should be worried about is on the inside of the rim.
If the rims look bad on the outside, they'll probably be bad on the inside
If the rims look good on the outside, they'll probably be bad on the inside
(budget £200-300 per wheel for new rim, spokes and rebuild)

Fuel Pump - can be problematical but is easily sorted and not too much of a worry - £50 to replace with a Facet type pump.

Rear Wheel Bearings - get the rear wheel up off the ground and do the normal checks, any movement (apart from the wheel going round) and you'll probably need new bearings - not expensive or difficult to do but another bargaining point.

If it really has only got 14k miles on it, there shouldn't be too much wrong with it.

[BobA]

I agree with Jim's advice, but I would also say that with this AT being such low mileage, I would like to see previous MOT's to back up the claim.

A 14,000 mile bike thats been cared for and lived in a nice dry garage will look like it's just come off the production line. However a 14,000 mile bike thats lived out in the rain or in a damp garage will look like ****e when you delve a bit deeper.

Try to look at the bike before the dealer gets his mitts on it and cleans it up. Check for the usual corrosion places like wheels (as mentioned) but also calipers (which can rot and bind up) rear shock (it gets all sorts of crap thrown at it, then gets blasted with pressure washers) and just delve and look as deep as you can. It should idle nicely.

I would say that this is a good time to start practising your bartering skills, which you will need for most other parts of the world, so, as you step into the dealers...

1. NEVER walk straight up to the bike, look immediately at the cheapest ones he has on show (and intimate the AT is too costly, without coming right out and saying it)

2. Say Hmmmm, it's a black one, I really wanted a red/blue/pink/whatever colour one, and let him think it's not completely what you want, but it's not out of the question.

3. Find legitimate faults and tell him they will niggle you, like scratches etc.

4. Dismiss any extra's it has, because you "already have your panniers/SatNav/tank bag/heated grips/pink handlebar tassles. Negotiate a price for the basic bike only (unless the gear it has fitted it what you want and worth it)

5. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, be prepared to walk away, right out of the shop. Leave him your number and say that really you'd like a pink one if a slightly cheaper one comes in at the right price.

Now, as a final note, I would say that if you are convinced it is a good bike at the right price, make an offer there and then which you are prepared to back up with a deposit.
Experience of looking at a few bikes will always help in the end, so look at as many as poss.


Good Luck on your mission!


Bob

[Whealie]

Another tip:
Put different amounts of cash in different pockets (and remember which one has how much).
Pull out your wedge with well below the asking price and offer it to him in cash. If he still says no, Make a judgement about how much to increase the bid by and pull that amount of money from the next pocket (maybe a jacket), explaining that was for a birthday present for your wife/girlfriend and you're going to get in trouble for this. If he still doesn't bite, pull a tiny wedge of notes, say £35 out of your back pocket and empty the £4.90 in coins from your jeans and say that's it, everything you have and he's going to have put make sure there's enough petrol in it to get you home because the cash point won't give you any money until next week.
It has always worked for me.

[willb]

Remind me not to try bartering with Whealie!

[Hagrid]

Gezzzz you lot are tighter than ducks ***** ;o)

Whealie... You wanna come buy it for me ;o)
Ive got this image of you now as Nick The Greek from 'Lock-Stock and two smoking Barrels'... "What're you doing when you're not buying motorbikes wheelie? Finance revolutions?" :o)

On the upside I don't think I need many lessons on how to haggle, (ask the Mrs on how embarrassing I can be! ;o) ). But I refuse to pay the RRP for anything, and I've always found there's someone out there whos ready to take a bid... :o) )

Thanx Guys...
"It's a deal. It's a steal. It's sale of the ****ing century!"

[Chad]

"It's a deal. It's a steal. It's sale of the f*cking century!"

in fact **** it i'll keep it myself


wing commander wheelie is now nick the greek

good luck on your bartering mission dude