Advise before buying

[jaseribbit]

Hi there
i've found this 1998 R reg @ in white, 29000 miles at £2195, but i didnt know about the scrapes on the fairing where it says Africa Twin b4 I put a deposit on it, ive spoken to the seller who will refund it, but wanted more opinions, hope you can help

thanks

[meljordan]

Bike looks origional /its a bit on the expensive side so ask for servicing and so on.other than that its a twin so do a search of problems and look slowly, and good luck

[digitalcaptive]

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me, certainly cheaper than when I was in the market for one.
The scratches just make it look a little more rugged!

[goldiefish]

98@ are making €3500 is round these parts. Seems there is a demand for them again.

[Kjell Lindberg]

I have no knowledge about the price for that bike in your part of the world,
my thoughts about the scratches are that you have to think carefully about if you can live with them in the long run, or if you will start beeing irritated after the "honeymoon" is over.

If they do not bother you then check the rest of the bike according to tips on this eminent forum, or else stay away, and wait for another bike.

Fixing the scratches so they become unvisible will incorporate money and skill, and a lot of both.

[goldiefish]

Looking at my own there the other day I also noticed similar scratches. However then I remembered that when I remove the fairing, I place it on the ground to use as a bowl for holding fairing fastening screws. Then the wind catches it, and spins it about...

If your levers are good, bar ends intact, and all indicators and mirrors seem undamaged, then I would assume its just a simple falling off the stand damage, quite common. However it is difficult to tell from the photo if the scratches are deeper than that.

[Whealie]

The scratches are on one panel only. Ask the seller for the colour code (under the seat) and call Dave Silver and get a quote for a replacement.
Try to knock that amount off the sale price.
As soon as you get it home get some crash bars from Wemoto for £97, which will stop any repeat happening.

[BobA]

Scratches are nothing really, if you can live with them, but they may show eveidence of a bigger drop, so look it over carefully.

Check the handlebars are straight when the front wheel is for example.

An AT will go forever if it has been properly looked after. Search the forum on the following subjects to give you an idea of the serious things you need to check for, but don't let it scare you off a potentially good bike.

OUTPUT SHAFT
WHEEL CORROSION
CHAIN ADJUSTMENT / TENSION
FRONT BRAKE CALIPER CORROSION

AT's are meant to be taken off-road so scrathes are just a fact of life with most of the bikes out there!

Check out what it needs, price them up, and try and do a fair deal with the seller. Remember, he wants to sell it, and you just need everything right to buy it.


Bob

[Pussyhorse]

There's a scuff on the tank too in that pic.

If you're not worries about the cosmetic damage and the rest of the bike is sound, use it to beat him down hard on the price.

I'd check if the front subframe is straight too.