To buy or not to buy

[minnesotamonster]

http://ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=29681.0

looking at buying this bike. No red key or code card. Tank was dented and fixed (not with bondo I'm told). Bike was down and totalled. Guy swapped in a clean s2r 800 frame and fixed all the damage. It's titled as a 2005 s2r 800.

What's she worth?

Should I buy?

Kinda weary of the missing keys and tank. Guy also doesn't have any maintenance history.

Let me know

thanks!

[atomic410]

I've heard that you can bypass the red key if its ever needed,  maintenace history, or lack there of, would be what i worried most about.  clean title? if not may have insurance issues from what i heard.

[minnesotamonster]

I've heard that as well. The title is clean

[herm]

can you go and check the bike out in person?
can you have a trusted wrench look at it?

as far as the key thing, it sure sounds like that is easier to get around these days, but no FHE

[minnesotamonster]

If I decide to buy he said he'd meet me with the bike halfway. So I will be able to look at it before I hand over the $$$. Also if I do end up getting it, I will be bringing it to silverback for a once over. 

[atomic410]

that could be too late.  Here comes winter, I wouldn't get too antsy in the pantsy to get a bike unseen.  Then again my last bike I said I wanted one and had one within 2 weeks.  so I'll shut up, what do I know anyways

[erik822]

There is a catch to titling a bike like this in MN.

When you title a bike in MN they list both the frame serial number and the engine serial number. If they don't match, you could run into problems down the line. See if he can provide a title for the original frame and engine, too.

[minnesotamonster]

I have not heard that before. Is it new? My last bike was titled in Wisconsin and when I transferred it here I only remember giving them the frame vin. This could pit a damper on things. Lol   

[cyclops]

I thought u were gonna get an 848    U know u want one 

[minnesotamonster]

There is an 848 on craigslist right now for 9k. A little out of my price range at the moment though. 

I talked to the guy some more tonight. He has the title from the s4r as well, it is still in the insurance company's name he bought it from, he never had it switched. The s2r's frame title is what the bike is titled under and it is a clear title registered in IL under the guy's name.

So if I have both titles in my name I should not have any problems titling the bike here in MN correct?

I'll be calling the DMV in the morning to be sure.

Any other pitfalls I should be worried about?

Thanks for the help so far.

[minnesotamonster]

Talked to the DMV this morning. According to the phone call this morning I won't have any issues since it is already titled in IL under the clean titled frame. They will ask for the engine number as well, but it won't matter if they do not match.  Looks like I'm going to jump on this unless somebody stops me...

[Major Slow]

there is a spot on the mn title that says engine #. call the dmv and ask. it might turn into a rebuilt/salvage here, that devalues the bike some. I would wait a little and low ball this guy. It has enough red flags that most people will shy away if you need a short term solution to you and the mrs getting a few rides in this fall stop buy and pick up one of my extras.

[mrs minnesotamonster]

Looks like I'm going to jump on this unless somebody stops me...

By "somebody", you better not mean me!   [moto]

[minnesotamonster]

I'm not paying full price  

Thanks for the offer  

When I talked to the DMV they said it would be titled here in MN without any issues and not be a salvaged/rebuilt bike.

Do I have my bases covered here?

Honestly, I wouldn't even care if they changed it to salvaged/rebuilt. As long as I can insure and ride it, it's fine by me. I don't buy things with the intent on reselling them. 

[erik822]

It sounds like you'll have all the paperwork. Good luck with the purchase.