Wannabe Buyer and Fair Prices

[KIKH400]

I've be reading some threads here about prices for used bikes.  I'm trying to keep this simple for myself, so here goes. 
-Alot of sellers are asking considerably more than KBB/NADA.
-Some folks here have gotten bikes for less than KBB/NADA.
-KBB/NADA price for a bike in nice condition with service up to date is a fair price--not great, not bad.

So, for example, here's a bike local to me.  I spoke with the seller, and he seems like a nice (a little older like me) guy.  Not the original owner, and doesn't seem to know the bikes history much prior to his purchase.  Its got some stuff on it, and I'd rather have a 620 or maybe a 750, but it'd do.  It also seems like he's about $1K high on price per KBB/NADA. I'm giving some credit for mods, and offsetting them with a little higher mileage and time of year.  What do you think?  I'm new at this, and want to buy a used 600/620/750.  It'd be nice to get a great deal, but I'm OK with fair.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/3272519453.html

Thanks.  I could really use some advice here.
I'm in the DC/Baltimore area, and if you have am willing to travel a few hours.  If you have a nice 600/620/750 and want to part with it, let me know.

[Dirty Duc]

You could try looking in the Monsters for sale section.  There is at least one in NJ for not much more money than that.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?www;board=9

[hbliam]

Don't add too much on for mods. 20% of the retail cost of the mods at the most.

[duccarlos]

Don't add too much on for mods. 20% of the retail cost of the mods at the most.

+1 note that people will say that they've put thousands of dollars into their bikes. That might be true, but they haven't added value. IMHO service history is by far the most important thing to look for.

[SDRider]

Trouble is you run into guys who don't NEED to sell so they won't budge on the price.  You want to find someone who wants to get rid of the bike, like a guy who has had some change in his life and needs the money or is moving away and can't take the bike with him or has a new love interest who doesn't share his passion for riding.

And mods don't really add much value to the bike if any.  I'd say new tires and recent service history is more important especially if that recent service includes a valve adjustment and belt change.

[duccarlos]

Oh and having all the keys and codes!

[KIKH400]

OK.  Svce history, tires and mods add about 20% of retail.

Am I right that KBB/NADA price is basically a fair price?

How about the CL bike I linked?  Big advantage is that its 30 minutes away

[mikeb]

Big advantage is that its 30 minutes away

Location is certainly something you should factor into your price.  If the next nearest bike is 6 hours away, or needs to be shipped, then maybe an extra couple hundred isn't so bad.

Used Monsters used to be hard to find in my area.  When they did pop up they'd go for a pretty decent price.  Lack of inventory in the area can do that. 
 

[Slide Panda]

Welcome - so there's quite a number of folks on here or other Duc riders in your area. So if you need a hand pop into CAM http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?board=20.0 and just ask.

The Balto/DC region is home to the official Desmo Owners Club for the Mid Atlantic area - so lots hopping around here. Monsters are not at all uncommon on CL, so don't feel the need to rush. There will be more. And this is an older base model, so not exactly a commodity

The monster you linked to is, obviously, an older model. It's a carburated bike FYI. From the photos, it looks like it lives(ed) outside much of the time so you should have a good look for rust/corrosion.

As noted, service history will be an important player. That gen is due for a valve check at 12K miles. If that's not been done your in for some work and cost. Also, the cam belts need to be replaced at 2 years of age or 12k miles of service. It's common for older ducs to have aged out belts. Other items that should have been serviced recently shoudl be the fork oil and brake/clutch fluid. Shock of that age could probably do for a service as well....

So depending on the maintenance history you could be in for a several hundred or even 1k work bill in addition to the purchase price.

[KIKH400]

Thanks.  Anybody want to take a shot at a fair offer for the 2001 Ducati 600 I listed above?  Not original owner, doesn't know bike's history, no service records but was told by PO that 12K service done (fwiw), nice tail chop, extra Corbin seat, carbon fibre front fender (don't care), seems to run fine, tires good.  I forgot to ask about key.  Nice seller--60+ years old, but has only had the bike a 1 1/2 years.  Fine with me having  prepurchase inspection done at local Ducati shop (if he wasn't I would've walked)

[Kev M]

All that said - take KBB/NADA numbers with a grain of salt, they're far from perfct.

Also check Ebay (not for what bikes were listed at, but what they actually SOLD for).

And at the end of the day it matters what the bike is worth TO YOU.

[Slide Panda]

I forgot to ask about key.  Nice seller--60+ years old, but has only had the bike a 1 1/2 years.  Fine with me having  prepurchase inspection done at local Ducati shop (if he wasn't I would've walked)

That bike will only have two plain old normal keys sans chips or farkles.. It's a carby, so no computer for the immobilizer to tie into.

As far as price... 2000? maybe 2500? $3500 is just way too much for an 11 year old base model with a few farkles and a moderately unknown history. To give you some perspective, my buddy just picked up a track only 749S for $3500. That ain't not 749S

[ducpainter]

<snip>
And at the end of the day it matters what the bike is worth TO YOU.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

that is the only important number

[Slide Panda]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

that is the only important number

True... but buyers remorse is a bitter drink.

[ducpainter]

True... but buyers remorse is a bitter drink.

that syndrome can occur regardless of price