Checklist for buying a bike (sightunseen)

[He Man]

As some of you guys may know Ive been looking for a dR650 and finnaly found on advrider in North Carolina (im in NYC). Spoke to the guy, hes an older gentlemen about 60yrs old and doesnt really ride it much. I just want to confirm somethings with the forum in case anyone has purchased a bike online without seeing it.

1) Saw photos of the title, it is clear
2) Saw photos of the bike, in the locations i want to see (so i know they arent generic stock photos) and it looks good.
3) Will be paid using paypal (though im not sure if there is ANY protection if at all for me)

Thats it.

I am going to get a photocopy of his drivers license so i can match it to his title later today. once i do that, i will paypal him the remaining funds so the bike is to be picked up today.

There is a part of this transaction that is purely based on trust of another person you dont know.

So is there anything else you guys would recommend (aside from having it sent to a shop and having them take a look at it, to me, thats worthless unless someone knows a shop very well).

[Kev M]

Any board members local enough to go look at it?

Does the current owner post on a board? If so, stalk him.

I think having him bring it to a shop of YOUR CHOICE could be helpful, especially absent those two

[He Man]

I couldnt find a shop that i knew and would trust (that wasnt some kid who said oh it looks ok and it runs, i know both).

But I paid the guy via paypal and the bike will be here on Wednesday!

[Rob Hilding]

 

So, how did it go? R U happy?

[He Man]

Very happy. the bike was much cleaner than expected and overall in very very good condition. I paid for her on Sunday night and got her tuesday evening.
ushiper was sort of sketchy, but ultimately delivered good service at a very good price.

In NYC, 25years old, i am paying $66 a year on her for liability only ($450 for full insurance and $100 deductible, 300 for $1000. not sure if its really worth it since i have a garage and people dont really steal these kinda bikes around this area).

Bike is a hoot to ride. The buyer was very helpful in providing proof of ownership, photos of the title, the VIN on the bike headtube, scan of his ID etc. It went very smoothly, its my 3rd motorcycle overall, and its the 9th bike ive been involved in helping to purchase. (helped my friends with buying their bikes too) so i felt pretty comfortable buying the bike.

Ill snap some photos later this week when i wash her up!

[Southpaw]

I'd say you want to at least get comprehensive if simply because it doesn't take more than 2-3 strong men to lift a bike and wouldn't want you out a few grand because someone decided they deserved your bike more than you do.

[MendoDave]

Ill snap some photos later this week when i wash her up!

Photos?

[kopfjäger]

Photos?

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=66279.msg1232828#msg1232828

[The Architect]

3) Will be paid using paypal (though im not sure if there is ANY protection if at all for me)

I'm going to find out in 6 days how much protection a buyer has.  I do have to say Paypal has been very good so far.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=53746.msg1235675#msg1235675

[MendoDave]

I'm going to find out in 6 days how much protection a buyer has.  I do have to say Paypal has been very good so far.

http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?topic=53746.msg1235675#msg1235675

How does that happen?
 

[The Architect]

How does that happen?
 

The key-way getting all busted up? Someone doesn't tighten the flywheel to spec.


Getting a busted up bike delivered?  Sometimes you can do all the homework you want and it's still not enough. 

[picard]

Good deal He Man.
I have dealt with folks from ADVRider a lot and never had any issues. Good bunch.

[The Mad King Pepe']

In the context of sight unseen, I prefer eBay or a forum to craigslist or similar. On a forum you can get an idea of what the person is like (and what they've done to the bike) from their previous posts, while eBay & PayPal provide a certain degree of protection.

[The Architect]

turns out PayPal can be another added level of security when purchasing sight unseen. I filed a dispute with Pay Pal, after the allotted amount of time they refunded me the amount needed to perform the repairs.

[He Man]

turns out PayPal can be another added level of security when purchasing sight unseen. I filed a dispute with Pay Pal, after the allotted amount of time they refunded me the amount needed to perform the repairs.

so you mean the full cost of the bike?  whats the % of the repairs to the total cost of repairing your KTM?