Replace tires before selling?

[triangleforge]

Here's the deal: it looks like I'm going to have to sell the 1998 ST2. It sucks, because I know it's worth more to me than it will be on the market, but that's how life goes sometimes.

The bike has a well and truly fragged Pirelli Diablo sport touring tire on the rear that's on the urgent replacement list, and a Michelin Pilot on the front that's probably in the late afternoon, if not the twilight of its life.

Here's the question: does it make sense to spend the money to replace the tires before putting it on the market, or do I just note that up front and discount the asking price accordingly?

[Speeddog]

If you replace the tires, it's a legitimate selling point, and helps defend your asking price.

Downside is the cash outlay, and the possibility of not getting all of your money back.

[DucRS]

  I think worn out tires say alot about how the owner may have flogged the bike or simply doesn't show appreciation for necessary maintenance.
  If I were in the hunt for a (new to me) bike I would be swayed to pay a bit more knowing the owner just forked out some cash for new tires. Also, A bike with fresh tires make a bike look sooo much better.

[Grampa]

makes the test ride better

[SpikeC]

 While not necessarily a deal breaker, old tires look, well, old! I would be more favorably inclined to choose a bike with fresh tires, all else being equal.

[koko64]

+4 on the tyres.
Good presentation and selling point but don't expect the money back. The bike needed them.

[ducatiz]

Unless the tread is done, soak them with tire glaze.  Clean is better than new imho

[hbliam]

makes the test ride better

No such thing on a private party bike sale...unless you like gambling.

[1.21GW]

No such thing on a private party bike sale...unless you like gambling.

Not true.  My M900 I got to test ride from PO.  I promptly dropped it coming out of his driveway! 

[ducatiz]

i do test rights.  if you put 100% of my asking price into my hand. drop it, you buy it.

[SDRider]

i do test rights.  if you put 100% of my asking price into my hand. drop it, you buy it.

  This.  A good friend of mine bought a 2007 Multistrada 1100 S recently and he handed the PO an envelope full of cash and took it for a short spin.  About the only thing the PO did was put a new rear tire on it.  It needed a valve adjustment, belts, the rear brake wasn't working correctly, the tank was warped and the clutch slave cylinder was bad (we could tell some of this when we looked it over).  My friend haggled with him on the price a bit and ended up buying the bike and riding it home, spent the next 3 weeks ordering parts (including a NOS tank) and working on the maintenance items that needed doing.  It was a good honest bike with only 7500 miles on it and now he has a sweet machine that will last him for years.  I think the PO knew it needed some maintenance and got sticker shock when he called the dealership to ask how much so he decided to part with it.

As for the tire issue, I agree with most others here.  It is easier to sell a bike that literally needs nothing than one that needs work and a bike with a worn out tire may not even be safe to ride, which speaks volumes about the owner.

You may not get that money out of it but if the guy is trying to knock you down a couple hundred bucks for a new rear tire you are in a better position to bargain.

[sgollapalle]

From a personal incident after buying a used car from a dealer I decided to NEVER use bridgestone or tires that have been used by anyone else before. But again that's me.
Unless they are completely toast where you are able to see the wire inside, most buyers would be willing to negotiate a price drop.
When I sold my bike, it was 400 miles to needing the 7500mi service and I had not changed the belts on it since I bought it new 3 years ago. The buyer pointed it out, and I researched and told him that both those would probably add up to ~$300, and I'd drop the price ~$200 to offset what he might have to spend right away, and the deal was done.

You could probably post in your ad that the tires have x miles on them and will need attention soon. And when you have an interested party come to look, you could negotiate then to drop the price by what ever the cheaper set would be (say $400) and tehy would then have the flexibility to put on what ever tire they wanted.
That of course will only work when you are not in a hurry to sell, so you don't have to worry about the ones that look at your tires and assume you didn't take care of the bike and walk away.

[hbliam]

Not true.  My M900 I got to test ride from PO.  I promptly dropped it coming out of his driveway! 

I didn't say it wasn't true, just not advised. Having the cash in hand doesn't make the bike "sold". Paperwork and cash does. I've never had a problem selling a bike without test rides.

[koko64]

+1. I would not let anyone test ride my bike. A mate had his bike stolen that way. Guy left fake ID, never saw him or the bike again. Cash in hand may stop a theft, but doesn't secure a sale without a fight. I have trust issues.

[RichD]

I'd just price the bike appropriately for the wear and disclose that fact.

A lot of people are fussy on tires.
Some people love tires I can't get to talk to me.
Boxers/briefs/commando. Personal preferences.

I'd rather mount a fresh set myself anyway honestly.