My situation is this:

I found a bank repossessed 2003 CBR 954 that looks pretty good from pictures(http://www.reposinmaine.com/item.asp?id=446), devil slip on is all i can really tell. I am acquainted with a guy who works at the dealership that is holding the bike, and he told me the bank wants 3500.00 for it and they have been only offered 2800.00 so far. The problem is that there is no key for this bike and it is being sold as is, so i have no idea how it runs. Also, are you able to figure out how many miles are on the bike because i thought it was all digital and if there is no key you can't see the dash.

I'm in college and i've been riding an older 750 for a couple years, i've probably spent as much time working on it as riding it so i know the mechanical basics well but i am not very familiar with the 954. What do you think about picking it up for 3500 or atleast making a bid for it at 3000? I don't want to let a great deal go but i don't want to be the dummy who bought a bike without hearing it run first.

Thanks a lot

 

For that kind of money, I'd think I'd try to get a key made at the dealer or something. Can you get a VIN number on it?

 

I personally would never buy a bike without riding it first. It all depends on what your situation is. If you can afford to take the risk then go for it. But if you don't have a couple grand sitting around in case the bike has some serious problems then keep looking. There are plenty of good deals out there right now with the economy the way it is. I picked my 02 954 up this winter for 3500 with 6,000 miles on it. Granted, I feel like I got an unbelievable deal, but good deals are always around. If you could pick it up for 2900 and had a grand in the bank in case it doesn't run then have at it.

 

I could get the VIN on it, but i'm pretty sure that a dealer needs a key code for a key, and you need proof of ownership to have them make you one. Other than that, i've only got a couple thousand at my dosposal so i would have to take out another school loan (or sell my bike now, but i don't want to be left without a running motorcycle) in order to pick it up. I want it so bad but without being able to easily take the financial risk it might just be a better idea to hold off. Is there any way to see mileage without a key?

Thanks for the advice, i welcome any more.

 

I'm not sure how it works on bikes, but with cars, the VIN and title or registration will get you the key code from an authorized dealer. On OMC and Mercury boats, there are only about 20 different keys. If you could get the seller to send you a copy of the title or repo papers, and explain the situation to them, the dealer might be able to help you.

 

that sounded like it might work so i just took a trip to a local honda dealer and he told me that in order to make a key i need the key code, which can be found inside the ignition. Looks like i'm still out of luck, unless i can convince the bank to let me tear out the ignition

 

I don't know how involved you wanna get with it, but it would be to their benefit to have a key, whether you buy it or not. If you have the time and the interest, it sounds doable.

 

Hot wire it haha.. J/k Rickracer is right, you would think the bank would want to have a key..