Newbie looking for some pre-purchase advice
 

Hi all,

I am a new rider, and was hoping to take advantage of the time of year and get a good deal on a used F4i. I am from a relatively rural area in the new england, so there isn't a huge selection in the area, but there are some good bikes for sale.

There are a few bikes I have been looking at, and was hoping I could get the advice of some F4i owners, on the value of the bikes. Also I was hoping to get some tips on things to look for about the bike that would be a positive or something to be weary of.

Here are a few links of bikes that I have thought about pursuing:

http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/1476472731.html
http://maine.craigslist.org/mcy/1474571441.html

I called the owner of the second bike (blue, 2006, < 500 miles) and he had said that a kid dropped the bike at ~10-15 mph and that he had replaced the cosmetic damage. I was a little weary of the price being just $4000 for a 2006 with <500 miles, even with the drop. Is there a good chance there are other mechanical problems that would have happened from the lay down?


I am hoping to spend at most $4000 on the bike. Are there are tiny tips/suggestions on things to look for on a used F4i? Specific things that might indicate the difference between a well maintained bike, and something that someone beat and just cleaned up to sell?

I plan on bringing any bike I do consider purchasing to a shop to pay a 1/2 or hour charge to have them look it over for anything that might need to be fixed.



Thanks a lot in advance for any advice you can give, and hopefully I get a bike soon and become a regular on the forum!

Welcome to CBRForum.

Sorry, but this topic and your exact questions have been asked and answered numerous times. Take some time to search the F4i section for "new buyer" or things along that nature, and you'll find lots of relevant information. Good luck!

i don't think he's going to find much about his specific question by searching the forum Aken lol. tard, there is hardly going to be any damage from a 10-15 mph drop, some scuffs, that's about it. Ask if you can get a test ride, start it up, listen for things. it could just be someone trying to get the bike out of there before winter. ask him to take the bike to a mechanic of your choice, and pay for the appointment. good luck!!

Search around, you will find your answers. But If it's a private seller, I'd bet he just wants to get rid of it. Check all the normal wear and tear stuff (search), but other than that, you be the judge.

The second one is what we refer to as the banana seat, and the first one is a split seat.... YOU want to be in a split seat, they are much better looking bikes. The split seats were from 01-03.

I would question whether the second one really has less than 500 miles. Be leary that the guage clusters can be swapped easily.

Thank you so much for the advice! I was being lazy and didn't bother searching prior to posting. I did search after and read a great deal, and lots of helpful information.

I do agree about the split seats, they really do look so much better.

I am going tomorrow to take a look at each of the bikes, and a few others in the area, along with a few shops that have some used bikes. A friend is a police officer, and can run the VINs for a very detailed report on previous owners and the state of the title. So after I check each one out, and run the VIN numbers, I will hopefully find a bike that is good enough to have checked out and move forward with.

Thanks a bunch for the advice

Hey man, I see you are searching the Maine craigslist....where in Maine are you from? I am in South Berwick. I would be more than happy to meet up with you and check out a bike with you. Ive ridden mine for 5+K miles (not a lot compared to some people, I know) but I do know how these bigs should feel and act.

If you like my bike we could talk prices....I do want an RR someday and would be happy to sell you mine with all the stuff I have for it.

If you lived closer I would probably sell mine to you for 4k - the two owners before me were both 50 plus, and it was a first bike for them. I have owned it for about 5-700 miles and it probably hasn't been past 6k rpms..... Bone stock with 7k miles on it....