Used dirtbike prices... Am I the crazy one?

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03-25-2013, 19:26
baglock1

Used dirtbike prices... Am I the crazy one?

So after a recent trip down the AZ to hunt some critters and see some family, I got hooked on my brother-in-law's Honda XR 100R. I've been riding for nearly 30 years and have been on my share of bigger, adult sized/powered bikes, but for a small displacement, small framed bike, I couldn't keep the smile off my face while ripping it around the desert.

I haven't bought a dirt bike in probably over 15 years, and that one was delivered in a cardboard box. My current bike is an old '68 trailbike that I just got finished restoring (it was the bike I learned to ride on), the bike before that was a sportbike bought from the dealer, and the one before that was a Harley. So I've been out of the loop on used dirtbike values for a long time. With that said, the used XR 100R market just seems crazy to me.

For a bike that KBB lists as being worth about $600 from a dealer and in excellent shape, craigslisters are asking $1200!!! Back in AZ, I could expect to pay $400-$500 if I looked around.

So am I the crazy one? Is there a premium on used dirtbikes here in CO or are people just out of their mind?
03-25-2013, 19:30
ray1970

Just about any kids size bike will fetch a grand around here.
03-25-2013, 19:32
BushMasterBoy

Metro area especially. Look outside the box...
03-25-2013, 19:34
baglock1

FM2Ts. I think it'll be cheaper to buy one on ebay and ship it, or drive back down to AZ and bring it back. Crikey...
03-25-2013, 19:38
Wulf202

Quote:

Originally Posted by baglock1

FM2Ts. I think it'll be cheaper to buy one on ebay and ship it, or drive back down to AZ and bring it back. Crikey...

buy 2 at half price, sell one up here. free bike.
03-25-2013, 19:46
KestrelBike

my favorite are people asking $7k+ for 600cc sportbikes. Unless it's brand new, that's just ridiculous. I don't care how many more payments you have left on it.
03-25-2013, 19:47
ChunkyMonkey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wulf202

buy 2 at half price, sell one up here. free bike.

Gouger!!!!
03-25-2013, 19:51
baglock1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wulf202

buy 2 at half price, sell one up here. free bike.

I like the way you think. Maybe buy 3, sell 2, get a free bike and enough to pay for gas as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChunkyMonkey

Gouger!!!!

Socialist! ;)
03-25-2013, 19:51
XC700116

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray1970

Just about any kids size bike will fetch a grand around here.

This^^ and IMO if you want a 100 there, you need a 250 here because 90% of the riding in CO is at a much higher elevation and the loss of HP at elevation on a small 4 stroke is VERY significant (unless you were riding in the flagstaff area) maybe look for an XR250 or a TTR 250 if you want a smaller statured bike.
03-25-2013, 19:53
baglock1

Quote:

Originally Posted by KestrelBike

my favorite are people asking $7k+ for 600cc sportbikes. Unless it's brand new, that's just ridiculous. I don't care how many more payments you have left on it.

I paid cash for mine so payments weren't an issue but I sold my 2005 CBR 600RR for $5500 in 2008. That was a kick in the junk.
03-25-2013, 19:55
R&S

sounds like it could be fun, dangerous, but fun
03-25-2013, 19:57
Robby30-06

Yes, people are crazy. The smaller dirt bikes seem to never drop in value around here as there is a huge "Pit Bike" market. Everyone from car racers to motocrossers to road bike racers have pit bikes. Alot of them also have aftermarket parts to make them more adult user friendly and alot of guys expect to get their money back for those parts.
03-25-2013, 19:57
baglock1

Actually, I was riding in the Flagstaff area (as well as out in the desert west of Prescott, ~3500'). The change was noticeable, but still fun. My primary purpose won't be for CO trails so I'm not too worried about altitude. If I was wanting a bike to push the envelope on, I'd be looking at a 400-450 minimum anyways.

Thanks though, it does illustrate a good point.
03-25-2013, 20:28
HBARleatherneck

we ride the xr80 and xr100 out here (as adults) and have tons of fun.
03-25-2013, 20:48
BigDee

In the world of Craigslist you have to keep in mind there are two types of sellers. Those who have their stuff priced to sell and those who have their stuff priced to keep. 90% of the sellers have their stuff priced to keep but they often fail to realize it at first because they are gauging their price on what others are asking for a similar item.

I buy and sell a lot of cars on craigslist. Almost every seller has their car listed over blue book, the ones that don't always seem to list their stuff in good condition with a few bumps and bruises and think knocking $200 off KBB because the vehicle needs $3K in work is a "fair" deal. I don't make offers on 90% of the stuff I look at because it's usually run down junk that's barely worth what the recycling center would pay for it. The 10% of stuff I make offers on are either A) People who are in desperate need of cash and are willing to make a deal or B) an offer I know will be refused because it's based on real value and not the far fetched value the seller thinks their stuff is worth. In situation A I usually walk away with said item and in situation B I'd say around 40% of the sellers are ringing my phone off the hook within a week because they are sick of all the tire kickers or people willing to give them their asking price if they'll take payments or agree to some other weird arrangement, as a general rule I usually knock 10% off the price I originally offered to the situation B seller when they start ringing my phone off the hook if they still want to make a deal.

When you go to look at something make sure you take a copy of the print out with the blue book or nada guide value. Nada guide is usually lower than KBB but that is not always the case so make sure to check the value on both and take the lesser of the two with you. When looking at the item you need to be very aware of what you are looking at especially common maintenance issues on the vehicle, you should also be aware of the cost of said maintenance/repair issue. As an example older bikes usually need the carb(s) cleaned and in many cases rebuilt so you should ask to see proof of recent carb work and if it hasn't been done deduct the repair cost from the appropriate value of the item, if the repair is $100 and the seller is only willing to go down $50 walk from the deal, the simple fact that you will have to invest the time in having the item repaired with no compensation for your time is enough as is. Also, do not ever take a sellers word for anything, if they tell you the motor has been rebuilt but they don't have documentation supporting it you need to assume it hasn't been done. If they do supply you with documentation you need to do your homework and validate that it is real, if the seller gives you a receipt that says the motor is rebuilt make sure to call the shop and verify the serial numbers and repair work matchup, you'd be surprised how many times I've had someone show me a receipt for something from a shop I've never heard of and the shop has magically gone out of business recently.
03-25-2013, 20:53
RCCrawler

I've got a nice 426 I've been thinking about selling...
03-25-2013, 21:04
King

I still have my little YZ85 from when I was a kid. 6 speed transmission and 84cc of 2 stroke goodness. That bike rips for how small it is.
And then there is my 450f...
03-25-2013, 21:07
BigDee

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCCrawler

I've got a nice 426 I've been thinking about selling...

Fun bikes but a PITA to start. I've literally ripped shoes in half starting up my father's 426 in sneakers.
03-25-2013, 21:33
brokenscout

Its like Jeeps in CO
03-25-2013, 21:39
BigDee

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokenscout

Its like Jeeps in CO

On the phone

Me: "Have the main seals been replaced."

Jeep Seller: "Yeah the guy who owned it before me said he had those done."

After in person arrival and inspection

Me: "Why's there a bunch of oil on the ground under the jeep?"

Jeep Seller: "It's a jeep they all leak oil."

Me: "Have a nice day."

I won't even waste my time looking at Jeeps anymore.
03-25-2013, 21:48
baglock1

I sold my built CJ-7 in FL before moving out here. After a little while I started kinda sorta looking for another one and quickly changed my mind. I could probably go into business buying Jeeps in FL and XR 100Rs in AZ and selling them here.
03-25-2013, 22:26
rocktot

I know of a '78 Yami 100cc up by Boulder thats going for 600, probably get it for 5, its been there for a while. Was a one owner local ranch kids. In good condition, but faded red. I really want it but can't do it right now.
03-25-2013, 23:50
Great-Kazoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDee

On the phone

Me: "Have the main seals been replaced."

Jeep Seller: "Yeah the guy who owned it before me said he had those done."

After in person arrival and inspection

Me: "Why's there a bunch of oil on the ground under the jeep?"

Jeep Seller: "It's a jeep they all leak oil."

Me: "Have a nice day."

I won't even waste my time looking at Jeeps anymore.

Like wise for campers / pull behinds.
EXCELLENT CONDITION, NEW, NEW , NEW

10 sec looking under the unit and see what looks like a mushroom grow operation. Hey man you said this was in EXCELLENT COND. Well it is. yea you dumb fuk for a blind man.[facepalm]

Anyway back on track.
SPRING IS HERE MC Prices take an easy 20% price jump. I use to hit them up with cash in hand. Also ask on the phone, you have documentation for work done. If they start to hesitate i hang up.
03-26-2013, 11:33
RCCrawler

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDee

Fun bikes but a PITA to start. I've literally ripped shoes in half starting up my father's 426 in sneakers.

If you know how to do it, it's not an issue at all. I can start it just fine. It also works good if someone asks to take your bike for a ride. "If you can start it you can ride it."
03-26-2013, 11:53
TFOGGER

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigDee

Fun bikes but a PITA to start. I've literally ripped shoes in half starting up my father's 426 in sneakers.

Easy fix: Install the Hotcams exhaust cam. It has an automatic decompressor that makes starting the 426 just like a 450 Honda...before the intake valves on the Honda take a shit...[LOL]
03-26-2013, 14:08
XC700116

The, documentation for work done thing always makes me LMFAO. I'm a former mechanic by trade and by necessity on all my stuff now. Unless it's warranty work, my stuff NEVER sees the dealership service bay.

Having the skills to do everything myself and knowing damn well 90% of the "mechanics" at toy dealerships should have their tools taken away and kicked out the door on their asses, I'll take the do it yourself guy. As long as he can answer my questions in detail over the documentation of work done at a dealership (this is on motorcycles, snowmobiles, and other powersports toys with maybe the exception of Harleys as their mechanics generally know their shit) in general, this is of course unless it's a specific dealership I KNOW has good wrenches in the back that know their shit.

Put it this way, I can rattle off a long list of dealerships that if they EVER cracked a motor open on anything I was looking to buy, I'd turn and walk away instantly unless it was such a good deal I could afford to re-do it myself. On the other hand, there's about 3 off the top of my head I'd have any confidence at all in.
03-26-2013, 16:25
Great-Kazoo

Quote:

Originally Posted by XC700116

The, documentation for work done thing always makes me LMFAO. I'm a former mechanic by trade and by necessity on all my stuff now. Unless it's warranty work, my stuff NEVER sees the dealership service bay.

Having the skills to do everything myself and knowing damn well 90% of the "mechanics" at toy dealerships should have their tools taken away and kicked out the door on their asses, I'll take the do it yourself guy. As long as he can answer my questions in detail over the documentation of work done at a dealership (this is on motorcycles, snowmobiles, and other powersports toys with maybe the exception of Harleys as their mechanics generally know their shit) in general, this is of course unless it's a specific dealership I KNOW has good wrenches in the back that know their shit.

Put it this way, I can rattle off a long list of dealerships that if they EVER cracked a motor open on anything I was looking to buy, I'd turn and walk away instantly unless it was such a good deal I could afford to re-do it myself. On the other hand, there's about 3 off the top of my head I'd have any confidence at all in.

Yes & no.. If seller X tells me he rebuilt the top end. There must be receipts somewhere of the parts he installed.
I sold my road slide 2 yrs ago. Told the buyer the motor was rebuilt because of an oil pump OOPS. All parts replaced / receipts were in hand to verify work done.
Some dealers and small shops, I'd buy a tire and have someone i know do the work.