Question about a bike

I was semi seriously looking around for bikes (mainly because I might be selling my current one due to various reasons) that I could use as a track bike and perhaps after I get some problems sorted out also start using on the street again

I came across this 2000 R1



(sorry ignore the ad, I re uploaded the image through imageshack)

Price $4900
Description 22,000 km, original owner, steel braided brake lines, no other modifications. Original chain, sprokets, brakes etc. New fairings due to "low-side" at a track day... includes old fairings. Looks practically new! Beautiful bike, fabulous engine (better than today's bikes high strung engines) and brakes! Will include bike stands and leather jacket (size 38?... fits 140-150lb average male). Stored in heated basement every year and religiously maintained. Cannot go wrong with this bike. Reason for selling... downsized and more comfy replacement.

I looked it up and the bike has 127.8 hp at 10 500 RPM (about 25 more than my current bike)(oh apparently it has a claimed 150 hp but the dyno's say 127.8) and I was wondering if anyone had any personal experience with this bike (I've sat on a 08 R1 and found it suprisingly comfortable)

I was also curious what do you think the odds are of this bike actually being in good condition, how much longer should it last (if it has been treated well) I will of course test ride something and have it checked out by a mechanic before I buy something through private sale but just curious :P

[Dodsfall]

If it has been maintained well, it should last quite a while yet. It's a good idea to check out any used bike carefully.

if I was going to seriously consider it, I'd have it checked out by a mechanic and give it a test ride but what are some obvious signs a bike is getting worn (I am not much of a grease monkey, I can change my oil and winterize my bike and that's about it)

[super32]

some things that catch my attention, bringing cause for a more cautious eye:

1. the seller "tracked" the bike... which leads me to ask: did he redline it much? not exactly sure how it affects the engine life, but it seems it's always asked when buyers get used sport bikes. might have to do with seals and engine wear?
2. he tracked it... how are the rotors? easy to replace, but still... need to check those
3. he low-sided the bike... even though lowsided, the bike can still flip. The fact that it's still somewhat together, i guess it might not have flipped. you should ask to remove the fairings to take a look underneath.
4. he has 22000km (13000mi) on the bike, and he said "original chain, sprockets, brakes, etc"... does that mean he's never replaced it? chains and sprocket last about 22000km.
5. anytime i find out a bike has been dropped, I worry about alignment. Are the forks true? Is the swingarm true? There's no easy/sure way to check this other than to take it to the shop. i believe they have some sort of tool for measuring.

A suggestion:
i'm not sure how other people approach it, but when I purchased my used bike, I asked the seller to ride it down the street, turn it around, come back at about 20mph to 25mph (40kmh) and do an "emergency stop". by doing this you can observe squeals, brake behavior, some suspension, engine sound.

Then you can just have him shift up to 3rd gear or something to listen and observe how easy/difficult it is to shift?

Again, I'm no certified MC mechanic or anything... just stuff i'd do to find out as much as possible.


BTW, the reason I'd have him ride the MC is because some sellers don't like other's riding the bike, so i figure "fine, if I can't ride it, you do it..."

good luck! and be safe on the liter (litre ).

[weezerfan84]

Also I kinda feel $4800 for an 8 year old R1 is expensive. I know you can't compare an R6 to an R1, but you can find 06 and 07 for $6k-7k easily online. I didn't like the phrases "tracked" and "original chain" at all. Most likely if you've tracked your bike you've wheelied it a bit, which diminishes the life of the chain. Chains are relatively cheap, but it's something to look at. My biggest concern is he wants $5k for a bike that is 8 years old, well technically 9. The bike really does look good, but I think it's pretty overpriced. I wouldn't give much over $3800 as my max.

[kitty kat]

Original chain at that mileage wouldn't cause me too much concern, a well looked after original can last easily 25000miles. The fact it has been 'tracked' would cause me to walk away from it. It has had the a**e ragged off it and who knows how many times it has been damaged whilst doing this. People tend to buy bikes specifically for track and have one they use just for road use. You should be able to find a similar bike that has been treated much better than this.

unfortunately the price is pretty normal for canada, add 1k to the cost of a bike at least and that's what we pay over here


thanks for the advice guys but... well just got a call back from my insurance agent, cheapest he found under my name was 10k a year

i'll be lucky to afford my current bike still since every insurance company in the area makes me the primary driver (so far the cheapest is 2300)

[super32]

Originally Posted by firebos7

unfortunately the price is pretty normal for canada, add 1k to the cost of a bike at least and that's what we pay over here


thanks for the advice guys but... well just got a call back from my insurance agent, cheapest he found under my name was 10k a year

i'll be lucky to afford my current bike still since every insurance company in the area makes me the primary driver (so far the cheapest is 2300)

WHAT! $10k for insurance?
do you own a house or something? Are you 12years old with tendancy to race anyone that rides up next to you? (being saracastic...)...

I just can't believe $10k/year. that's almost half of a new car! wow...

i guess what you save on the universal health care, you pay elsewhere?

ya........ ya....



...ya (Insurance companies are the bane of my existence)