[CBXJOHN]

I went on E-Bay to check Values of sport bikes in general, I was amazed to see that my '00 CBR 929 would only bring about $3500 - $4200! I figured with gasoline high, used bikes, especially sport bikes, would be up! And these were bikes with less miles than mine! I was hoping to get about $5K for the bike, it's immaculate! Yet, the cult following of the RC51 keep it's prices racked up.
Anyone sell a bike lately and were surprised by the resale?

John

 

[jgos929]

I would think it has something to do with the fact that you can buy a brand new 1K for around double what your asking. Its to easy for people to go out and finance a new one then drop $5000 harned earned cash on a used one.

 

[TennesseeCBR600]

Since I got my bike 3 years ago, I have constantly been looking on eBay for performance parts, etc...
All the used bike prices I've seen seem to be in line with what they have been over the last 3 years.
A lot of it is that a 2000 is now "old," and the squids need the latest and greatest bikes. It's just the law of supply and demand, which is why the RC51 holds its value so well.

 

[PiasanoRacer]

I would think it has something to do with the fact that you can buy a brand new 1K for around double what your asking. Its to easy for people to go out and finance a new one then drop $5000 harned earned cash on a used one.

Great point. Allow me to take it one further. Regardless of how often you see the words "adult owned," "like new," "dealership serviced," "garage kept," or my favorite, "never raced," the facts speak to the contrary. NO ONE and let me repeat again, NO ONE who owns a sport bike can say that they haven't put a little "right wrist" to it once in awhile. It's part of owning bikes that have racing in their genes. Nobody owns a Thoroughbred Race Horse and uses it to pull a plow. it just doesn't happen. In the case of buying a used sport bike it doesn't matter how many of the phrases (or many more like them) stated above come from the seller's mouth or printed want ads. All potential buyers know that at one time or another these bikes have been "got onto." Hell, my street bike (an '02 CBR600F4i) has been ridden hard on a "few" occasions and I'm over 50 and it's in (genuinely) showroom shape. The other fact which is a direct result of the above is insurance rates for sport bikes. They are higher than other motorcycle categories. More sport bike claims result from wrecks that were caused by riding too hard. Two of the four guys that I do trackdays with bought totaled bikes that had very low mileage and were crashed do to rider stupidity (not error, just stupidity). My one friend, John, rides an '07 CBR1000 that had 38 (let me say it again, 38) miles on it when the first owner made the mistake of stating those infamous words to his friends: "Hey, watch this!" and proceeded to attempt a wheelie. The result doesn't need to be stated. You can fill in the blanks. As a rule (And, yes, I'm speaking in broad generalities), WE are the reason sport bike insurance rates are high and resale stinks. We can't blame anyone else...

 

[CBXJOHN]

Yes, as you have so aptly stated, your CBR 600 F4i is in showroom shape and has been ridden hard upon occasion. But you didn't say, you've been riding stoppies or wheelies, or drag racing the bike on the street. If you are over 50 like me, riding a bike hard, is pushing it in corners challenging yourself on new and exciting roads for thrill. I have many friends who have mint well used sportbikes as well, but they, like myself are riders, not exhibitionists, who value their health (because it's a more difficult road to heal as you get older) and the health of their machine, over stunting and showing off. I've often said, and this pertains to gun control as well, "it's not the device that causes the carnage, but the operator, guns don't kill, bikes don't wreck, unless someone uses them in a reckless manner". So, in reality, a well cared for sportbike should be a decent value. Sportbike technology, like computers, races upwards, since the advent of injected bikes, the improvements in chassis design from year to year are tweaks. As for horsepower, what's the difference between 160 and 180 crank horsepower? They both are more than one needs for the street. When I got the 929, I was asked by friends what I felt of it's horsepower, I replied, "I run out of street before I can ever dream of utilizing it". Traffic, rough roads, poor visibility, keep savvy riders in check, limiting how many times that right hand is wrapped back. I think I've run that CBR to redline 7 times, in the eight years I've owned it. And that was entering an interstate on a Sunday morning with no traffic! There just isn't many openings to SAFELY push a sportbike, that's the ADULT perspective, and why, when I look for used machines I seek an adult owned bike ONLY, and perhaps pay a little more, but I get a showroom piece. I'm just looking to get that $500. premium for a well cared, respected bike, on my sale. I think my strategy will be to sell locally on Craigslist where I won't have to compete with the E-bay "pit" where a lot of BEAT bikes are sold.

John

 

[CBXJOHN]

Update, looks like the bike is sold, Craigslist $4500.! No haggle, Craigslist! 1 week!

John

 

[PiasanoRacer]

Good deal, John. Are you planning on replacing it? If so, what are you considering?

 

[CBXJOHN]

No replacements as yet, the intelligent thing would be to pay off my equity line
on which I owe $5K from the purchase of the RC.

But, as you speak of it, a dealer east of me has a 2007 CBR 1000, in a dark blue and yellow paint scheme, left over, for $8200.!!!! He also has a '07 Interceptor commemorative, in the factory red,white, and blue pattern of the '80's, it's stunning, and also list price,
$11,500. YIKES!!!! No new bikes, for now, conservatism rules the day.

John

 

[PiasanoRacer]

I gotta tell you this, much to my own shame. We've all heard stories of the wife who likes to shop and spend too much money. Sadly, in my case it's me who likes to buy new toys. If it wasn't for my wife's frugal nature I'd be in the poor house. Thankfully, we both earn a better than average living so I'm not going to cry poor...

 

[CBXJOHN]

The gentleman picked up my CBR yesterday, he was thrilled by it's condition, it was well kept. He bought my bike to ride with his son who has a 600 ninja. Something tells me sonny will want to try out Dad's new scoot. The buyer's other bike is a Harley fat boy, boy is he in for a surprise when he twists the handle on the CBR!

I don't know, I feel sad every time I sell a bike. I bought this bike brand-new off the show room floor, and kept, rode, and pampered it for 8 years.

Memories, like the time I speed passed the open piped Harley rider at 120, my Jardine can howling! That dude nearly shat himself! I will miss the ole CBR, I'm down to 5 motorcycles now. Fortunately, my buddy in PA wants to store his mint 954 at my house so I can get a 4cyl hit once in a while if need it.

John