High mileage bike, but lower mileage engine - would you?

[Jamieg285]

I'm looking at a used bike for sale. The bike has done about 120K miles, but owner claims the engine was swapped and the current one has only 40K.


You can see from the condition of the bike (grips, footpegs) that it has done that sort of mileage, but most of that can be replaced/tidied up. The important bits of the bike look to be well maintained.


What do you think?  Is it worth a punt - good asking price, with a bit of work to do to bring it up to scratch, or is such a high mileage not worth going for?


The seller says he will put it through an MOT prior to sale.

[mr self destruct]

I would, but I wouldn't pay more than it would be with a 120k engine.

[alexanderfitu]

If you have proof that its had the engine done then great.

At 120k things like rear shock might need looking at, front shocks internals may be wearing slightly. Steering head bearings and swingarm bearings, apart from that though you should be fine, just check they dont have lots of play in them.

[Jamieg285]

I would, but I wouldn't pay more than it would be with a 120k engine.

Any idea what sort of price that would be?

[mickvp]

I assume its this one your looking at?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/2002-yamaha-fazer-fzs-600/1047144979#photo-content

not sure what a fair price would be for that really.

[chaz]

The yamaha dealer offered me around £1000 for my 06 fz6 because it had high? mileage.......................... 32,000, ok I know shops don't want bikes this age and mileage but if can do any jobs that need doing then it's your call I don't think there will be buyers queuing up, but check the prices of the parts that alex has said you can soon spend more than you save ?

[darrsi]

I assume its this one your looking at?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/2002-yamaha-fazer-fzs-600/1047144979#photo-content

not sure what a fair price would be for that really.

You could always carry a spare bike in that topbox. 

[fazersharp]

What about wiring here and there starting to wear through the insulation due to vibration.
I think its right to treat the price as if it were a 120k bike/engine

[locksmith]

Now THATS a top box

[alexanderfitu]

I would say no more than £650

[adeejaysdelight]

I think you are wasting your time on that one mate. By the time you swap out all the bits needing changed, and assuming you do all the work yourself, you will be AT LEAST as much as buying a good 20-odd thousand mile bike that does not need all the work.


Rear shock
Front end rebuild
All bearings
All seals


Some of that is pretty big, like the swing arm for example.


Why bother?


And if that "top box" has been used, the bike will be shagged carrying all that weight over the rear tyre for 120000 miles. No chance[size=78%] [/size]

[fazersharp]

It says it was a blood bike--------------- do they carry the donor in that box to keep it fresh

[Fazerider]

That topbox may be huge, but it doesn't mean it's knackered the bike. If it's been used for blood/organs then most of the volume will be taken up by insulation and it'll certainly be lighter than a pillion.
Fazers are decent reliable machines and I certainly wouldn't start with the viewpoint that there is a huge list of parts that need to be replaced... chances are the owner kept on top of the maintenance since the bike was doing an important job.
Most people are scared off by a high number on the odometer, that should give you good bargaining power, even if you can't find anything wrong with it.

[mr self destruct]

I would, but I wouldn't pay more than it would be with a 120k engine.

Any idea what sort of price that would be?

Not really without seeing it first hand bud, what I meant by that was a replacement engine wouldn't really add value to the bike. A 40k mile engine can't be called low mileage anyway.

[adeejaysdelight]

I would not "assume" anything in any given situation. It rarely ends well. And if money is involved, I go polar opposite of assume. To each his own, but why buy a machine that is good for scrap/parts when you can spend similar money on any other bike? I am just trying to save the guy possible heartache, I benefit not a jot either way...

[Grahamm]

That topbox may be huge, but it doesn't mean it's knackered the bike. If it's been used for blood/organs then most of the volume will be taken up by insulation and it'll certainly be lighter than a pillion.

Also if the rider was a Blood Biker he wouldn't have been ragging it. Using its capabilities, yes, but blood bikers are highly skilled riders, not thrashers.

[slimwilly]

just go in with a £600 cash offer,

[lew600fazer]

120K , £850.00, sorry it is not just about the engine , forks are going to be pitted , swing arm likely corroding from inside to out , wheels likely will have stress cracks not visable to the eye, I would not take that as a gift you are only going to buy a heap of trouble for yourself. As regards him saying he will put it through an MOT, so what !! brake pipes will be needing replacing. Walk away mate save yourself the grief.
Lew