I’m doing some window shopping for a bike but would like some advice from the more experienced on which to choose.
I’m looking at Daytona 675’s from across MCN, biketrader and ebay. The max limit I want to spend is £4500.
There are some great looking bikes in excellent condition. The only thing I’m a bit unsure of is which to choose…
Would you go for a newer bike with higher mileage or an older bike with low mileage. For Example there is an 06 Daytona 675 with 7200 miles on the clock and then an 09’ with 23000 both “well looked after,” full service history and all that and are both around the same price.
if you buy a the 06 and it’s been used once a week and not warmed up properly first etc, it’ll be in the worse condition that the 09 that’s been warmed up before a ride and serviced regularly.
take a look at the service intervals actually, the 09 might be needing it’s engine shims checking or something
if you buy a the 06 and it’s been used once a week and not warmed up properly first etc, it’ll be in the worse condition that the 09 that’s been warmed up before a ride and serviced regularly.
take a look at the service intervals actually, the 09 might be needing it’s engine shims checking or something. not cheap.
I’d sooner buy a car or bike with a decent mileage on it backed by a service pedigree than some low mileage immaculate thing.
Two worked examples.
My elderly in-laws car had not been serviced after it’s free first service because it “hasn’t done 12,00 miles”. It was 5 years old at that point. I gave it a service while they were away on a package holiday and the oil came out looking like chicken soup.
Mrs O’s dinky little coupe has got 5,000 miles on it in 3 years. The only time it gets “properly” treated is when I borrow it and she’s not with me. The poor vehicle spends most of it’s life in her hands in fifth gear doing about 30 mph. If I were buying, I’d walk away from that one despite it having all the bells and whistles and being immaculate.
Always go for the machine that’s been properly used but well looked after.
As above, there’s a point where low mileage becomes as undesirable as inter galactic mileage …
If buying a used bike I’d look for something with an average mileage of around 6,000 miles per year with a detailed service history and having at least one service per year. Remember a stamp in the service book may simple refer to an oil change. Research what should have been done at the 6k, 12k and 18k mile service intervals and check that those items were in fact carried out.
I’d also check things like Road Tax, MOT, when the next service was due, wheels, tyres, brakes, chain and sprockets, headstock, clutch, throttle, engine etc, look at every aspect of the bike making sure everything is as it should be, if in doubt take a check list with you when viewing.
Yeah - as above - base your choice on the bikes actual condition - if both bikes are equal in terms of service history and actual mechanical condition then go for the lower mileage bike natch.
On the other hand if it was a choice between a 7000 mile sportsbike that has never had an oil change, was redlined from cold every day and then ridden down 20 flights of stairs of a block of flats onto the road to spend the day as a dispatch hack and between a 30,000 mile sportsbike that has an immaculate service history and has been ridden by a caring and mechanically sympathetic enthusiast then go for the 30,000 mile sportsbike.
There are people out there who are capable of wrecking a gearbox/engine in just a few thousand miles because they either don’t have a clue or just don’t care - just don’t buy one of these lemons.
