£2000-£4000
Buying a bike at this price range is where you really need to have your wits about you
THIS PRICE BRACKET is where you need to be most aware. There are some really nice bikes to be found if you choose wisely, and for less than £4000 you’ll lose little, if any, on depreciation. But it’s also the price range that hides the most lemons. You could find yourself looking at a bike that the seller thinks is a ‘future classic’, a tarted-up dog, or a more expensive model that’s hiding a hard life behind shiny bodywork.
Be realistic with how much you have to spend and look for those bikes that offer what you want, but which maybe don’t have the kudos of other models. We found a Honda Firestorm for £2499 – what a brilliant bike for Sunday rides and the odd trackday – and a late Kawasaki ER-6F that was well looked after and was fitted with loads of extras for just £2299. Both were at an independent dealer.
Talking of dealers, this price range gives a better chance of finding what you want with all the benefits of buying from a shop. Dealers have to offer a bike in a safe, roadworthy condition. This means safety checks, normally a full year’s MOT, up-to-date servicing and a road test.
Bikes in dealers at this price come from a variety of sources – they could have been taken as a part-exchanged, bought at an auction, or might be being sold on behalf of a customer. Before going to see a bike check the dealer will let you to road test it – some might not if you’ve only had your licence a short while or have more than six points on it. They’re not being awkward: their insurance policy stiplutes who they can let take test rides.
It’s very hard to get a road test when buying privately, as few sellers will be happy to let you take their bike for a ride without the asking price in their hand. And even if they do, how will you be insured? Even if you have fully comp insurance, if the bike for sale is no longer insured, you’re not covered.
Then there’s ebay. It’s a great place to gauge the value of a bike and you’re almost certain to find someone selling exactly what you’re after. But never bid without going to see it beforehand. Do your research and take a friend who can help look for issues you may not see as you get new-bike fever.
The bikes for sale section of www.motorcyclenews.com allow you to search for models, age and price. If you can’t find what you want nearby, expand the area covered by your search to get more choice.
“Many dealers will happily give you a road test”