Aging Bike Options

[101stpathfinder]

I have 3 bikes in my stable. A trusty '05 FJR (190k), a garage queen '08 (30k) and a BMW GS650F Dakar (11k). I need to reduce 1 bike and logic says the '05

FJR is showing its age and should be the one out. What options are out there? I have never been in this situation… Take the bike strip it down, sell the farkles

and what? I am thinking reselling is out with the miles on the clock … (?)

And BTW Iggy- I know what you did! No need flashing pictures of that "Solution" of yours! (LOL)

 

[winewhisperer]

Seems easy enough to me. Get rid of the oldest FJR. I have never understood why someone would need two motorcycles that are essentially the same.

 

[101stpathfinder]

Seems easy enough to me. Get rid of the oldest FJR. I have never understood why someone would need two motorcycles that are essentially the same.

Actually the 2 FJRs are set up quite differently. One is an LD/Rally bike, the other is a pristine 2-up beauty.

The Gen 2 looks good while the Gen 1 gets the rides done!

What I was wondering is:

* If the wife gets a bike… Do dealerships give you a book price regardless of miles on a bike?

* Are there salvage yards to "Buy" the bike?

Questions like that…

 

[SacramentoMike]

If it's running good, I don't know why you couldn't find a price that somebody would love to pay for it. Sad thing about having an '05 and an '08 is there are so many farkles that you couldn't transfer over to the one you're keeping, but I'd pull off what could be easily sold as long as doing it wouldn't hurt the saleability of the '05. I think you'd get a better return on the money you put into it that way.

Pretty much anybody would give you more than a salvage yard would, I'm guessing, and I suspect dealerships wouldn't be much higher for a "well-aged" bike like yours. Think of it as helping some lucky and deserving young feller enter the wonderful world of the FJR.

(Maybe inquire what one or two of the places you mentioned might offer you, then sell it for that to somebody who will actually ride and enjoy it himself. OK, or herself. Sorry, FJR women.)

 

[garyahouse]

Tony,

You KNOW the 05's gotta go. There's no question about that. Your first question was to de-farkle or not? Of course you defarkle. The miles on that bike ALONE determine its worth. The farkles have value, of course, but NOT on-board the 05. I know it's a pain to take 'em all off, but ya gotta do it - if ya wanna get something out of them. There's something to be said about the increased value of an FJR with some nice farkles on it, but not one with nearly 200k miles. Sorry, bud.

Mike's right, you might indeed be able to sell it if it's running good. If it's cheap enough, somebody might bite.

Its value as a trade: stop in at the dealer and talk to them. It doesn't cost a dime to ask questions. Seems to me that each dealer will have a different answer. It wouldn't surprise me if a dealer told you they didn't want it for any price due to the miles, but then again, maybe you might indeed get a decent deal on a trade. Just flapping my lips here, hope it works out for ya. What kinda money ya hoping for, Tony? I'm thinking 1500 hundred. Or maybe buy a wrecked FJR and use the parts from old Bertha to rebuild it? What do you think?

Gary

 

[CraigRegs]

A dollars-to-grief ratio has to be figured for this option, but what about parting out the '05? As the saying goes, the sum of the parts may be greater than the whole. You'd need to be willing and able to pull and ship parts, and the bike stays around in an ever-decreasingingly pleasing state. But you could net more than anyone is willing to pay for the bike as-is.

 

[Redfish Hunter]

I cannot help with the technical side but I have thoughts.

1) Give ME the Dakar. Free to Good Home you understand. That will free up some space won't it?

2) I don't know if you are like me in this but I would have trouble parting with the '05. That bike has taken you back and forth across this continent, it has earned several IBA certifications and even competed strongly in the Iron Butt Rally. It must have some sentimental value.

I say trade the '05 and the '08 in on a brand new FJR. That way you don't have to worry about the new owner coming back because something broke and you get a brand new, do it all modern motorcycle.

Before you get rid of the '05 please swap seats with GaryAHouse. I'll pay the difference. Seriously.

 

[TomInPA]

Just one question...you say you need to reduce by 1 bike. Why?

The system seems to be working out fine, I would guess the 05 is not going to bring a lot of money at that mileage, but it's a strong retiree. The 08 is about as good as it gets if you're not going to modify a Gen III. FWIW, this is the Scooter dilemma. He has been transitioning to a newer bike, and retiring high mileage Gen I FJRs. I can understand it's tough to pull the plug, but if that 190K FJR was a horse, you'd shoot it out of compassion and sell off the parts.

Dibs on the fuel cell.

 

[LKLD]

Logic says the '05, because it's the oldest and it's finite future is nearer. That's logic, you know, Spock thinking. However, that might not be that easy. If you are logical, able to dis-associate yourself from the bike, then easy decision. If, on the other hand, you feel all the memories on that bike, are somewhat held in it...then not so easy.

I tend to be of the latter type of person, so I write down the pros and cons of each, which helps bring in the logical side. Still, it would be hard to let go of the '05.

All the best Tony.

 

[101stpathfinder]

I cannot help with the technical side but I have thoughts.
1) Give ME the Dakar. Free to Good Home you understand. That will free up some space won't it?

2) I don't know if you are like me in this but I would have trouble parting with the '05. That bike has taken you back and forth across this continent, it has earned several IBA certifications and even competed strongly in the Iron Butt Rally. It must have some sentimental value.

I say trade the '05 and the '08 in on a brand new FJR. That way you don't have to worry about the new owner coming back because something broke and you get a brand new, do it all modern motorcycle.

Before you get rid of the '05 please swap seats with GaryAHouse. I'll pay the difference. Seriously.

1) The Dakar has come sooo close to being sold, but every time I "Put" it up for sale I ride it and think it is such a blast to ride and perhaps it represents the type of riding

that I want to be doing in the future.

2) The '05 has done 6 10/10ths rides. I wanted to do 10 on it, but I am having issues with "Me"

The funny thing about seats: "05 FJR RDL & stock

"08 FJR (2) RDLs & stock

"05 Dakar (2) stocks & Mayer

 

[101stpathfinder]

Just one question...you say you need to reduce by 1 bike. Why?
The system seems to be working out fine, I would guess the 05 is not going to bring a lot of money at that mileage, but it's a strong retiree. The 08 is about as good as it gets if you're not going to modify a Gen III. FWIW, this is the Scooter dilemma. He has been transitioning to a newer bike, and retiring high mileage Gen I FJRs. I can understand it's tough to pull the plug, but if that 190K FJR was a horse, you'd shoot it out of compassion and sell off the parts.

Dibs on the fuel cell.

Good questions

The '08 is in central Florida at a friend's MUCH bigger garage.

I believe letting a bike sit is THE worst thing you can do to a bike.

And believe me if the Gen 3 comes out in a BLUE or Copper (W/ black framing) … I will trade or sale the Dakar in a heart beat!

And the cell… I am looking to modify the brackets as we type.

 

[escapefjrtist]

With 190k, the '05 is basically worthless, sorry.

You'd be better off reducing it to stock and selling for whatever you can get for it. Alternative is parting out which would probably bring more $$$ but the hassles associated with that and potential of being left with a carcass to dispose of in the end might not justify it.

Good luck.

--G

 

[bigjohnsd]

With 190k, the '05 is basically worthless, sorry.
You'd be better off reducing it to stock and selling for whatever you can get for it. Alternative is parting out which would probably bring more $$$ but the hassles associated with that and potential of being left with a carcass to dispose of in the end might not justify it.

Good luck.

--G

What he said. The 05 with 190K is a liability to a dealer.

Sell it privately after de-farkling. Or de-farkle and part it out.

 

[Klubis]

I think the '05 has a market value much less than what the bike is actually worth to you. But sentimental value is important too. All you basically gain by getting rid of her is garage space. How important is that to you? Only you can answer. Have you thought about "mothballing" her for posterity or donating her to a good museum? We're not getting any younger, you know.

I don't know much about Dakars. Would a Super Ten fill that spot? Maybe trade the Dakar and the '08 for a Super Tenare?

 

[Twigg]

It would be the kind of bike I'd buy.

$2000 for the bike. Run the engine until it's too worn to run properly and fit an eBay engine ... They run $750 to about $1000.

A few bearings and suspension rebuild, and for under four grand you have an '05 FJR that will do another 100 000 miles.

Decent '05s with sensible mileage seem to be fetching anything from $4500 to $6000, and, as always, it's the bodywork that sells them. If it looks good it's still a better bet than one with a Salvage Title, even if the mileage is a lot lower.

All that history may have left a mark though ... I've never seen the bike or pictures.

 

[Afast03nNJ]

Clean it up really well, take several good pictures and toss it on eBay, no reserve auction. I bet you'd be surprised at what you get for it.

 

[Chiefblueman]

Take the stuff off you want to keep or sell, polish her up and do the coolest pay it forward ever! Make a nice deposit in the ol' karma account

 

[dcarver]

HAH! Does this mean I'll beat you to 200k?

Seriously, find the doode or doodette who is strapped for cash, sell it cheap and win with smiles.

 

[101stpathfinder]

HAH! Does this mean I'll beat you to 200k?
Seriously, find the doode or doodette who is strapped for cash, sell it cheap and win with smiles.

You will NEVER beat me to 200k !!! Unless you plan on riding hard and hitting it before October…

… But that would be against the CBA rules.