Hurricane bikes?

[Hollis]

I've been looking lots of places (here, cycle trader, ebay) for an FJR and it seems a lot of them are located in the South. My concern is that some of them may have been in the flood. Any tips about how to figure out if a bike has been under water? Is drowning as bad on a bike as on a car? If there has already been a thread on this, I would appreciate being directed there. Thanks.

 

[fjrrider]

It'll probably be hard to start.

 

[Scab]

Most states have laws that would have deemed the title "Salvage". In some rare and difficult cases, titles can be "washed", but if the bikes are still here then that should not be the case. To "wash" a salvage title, it is usually titled through several other states and then sold. Also, check with carfax and see if the info also extends to cycles.

 

[twowheelnut]

Call your insurance provider and give them the VIN of a bike that interests you. (Most all water damaged vehicles from the area have been noted or so it's been reported.) They'll be able to check the data bases for these damaged bikes and cars. Carfax (and like services) will make you pony up some coin whereas your IP should do it for free, well, not for free cuz you're already paying for it.

 

[nusman68]

Some help for you: might want to be concerned if........

1) -it comes with 'Yamaha factory pontoons'...

2) -you see dead crawfish stuck in the headlight assembly...

3) -you realize the seat wasn't recovered in velour, but is actually mold...

4) -it comes with 'Free FEMA food vouchers with purchase'...

5) -you smell burning Nutria feces when the bike warms up...

:dribble:

 

[SoCalFJR]

Call your insurance provider and give them the VIN of a bike that interests you. (Most all water damaged vehicles from the area have been noted or so it's been reported.) They'll be able to check the data bases for these damaged bikes and cars. Carfax (and like services) will make you pony up some coin whereas your IP should do it for free, well, not for free cuz you're already paying for it.

Actually VIN checks and Car Fax reports only work if there was an insurance claim against the vehicle. If a bike was flooded and/or water damaged, the owner could have dried it out and sold it (or is selling it) without and insurance claim. Car Fax would never know the difference...thus the age old saying "caveat emptor"...

Go over any used vehicle with a fine tooth comb...