salvage title 05'

[HOCKEYSTOP]

I really need some help. I have a chance to pick up an 05' this weekend with 5500 miles on it. It has a salvage title but it has been fixed. This is what I was told..... Fliped the bike and it landed on its side, bent one front fork. Replaced both forks and all the plastic and repainted it. He rode it for 5000 miles and now due to back issues he needs to sell. I can get it for $4000. Thats the short version. The question is, what do you think??? I really need some help.

 

[Feejer/Weejer man]

If the front end is straight and the frame is good and you will more likely keep it the salvage title is a non issue. And for $4000 it could be the buy of your life.

 

[user 213]

Talk to your insurance company too. Most just want to see and photograph the salvage vehicle before they insure it, but some will refuse to insure salvage titles. At least that's my experience in OR.

I'd want to look very closely at the frame neck. Especially the fork stop areas on both sides. Any cracks there, walk away. The aluminum frame of the FJR tends to crack there if the impact is severe enough. If he bought new plastic, why did he paint it? The new panels come pre-painted. I would understand if he bought used panels off eBay and needed to match the colors. Some '03 panels and all '04 panels would fit an '05.

Good luck, it could be a great deal for the money.

 

[dcarver]

Personally, I'd shy away. Too many other good, low mileage, same era FJR's on the market with clean titles. As the bike gets older, it will be harder and harder to resell. Just my .02, LOL.

 

[El Toro]

A good rule of thumb is that a bike with a salvage title is worth about 50% of a bike in similar condition with a clean title.

Check out https://www.kbb.com for your zip code. In my zip code, if the frame isn't damaged, and if the engine really has only 5500 miles, and if I were going to keep the bike for at least a few years, I would probably be willing to give about $3K for what you've described.

I have bought salvage title bikes, fixed them, fixed the titles, ridden them, and resold them after a couple of years. You make or lose money at the "buy" end of the deal as far as I can tell. In Tennessee the last time I fixed a salvage title it cost me about $75. I've never had trouble getting liability insurance on a bike with a "rebuilt" title, but getting collision insurance can be a problem.

I don't do salvage bikes anymore. It is impossible to get a dealer to consider them on a trade, its hard to get banks to give loans against them, its hard to be sure about the mileage since the instrument cluster may have been part of the rebuild, and everyone who comes to look at them thinks you should give them the bike for free.

 

[FJRBluesman]

You could have all sorts of issues with a salvage title, like a bent frame they didn't check, etc.

OR it could be mostly plastic costs and be a steal of a deal. If it's straight, not issues and you don't mind a salvaged title you could ride the crap out of it for a few years and throw it away for $4K. Do what you feel is best.

Good luck. Let us know what you do.

 

[CHRIS_D]

You could have all sorts of issues with a salvage title, like a bent frame they didn't check, etc.

This is the hard part with a salvage title, you just don't know. The way I look at it is if the insurance company thought it was cheaper to replace the bike verus fixing it then usually there's more to the damage then just some minor components that needed to be replaced.

 

[Checkswrecks]

A good rule of thumb is that a bike with a salvage title is worth about 50% of a bike in similar condition with a clean title.
Check out https://www.kbb.com for your zip code. In my zip code, if the frame isn't damaged, and if the engine really has only 5500 miles, and if I were going to keep the bike for at least a few years, I would probably be willing to give about $3K for what you've described.

I have bought salvage title bikes, fixed them, fixed the titles, ridden them, and resold them after a couple of years. You make or lose money at the "buy" end of the deal as far as I can tell. In Tennessee the last time I fixed a salvage title it cost me about $75. I've never had trouble getting liability insurance on a bike with a "rebuilt" title, but getting collision insurance can be a problem.

I don't do salvage bikes anymore. It is impossible to get a dealer to consider them on a trade, its hard to get banks to give loans against them, its hard to be sure about the mileage since the instrument cluster may have been part of the rebuild, and everyone who comes to look at them thinks you should give them the bike for free.

As you can guess from my avatar, I've bought, sold, and rebuilt, and gotta agree to just about everything the Bull wrote. The insurance companies are actually a bit too quick to write off bikes for a couple of reasons. A couple are the retail (as in from Mama Yama) pricing of parts and especially plastic bodywork, which works for anybody who can do bodywork or spend the time to find used parts. Another biggie is that they will write off absolutely ANY frame damage. This doesn't apply to the FJRs as much as the Triumph Speed Trips and Buells, where scratches can lead to declaring the bike a total loss.

The price sounds about right if the bike has been rebuilt right and you are technically sharp enough to know what looks right or not. If you're not up to it or any of the following checks fail, walk away.

Pull the side panels and make sure the frame is undamaged around the engine mounts, where sliders are installed. With weight off the front wheel, reflect light down the forks to look for bowing. Look REAL close at the steering head for any signs of bowing or buckling. Measure the distance between wheel centers and compare it to a known good bike to also check for head buckling. (To allow for fork compression, do this with somebody on the back seat while center-standed to get the weight off the front wheel.) With the bike on center stand, go way out in front and behind the bike and sit on the pavement for a couple of minutes to see if something doesn't look straight. With the front wheel perfectly straight, use a tape measure to make sure the tip of each handlebar is the same height from the ground and to the center of the rear rack. Pull the cockpit panels and make sure there's not a rat's nest of wire repairs under the instrument cluster - same around the ignition switch wires under the front of the tank. Throw a bucket of water on the street, then ride straight while going through the wet spot. Are the tire tracks out of alignment? Has the bike ridden enough since rebuild to show tire wear that is not left/right balanced?

One last thing. Don't just check with your insurance company to see if they will cover it. It's really important to ALSO take an actual copy of the title to you State's motor vehicle office BEFORE you buy and make sure you can title it in YOUR State. I know for a fact that a salvage title from some States is OK and from others is absolutely NOT usable in Maryland.

Good luck!

Bob

 

[mattster31]

I am not sure what the laws are down south, but in Canada you can't register a previously salvage titled bike for the road, (or anything else) regardless of where it came from . You can legally own it, but it can only be used for scrap or parts. You can get a great deal on a parts bike if you look hard enough though, you would just need to find a frame with a "clean" VIN, then build the bike yourself. My insurance guy up here told me they would consider a bike "written off" or "salvaged" if the cost of fixing it exceeds 60% of the pro-rated value (Kelly blue/black book). I am not sure how it works down there.

I would be leery of what this particular bike you are looking at has been through. If it was in a front end collision, I would think the frame is OK, but you never know. There was an '05 in FL with a "clean" title for sale last year for less than what you are going to pay for the "salvage" bike. If you spend some time looking around and are willing to travel a bit, then you can score a great deal.

Personally, I would not pay more than $2500 for it (the parts add up!)

Good luck.

 

[Roadstar]

Checkswrecks said it perfectly , if the bike was flipped & landed on it`s side , i`m sure it had to sustain some frame damage. These aluminum frames are strong but not when there pounded on the ground. I would really check the neck area real close , because if it was enough of a hit to bend these fat frontends it might have done something else.

 

[user 213]

FYI - Oregon specific - Once a salvage title has been established, either by the vehicle being 'totaled' by an insurance company, or by the actual title being issued with a red salvage title, it stays that way forever. You can have the 'badged' area also labeled 'reconstructed' along with the 'salvage' label. That denotes that the bike has been given a DMV inspection, (not very detailed), and has been considered repaired, but it's still a 'branded title' vehicle and will continue to say salvage.

DON'T get suckered if they say they have a clear unbranded title, but it was totaled by the insurance. They may indeed still have their clear title, but when you go to register it in your name, you will be issued a branded salvage title since the insurance company has reported the VIN as totaled.

There is no problem in OR registering salvage title bikes to ride on the street. That may not be true of out of state salvage titles though, check if that is a case, before you buy.

Again, this is Oregon Specific info.

 

[charismaticmegafauna]

To the O.P.'s request: caveat emptor. You could say that you're going into this purchase with maybe more knowledge -- compared to another used-bike purchase. You already know it's been wrecked and rebuilt. If that's OK with you?, then look it over as well as you can and make a decision.

I'm reminded of my friend who continues to ride his "short-wheelbase" Ninja 9 -- and probably is stuck with it until he finds another guy who can't resist a (cheap) chartruese sport-bike....

As to salvage titles and rebuilds: IME, states differ alot in their regulations on this. Some states just don't allow rebuilding totalled motor vehicles while others are pretty liberal in what they allow. Those states (the 'liberal' ones) often have a very aggressive "builder" business going-on -- and, even have wrecked vehicles shipped-in from the 'restrictive' states.

To the insurance companies' involvement: they appear to be happy totalling the vehicle (often seemingly prematurely?) and selling the salvage at good prices, nowadays to either builders or on-line auction houses who seem to have many willing private buyers for the wrecked bikes. Less hassle for the Ins. Co.s and if the bottom line falls a little -- they can just raise premiums.... :angry2:

I used to be involved in this some -- but, the price needing to be paid for salvage, now, and the high cost of replacement parts (OEM) has made it prohibitive to do it for money (profit). Many do it now to get a bike to ride -- cheaper (they think/wish....).

Good luck with your decision.

 

[kolonial72]

Everyone has given some helpful, detailed answers to your question. I'll keep my answer short - hells no.

 

[GA CYCLE RIDER]

I know this may sound somewhat stupid. I dont like buying previously owned motorcycles due to all the saftey related issues with riding a two wheeler. Who knows who may have done what or when. Considering that the bike you are considering is a used previously totalled bike, I would not want to ride it across the street. Most but for sure not all of the people rebuilding a wreck will short cut something. ask yourself if you want to find out that the rebuild could cost you a serious injury or possible death or strand you miles from home.

You also should consider what you would face when you tried if ever to resell it. I am in the wholesale auto business and in my world a previous salvage vehicle is only inviting a *** load of problems. I would recomend not turning anothers problem into yours.

 

[user 213]

Jeeze dude, glad to know you can afford to buy a new bike every time. Not everyone has your budget. Some people just want a rider. You know, a bike they actually ride. It's value is as you can use it. This may be a junk bike, or may be just fine. The point here is to give the OP enough info so he can hopefully make an informed decision. Not just bag on the idea.

 

[Bustanut joker]

Jeeze dude, glad to know you can afford to buy a new bike every time. Not everyone has your budget. Some people just want a rider. You know, a bike they actually ride. It's value is as you can use it. This may be a junk bike, or may be just fine. The point here is to give the OP enough info so he can hopefully make an informed decision. Not just bag on the idea.

Cool.

Trashed bike fer cheap! Runs triple digit speeds! 42 MPG! Ultimate Sport tourer! Once in a life time deal!!! Act fast!!

Whats your life worth??

:jester:

 

[dcarver]

Jeeze dude, glad to know you can afford to buy a new bike every time. Not everyone has your budget. Some people just want a rider. You know, a bike they actually ride. It's value is as you can use it. This may be a junk bike, or may be just fine. The point here is to give the OP enough info so he can hopefully make an informed decision. Not just bag on the idea.

Cool.

Trashed bike fer cheap! Runs triple digit speeds! 42 MPG! Ultimate Sport tourer! Once in a life time deal!!! Act fast!!

Whats your life worth??

:jester:

.01

 

[Rolavine]

My '03 is a salvage bike and I paid more than $4000 for it, and it had 19k miles. I'm delighted with my bike and have had no problems. Since I'm planning on keeping it until it will be worth pretty much nothing I don't care about the resale value. And while I could be considered lucky, anytime you buy anything you need to be lucky. I've read accounts of many new bike owners here who have had lots of trouble with they're FJR's. Any used bike is a risk, it may not have been totaled but was it driven by the wheelie king, the street racer, the rev lover, or the I did the oil change myself and put in a whole quart in there?

I think for 4K you can get yourself a new ninja 250, great value huh? I'd take a reconstructed FJR anyday if it worked.

 

[krashdragon]

Interesting comments.

Totally depends on the bike.

I had an 02 suzuki Bandit, my son got hit at a very slow speed from the side, a few dents and broken lever and turn signals. And a broken foot.... sigh.....

The Zuke dealer in Hawaii totaled it because the frame had a scratch. and the side box section had a small dent. He said the insurance co insisted he totall it, but if I wasn't going to race it, no problem. I collected the $$$, paid the deductible, and paid $300 to keep the bike. $300 more worth of parts and was fixed... ok, it still had scratches and dents, but ran straight and true. (And fast)

Bike went from Hawaii to Ohio, no problem with title or insurance.

You need to check your insurance co and the state regs. and maybe get a mech to check it out... and offer a bit less.....like $3000

But....just my opinion. I would get a mech that know FJR's if possible.

mary