Ever bought a Bike on Craigslist??

[7oxSin]

So have you ever bought a bike off of craigslist? how was the experience? did you get messed over? or did you find a unbelievable deal?

if you did do you still have the bike? if so post pics

[UFO]

No, but I've sold one.  It went very smooth because I put in a lot of verbage to discourage idiots from contacting me looking for a scam or bike for half the price it's worth.

[Flashmo]

Bought 2 so far.  After talking to the sellers, wondering to myself about their low asking prices, both bikes had been put away for an extended time and had gummed up carbs.

Both were resurected for less than $100 including carb work.  Each was priced at about 50% of normal.

[eFnJustRide]

Got a great deal on a Bandit, rode it for 3 years, 30k miles, no problems, sold it for what I paid for it, and just bought an '06 FJR with 2500 miles and Y.E.S. through '11 for $7800, immaculate, all through Craigslist.

[Rustydust]

Found my almost as new 1990 PC800 on Craigslist several months ago. I had to drive a few hundred miles to get it but it was well worth the trip. This bike reminds me so much of how my original PC was when it was new. And I love to see the expressions of people's faces when I tell them that the bike is 20 years old! And I needed just One More Bike anyway. Besides, the wife was needed something new to give me chin music over!  

[Atitalongtime]

No, but I sold one...
long story short, a guy answered the add from Russia! "I will pay your asking price if you hold it for 3 weeks"
Half the money came in western union to hold it and the balance in Ben Franklin's on delivery.
 Peter flew in to DFW from Russia, met a friend and wife that spoke English well, in December and drove it to Miami FL!!! There's a real Iron Butt rider.
The airline lost his gear, it was raining and 40's, he smiled and hit the highway.
I got a email from him a few months back and he was back in Russia and had just traveled to France and back.

I did take the bike to work to do the deal with witnesses

[katego]

so far so good.... but I just picked it up today.



Not a screaming deal, but a fair price.

-k

[Mrs. DantesDame]

so far so good.... but I just picked it up today.

It's beautiful

[TitaniumVT]

Got a smoking deal on a mint condition SV650S a couple of weeks ago. Great transaction and I couldn't be happier with the bike. If it makes a difference to your poll, it was a dealer ad, not a private party sale:

[flips21]

4 weeks ago.  Great bike.  Great Seller.  Great Deal.  I have done just under 200 EBay and Craigslist transactions with about 15 of them leaving a bad taste.  I think the horror stories are just another example of our fear mongering media.  Be smart and have fun.

Flip

[billo]

I sold a bike in February (San Diego riding season).  Selling on Craigslist is like selling at the swap meet.  My immaculate '02 with 48 k Yamaha FZ1 got multiple offers of $2k sight unseen.  How people can expect to bargain down from $2,600 to $2k via email w/o ever seeing the bike...   Anyway, sold it for $2,300 cash money.  The guy got a gem at a cool price.  Never dropped and I averaged 48 mpg and changed oil every 2k.

Bill

[shawn and gwyn]

i have baught 3 off craigs.. traded one for different one. and sold one on craigs.  biggest thing with craigs. at least i think.. is face to face. no deal without all the proper paperwork.. IE.. no lost title.. but i can get it.. type thing.  and all cash.. no checks of any kind. they are to easy to scam.

shawn

[evilted]

How people can expect to bargain down from $2,600 to $2k via email w/o ever seeing the bike...

Yeah, that's common.  Pretty much every single thing I've ever sold on Craigslist (including bikes) has generated comical email like that.  Given how quickly those emails arrive in my inbox after posting, I can't help but think that they're being sent by people constantly trolling CL all day -- in other words, they're not necessarily interested in the item you're selling as much as they are in getting an incredible deal on something (either to brag about, or possibly flip for a profit later).

Regarding the thread, haven't bought any bikes found on CL yet, but have sold a couple and it's pretty straightforward.  Buyer gets to inspect the item, and I get cash.  Generally prefer to do this sort of thing at a local friendly dealership just so there are some witnesses to the transaction.

[stealth1]

Never bought one.
I did sell one on Craig's and I think the buyer got a good deal.

[wolf46]

Sold vtx1300c on craigslist. Guy came up from Florida to RI, paid for it, loaded it into a van he purchased in Mass at the same time and left for Florida again. He was even good about me sending the title to him after the bank got it to me which I was surprised about.

[Poweranger]

Sold one also. Had about a 5 to 1 ratio of the idiot emails vs. the serious buyer. Turned out being a good experience with a serious buyer. If you can weed out the people that are only trolling for a good deal it is not a bad way to sell.

Some of the emails you receive are funny. Like, "hey dude my friend gots that same bike for this price at such and such place so i will give you this price lets make a deal man"

I love how they do not ask a single question about the bike but only want to offer you money right up front and without even looking at it.  

[XLR8]

Yes, I bought this from a guy in Colorado last fall. It took me a month to make the deal though.

[7oxSin]

thats a nice bike, dont like the color... how much did u pay for it and what was the miles on it?

[XLR8]

thats a nice bike, dont like the color... how much did u pay for it and what was the miles on it?

It's a 2002 and it had almost 800 miles on it when I had it shipped to me.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

thats a nice bike, dont like the color... how much did u pay for it and what was the miles on it?

How can you not like that color??