$5K for an '02 RT with 67,000 miles; I mean seriously?

[sagerat]

Riding buddy sent me a link to a bendcraig list ad for 2002 BMW RT with 67,000 miles and the seller wants $5,000.  OK,  on the one hand the bike new was probably $14,000 to $17,000 OTD, but really, seriously, who's gonna pay $5 large for a bike with 67,000 miles.  

Buddy and I talked and both had the same reaction:  a used J4 bike of similar vintage and miles would be going for about 3/4 to 1/2 of that price.  I guess some think the BMW price premium should continue deep into the bike's life.  If the seller can get that price, bully for him.  I just think it's too much to pay for a used bike of any make.  

[Lawn Dart]

Sorry Sage, but that's not out of line at all.  What, you expecting to pay $2k for a BMW?  

[motoguy128]

I don;t think you'll find a '02 ST1300 with that many miles for much less.   Although keep in mind that a ST1300 had a lower price tag when new.  

There's 2 other factors to consider.  First BMW's have a reputation for lasting a long time.  Perhaps not competlely trouble free, but most feel they are only broken in at 30k or even 50k miles.  Second, 8-10 year old Jap bikes generally have a larger mileage penalty because other than Goldwings, FJR's and ST1300's few see a lot of miles.  So it's a matter of supply and demand.  If 95% of bikes out there have <30k miles then you'll take a hit for higher miles.  But with BMW's, I would guess that better than 30% of the '02 RT's on the road have over 60k miles.  Many are ridden over 10k miles per year so 100k miles is not unusual.

I know I consider myself unusual because I rarely put more than 6000 miles per year on my motorcycle.  Since we had a child last year, I'll be lucky to ride over 1000 miles this season.  It's the first year that I'll change the oil without having the valves checked.  6000 miles was a nice number because it means I'll use up a set of tires per season, and need 1 oil change and valve check done at the same time.

[three west]

my first instinct was your impression was that it was questionable because it was too low...?

[sagerat]

Oh, I know the rationale about "it's a BMW, you need to learn to accept these things," but I've just never found them compelling.  A bike with 67,000 on the clock is a bike with a fair number of miles.  But I still think the BMW reputation for longevity was built on the airhead experience (buddy's '77 RS has 186,000 miles and the Beemer still runs fine, albeit with a little smoking at start up).  He also has a '98 Viffer with 85,000 miles and it just hums.  My '75 Slash Six had around 40,000 and I paid $3,200 a few years back.

By contrast, I saw a '98 Kawi Concours with 76,000 miles going for $1,500 locally.  For a bike, even a Beemer, with nearly 70,000 miles I would pay maybe $4,000 tops.  And yes, that's why I don't own a BMW as $4,000 in the world of the roundel gets you a late '80s airhead.    Which, come to think of it, I'd almost rather have than an oilhead or a hexhead.

[Lawn Dart]

By contrast, I saw a '98 Kawi Concours with 76,000 miles going for $1,500 locally.

Yes, and have you LOOKED at the Connie?  It's a 12 year old bike based on a 20 year old design.  And, dare I say it, $1500 might be over priced for that bike.  

Ride what you want, the only person that has to care, in all honesty, is you.  If you like the ride, then the rest of the world is irrelevant.

[sagerat]

Yes, and have you LOOKED at the Connie?  It's a 12 year old bike based on a 20 year old design.  And, dare I say it, $1500 might be over priced for that bike.  

Ride what you want, the only person that has to care, in all honesty, is you.  If you like the ride, then the rest of the world is irrelevant.

Hey, the Connieistas (sp?) will inform you it's the poor man's BMW.  

I can't ride what I want because my checkbook won't let me.  If I could, there'd be a late-model GS in the garage, a Feejer, a KTM 990 Adv, a Ural Gear Up, and a Moto Guzzi Sport.  Or maybe a Triumph Sprint as the video on youtube announcing the 2011 model flat rawks.  

[falconati]

Way overpriced, but that's the BMW used market.

[tigertom1965]

It doesn't sound unreasonable to me. As long as it was well taken care of and has all the receipts to go along with it. (If he has recently restored it I would have sold it for more). Would you buy a car with 67000 miles on it for say $10000? A 2002 with 67000 is 8375 miles per year. Which is not actually very high for a touring bilke. Now if it looks and runs like crap then don't pay for it but if it is in great shape then you get a BMW for a price you won't see for a new one.

I put 6000 mile on my 09 R1200RT last year just using it for commuting purposes and they were all highway miles. I wasn't worried because I have heard of BMWs with 300000 miles on the boxer motors.

[scottzilla]

When you sell something, it's worth a ton.
When you buy something, it ain't worht shit.
 

[Jetpilot5]

This might be more what you're looking for.  A 2003 K1200GT with 150,500 miles for $6000.

http://www.i-bmw.com/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=2984&sort=1&cat=3&page=1

[GilaMonster]

Yes, and have you LOOKED at the Connie?  It's a 12 year old bike based on a 20 year old design.  And, dare I say it, $1500 might be over priced for that bike.  

Ride what you want, the only person that has to care, in all honesty, is you.  If you like the ride, then the rest of the world is irrelevant.

I had an '02 Connie, and it was a great bike for what it was.  Realize a sub-$8,000 new msrp sport tourer will not have fuel injection, modern suspension, modern brakes, and modern tire sizes.  That being said, there are lots of C-10's out there with over 100K miles and still running.  Same thing is true (excepting injection) about corresponding ages of the ST-1100 and series 1 FJR's.  IMHO, BMW R&K bikes are just more refined than the others.  I would not shy away from a 50K+ miles bike on any of these as long as they have been maintained.

[squeezer]

I just did a quick search on Cycletrader.com. Compared to the RTs on there, that's a darn good deal.

[Playinthestreet]

Goldwings are in the same boat.  

[Geoff]

That's a good price, provided the bike checks out OK.

[vulcanbill]

Shop some St1100s.  

[swimmer]

It's taking this thread a little too long to turn into a full out BMW bash fest.

[st ryder]

A seller can ask what he wants. It's his/her bike.  There is no MSRP for used models. The "books" are only a guide line IMO, not written in stone. It's not uncommon to find that a well taken care of high mileage bike will give fewer problems than a low mileage garage queen. Think the price is too high, move on, but consider this: would you rather buy from an owner whose sale price is low?   And besides, most mileage on most BMW's is highway droning; very easy on the bike.