VFR800 5th Gen, Salvage title -- how much?

[expatbrit]

So...

Looking for a more touring orientated bike for the girl friend; something that can fit luggage and has slightly better wind-protection that the SV650.

Local shop, run by a friend, has a 2000 VFR800 for sale. Price looks a bit high, but what the hell -- it's the 5th Gen, it's yellow, can't hurt to go look at it.

Turns out it has a salvage title; it's been down on the right side and is fairly rashed up and they salvage titled it because the cosmetics would cost too much to repair. Now the price looks /way/ high, but the owner is apparently 'very willing to deal'.

22K miles. PPI says mechanically sound and the cosmetics aren't even TOO bad. I'm leery of the whole salvage title thing in general, because reselling it is sure to be a nightmare if you ever want to, but it could be a chance to steal her a 5th gen VFR.

What's a reasonable offer? NADA low retail says $2500, so I'm thinking around the $2K mark.

[Rogue]

Plan on spending close to $1.5k for plastics alone.

If the mechanicals are sound and the frame, subframe, forks, and swingarm are not bent, assuming the bike has no electrical gremlins as well, I would say offer him $1500 and explain the price of all that plastic you have to buy.  

Once you dig into it and buy that bike you are married to it thanks to that salvage title.  It's an 11 year old bike after all.  It will be a labor of love once it's yours.

[BamaBiker]

With a salvage title I would not touch it. Check with your local DMV about what you have to do to get a new tag on it first. In alabama that is a real trick unless you have a rebuilder liscens.

[expatbrit]

Plan on spending close to $1.5k for plastics alone.

If the mechanicals are sound and the frame, subframe, forks, and swingarm are not bent, assuming the bike has no electrical gremlins as well, I would say offer him $1500 and explain the price of all that plastic you have to buy.  

Once you dig into it and buy that bike you are married to it thanks to that salvage title.  It's an 11 year old bike after all.  It will be a labor of love once it's yours.

Thanks for the reply; I think I'll sorta run away anyway. It's ... interesting. But not THAT interesting. That salvage title is just .... blah.,

[expatbrit]

$1000. $1500, absolute max. Cite "no resale ability" as the reason for the lowball offer. ... 'cause it's true. Many places won't TOUCH a rebuilt title on a trade in, and the used market is flooded with good-title bikes.

$.02.

... and it sold for $2500, apparently. Wow.