Cosmetic Salvage

[2DFlyer]

Ever notice how many bikes are out there for sale with salvage titles and nothing but cosmetic damage?  Almost comes across as a scam.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280306230436&sspagename=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&viewitem=

What's up with that?  You telling me claiming a tip over is going to total a bike?

[Desmo Demon]

You telling me claiming a tip over is going to total a bike?

Yeap....a tip over "can" create a totaled bike. If the claims adjuster is picky enough, I've known them to total a bike for a scratch on a frame. The way they view it, for safety reasons, there may be a liability if the scratch on a frame is not the only thing wrong with the frame, so they insist on a frame replacement, and the labor for a frame swap is very high.

As for the auction, a 2003 M800 has an NADA in stock configuration ranges from a value of $3760 for low retail and $4945 for average retail. If they base its value off of low retail (since it has been wrecked), a new tank is probably $1200-$1600, which is 31%-42% the total value of the bike. You start adding the costs of other damages and the labor involved to have the items replaced, it would not take long to hit the majic number of 70% of value where most insurance companies would total the bike. The thing that surprises me and raises a red flag is that the Monster in the auction has a "non-repairable" title.

If my 748 fell over and it got a scratch on the tank and tail fairing, I'd expect an insurance company to total it out. Those two pieces of body work are expensive!

[spd2918]

As long as you take your time to check the bike out of other hidden damage, a tipped unit can be an outstanding value.

One of my buddies wanted to move up from his KLR to a DL1000, but didn't have much money.  I directed him to a crashed bike site and he bought one with 700 miles and tweaked forks.  He bought all new fork parts and fixed it himself.  Other than sprayed over tank rash, his bike looks new and cost him only $3000.

[2DFlyer]

Guess I've been shopping in the wrong places.

[mygala]

Don't forget that there can be obstacles to getting it licensed in some states. In my state (IN) you have to supply DMV with before and after photos, and receipts for all of the replaced parts. Then it has to be inspected by local law enforcement for safety. Then you get a salvage title. Not too difficult, but depending on your local DMV and LEO, it can be a headache to cross all the t's and dot all the i's

Bob

[spd2918]

Keeping receipts is a good idea.  In Minnesota and Wisconsin you need to show where the parts come from.

Theives used to steal a car or bike, strip it, and leave the carcass to be recovered.  Then they would buy it from the insurance company and slap the stolen parts back on.

[Snowbird]

From the eBay listing:

It has the classic Ducati tank dents by the handlebars (typical of a stand still tip-over),

Classic?  

OTOH, someone took this classic home for only $1425 plus shipping.  

Also:

comes with a California non-repairable title. Do your homework on what this means in your state.
Every state differs in how it handles police tows, theft recoveries and insurance buybacks so ask your local DMV before bidding. Do not ask me.
You are looking at the bike exactly how I purchased it from insurance. There is minor cosmetic damage as pictured and no repairs have been performed.

The seller was very up front over what he was offering.

[st ryder]

Theives used to steal a car or bike, strip it, and leave the carcass to be recovered.  Then they would buy it from the insurance company and slap the stolen parts back on.

That's clever.  

[JonS]

Somebody got that bike for $1450! Not bad at all.

[2DFlyer]

Somebody got that bike for $1450! Not bad at all.

Unbelievable.

[Lon]

Had I called the insurance company when I dropped the VFR or GS500, both would have been hauled off to the scrapyard.

The way I see it, if I think I can fix it (less a few scratches), then I do.

Insurance companies price out returning a bike to pristine condition.  Most of us motorcyclists don't give a darn if there's a scratch on the muffler or tail fairing, but insurance adjusters do.

Actually, I'm kind of surprised that the owner of that monster didn't just keep riding it    I totally would have, and then the bike wouldn't have had a non-repairable salvage title.

[spd2918]

Actually, I'm kind of surprised that the owner of that monster didn't just keep riding it    I totally would have, and then the bike wouldn't have had a non-repairable salvage title.

Once a bike (or a car) is totalled it becomes the property of the insurance company to resell as parts, scrap, or as a rebuilder.  A good agent would first offer the previous owner the carcass, but they would have to buy it.

[Lon]

Once a bike (or a car) is totalled it becomes the property of the insurance company to resell as parts, scrap, or as a rebuilder.  A good agent would first offer the previous owner the carcass, but they would have to buy it.

My point was that I don't call the insurance company if it's a couple of scratches because I would rather keep riding a bike than see it written off as scrap metal because I my boot slipped out from under me in a parking lot.

[Phenix_Rider]

As long as you take your time to check the bike out of other hidden damage, a tipped unit can be an outstanding value.

One of my buddies wanted to move up from his KLR to a DL1000, but didn't have much money.  I directed him to a crashed bike site and he bought one with 700 miles and tweaked forks.  He bought all new fork parts and fixed it himself.  Other than sprayed over tank rash, his bike looks new and cost him only $3000.

What is this site?

[spd2918]

What is this site?

He used this one:
http://www.crashedtoys.com/

This one is owned by one of my co-workers high school buddies:
http://www.crankyape.com/default.asp

I have seen deals, and I have seen people pay way too much for stuff.  Just know what things are worth before you bid and remember there may be hidden damage.


I am sure there are many other places around the country like these two.  Ask your insurance agent who he uses.