Too good to be true...

[Over_Easy]

I'm sorry but I've come to the conclusion that I can't find a trustworthy used Hayabusa out there.

It's unbelievable when I see 2002-2004 models w/ mods and this and that w/only 2-3,000+ miles and some selling for $3-4k w/ mods and "never been laid down" comments but 2006 fairings on a 2003 bike...hmmm.  

"So you bought this bike a few years ago and only put on a few thousand miles? WTF? What the hell did you buy the bike for...trips to the convenient store around the corner or just tool around the neighborhood?"

If so, then you're either are rich and just wanted a toy to show off and try to look cool in the garage or just plain stupid or both.  Not trying to offend anyone but it's a buyer beware market and like they say "if it's too good to be true..."

Final note:  If you are going to sell your bike do yourself a favor and have it detailed before posting pictures.  A dirty bike just represents to someone that you are lazy and likely just don't care about maintaining your bike which is critical during the break-in period.

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[DAB]

Sometimes people do buy bikes just to pose on at their local bar. Look at all the Hardley riders out there....

Also, some of the customized bikes get trailered to shows etc. and don't get ridden much either because they "don't want to blue the pipes" etc.

Buyer beware though. Thoroughly inspect any used vehicle to determine if it's been abused, dropped, crashed or poorly maintained.

Or you could just buy a new one, removes the doubt and you get a warranty.

 

[RamminBusa]

I am at 1 year with 4200 miles on my 05, mainly to and from work but then again I am in El Paso, and in the military, if you want to ride long distance you have to be ready for hotel and ride for hours out of this hell hole. If I were home in Illinois it would be a different story.

Wy wifes Katana just hit 1000 miles and she purchased it 1 month after mine.

With gas going back up again the mileage will go up quickly

 

[cbibb]

Alot of the bikes you are referring to are scams. They are all over the internet and the cycle trader. Its like you said, there is no way you are going to find a busa for 3-4000 unless its totalled. Those are the people that want you to send a money order out of the country and they will ship it to you for free because they have a friend in the shipping business. I cant believe how many people have fallen for these scams and lost money. On a side note, I have a 2005 blue/silver I have considered selling. Full muzzy exhaust,pair mod,lowered,reaper risers,polised rims,polished frame sliders and a few things I am probably forgetting.PM if interested.

 

[busa_boy_69]

I am a firm believer that the life off a bike depends on two things. How the break in was done and how often whoever owned it maintained it. I am sorry but I just have seen it with the people I ride with one too many times. They do not take care of bikes plain and simple. They say they buy them to ride and thats all they wanna do and on top of that they strain the guts out of them. If I am planning on having a bike for a long time and sticking with it I just wanna buy new. Thats too much of an investment to buy a run down dogged piece of crap. Buy new, you do the break in, and you get a warranty with it. That peace of mind comforts me down the road.

 

[Over_Easy]

I am at 1 year with 4200 miles on my 05, mainly to and from work but then again I am in El Paso, and in the military, if you want to ride long distance you have to be ready for hotel and ride for hours out of this hell hole.  If I were home in Illinois it would be a different story.

Wy wifes Katana just hit 1000 miles and she purchased it 1 month after mine.

With gas going back up again the mileage will go up quickly

Once you said in El Paso I immediately thought military. What else would you be doing out there? A 1 year old bike w/ 4,000 miles isn't that bad but I've seen 02' and 03' models w/ that mileage and they weren't show bikes trailored from show to show. wife's bike is 13 months old and only 1,000 miles...I'm assuming she got it to simply ride w/ you on rare occassion.

I've been warned by many that people mod bikes out, ride em hard and put all the stock parts back on for resale. Not to mention the ease of rolling back mileage, did it myself maintenance, don't have maintenance records, etc.

I've given up. Unfortunately the bad apples have ruined a good portion of the market for those trying/needing to sell their bike honestly.

 

[Over_Easy]

I am a firm believer that the life off a bike depends on two things. How the break in was done and how often whoever owned it maintained it. I am sorry but I just have seen it with the people I ride with one too many times. They do not take care of bikes plain and simple. They say they buy them to ride and thats all they wanna do and on top of that they strain the guts out of them. If I am planning on having a bike for a long time and sticking with it I just wanna buy new. Thats too much of an investment to buy a run down dogged piece of crap. Buy new, you do the break in, and you get a warranty with it. That peace of mind comforts me down the road.

+1 That's why I've decided to go new and wait to see if I like the 07' model...if not I'll buy one of the 06' models still around at the dealers who will be wanting to get rid of them to make room for 07' models during the slow time of riding season.

 

[bigoltool]

I agree whole heartedly about finding a used Hayabusa worth actually bringing home. But it can be done! I got my 03 Busa last November with 214 miles on it! The bike was probably cleaner than when it left the showroom! The guy was an engineer who bought it to hang with his pals and quickly realized that it wasnt his cup of tea! He also had a brand new 2 yr old Road King in the garage with 600 miles on the clock. The guy kept it immaculate and absolutely 100% stock, no mods whatsoever the perfect clean slate. The tires had 1 1/8" of unused rubber on the sides and the middles were barely scuffed. The chain was still packed in white grease from the dealer. The brake rotors were pristine. None of the suspension adjusters had been touched. These are just a few of the obvious non-cosmetic things you can look for on a bike which claims to have little or no mileage. But believe me I looked at a bunch of bikes before I happened across this gem. Even some belonging to members of this board. Patience is a virtue when shopping for a used bike. I personally wasn't even going to look at em if they had any mods at all. When talking about Hayabusas that is rare indeed!

 

[Over_Easy]

Yeah, I agree it can be done. Just a diamond in the rough that would take numerous trips and meetings to find. I think I'd rather argue with the dealer about the OTD price.

 

[HillsRider]

Final note: If you are going to sell your bike do yourself a favor and have it detailed before posting pictures. A dirty bike just represents to someone that you are lazy and likely just don't care about maintaining your bike which is critical during the break-in period.

I'd rather ride it than clean it. That doesn't mean that I don't change oil or lube the chain...

 

[Oldroller]

Final note: If you are going to sell your bike do yourself a favor and have it detailed before posting pictures. A dirty bike just represents to someone that you are lazy and likely just don't care about maintaining your bike which is critical during the break-in period.

I'd rather ride it than clean it. That doesn't mean that I don't change oil or lube the chain...

+1

I've got better things to do with my time. I bought my bike to ride not to look at or have everyone else look at it.

I do the recommended maintenance and thats the only thing I worry about.

 

[Over_Easy]

Final note:  If you are going to sell your bike do yourself a favor and have it detailed before posting pictures.  A dirty bike just represents to someone that you are lazy and likely just don't care about maintaining your bike which is critical during the break-in period.

I'd rather ride it than clean it. That doesn't mean that I don't change oil or lube the chain...  

Damn fellas, take a closer look at what I posted. I said if you are going to "sell the bike". You can ride it Pigpen-dirty all day long for all I care...I couldn't care less if you want to ride around on a filthy bike. You're probably the same people who ride around with 5 years of brake dust build up on the wheels of your car. Good for you.

I was just suggesting to those that want to "sell their bikes" to do themselves a favor and detail it for presentation...you know what I take that back actually don't clean it. It's better that people buying, like myself, know that the owner didn't bother to clean their bike. I would rather buy a bike from a maticulous, detail oriented individual than a uncaring owner who simply follows the "minimum" maintenance requiremnts for their bike. I'd rather buy from the guy who changes his oil and changes his filters more than necessary.

I believe most people would agree that one of the biggest reasons they purchased a bike is because the way it looks. So why not keeping it look that way. But my first statement still stands.

 

[Warputer]

Yep , Clean always helps in a sell !

 

[JINKSTER]

I'm sorry but I've come to the conclusion that I can't find a trustworthy used Hayabusa out there.

It's unbelievable when I see 2002-2004 models w/ mods and this and that w/only 2-3,000+ miles and some selling for $3-4k w/ mods and "never been laid down" comments but 2006 fairings on a 2003 bike...hmmm.  

"So you bought this bike a few years ago and only put on a few thousand miles? WTF? What the hell did you buy the bike for...trips to the convenient store around the corner or just tool around the neighborhood?"

If so, then you're either are rich and just wanted a toy to show off and try to look cool in the garage or just plain stupid or both.  Not trying to offend anyone but it's a buyer beware market and like they say "if it's too good to be true..."

Final note:  If you are going to sell your bike do yourself a favor and have it detailed before posting pictures.  A dirty bike just represents to someone that you are lazy and likely just don't care about maintaining your bike which is critical during the break-in period.

they're out there...I bought my '03 (that was two years old)about a year ago...with 1,600 on the odo and all the factory warnig stickers still on...

with low real miles for a '03...

but she looked great...

When I first went to look at this private sale bike?...the first question I asked was..."What's wrong with this bike?"...the seller said "Not a Damn Thing!" and then wanted to know why I'd ask such a question...I said cause of the year and low miles...that's when he explained to me by saying....and get this...

"This was my first street bike..I'm going back to jet skis,"

I replied...

"Damn!...a Busa for your first street bike?...scared tye shid outta ya hugh?"

Him: Yep.

Me: I'll bet....btw...SOLD!

Incidently...the seller was a local sheriffs deputy.

L8R, Bill.

 

[A'Busa'd]

I'm sorry but I've come to the conclusion that I can't find a trustworthy used Hayabusa out there.

It's unbelievable when I see 2002-2004 models w/ mods and this and that w/only 2-3,000+ miles and some selling for $3-4k w/ mods and "never been laid down" comments but 2006 fairings on a 2003 bike...hmmm.  

"So you bought this bike a few years ago and only put on a few thousand miles? WTF? What the hell did you buy the bike for...trips to the convenient store around the corner or just tool around the neighborhood?"

If so, then you're either are rich and just wanted a toy to show off and try to look cool in the garage or just plain stupid or both.  Not trying to offend anyone but it's a buyer beware market and like they say "if it's too good to be true..."

Final note:  If you are going to sell your bike do yourself a favor and have it detailed before posting pictures.  A dirty bike just represents to someone that you are lazy and likely just don't care about maintaining your bike which is critical during the break-in period.

I resemble that remark.

I don't have a lot of time to ride. I have to use my truck for work, so no riding the bike to work either. I also have another motorcycle that I ride as much as the Busa, so the miles don't build up very fast on either one.

I've had the Busa since August 04 and the Roadie since December 05. Busa has about 3,900 miles and the Roadie about 2,200. Busa WAS dropped once in my garage (very minor scratches). Haven't dropped the Roadie (yet). Both bikes are very nearly pristine.

If I were to sell either one now, someone would be getting a nice, mostly stock (stickers still on), well-kept bike with honest low miles. No scam. Probably will be selling the Roadie soon.

Some of the unbelievable ads you've been reading may be true.

 

[fritch1969]

I have an 01 SV with 2500 miles parked in my basement, not a scratch. Didn't ride it since I got the Busa

 

[frisbee]

I will buy any perfect low mile busas for 3k

 

[Over_Easy]

I have an 01 SV with 2500 miles parked in my basement, not a scratch. Didn't ride it since I got the Busa

Well if you were selling the SV w/ such low miles and told me you had a Busa I would say "No wonder why the SV has such low miles."

Obviously this doesn't pertain to people who own multiple bikes...although I don't know why you would ride anything but the Busa

. That falls into having the cash flow to purchase multiple bikes.

 

[Charlesbusa]

Very little miles is a bad thing. It means the bike just sat around, maybe for months at a time. Not good for the gaskets, seals, etc... Of course a ton of miles isn't great either because parts will be more worn.

So I'm guessing that 8,000-14,000miles a year is optimum.

The condition of the bike is FAR more important than miles. The condition of the bike clues you in on to how hard those miles were.

 

[cmc8]

buying a used bike is tough. i bought my 05 about 3 months ago. it has 2000 miles on it a tre, a d&d full 4into1 exhaust, double bubble windhield and a bunch of other little mods for looks. i bought it from a local dealership that sells used sportbikes. i was able to get all the original paperwork. on the paperwork was the original owners phone #. i called him he said he sold it because it was way to much bike for him and he bought a cruiser. i don't know if he was full of %%it or not but he sounded sincere. but the bike is mint, perfecly clean, and runs mint. sometimes you just roll the dice and take your chances. i will see how the summer goes.