What is your Budget for a Bargain Find?

nakkers

nakkers

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When scouting out potential machines to acquire, what is your “floor” budget? Pay the seller a price, have your trusty shop safety it and it’s good to go. No extras required. Turn the key and ride. You got your gear and insurance and good to go.

What is your ideal strike price?

Back in the day, a decent road worthy motorcycle that passes a safety and needs nothing other than fuel in the tank, there might have been gems in the $1k range and insurance might have been about the same.

How about present day? A see a lot of parts bikes or scrap for $1k. But, those cheap value bikes start to appeal at what number now?
 
I’m seeing a lot of nice early 2000’s BMW bikes for well under $5000. Sellers are usually well heeled , older riders that maintained them and stored them properly. There’s something that’s so cool about a mint 20 plus year old bike. They may actually increase in value in the next few years. I love my Japanese bikes but I’m really starting to appreciate a nice old BMW, they just last forever. Another great bargain are the late 70’s early 80’s Suzuki GS 750-1100 bikes. They can be had for $1000-$2000 for a nice example. Don’t know why Kawasakis from this era command about twice the price, the Suzukis were far superior.
 
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A properly safety-worthy, ready to ride bike has been worth at least $2000 for maybe 15 years at least? I haven't been looking for deals for a couple years so I can't confirm if the price has gone up recently. So when you say back in the day, how far back are you talking? Late 90s?
 
Bobo said:
I’m seeing a lot of nice early 2000’s BMW bikes for well under $5000. Sellers are usually well heeled , older riders that maintained them and stored them properly. There’s something that’s so cool about a mint 20 plus year old bike. They may actually increase in value in the next few years. I love my Japanese bikes but I’m really starting to appreciate a nice old BMW, they just last forever. Another great bargain are the late 70’s early 80’s Suzuki GS 750-1100 bikes. They can be had for $1000-$2000 for a nice example. Don’t know why Kawasakis from this era command about twice the price, the Suzukis were far superior.
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As an owner of an early 2000 BMW, I concur. I don't need another bike but always keeping my eye open for something early 2k BMW of a different flavour.

Just really ****** that we have to pay full insurance for multiple vehicles when you can only operate one at a time. Yeah, I know...keep dreaming. But I can still moan about it. If that wasn't the case, I would probably have a dozen bikes in the garage.
 
JZ67 said:
As an owner of an early 2000 BMW, I concur. I don't need another bike but always keeping my eye open for something early 2k BMW of a different flavour.

Just really ****** that we have to pay full insurance for multiple vehicles when you can only operate one at a time. Yeah, I know...keep dreaming. But I can still moan about it. If that wasn't the case, I would probably have a dozen bikes in the garage.
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I had two bikes insured and on the road a few years back. You don’t get much of a break on insurance for the second bike. I decided it just wasn’t worth it and got rid of the second bike.
 
Depends on the bike. Maybe $1k-$2k for something to play with for a season and then cash out of. But it really depends on the bike. I bought a Sportster for a lot more than that because I thought it was half of what it was worth.
 
nakkers said:
When scouting out potential machines to acquire, what is your “floor” budget? Pay the seller a price, have your trusty shop safety it and it’s good to go. No extras required. Turn the key and ride. You got your gear and insurance and good to go.

What is your ideal strike price?

Back in the day, a decent road worthy motorcycle that passes a safety and needs nothing other than fuel in the tank, there might have been gems in the $1k range and insurance might have been about the same.

How about present day? A see a lot of parts bikes or scrap for $1k. But, those cheap value bikes start to appeal at what number now?
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Sorry, I didn’t really answer your question. I never really ask myself how cheap can I buy a motorcycle, I ask how cheap can I enjoy a motorcycle. I would rather spend a little more on a bike that’s in good shape and get my money back when I sell it.
 
adri said:
Depends on the bike. Maybe $1k-$2k for something to play with for a season and then cash out of. But it really depends on the bike. I bought a Sportster for a lot more than that because I thought it was half of what it was worth.
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Yep, so many variables to put a single number to it.

What kind of bike? Mileage? Condition?

Would I pay $1000 for a 1995 916 that needed a little TLC to get back to tip top shape? Yep.

Would I pay $1000 for a 1995 Ninja 250R in mint condition? Nope.

Garage space is tight. I wouldn't buy anything in running condition that takes up valuable space just because it's cheap...
 
TwistedKestrel said:
A properly safety-worthy, ready to ride bike has been worth at least $2000 for maybe 15 years at least? I haven't been looking for deals for a couple years so I can't confirm if the price has gone up recently. So when you say back in the day, how far back are you talking? Late 90s?
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Never really thought about the time frame when I wrote back in the day. Maybe 10-15 years? At least pre-Covid.
 
Lightcycle said:
Yep, so many variables to put a single number to it.

What kind of bike? Mileage? Condition?

Would I pay $1000 for a 1995 916 that needed a little TLC to get back to tip top shape? Yep.

Would I pay $1000 for a 1995 Ninja 250R in mint condition? Nope.

Garage space is tight. I wouldn't buy anything in running condition that takes up valuable space just because it's cheap...
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For sure! Much depends on the type of bike. Is it nostalgia or just a run about or back road bomber etc.

Something could use a little love and attention to make it yours and suit its purpose.

Everyone has their own needs and challenges. Garage space, wrenching ability, riding style etc.
 
Lightcycle said:
Yep, so many variables to put a single number to it.

What kind of bike? Mileage? Condition?

Would I pay $1000 for a 1995 916 that needed a little TLC to get back to tip top shape? Yep.

Would I pay $1000 for a 1995 Ninja 250R in mint condition? Nope.

Garage space is tight. I wouldn't buy anything in running condition that takes up valuable space just because it's cheap...
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A 916 for a grand! When can I pick it up!
 
Lightcycle said:
Yep, so many variables to put a single number to it.

What kind of bike? Mileage? Condition?

Would I pay $1000 for a 1995 916 that needed a little TLC to get back to tip top shape? Yep.

Would I pay $1000 for a 1995 Ninja 250R in mint condition? Nope.

Garage space is tight. I wouldn't buy anything in running condition that takes up valuable space just because it's cheap...
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Agreed. It's not a bargain price if no one else wants it. If it's well-under market price and is a desirable machine then it's worth striking on.
 
It's subjective.

I saw a 25 year old DRZ400 in great shape @ $3000 ready to certify. It would seem to me to be a good deal as there isn't any difference between that on and a more recent one for twice the price. It would probably be better suited for my off road riding/dual sporting than my Husqvarna 250.

Like lightcycle said though, it's about garage space and time. What am I going to do with another one? I feel a burden when I see that I've accumulated too much "stuff" and then need to purge. I'd rather have enough of the right things than lots of things.

I heard a good line on a TV show (Bush Wreck something-something), "The want is better than the get.", or something to that effect.
 
My attitude is not what it is worth, because that is a number that is personal, but what it is worth to "ME".
I just paid above book value of a motorcycle because for "ME" it was worth that.
My attitude is anyone who says the motorcycle is ready for a Safety is lying.
If you are buying just to flip then that is another price range altogether.
I will admit I have also done that.
As a hobby I recondition (not to be confused with restoring) small bore vintage motorcycles to put back on the road.
I like to recover the initial purchase price plus parts and at least $1.00 an hour for my labour.
The result is a 100cc bike that will pass a safety is priced more than a litre junker.
 
I guess I put forth the question and it’s really a matter of what grabs your attention and the price to play. Everyone has a different hobby fund and fill your boots if you have the money to acquire the thing you want to enjoy.


I’ve always been drawn to “value” bikes or even cars for that matter. They may not be the fastest or most eye catching or best in class but, they stir the soul.

My garage only has so much room and my wife only has so much patience. I’ve got plenty of toys but, I’ve got a bad habit of always looking for the next thing and gosh darn it, something clicks and I’m like a fat kid with a candy bar. Except its another motorcycle!


I don’t gamble, do drugs or fool around with women other than my wife. But, always find a way to justify another toy. I have a problem. 😆
 
nakkers said:
What is your ideal strike price?

How about present day?
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Of the 17 motorcycles I have owned to far, 11 were bought new and 6 used. I like to buy new because I know they have not been abused. I also look after them and keep them. I still own 4 of them and my oldest that I bought new is now 35 years old. The motorcycle that I sold in 2023 was bought new and was 20 years old. No need to buy and sell every year or two to get the latest and greatest and waste money.

I did get 19% off on a new motorcycle. I am talking about 19% off MSRP where I was not charged Freight, PDI or Admin BS. Only GST. That was a smoking deal on a BMW.

On another new BMW motorcycle, I did get over $1500 off but part of that was soaked up by Freight, PDI and Admin.

On used motorycles, I would do the work for the safety (not rocket science), bring it in and pay for the certificate.

You might get lucky with a $1000 motorcycle, but I bet you got to spend money on it.
 
Lightcycle said:
Would I pay $1000 for a 1995 916 that needed a little TLC to get back to tip top shape? Yep.
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If you are that lucky, I'd also buy some 6/49 tickets that day.
 
xrljoel said:
Like lightcycle said though, it's about garage space and time. What am I going to do with another one? I feel a burden when I see that I've accumulated too much "stuff" and then need to purge. I'd rather have enough of the right things than lots of things.

I heard a good line on a TV show (Bush Wreck something-something), "The want is better than the get.", or something to that effect.
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Sacrilege! You can never have too many bikes. I go by another line - Hold my beer Dr. Pepper.
 
Gary said:
A few grand more than a grand, but you can probably pick it up about 4pm TODAY!

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Currently $21,000 USD with 3 hours left before the gavel drops. :oops:

Wish I was a baller that trades in bikes as frequently as changing underwear, but I think the current lineup in the garage is set for the foreseeable future.
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