Baffled.

[Kenvis Repesco]

I have two bikes as do alot of us motorcycle enthusiasts do. So with things being a little tight, I decided it was maybe time to say goodbye to my Busa. Now...I have had this bike for nearly seven years and I love it to bits, but since I aquired my TRX I have found myself riding it less and less. To say it is mint is an understatement, and it has every conceivable extra that makes a good bike even better. So I put it on Ebay with some very nice pics and also on Bumtree. The motor has 26k on it and has had the oil and filter changed every 1000-1500 smiles or so. At what it does the Busa has few rivals and when you work out what its for its ace. The bidding ended up after five days at £2750 and nobody even came to see it. Some of the questions and comments made even suggested the motor after such a ridiculously high mileage would warrant a complete rebuild, to say I was astonished doesnt really cover it. I thought what I was asking was quite reasonable taking the current financial climate into account, I deffinitely wasnt being greedy, but then again I refused to give it away. The bike did'nt sell. Its not a problem that I still have the bike because I like it a lot. Now this is what I dont understand. Looking on the RWHS web site at their current stock list they have various classic bikes. But I was amazed to see...a 1986 Kawasaki GPZ1000RX with 54000 on the clock, If I remember this bike was a bit of a pup a pale immitation of the bike it was supposed to supercede, this was on offer for £2995. Then there was a 1980 Suzuki GS850 37k on the clock in good condition but not mint, this was on offer for £2995. Both these bikes are far from being collectors classics and certainly not highly sought after...but its only my opinion. Now what I dont understand is, someone will go into that shop and hand over a wad of cash and not even blink an eyelid at the fact they have just paid £1500 to much for either of these bikes, both of these bikes will sell. Maybe some folk have more money than sense...I just dont get it.

[Skybone]

26k on a 'Busa engine is nothing if it's been looked after, and having the oil & filters changed every 1000-1500 miles is not just "looking after" it's cosseting!

Bike prices in the UK in the last couple of years have just gone stupid, especially from Traders. Older "collectable" bikes are starting to go up in price, especially now that there's "Practical Sportsbikes" out there, reviewing bikes like the GPZ1000RX/VF1000R/GPZ900R/etc, etc. Don't know how the Traders are staying in business just now, I know they've got additional overheads to contend with like higher VAT etc, but higher prices on the bikes doesn't help selling them. Then there are the eBay "Bargain Hunters" who want everything at a knock down price (thing is, shopping on eBay these day's rarely bags you a "bargain", because it's full of traders and chancers). There's people who're looking to sell their bikes, using the trader prices as guides, and expecting to acheive the same kind of prices as well.

If you're still wanting to sell the 'Busa, put it in the classifieds in "Practical Sportsbikes", and forum's (pretty sure there's a specific 'Busa forum, and there's a few Suzuki forum's about). Maybe even try an eBay classified ad.

If you do decide to sell, good luck, if you decide to keep it, enjoy!

[trixynut]

Trouble is, people these days get the words 'old' and 'classic' confused...

[Red Rex]

Too true Dave ...
I'm not "old" , I'm "classic" from now on

[scotsy]

I called at Squires to meet some mates yesterday and got chatting to this guy that said 'David Silvers' had bought a bunch of VFR400's (i think he said 40 or 50) and had sent them to all off to be refurbished knowing damn well he will be able to sell them later at extortionate profits as they are still a much sought after little machine

My mate might (only might) be interested in the busa, do you wanna send me a PM to exchange pics and details? (he's looking for a blackbird or busa)

Ian

[Kenvis Repesco]

Will do Ian.