would you buy a salvage title bike?

[advtek]

Originally Posted by Anorak

What makes that different from a "salvage" title. I thought having "salvage" on the title means it is a salvage title...

I believe (could be wrong) that one is for a vehicle that had suffered more damage than the vehicle was worth and the other is for a vehicle damaged beyond repair.

[scrannel]

Friend has a 999 with salvage title I want. It was in a warehouse with a crap-load of collectors cars which were all zapped in a fire. The Ducati was untouched and is showroom -- but got "totaled out" by the insurance company along with everything that was in the warehouse. I'm waiting for him to drop his guard...

[Wreckchecker]

Originally Posted by advtek

I believe (could be wrong) that one is for a vehicle that had suffered more damage than the vehicle was worth and the other is for a vehicle damaged beyond repair.

HERE's EVERYTHING YOU EVER NEED TO KNOW ABOUT A SALVAGE VEHICLE:

First, most motorcycle salvage is not due to the extent of damage, it's economic. When an insurance company gets a claim, they have to bring the bike up to a condition that generally requires NEW forks, new plastic, paint, etc. And they are paying shop rates for labor. Those things are so expensive that the bike is declared SALVAGE simply due to the economics. The reality for small shops and individuals is that if the steering head is straight, a bike can generally be rebuilt and put back on the road without too much effort. Forks, plastic, paint, and out the door.

"Gee, I'll give you a fantastic deal on this low-mileage butt-nummer 1200 that is virtually new."


I've both bought and rebuilt/sold salvage, as you can guess by my avatar. I know a guy in Michigan who's made a career by welding halves of cars together and retired well-off.

The rub is that salvage titles are one thing that there is total lack of coordination on between governments. Some places have one branding - "SALVAGE" - that is issued to show ownership, but the vehicle can never go back on the road. Those are good for parts only. The other extreme are the States that show grades of salvage, issuing titles marked PARTS ONLY, REBUILDABLE, etc.

With a few States, a salvage title is clearly different, in a different color, and says SALVAGE in cap lettering across the header so you can't miss it. These are the minority in my experience. More States seem to use subtle easy to miss codes for the people doing computer input, such as a small block with an "S." Before handing over cash, personally look the vehicle title over! When looking for a new car for the wife 6 months ago, I came across a guy trying to sell a nice 2008 Civic for what seemed like a slightly better than average price. The title had a subtle "S." Looking closer, there were very subtle signs that the car had been the cream in somebody's Oreo cookie accident. His response? "Oh, I never noticed that S." Clearly B-S and I've seen him advertising other cars since.

Another thing that is totally uncoordinated is what can be rebuilt and put back on the road. I won't even try to bring a Florida salvage into Maryland, as our MVA has a near-blanket policy on Florida salvage. But bringing in one from other States has been no problem at all, as long as I can get it through the State Police operation and safety inspection.

So the EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW is:

It's your money, so you NEED to know what you are getting into BEFORE committing

The seller WILL say that there won't be any problems.
It's up to you to know technically what you are buying. This can actually be the easy part.

Dealing with salvage, YOU better have FIRST spoken with:
The Dept of Motor Vehicles in YOUR State,
With your insurer, and
With whoever is doing any financing.

Checks

[mike]

I would not. Unless they were giving it away. Literally.

[bl4ckd0g]

I would, only if I knew how to rebuild it and was going to make it a dedicated track bike.

Otherwise- no.

[Tackett]

Originally Posted by Wreckchecker

When looking for a new car for the wife 6 months ago, I came across a guy trying to sell a nice 2008 Civic for what seemed like a slightly better than average price. The title had a subtle "S." Looking closer, there were very subtle signs that the car had been the cream in somebody's Oreo cookie accident. His response? "Oh, I never noticed that S." Clearly B-S and I've seen him advertising other cars since.

And that's exactly why some states stamp SALVAGE across the top of the title.

[JimVonBaden]

Just checked, VA allows a person to fix and retitle a vehicle with the title then marked as a rebuilt vehicle.

Jim

[EZ OUT]

FWIW, My bike is a salvage rebuild. Plastic damage can easily total a bike for insurance purposes. Still riding mine bought salvage rebuilt. I have no illusions about resale value. Triumph Sprints are poor in that regard anyway.
My suggestion is that if you can get the model of bike you want and can't afford a non salavage and don't care about resale, then consider this as a possible option.

[walkingbear]

In 2002 I purchased a salvage R100GS. Hell GS are meant to fall.
The PO ran it into a curb. Frame head was bent.. frameman straighten it out
and I put everything back on.

Sold that GS two years ago for $5500.

I purchased another Salvage bike today. It was laid down on it's side and grounded the side cover. The PO does calibration for defensive dept and NASA on there equipment. I was put back together exceptionally.

K1200S with ESA, heated grips, new white paint and powder coated gold wheels. Heli bars and lowering pegs ..$5800.

I will ride it for a few years and with that price ..I will enjoy the speed
of the ride.

What I will add: Givi luggage and remus pipe (which I can resale later $1,500)

I will call it GANDALF (white wizard)