My Adventures in Motorcycle Shopping - Success!

[Croz]

A day of Craigslist lows and highs today, but with a happy ending!

Went this morning to look at a 2004 V Star 1100, with 17000 miles. Was told it needed cosmetic help but was mechanically perfect. Not only was it cosmetically terrible!, but it actually turned out to be a 2001 V Star 650!

2 hour drive there, 2 hour drive back for a bike I never would have traveled to see if I had known it as a 650.

A few hours later, I got an email from another guy. His picture in the ad was really bad, but he was emailing me new, nicer pics.

Turned out to be a 1999 V Star 1100, with 10,000 babied miles. Basically in showroom condition. (For the 2 years he didn't have a garage, the bike was parked nightly in the living room.) And he wanted $100 more than the rolling turd I saw in the morning. Another 2 hour drive (to get to within 15 minutes of where I was this morning) for a test ride.

It's mine now! Have to have my wife take me back over there this week to drop me off so I can ride it back.



Doing the Snoopy Happy Dance!

(My Shadow will be up for sale later this week, BTW.)

[flapug]

Congrats on your "Happy Ending". The extra trip seems to have been worth it, Nice looking bike.

[dt]

Awesome, fantastic! Congratulations. 

Went this morning to look at a 2004 V Star 1100, with 17000 miles. Was told it needed cosmetic help but was mechanically perfect. Not only was it cosmetically terrible!, but it actually turned out to be a 2001 V Star 650!

How on earth did this guy not know what year/model he was selling?

[Croz]

His business partner bought it from a guy who had it sitting for a while, and they repaired the engine problems and this guy was trying to sell it. His buddy told him it was a 2004 1100, and he never checked it against the title.

I've had some weird CL experiences, but this was a first.

[dt]

Oh, the old “I’m selling it for someone else” ploy. The NADA price difference between those two models is over $1,500. Keep your eye on the CL listing…bet it doesn’t change.

Caveat Emptor! You did good.

[mrbones]

Congrats on the new ride!

[Croz]

Congrats on the new ride!

Thanks. I'm way psyched! I'll pick it up Friday or Saturday in Orlando.

[bagobones]

Looks like a nice ride. I have a buddy with a V-star 650. He's a smaller dude so it works out well for him. His has always been a solid ride, handles great. I hope you got a deal on it too!

[Croz]

Looks like a nice ride. I have a buddy with a V-star 650. He's a smaller dude so it works out well for him. His has always been a solid ride, handles great. I hope you got a deal on it too!

I did. About $1100 under the NADA "Average" price, and I'd consider this bike well above average.