Just to let the forum know, I tried to buy a used Super Tenere...

[Climb14er]

There's a current post on the AdvRider forum, a guy in Salt Lake is selling a loaded S10. I contacted him, we exchanged phone calls and e-mails, everything was in place for the sale.

The seller reneged and did not want to go through with the deal.

He was the one who offered to deliver the bike to me here in Denver and I pay for his RT fuel. I offered him a guest bedroom and a nice dinner at a local restaurant. The reason for the delivery is that he wants to make a quick sale and buy an 800GS at a local BMW dealer, he wanted quick cash, and I told him the only way to do this is to have a valid title in-hand as well. I have cash-in-hand.

I also agreed to his price!

Again, all I asked for was a 'valid and clear title'. He asked me yesterday to confirm that I am willing to step to the plate and purchase and I e-mailed and called him confirming.

He then told me that the title will arrive today (Friday), I asked him to fax me a copy along with a photo of the vin # plate on the bike to confirm the vin and title are correct.

Got an e-mail late last night telling me that he didn't want to deal with the Colorado DMV and that he didn't want to deliver the bike.

His price to me was $13,500 delivered including all the farkles on his bike. I offered to pay him $200.00 for fuel, a place to sleep and dinner.

Just wanted to put it out to the S10 universe that I was a willing and capable buyer! I'm thinking the seller wanted more money and didn't want to deliver, or there's more to the story. I always asked for the vin #, a photo of the vin # plate but never received either.

That's that. I tried!

 

[trinc4me]

Climb14er.....sorry to hear that this did not work out. I went thru a similar experience when I bought a 2003 Yamaha FZ1 from a guy on ebay, who claimed he had a "clear" title. Turns out he didn't even have the title. I think you went above and beyond to be accomodating....let's hope you can find another one real soon (BTW....I was supposed to be on a plane bound for Denver this morning to do some skiiing out your way.....had to cancel plans at the last minute )

Bob

 

[Climb14er]

Thanks for the understanding Bob! For the record, I export fire trucks around the world and constantly deal with titles. I know the problems that can occur with a 'not-so-clear' title.

Just last year, I got an 'incorrect' title that nobody caught in the selling-buying process. And I've done over 200 titles in my career with only this one problem that was very difficult to correct and remedy. It took eight weeks of hard and mind-numbing effort to correct.

That's why I specifically said to the seller and posted in the AdvRider forum that a 'clear and valid' title is necessary and send me a photo of the vin # plate on the bike.

It's your cash... buyer take precautions! ::003::

 

[Venture]

You did what you could, it's probably best it fell through overall. (trying to be an optimist)

When I bought the KLX last year there was one I found that was heavily farkled, in good shape (based on pictures), and was at a very good price. It just happened to be out of state for me. I contacted the seller, and got, "I can have the title in a few days, it's though a local credit union." This bike had been up on Craigslist for months. We're not talking a 13k bike here, either. I think it was around $3k. Wouldn't you just try and scrape together the rest of the money, get the title, and then you could have the bike gone in a week? Apparently not.

I didn't pursue that guy further, even though it was one of the best deals I'd found.

Personally, I am keeping my sights out for a used S10 as well, I've bought used bikes before, and there's nothing wrong with it. However, for something that is in relatively short supply (for now at least) the values will be higher, and it probably just pays to go the extra mile and buy a new one. If nothing pops up in the next few months (I'm not expecting anything, actually) I'll go for a new one.

Gook luck with the continued search.

 

[kgfire]

Like the saying goes " caveat emptor " let the buyer beware!
Keep in touch, as I buy and sell bikes pretty frequently. I love my Tenere but there's always something new coming out that I can't resist!
One thing you can count on, is, if and when I sell the bke, it will have low miles and it will be in showroom condition.

 

[pluric]

That is a nicely set up S10 too. I thought his asking price was $14,500 with farkles.
$13,500 seems like a good buy. Only had like 2,500 miles.

Maybe a trip to SLC would make you a happy owner.

 

[markjenn]

Maybe the seller simply got cold feet, but what often happens in these situations that there is a lien on the title and the seller waits until they have buyer before looking into getting the title cleared. They think you can hit up the bank for a signature loan or do some other rob-peter-to-pay-paul scheme to pay off the loan and clear the title but it doesn't work out. If the buyer, seller, and lender are all local, it becomes easier to simply go down to the bank with the buyer and pay the loan off with the buyer's money, but these sorts of things get more complicated on a LD deal and you often have to enlist someone to handle escrow. Knowing the buyer was going to be a "stickler" on details (and justifiably so), the buyer decided to back out.

There's going to be lots of S10's on the used market in the next few months; others will come along.

- Mark

 

[Climb14er]

That is a nicely set up S10 too. I thought his asking price was $14,500 with farkles.
$13,500 seems like a good buy. Only had like 2,500 miles.

Maybe a trip to SLC would make you a happy owner.

He sold the bike from under me!

I offered to see how we could get the bike from SLC to Denver (we've got massive snow storms rolling through) and HE offered to trailer it to me because he was in a hurry to sell the bike.

I would have easily arranged transport via truck! However, he kept on waffling telling me that the title was on the way and that he had to 'satisfy a payoff on a lien'.

Anyone knows that a title (from Montana, or anywhere else) will NOT be released w/o the lien being paid off!

Forgot to mention: He told me that he would pay off the lien on his end and that it was alright if I get him a bank cashier's check for the full amount upon delivery.

He asked me yesterday for a firm commitment and I gave it to him both via e-mail and phone.

My take on the matter is that he 'leveraged' the sale to me knowing that he had a 'safety net' in his back-pocket and continued to negotiate with another buyer.

In my world of doing business, this is NOT proper business! I mean really... he's offering me the price, the delivery... I asked only for a valid title. Then I give him two commitments, he confirms with me on the phone then reneged and backs out of the deal.

He gave me the cocka-mammy story about not wanting to deal with Colorado DMV and that he had a 'family crisis'.

OK... he NEVER once told me about a 'family crisis' in the five phone calls and five or more e-mails prior.

Whoever bought the bike... I have nothing against him.

It's the seller who has no proper business reputation with me any longer and I could care less what he buys with the sale or even if the sale goes through.

He's finished in my book!

I apologize if I'm violating any forum protocols by explaining what occurred! I have a track record of the e-mails between us!

Just took a ninety mile ride on my RKC and my head is 'all clear'. Just like the title I originally wanted!

 

[eemsreno]

One thing you can count on, is, if and when I sell the bke, it will have low miles and it will be in showroom condition.

One thing you can count on, If I ever sell my bike it will have an extreme amount of miles on it and completely wore out! ::015::

 

[ST-venture]

Climb14ers,

You might pop up to Fort Collins Motorsports sometime. They have a raven one on the floor with several Yamaha extras on it.
Ryan, the sale manager, told me last week they have a blue one in that is slated for a demo bike and that after 15 demo rides they can sell it (at a discount, I am assuming). You might be able to work something out with them.

 

[pluric]

He sold the bike from under me!

That is a bummer. Don't give up. The S10 is worth hanging in there for.

 

[SFC E]

I just bought a used Raven Tenere last week with 2200 miles and in excellent condition, I mean the bike was spotless! The bike has all three bags, tall wind screen, and 48 months of Y.E.S. This is the first street bike that I have ever bought used and couldn't be happier. Yes buyer beware, but my transaction went smooth as silk. Sorry yours didn't work out, but I think this bike is worth it, new or used.

SFC E

 

[dcc46]

That sucks, I read his ad a couple of days ago,. Nice bike with alot of farkles. I'm sure you will find one before your riding season starts in CO.
Good Luck ::022::

 

[Blue_eyes]

Climb14ers,

You might pop up to Fort Collins Motorsports sometime. They have a raven one on the floor with several Yamaha extras on it.
Ryan, the sale manager, told me last week they have a blue one in that is slated for a demo bike and that after 15 demo rides they can sell it (at a discount, I am assuming). You might be able to work something out with them.

Yeah, have 14 demo rides on that bike and then buy it! ::022:: ::008::

 

[whisperquiet]

Like many others here, I have bought and sold bikes on the forums...............luckily never having a problem. I even sold my 2003 DRZ400S last summer to an Army soldier stationed in Afghanistan sight unseen and kept it in my garage for 2 months until he was able to pick it up.

A long time ago, I bought a used DR350S and the owner told me that he had to pick up the title/it was good/etc..........turns out that he had a rebuilt title for the bike. He told me that he did not know that the title was re-built (BS) and agreed to give me back $250.00 for the diminished value of a bike with a re-built title.

There is always some sly scammer out there..........you just hope you don't meet too many of them. I've had great luck on selling and buying bike stuff/bikes on sites such as this one, advrider.com, klr650.net, etc. Dedicated enthusiast sites seem to have less problem people.

 

[Climb14er]

I took a shot at this bike, was first in line and to my knowledge, the deal was done. The bike shows very well and had all the farkles I wanted. Depreciation intact, well maintained. The guy who is also a member or was... of this site, from Bountiful, Utah... played me as his 'safety' card and then when someone either local or who was willing to deal with the lack of title (at the moment), the seller didn't want to deliver to Denver, as he promised... he sold to the another.

I make it a point to NOT chase bikes! If the guy couldn't assure me or provide me at the time of him my wanting my commitment (which I did) of a valid and clear title in his hand... then he's at fault. Screw him! BTW, he's an investment seller! Based on this, I wouldn't buy a plug-nickel from him! ::002::

I also think based on the calls... he's a BMW kind of guy and had difficulty with a Japanese bike! He farkled it to the max but he was still NOT content.

He used the reason for selling... he wanted an 800GS and a lower bike but as we all know, the 800GS is even taller than a GSA, which is taller than his former GS's and the S10! The guy is 5ft 5inches. And he's going on an 800GS? : IMHO, he needs a moped!

So, I think he's a status kind of guy and the Japanese bike was 'not to his liking'. I'd bet $1000.00 on my reading!

For the record, I won't buy a demo bike! I've seen too many riders test out demo bikes, at the beginning of a break-in period, working the motor hard, taking it to screaming redline, riding on the highways at constant speeds, etc. This is NOT the way I and many others who care... break-in bikes.

I'm going to be patient, have a great bike that I ride all year round and see what comes to me. ::003::

 

[Sup-Ten]

Climb,
I'd like to weigh in on this as I also tried to deal with Utah GS'r on that same bike a few months back. He tried to sell it on ADV and I had several conversations as well via pm, email and phone. In that case I agreed to his asking price and was working on arranging a flight from Texas to Utah to do a fly and ride. All of a sudden he stopped returning messages and finally said he decided he didn't really want to sell and I moved on. Finally found a deal on one here in Dallas on this forum and bought it. Jim R(UtahGS'r) followed up with email and text then saying he would do the deal but I had already made a deal and previous experience had left such a bad taste that I wouldn't have done the deal with him anyway. At first seemed like a good guy on the phone but turned very shady as it progressed. If you noticed on his ADV ad he changed prices a couple of times both up and down, seemed like the same old deal I had left back in September, LOL. I say you were done a favor by missing out on the brain damage involved in dealing with that guy. IIRC there was also something shady with the title as he explained to me back in Sep-Oct that the dealer had never titled it and had an open MSO as well. Not sure how that would work when you have a lien on a registered bike. Something didn't seem right and I was glad I had moved on, you should be as well. Lot's of good seller's out there and on this forum especially. In my opinion, you dodged a bullet. ::021::

Bill

 

[Climb14er]

Climb,
I'd like to weigh in on this as I also tried to deal with Utah GS'r on that same bike a few months back. He tried to sell it on ADV and I had several conversations as well via pm, email and phone. In that case I agreed to his asking price and was working on arranging a flight from Texas to Utah to do a fly and ride. All of a sudden he stopped returning messages and finally said he decided he didn't really want to sell and I moved on. Finally found a deal on one here in Dallas on this forum and bought it. Jim R(UtahGS'r) followed up with email and text then saying he would do the deal but I had already made a deal and previous experience had left such a bad taste that I wouldn't have done the deal with him anyway. At first seemed like a good guy on the phone but turned very shady as it progressed. If you noticed on his ADV ad he changed prices a couple of times both up and down, seemed like the same old deal I had left back in September, LOL. I say you were done a favor by missing out on the brain damage involved in dealing with that guy. IIRC there was also something shady with the title as he explained to me back in Sep-Oct that the dealer had never titled it and had an open MSO as well. Not sure how that would work when you have a lien on a registered bike. Something didn't seem right and I was glad I had moved on, you should be as well. Lot's of good seller's out there and on this forum especially. In my opinion, you dodged a bullet. ::021::

Bill

Thank you Bill for your articulate explanation! Makes total sense. Good to hear. I'm going to just sit back, smile and have a beer and watch the game(s). ::003:: ::26::

 

[colorider]

I'd like to suggest something here....

We have enough coverage of members all over the US and elsewhere, that if anyone ever needs someone to go look at a bike in person to avoid some of the risks in buying at distance, start by posting a request here. I've done this before on other forums, both as the one buying and to look at bikes for other people with excellent results.

Good luck!

 

[jajpko]

I'd like to suggest something here....

We have enough coverage of members all over the US and elsewhere, that if anyone ever needs someone to go look at a bike in person to avoid some of the risks in buying at distance, start by posting a request here. I've done this before on other forums, both as the one buying and to look at bikes for other people with excellent results.

Good luck!

Great idea Rod ::008::