Prepping the 990 to sell

DirtyRoadie · 03-14-2013, 10:47 AM

Too many bikes in the garage, gotta sell my '08 990Adv. abs. I'm looking for honest opinions here regarding prepping it for sale. The tires on it are Trail Attacks that will pass State inspection (barely). With the number of different tires available for different purposes that this bike can handle does it make sense for me to put new tires on it just to sell it. Same goes for chain and sprockets, with about 18,000 miles on the originals. Any constructive opinions would be appreciated as I consider people on this forum to be the most knowledgeable.

DrKayak · 03-14-2013, 10:55 AM

I would clean the bike and take the best pictures you can for the add. I would not put a dime into any bike i was going to sell. Just make sure the price reflects the condition, give someone a good deal and move on.

I tried to sell mine for the same reason, too many bikes and the 950 does not get enough use. I have way over 10k in it with low miles and 2 sets of wheels I was asking $8k and got offers closer to $6k. Decided to keep it over loosing $4k. Next time I will take everything I can off it and take $6k for it.

dmn0507 · 03-14-2013, 12:48 PM

Agree with not putting momey on it.
Clean it and make it shiny and take nice pics in a sunny day, and just tell the new owner about the current conditions.

zgfiredude · 03-14-2013, 07:23 PM

I'm going to be a little contrary.

Be honest on the tires, and state that the price is accordingly adjusted to allow for personal choice, etc.

As far as the chain and sprockets, I'd replace them. For me it speaks more to good routine maintenance. If I'm looking at a bike that needs tires, and a chain and sprockets, I'm wondering "What else does it need?" and "If the guy is too cheap to do the basic stuff, did he ever check valves, change the oil, check the screens, flush coolant?"

I think the tires are easily explainable, but the basic maintenance is not.

bigborefan · 03-14-2013, 08:02 PM

I think you can go wither way on the tires. But your gonna get ground down on price and/or have to discount the cost of a set of tires.

I personally always have a bike I sell be as ready as possible. Most people want a bike that they can buy and ride, some people don't care though. I got a buddy likes to buy the beaters, but he buys em super cheap.

I guess it depends if you want a fast sell for a low price, or if you want top dollar you can hold out and clean/prep it for top dollar.

GLWS

DrKayak · 03-14-2013, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zgfiredude

I'm going to be a little contrary.

Be honest on the tires, and state that the price is accordingly adjusted to allow for personal choice, etc.

As far as the chain and sprockets, I'd replace them. For me it speaks more to good routine maintenance. If I'm looking at a bike that needs tires, and a chain and sprockets, I'm wondering "What else does it need?" and "If the guy is too cheap to do the basic stuff, did he ever check valves, change the oil, check the screens, flush coolant?"

I think the tires are easily explainable, but the basic maintenance is not.

I would see needing a chain and sprockets just like needing tires. --- A perfect chance to choose the gear ratio I want. Getting it super clean goes a long way in making the buyer thinking you respect and take care of the bike. Personally, I love getting a good deal on a bike that needs some work and tearing it down to check/fix everything day 1... when I'm done the bike is reborn as MY BIKE..

Zuber · 03-14-2013, 09:25 PM

1. Make it look as stock as possible.
2. Put new stock tires on it. Fix anything that prevents it from being ridden immediately. Paint chips, normal wear is ok.
3. Wash it, but don't dry it, take pictures while it is wet. The pictures really POP and the bike looks extra shiny.
4. Clean, clean, clean.
5. Never take low ball offers until they see the bike and are laying down cash.
6. Add back accessories when they want a lower price.
7. Accessories are worth about $0.10 on the dollar when you sell the bike. About $0.40 on the dollar when in the original box with receipts.
8. Prices it just below your desired price, the old $1.99 thing, it is a lot less than $2. If you want $8000, price it at $7950. It is stupid, but it works.

Myself? I give a big discount if I don't have to wash off the mud.

smj · 03-16-2013, 11:32 AM

Wash it, dry it, detail it with some WD40. Then take your pics. Take note, if you get WD40 on the engine or pipe, run it before showing as it will smoke off. Good and clean chain, sprockets (worth replacing), clean air filter and box, clear break fluid, and reasonable tires. Let'em ping you on the tires if need be. The other items show you took care of the bike, and most buyers would feel they need to replace them prior to enjoying the bike. Which means cost and time to them.

DirtyRoadie · 03-17-2013, 05:41 AM

Thanks for the responses even though there seems to be no consensus. Guess I'll just clean it up nice and put some new tires on it. When I bought my new bike a few months ago the dealer was going to give me $5500 for the 990. If I get any more than that I'll call it a victory.

jds2835 · 03-17-2013, 06:53 AM

Pm sent

pdxmotorhead · 03-17-2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyRoadie

Thanks for the responses even though there seems to be no consensus. Guess I'll just clean it up nice and put some new tires on it. When I bought my new bike a few months ago the dealer was going to give me $5500 for the 990. If I get any more than that I'll call it a victory.

5500?? Wow.. I havent seen one for under $7K (Beat to hell) when I was shopping last fall the cheapest of them was in the 10K range, thats how I ended up with a 950...

Dave

KHVol · 03-17-2013, 01:47 PM

Replace the chain and sprockets....people see one thing that looks like poor maintenance and they wonder what all is wrong that they can't see, don't give them the opportunity to think that. A dealer would replace even the tires and that is how they make their living. If nothing else, a new chain and sprocket will make it sell quicker and there is value to that too.

MookieBlaylock · 03-17-2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyRoadie

Thanks for the responses even though there seems to be no consensus. Guess I'll just clean it up nice and put some new tires on it. When I bought my new bike a few months ago the dealer was going to give me $5500 for the 990. If I get any more than that I'll call it a victory.

it may depend on location, i just sold my 06 950 w/ low miles for 7500 in a metro area but maybe fewer buyers further out

Chuckracer · 03-17-2013, 02:19 PM

I think you already listed it.

03-14-2013, 10:47 AM	#1
DirtyRoadie ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Upstate N.Y. Oddometer: 120	Prepping the 990 to sell Too many bikes in the garage, gotta sell my '08 990Adv. abs. I'm looking for honest opinions here regarding prepping it for sale. The tires on it are Trail Attacks that will pass State inspection (barely). With the number of different tires available for different purposes that this bike can handle does it make sense for me to put new tires on it just to sell it. Same goes for chain and sprockets, with about 18,000 miles on the originals. Any constructive opinions would be appreciated as I consider people on this forum to be the most knowledgeable.

03-14-2013, 10:55 AM	#2
DrKayak Retro Rider Joined: Mar 2010 Location: Shingle Springs CA Oddometer: 534	I would clean the bike and take the best pictures you can for the add. I would not put a dime into any bike i was going to sell. Just make sure the price reflects the condition, give someone a good deal and move on. I tried to sell mine for the same reason, too many bikes and the 950 does not get enough use. I have way over 10k in it with low miles and 2 sets of wheels I was asking $8k and got offers closer to $6k. Decided to keep it over loosing $4k. Next time I will take everything I can off it and take $6k for it. __________________ 06 950 Adventure 96 Beta Techno 07 450 EXC 04 FZ1

03-14-2013, 07:23 PM	#4
zgfiredude Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Aspen, Colorado Oddometer: 494	I'm going to be a little contrary. Be honest on the tires, and state that the price is accordingly adjusted to allow for personal choice, etc. As far as the chain and sprockets, I'd replace them. For me it speaks more to good routine maintenance. If I'm looking at a bike that needs tires, and a chain and sprockets, I'm wondering "What else does it need?" and "If the guy is too cheap to do the basic stuff, did he ever check valves, change the oil, check the screens, flush coolant?" I think the tires are easily explainable, but the basic maintenance is not. __________________ '06 950S Adv, DRZ440E, KLX440R, DRZ250, & F650GS

03-14-2013, 08:02 PM	#5
bigborefan Making new friends Joined: Jul 2007 Location: USA - Midwest, Central Illinois Oddometer: 696	I think you can go wither way on the tires. But your gonna get ground down on price and/or have to discount the cost of a set of tires. I personally always have a bike I sell be as ready as possible. Most people want a bike that they can buy and ride, some people don't care though. I got a buddy likes to buy the beaters, but he buys em super cheap. I guess it depends if you want a fast sell for a low price, or if you want top dollar you can hold out and clean/prep it for top dollar. GLWS __________________ 2010 KTM 530 XC-W / 2009 KTM 950SE I don't know everything, but what I don't know, I lie about

03-14-2013, 09:25 PM	#7
Zuber Zoob Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Main Street, Shedd, Oregon Oddometer: 984	1. Make it look as stock as possible. 2. Put new stock tires on it. Fix anything that prevents it from being ridden immediately. Paint chips, normal wear is ok. 3. Wash it, but don't dry it, take pictures while it is wet. The pictures really POP and the bike looks extra shiny. 4. Clean, clean, clean. 5. Never take low ball offers until they see the bike and are laying down cash. 6. Add back accessories when they want a lower price. 7. Accessories are worth about $0.10 on the dollar when you sell the bike. About $0.40 on the dollar when in the original box with receipts. 8. Prices it just below your desired price, the old $1.99 thing, it is a lot less than $2. If you want $8000, price it at $7950. It is stupid, but it works. Myself? I give a big discount if I don't have to wash off the mud. __________________ "Dad, can I get a motorcycle when I grow up?" "Son, you can't do both"

03-14-2013, 12:48 PM	#3
dmn0507 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2010 Location: Italy, NE, N45°37'18" E12°33'45" Oddometer: 255	Agree with not putting momey on it. Clean it and make it shiny and take nice pics in a sunny day, and just tell the new owner about the current conditions.

03-16-2013, 11:32 AM	#8
smj Adventurer Joined: Oct 2010 Location: Colorado Oddometer: 84	Wash it, dry it, detail it with some WD40. Then take your pics. Take note, if you get WD40 on the engine or pipe, run it before showing as it will smoke off. Good and clean chain, sprockets (worth replacing), clean air filter and box, clear break fluid, and reasonable tires. Let'em ping you on the tires if need be. The other items show you took care of the bike, and most buyers would feel they need to replace them prior to enjoying the bike. Which means cost and time to them. __________________ Faint is the heart that runs from a fight, but it's a sorry set of legs 'let a man take a beating.

03-17-2013, 05:41 AM	#9
DirtyRoadie ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Upstate N.Y. Oddometer: 120	Thanks for the responses even though there seems to be no consensus. Guess I'll just clean it up nice and put some new tires on it. When I bought my new bike a few months ago the dealer was going to give me $5500 for the 990. If I get any more than that I'll call it a victory.

03-17-2013, 06:53 AM	#10
jds2835 Adventurer Joined: Dec 2009 Oddometer: 12	Pm sent

03-17-2013, 01:47 PM	#12
KHVol Beastly Adventurer Joined: May 2004 Location: Virginia Oddometer: 2,078	Replace the chain and sprockets....people see one thing that looks like poor maintenance and they wonder what all is wrong that they can't see, don't give them the opportunity to think that. A dealer would replace even the tires and that is how they make their living. If nothing else, a new chain and sprocket will make it sell quicker and there is value to that too. __________________ "Character cannot be summoned at the moment of crisis if it has been squandered by years of compromise and rationalization"

03-17-2013, 02:19 PM	#14
Chuckracer More Ride, Less Google Joined: Aug 2007 Location: Lowville, NY Oddometer: 5,755	I think you already listed it. __________________ 2003 Kawasaki KLR650 "Reality" 1993 Ducati 900SS "L'evento"

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