[Mogg]

First of all, I'd like to introduce myself. I am a new soon to be rider. I just took and completed an MSF course and now have a motorcycle license.

Anyway, I am now looking into purchasing my first bike but I am pretty much a ping pong ball being smacked around on the table.

I have a few options. I can wait and save up a bit more money and get an 04+ SV650 (which I think is a great bike) or I can sort of lessen the impact a bit and get a 96' CBR600 F3.

This is the bike I am thinking of getting.

1996 Honda CBR

I called the guy and asked him a bit more about it, and he said that the bike currently does not run and has sat for a year. I was a little unclear as to why it wasn't working but he said something along the lines of a fuel tank gas leak, and something about the carbs being locked or choked up.

He also said the bike has been laid down before, it was knocked over by a car, and he said the car hit the tailpipe and tipped the bike over which is why the fairings broke.

Other than that, from the pictures the bike looks in okay condition. I am just a little concerned about it not working. I emailed him with a bunch of questions and I am awaiting a reply. If he doesn't get back to me by Monday, I'll call him again and ask him the questions. If everything checks out okay, I am gonna offer him about 500 dollars in cash and see if he is willing to take it. I don't know if this is considered a lowball offer but it looks like he is willing to negotiate with cash buyers. I've come up with a pros and cons list for this bike and I'll just list them now.

Pros:
It's cheap to insure
The bike with full fairings looks good
Fairly quick bike even by today's standards
It's a CBR
If I get it for 500 dollars, it'd be a steal
I won't care as much if I drop it
16k miles

Cons:
It's been laid down (I am pretty sure any used bike will at some point have seen the ground in its life though)
Doesn't start, still unclear as to why it won't start
Maybe more problematic than a newer bike
Parts may not be as readily available
It may have low mileage, but it's 13 years old already.


So yeah that's pretty much it. I don't know if it's a good idea, but I am just wondering from your guys' perspective what's the worst case scenario I am looking at for this bike? Like how much do you think it would cost to get it back up and running again?

If I can get this bike for 500 and get it running for 500 dollars more I'll definitely get it, but I just want to make sure I am going to be buying a reliable bike. (PLEASE NOTE: Bike is only for weekend pleasure only, won't be daily riding it)

Thanks again, look forward to reading your responses.

 

[Jim Moore]

Skip it. if the seller could get the bike running, he could sell it for three times as much. Either he's an idiot, or there's something seriously wrong with that bike.

Caveat: Are you a mechanic? If so, you may want to take a chance. If not, see above.

 

[TheSteve]

I was thinking about looking at that bike myself, actually. Id ask how long its been sitting and why it was parked. If I had to guess he let it sit too long without draining the carbs and it gunked up. By carb rebuild needed it probably just needs a decent cleaning. It's a machine like any other, it doesnt just magically stop working. If you can hook up a battery and at the VERY least hear it crank and see that the electricals still work I would say its worth it. The carbs are really the only part that really fails over time without being physically damaged.

From previous craigslist experience, offering 50% or less of the asking price will get you laughed at, especially if you tell him that in your email. Bring $700 with you, but offer him $600 at first. If I had room for another bike I'd buy it myself and sell it to my roommate once hes done with his learner bike.

From a mechanics perspective, its worth the risk. Carb cleaning is free. If theres broken junk, that bike is pretty common and easy to find parts for. If you find tons of little problems you can pass it off to someone else on craigslist at a minor loss or part it out.

Edit. I was half paying attention when I first read your post. Sitting for a year, got it. Probably didnt drain the carbs and it gummed up. Id buy it and plan to POR-15 the gas tank asap if thats where the leak actually is.

 

[Nero Diablo]

Its a old bike thats a pretty common model so its not like they are hard to find, I'd give it a miss its going to take a fair bit of time. It really depends on why they bike was parked up is it why the owner said or some other reason like dead ignition motor been run out of oil or coolant and its now toast.

 

[arcticamt6]

First off, you should not buy a bike that is not running for your first bike. I'd get something that you know will work well for a while so you don't have any hassles trying to learn. Secondly, supersports are not beginner bikes. Even if it is an old model. 250, 500, or 650 should be your only bike size options you're looking at. Even then, a 650 is still very quick and can be more than a handful for a lot of riders.

Go ahead and tell yourself you're gonna "respect the bike" and you won't do anything to wreck it. Then don't buy one.

 

[lasermax]

Head straight for the SV650. Fantastic bike. As you learn more about bikes and how they work and what needs to be kept up on them, then you can take a chance on a bike that needs some work. If the frame or forks are bent, you'll have a better idea on what to watch for, etc. Taking a chance on a bike like this CBR is a risky move, and not worth it at your current level of experience.

 

[beowulf2k]

I would buy it-for about $800.

1. Because I know how to fix it
2. The parts ARE plentiful
3. Its one of the best 600s you could buy in that day. Smooth.


You would have to do your own analysis-take a battery, some starting fluid and you can pretty much go from there as to whether the engine is crap or not.If he is legit, he wouldnt have a problem letting you take the tank off.

 

[YZFHEFF]

I would jump all over that. Sounds like it just needs a good carb cleaning. I would watch for rust in the tank too.

 

[orange57]

I would go for an SV650 over the CBR. The SV's are great bikes. If you ahve the extra space, a spare project bike would be cool though. Those F3's are pretty quick still. I had a friend with a 98 F3, it was a quick fun bike. It would have made a great second bike for me, but as a first bike I think it still can be a lot to handle.

 

[fadlan12]

First off, you should not buy a bike that is not running for your first bike. I'd get something that you know will work well for a while so you don't have any hassles trying to learn. Secondly, supersports are not beginner bikes. Even if it is an old model. 250, 500, or 650 should be your only bike size options you're looking at. Even then, a 650 is still very quick and can be more than a handful for a lot of riders.

Go ahead and tell yourself you're gonna "respect the bike" and you won't do anything to wreck it. Then don't buy one.

I did. If you are not mechanically inclined then you be out a lot of $$ getting someone else to work on it. It is a great way to get to know your bike.

 

[buttugly]

save for the sv brother.

 

[TheSteve]

I wouldnt hesitate to buy another non running bike to learn on. Thats what I did, my Katana came in about 4 cardboard boxes, every single piece disassembled. For the mechanically inclined its not a bad project. Motorcycles are relatively simple machines and can be put together in less than a week if everything is there. This one doesnt even need assembly, just the aforementioned carb cleaning. And the F3 still shouldnt be a terrible bike to learn on, it'd be less forgiving than the SV but it still doesnt have the massive power a modern 600 does. The handling and seating position would be the only reason I might say it isnt the perfect bike to start with but even then you should be ok as long as you dont push it.

 

[Darksheer]

I would buy it-for about $800.

1. Because I know how to fix it
2. The parts ARE plentiful
3. Its one of the best 600s you could buy in that day. Smooth.


You would have to do your own analysis-take a battery, some starting fluid and you can pretty much go from there as to whether the engine is crap or not.If he is legit, he wouldnt have a problem letting you take the tank off.

+1

 

[SqDancerLynn1]

If you are mechanically inclined buy it. It's been a long, long time. I bought my first bike with help from my Dad when I was 15, a basket case Triumph

 

[MT Wallet]

I would stay away from that bike, there are a LOT of bikes for sale in a lot better condition.

My guess is there are a lot more things wrong with that bike, than just a dirty carb. (possible rusty chain, leaking fork seals, bad charging system-- a common problem on CBR's especially old CBRs, worn brakes, worn sprockets)

And a dirty carb can be one big headache for someone who doesn't know a lot about bikes.

If it is gonna be your first bike, you want the experience to be a good one, meaning you want to be able to actually ride your first bike.

Getting this bike might actually discourage you from bikes altogether.

There's a lot of fish in the sea...or, a lot of bikes on craigslist.

 

[MT Wallet]

I just noticed i use the word "lot".... a lot.