Buying a vtr1000- advice please

[rhys]

Hi,

I'm looking at a '99 firestorm with high level cans, renthals, reworked fork and new tyres. However it has had 5 owners and covered nearly 23,000 miles. It has no service history at all. What would you say it was worth? Is it too much of a risk with these bikes?
The seller tells me there are no ticks or rattles, it pulls well, and starts without choke. He does not know if the CCT's have been replaced or of any maintenance work done on the bike, only an oil and filter change done by himself.

What do you think?

[Kitch]

With the lack of history, I'd only be happy to pay 1700 tops for it and get a proper going over done on it asap. Change the CCT's anyway.

Replaced bars and forks means it might have been crashed, check its not a Cat C. If it is, not to worry if it's been fixed up properly with paperwork to show it.

Im not a pro buyer or mechanic though, so thats just my view on what you've told us.

[VTRbob]

buy it last july i got a 97 storm,no history,cat D,7 owners & 59,000 mls it was just a winter bike but ive still got it with 68,000 on it now,runs bang on & don't use oil,i swapped my bandit for a second storm

[alan]

He may of only change to Renthal bars for comfort but to be safe just get an hpi report,i got one done on the net for a tenner when i recently bought a bike.

23000 miles is not alot,is there there any past test certificates to back this up?

If your worried about cct's just change em anyway its not hard to do!!!

see if you can have a go to see what it pulls like and handles.

Alan

[rhys]

Thanks for the replies,

I'll be seeing the bike tomorrow. The seller wants £1800. it's over 100 miles away so I hope it's a good one. Should I budget £300 for a service and tensioner replacement? Or will I more likely than not be safe to put this off if the engine is strong and sounds ok?

Cheers

[bigrich]

Whereabouts are you from Rhys? Wales at a guess but just asking incase!

[Pete.L]

Hi Rhys
Welcome Aboard #
Sounds like you've been given some good advise already but I'll add my pennies worth as well
Steering bearings and wheel bearings are worth having a good look at. Storms are dead easy to wheelie and the steering bearings can take a pounding. I wouldn't be put off if they are a bit creaky,it's an easy fix, but it's always a good bartering point to knock a bit more dosh off.
The major service is 16 and 32K (def £300) if there's no history it could be another bartering point
A good look at the general condition of everything should give you an idea about how well it's been looked after. If you don't like it walk away, there will always be another one.
Basically these bikes go on and on with proper maintenance don't be afraid of the mileage if it all looks tidy.

Good Luck
happy shopping
Pete.l

[sirch345]

I can't really add to that, so good luck Rhys

Chris.

[RedStormV]

But you did Chris ... LOL


PS Good Luck Rhys ... let's know how you get on.

Graeme

[lmao_37]

iam gona chip a little in here to

i brought my storm in feb from a dealers and i got it for £1700 with 23,000 on it, it didnt have any history but it had a few nice bits on it best thing take it for a ride and see what you think, i love riding mine and i do ride mine everyday i have no regretts buying it

[rhys]

Well.....

I was going to go and see it. But I was offered a 636 for such a low price I couldn't say no!

Nothing wrong with it but I've had loads of 600 fours now, my heart is set on a big twin. I'll probably sell it soon.

If your interested I'll pass on the details about said firestorm, send me a PM.

Thanks for all the tips and advice chaps.