Would you buy a bike that needed a service?

[yoyo]

I'm laid up with a broken leg and even though I'm working from home I've got too much time on my hands.

I've been contemplating selling my 2018 GSA and going for something smaller, probably a V Strom 800RE.

The issue is, the GSA has 35,900 miles on it with a service due on 22nd September or 1,200 miles.

Would the collective consider buying a bike knowing it'll need a service (priced accordingly of course) or am I better off getting it serviced early but would I get the cost of the service back? It doesn’t help being unable to ride for another 8 to 12 weeks either.

What are the thoughts?

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[johnnyboy]

Priced accordingly is always a matter of opinion. I would buy, if the bike was priced "accordingly"

 

[MotoRevive]

I would say... It depends.

I have serviced a lot of bikes "Pre-sale" for folk. Because they were fed up of potential buyers asking the question and then trying to over-negotiate a discount due to the fact that it wasn't serviced.

I strongly believe that an up-to-date service history shows that you've looked after the bike. No matter what. And that piece of mind for a buyer can be the difference in someone buying yours or the next one.

When you're selling a bike for £8000, is it really worth splitting hairs over a service ? Although, at your mileage , it is due a major "12,000 mile" service. That's going to cost approximately you £399 with an independent or £550-£650 with a main dealer. So I understand the hesitation.

Your bike is out of warranty. If you're selling it someone who does all their own servicing, perhaps you could split the difference.

But if you sell it to someone who's under the illusion that a main dealer is the place to go, then be prepared for them to be pondering a £600 discount.

 

[Davey B]

In your situation, selling without the service but with an obvious price alteration wouldn't put me off at all, it is seeing bikes with lots of little niggles plus an overdue service etc that would have me looking elsewhere.

 

[Nick Marshall]

You would not necessarily get all money back. However, it will definitely make your bike more desirable.
I have dismissed several bikes over the years due to either needing tyres or a service or both.

 

[MILLE_RIDER]

I'd rather buy a bike that is due a service in the near future to one that has a known issue. I'm amazed how many ads state "just needs XYZ doing", do it before you try to sell it then if it's that easy to sort !!!!

 

[HxH]

If priced accordingly, and as long as it has a long MOT, many people wont be put off with it needing a service, used bikes I have previously purchased always get a full service by me after purchase, before taken on the road.
Even with the service history book which appears stamped up to date, some I have experienced, been filled in by the seller before the sale, its here say when seller says, " Yeah Mate, its just been fully serviced, trust me, its good".
Example I had, After buying my bike unseen apart from a good video from a dealer, saying yes we service all our bikes before we sell them.
I found very little brake fluid in rear brake master, due to low pads, rear shock was bust, requiring a replacement, Ignition switch was intermittently faulty, requiring a new switch. This was from a dealer, hmm.
Fully checked and serviced after my purchase, with a stern letter to the dealer that sold it too me.

 

[MILLE_RIDER]

I have dismissed several bikes over the years due to either needing tyres or a service or both.

Even if the bike has no issues and the price was right? Tyres are consumables, would you dismiss a bike because it didn't have a full tank of fuel?

 

[Nick Marshall]

Even if the bike has no issues and the price was right? Tyres are consumables, would you dismiss a bike because it didn't have a full tank of fuel?

Don’t be silly. Half a tank minimum.

 

[GSian]

I would, it's honest and allows the buyer to chose their own service. Same with tyres etc. It gives the assurance that a proper service as actually been done.

 

[MILLE_RIDER]

My GS 1200 has a very patchy service history because it was used as a commuter clocking up 2K per month, I would do oil and filter myself every 6K and do my own brake service, checking pads cleaning caliper and pistons etc, I could tell if anything else needed doing because I was riding it so much. It would go to the local independent when I felt valves needed checking or for jobs I wasn't comfortable with. It's 19 years old now and runs beautifully. Anyone ignoring it because it didn't have a full service history would be a mug. There must be loads of low mileage bikes out there with a full service history that will give many more problems

 

[Hann]

An up-to-date service history on a bike of that age will make it moderately easier to sell but you won`t get the ££ back if it`s done at a dealer.
If a potential buyer is hands-on and can do the service himself (and BMW`s are quite DIY-friendly) then an attractively priced bike won`t put them off and it could sell easily enough.

 

[wessie]

it won't cost you anything to advertise it here to test the reaction, although I am sure we have a few sharks who might try to knock you down on price but maybe selling now whilst there is still plenty of good riding months will get you a sale. If you procrastinate then you might have to accept a winter price or wait to the spring.
Talking of sharks, have you got a quote from We buy any bike to get the rock bottom of the market price? Gives you a base to start from. I did this with my S1000XR and set the price accordingly. Sold within 48 hours. Cash in the bank at 5% interest at the time was better than hanging around to hope to get another £500, only to find I had not sold it before exchanging contracts on the house.

 

[JJH]

Most of on here are nolageable enough to make up our own minds. We tend to buy with our hearts. The mileage isn’t very high. A service should be a routine affair. If I was in the market and I liked it and could talk to you down a hundred £ I’d buy it. JJH

 

[karlp]

I'm laid up with a broken leg and even though I'm working from home I've got too much time on my hands.

I've been contemplating selling my 2018 GSA and going for something smaller, probably a V Strom 800RE.

The issue is, the GSA has 35,900 miles on it with a service due on 22nd September or 1,200 miles.

Would the collective consider buying a bike knowing it'll need a service (priced accordingly of course) or am I better off getting it serviced early but would I get the cost of the service back? It doesn’t help being unable to ride for another 8 to 12 weeks either.

What are the thoughts?

Sent from my SM-S921B using Tapatalk

If the rest of the service history is ok then just list a price and state up front - service required so priced to reflect this

And see how it goes - it takes out the ‘surprise’

If it sells ok - if not get the service done later and repost

 

[Davey B]

My GS 1200 has a very patchy service history because it was used as a commuter clocking up 2K per month, I would do oil and filter myself every 6K and do my own brake service, checking pads cleaning caliper and pistons etc, I could tell if anything else needed doing because I was riding it so much. It would go to the local independent when I felt valves needed checking or for jobs I wasn't comfortable with. It's 19 years old now and runs beautifully. Anyone ignoring it because it didn't have a full service history would be a mug. There must be loads of low mileage bikes out there with a full service history that will give many more problems

Or perhaps cautious rather than a mug......I'd ignore it if the seller of a high miler had nothing to back up claims of work and maintenance done and appeared to be a chancer etc....I'd imagine you will have records, the bike will present as such and you'd not come across as said chancer.....

 

[Mr Derek]

As one with no mechanical ability, I would want the service done prior to purchase. A competent home mechanic may feel differently.

 

[JMacd62]

Some things are just part of life, tires wear, oil needs changed ect. Service over due or just due. Service due soon. part of life. if you have complete service records.
I'd probably want a good discount, If I have to get it serviced. same with recall. certainly not a deal breaker.
The 36000 mile service is one of the big ones with valve clearance checks. So yes a price difference for sure. Not just the cost of the service, Embuggarance factor?
It might put a lot of people off.
Some of us who can't afford brand new shiny GS's. Or just don't want to borrow money to by a bike. Will put up with some embuggarance to save money and get a nice bike.
Most older bike byers tend to have some ability to do a service ect. Or at at least are willing to figure it out.

My observation a lot of people ask far to high a price for a private sale. Why would I pay a private seller more than I would pay at a dealer?

I'd pay more to a dealer. Even as a cash buyer. But I expect more.
I'd expect bike to be fully up to date, recently serviced, no unrepaired damage, in the UK a full MOT. With some kind of warranty.
I bought my bike, from a rental company, so higher than average miles, full service history, freshly serviced new tires ect. Low price. Warranty was a kind of handshake thing.
Actually I did have a minor issue and they fixed it. I also got a full service and change of tires to 50/50 at cost before a long tour.

So the answer figure out what a regular price for a bike of this milage is. By looking at similar bikes ads.
The 36000 miles is the real value.
Mine is a late17 R1200 it had about 40000 miles on it.

Pitch it at a reasonable discount bellow what reputable dealers are asking. for a 36000 mile R1200GS bike.
At the right price, I'd be interested,
All bikes get a few scuffs. Unrepaired damage, deal breaker.
I live in Canada so I won't be buying it.

 

[squibb34]

A routine 36k service would be say £500, but that's just the basics. Then where are we with the driveshaft? - IIRC there was a replacement plan instigated by the mothership, but I'm not up to speed with the actuality, as my RS is a low miler.

Personally, I would start with getting some trade in quotes from a few Suzuki dealers if you are set on an 800 Strom & work from there. Keen buyers are in short supply this season.

 

[wessie]

A routine 36k service would be say £500, but that's just the basics. Then where are we with the driveshaft? - IIRC there was a replacement plan instigated by the mothership, but I'm not up to speed with the actuality, as my RS is a low miler.

inspection due as soon as practical and a replacement if needed

replacement mandatory at 37500 miles even if it looks okay on inspection

most dealers would combine this with the 36k service as "close enough." Sytners did for me on my R1200RS last year. I see the OP's next service is due at 37k anyway.