Price Check: 2008 Nevada 17,600 miles

[Mwether]

Hi, all.

Went to look at the Nevada near me, and it looks very good.
 
Only concern is that, on both sides, two or three fins above the head gasket seam have a TINY bit of tacky film on them. If there is indeed a minute weep at the head gasket, it seems to be depositing above the seam...can the wind create that phenomenon? (It's definitely not coming down from from the valve cover gasket.)

Other than that, it's in outstanding shape cosmetically. Paint and clear coat are excellent. Plastics and rubber are dark, flexible, and not faded. Everything works as it should. Fork seals seem good. Test ride didn't get above third gear but the engine seems great.

Owner is a very nice guy. He's come down from the posted price of $4250. Says he has $3800 invested, and that's as low as he can go. What do you think? Fair price?

[Gustav]

It looks just like mine. Bought mine a couple of years, at about that price, less mile. Paul

[Mwether]

I'm also in long-distance love with this 2001 California Special in upstate NY, which I think is the prettiest Cali (after the CalVins). 

Some bags on this would look as close to a modern Ambo/Eldo as anything I can think of. Much better than the 1400 Eldo, IMO.

It's got the same mileage as the Nevada but is rougher cosmetically. It's also $800 less, at the $3000 asking price. If I could get it for $2800, then the question becomes whether the Nevada is worth a grand more?!

In the Nevada's favor is, first, that it's 20 minutes down the road, so I'd save any travel/lodging costs associated with a trip to New York and back. Second, the Nevada is probably the better bike for (small, old, and weak ) me, since the Cali is at least a 1/3rd again bigger/more cumbersome and likely more power than I truly need for typical Western NC roads.

[Dave Swanson]

To me that seems quite high for a Nevada considering V7s are going for that price, such as this 2013 V7 in Indian Trail, NC which is advertised for $3510 with 11,000 miles, and these are asking prices. 





Or this 2015 with 6900 miles for $3990

[Tkelly]

Nevadas are rare and some folks are willing to pay accordingly,although the newer 750s are probably better from a performance standpoint.

[Tom]

The Cali will fit the bill if you're planning on touring out of state and having a pax.  The Nevada will feel cramped if two up.  Capable for solo riding.  If you're 6' or more the California would be a better fit.

[faffi]

Personally, I consider a V7 to be twice as valuable as a Nevada, because if I bought the latter, I would have to change a lot for it to suit my preferences. However, everything is worth what you are willing to part with. I think it is better to buy with emotions than thinking about resale value, because emotions usually cause more happiness than resale value.

[Mwether]

The Cali will fit the bill if you're planning on touring out of state and having a pax.  The Nevada will feel cramped if two up.  Capable for solo riding.  If you're 6' or more the California would be a better fit.

5'8" and my wife hates bikes, so I'm good here! 

[Gustav]

All I know is my Nevada is the easiest, smoothest bike I've ever had for pushing or loading in the truck. Paul

[bad Chad]

The Nevada is going to be a lot easier to live with than a Cali if you're 5'8".  They are a highly underrated bike.  Capable of doing whatever you might ask of it.   As to the head gaskets perhaps weeping?  I don't think it's a deal killer.  Worst comes to worst you could have someone, or you, pop the heads off and put new gaskets in, but might just need the heads torque'd.   One the other hand might be something you just live with and clean them up a couple time a year.   It's a nice looking bike, and relatively rare, but without the having the downfall of most rare bikes!   Also, hard t really put a commodity value on such a beast, $3800 seems like a completely fair price to me.

[Perazzimx14]

To me that seems quite high for a Nevada considering V7s are going for that price, such as this 2013 V7 in Indian Trail, NC which is advertised for $3510 with 11,000 miles, and these are asking prices. 





Or this 2015 with 6900 miles for $3990

Agreed on overpriced.  When the seller gets to about $1200 it might be worth it as a beater. Might be.

Trust me at or near even 2K+ that bike is not leaving the sellers garage.

[Mwether]

Agreed on overpriced.  When the seller gets to about $1200 it might be worth it as a beater. Might be.

Trust me at or near even 2K+ that bike is not leaving the sellers garage.

A beater?? Why so much hate for Nevadas?

[Mwether]

All I know is my Nevada is the easiest, smoothest bike I've ever had for pushing or loading in the truck. Paul

This will not be true of the Nevada in my garage...I have a 150cc Piaggio Liberty! 

[Huzo]

I’d do a fly/ride on the Cali.
All the reufull neck rubbing and sage advice from the sidelines is just mud in the water. Go and get the Cali and ride it home….Done !

[jrt]

I would think spare parts would be much more available and cheaper for the Cali.  Plus- that old big block motor is just SO MUCH FUN. 

[Perazzimx14]

Nevadas are rare and some folks are willing to pay accordingly,although the newer 750s are probably better from a performance standpoint.

Just because something is rare and/or old does not mean it is valuable. That is the case with the Nevada, Breva and most small blocks new or old.

[chuck peterson]

Tough call..any paperwork for maintenance laying around ? Be aware some early small blocks had disappearing oil quantities…some did some didn’t…

3rd gear at 6000rpm and that smallblock motor sounds like a swiss watch

No luggage at all? Figure $1k for either bike for racks and hardbags, less w soft luggage

Id suggest shopping more, maybe try a few v7’s just to make sure the Nevada seating is what you would like. There are some excellent foot rests available for the Nevada…they mount on the crashbar…oops no crashbar..$200 for the bar, another $150 for the footrests

How long has it been listed? It’s likely your the only phone call he’s gotten..

Moto Guzzi has gotten so successful with the smallblocks it’s driving the prices down!

[Vagrant]

The Calli is a fine bike and you will most likely get most of the money back if it is too big. And it probably is.
I would be on the phone for the red 2015 v7. Last of the well sorted heron heads with the 5 speed that I feel is much better in the mountains than a 6 speed. It's the only one with tubeless tires also.
Unfortunately, any owner who thinks he will get his investment back on a used Guzzi is nuts! Nevads never sold new for a reason and 3 years ago it would have sold at $2600 or less.

[Vagrant]

This might be an option also.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/7639450159456894/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks

[Tkelly]

Just because something is rare and/or old does not mean it is valuable. That is the case with the Nevada, Breva and most small blocks new or old.

I bought a honda305 Dream in 1965 for 460$,over 5000$ today.Value for Guzzis is subjective,he is not buying it for resale but because it will be the best fit for his expected riding and he thinks it is cool.Makes sense.

[Mwether]

This might be an option also.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/7639450159456894/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_top_picks&referral_story_type=top_picks

Thanks. I saw that one. I don't think the Stone can compete with the Special on looks.
Plus the Special is set up perfectly, IMO: No floorboards but double disk in front! 

[Mwether]

Tough call..any paperwork for maintenance laying around ? Be aware some early small blocks had disappearing oil quantities…some did some didn’t…

3rd gear at 6000rpm and that smallblock motor sounds like a swiss watch

No luggage at all? Figure $1k for either bike for racks and hardbags, less w soft luggage

Id suggest shopping more, maybe try a few v7’s just to make sure the Nevada seating is what you would like. There are some excellent foot rests available for the Nevada…they mount on the crashbar…oops no crashbar..$200 for the bar, another $150 for the footrests

How long has it been listed? It’s likely your the only phone call he’s gotten..

Moto Guzzi has gotten so successful with the smallblocks it’s driving the prices down!

Very helpful, thanks! There's pretty good documentation from the seller. (He's only had it about two months and is selling because he bought a used V7.) The guy he bought from kept pretty good records.

Your post also emphasizes the utter lack of farkles, except for the backrest/luggage rack, which I think is ugly.

[Mwether]

After reading every post and shopping some more, I think you all have helped me elucidate what I'm looking for, namely a (more) modern MIDSIZE "Ambo/Eldo with solo seat" aesthetic.

Even with a proper screen and bags, a red Nevada will never get there. A black one might get close...

The Cali Special is VERY close, except for the size and heft. My concern is that I'd ride it back from New York thinking, "This thing is tremendous." (Because it WOULD be for that sort of interstate travel.) Only to get back home and think, "This thing is a pig."

Any solo seat I've seen for the V7s is a cafe style. Maybe there's something else out there?

What model Guzzi (with midsize displacement) do you think would work for this? Is there even such a thing...?

[Mwether]

...Any solo seat I've seen for the V7s is a cafe style. Maybe there's something else out there?

Hmm...
https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=107220.0

[Perazzimx14]

I bought a honda305 Dream in 1965 for 460$,over 5000$ today.Value for Guzzis is subjective,he is not buying it for resale but because it will be the best fit for his expected riding and he thinks it is cool.Makes sense.

1965 dollar adjusted to 2024 is $9.70.

9.70 x 450 = $4,365 in today's money. So, the Honda Dream did not increase by $4,500 it increased by around $500 dollars. So if you kept the $460 Honda Dream for 60 year and sold it in 2024 for $5000 you lost probably lost money, a lot of money.

Agreed not every bike is an investment or resale but its still no reason to pay well over market value.

[chuck peterson]

OMG that’s a deal!

Blue on blue 98 EV, 20k miles

Just serviced by Hamlin

Bags, rack, windshield

$2600

Southbury CT

This will last about one day…

https://www.facebook.com/share/UTJsTDjGZMRqz2x2/?mibextid=79PoIi

[bad Chad]

My point was that if the bike was what he really wanted, then there is nothing wrong with paying $3800.   It's not like there are an easy dozen out there two choose from.   Sounds like he's really not all that into the Nevada.

[Mwether]

My point was that if the bike was what he really wanted, then there is nothing wrong with paying $3800.   It's not like there are an easy dozen out there two choose from.   ...

Egg-zachary! If a Nevada were my dream bike, I probably wouldn't be on here asking you guys what it was worth. I'd be bargaining with the guy to get it!

I texted the seller that I just couldn't get myself to $3800, with Gen. 1 V7s selling around that price. He was going to take it to a local show today, to see if there was any interest and let me know this afternoon if he still had it. The show is for bikes at least 35 years old, so buyers there may not be interested in a sixteen-year-old. We'll soon see...

[AJ Huff]

Has paint damage on the tank, so maybe you can knock another $500 off. That would get you to 3800 miles for $3500.

https://www.facebook.com/share/ADv5b7hvJ7tMceWJ/?mibextid=kL3p88

-AJ

[faffi]

Has paint damage on the tank, so maybe you can knock another $500 off. That would get you to 3800 miles for $3500.

https://www.facebook.com/share/ADv5b7hvJ7tMceWJ/?mibextid=kL3p88

-AJ

Bargain