W650 - Value?

[Kev m]

So Jenn and I have two very close friends (the husband and wife docs that tour on 883s) who not long after they started riding the husband wanted to buy a bike to play with and on which to learn how to service motorcycles.

I helped him find a somewhat neglected but mechanically sound W650 the he's had now for about 8 years give or take.

They're empty nesters now and are selling their big house and moving into some luxury condos but it only has a 1 car garage which has to fit their other bikes and their Mini for when they're traveling.

So he's willing to sell it to me for his cost ($2500).

It's a little rough, riveted rear fender, welded exhaust, and some corrosion here or there but that's about it. I think it was living outside when he rescued it, and he certainly hasn't abused it, but he also hasn't done anything to clean it up. He's just ridden and enjoyed it. And he put some custom made brackets and the world's ugliest bags on the thing.

I rode it a lot when we lived with them a couple years ago (these guys have taken us in the last two times we sold our house, heck we lived with them for months when Shay was born, their house was the first house he came home to from the hospital after he was born). I'll say this, the bike does just feel right.

But I was saving for a new CX Roadster and this will set me back a good bit.

Still I'm really tempted, but I'm torn.

What do you say?

Go for it???

I can always sell it.

My one worry is that I think he sees CycleTrader adds for $4-6k and he thinks he's doing me a favor by offering it for $2500. But I think he's forgetting that he paid that for it almost a decade ago and he's really done nothing to improve it in any way and those bikes he sees online for a higher price are generally PRISTINE and this is NOT.

[RinkRat II]

 Well now, given the facts you've laid out, it looks to me as a twofold process. A) the really generous friend factor. B) You know the history pretty well on the bike.   Give him the $2500. keep it long enough to fix it up and make some money on it . Win Win .

    Paul B

[ponti_33609]

Nice bike and good pickup at around that price based on your description. I am nervous if a friend is thinking he is doing a huge favor though. Especially if you fix it up and then sell it down the road for the $4,500 you may have into it.  Really depends. Would be cool to have. Don't you already have a Harley?  :)


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[JProdun]

Not an expert by any means, but I was looking for one a couple years ago and couldn't justify spending $5k on a couple I've found. The cheapest I ever located was $3500 and it needed unknown mechanical repairs as it's been neglected under both previous owners. If I had a place to store one, time to ride it and periodically do some work on it - I wouldn't hesitate taking it at $2.5k. But, being that he's a friend of yours, maybe, just maybe, he could do $2000 and that'd be a stellar deal in my opinion. 


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[oldbike54]

 They should sell the 883's and buy another W650 ...

 Dusty

[JJ]

The W650's are desirable "cult-classics" these days, so $2500 is not unreasonable, as others have pointed out. 

[Kev m]

They should sell the 883's and buy another W650 ...

 Dusty

Ha ha, remember she's 4' 10" her lowered even more than stock 883 SuperLow is about as tall a bike as she can ride.

[Kev m]

Fresh pick of the bike in question.



Maybe I'm remembering it too harshly.

[tazio]

If you let him do you this wonderful never to be forgotten deal, and later make more than a nickel on it, that hot feeling will be your ears burning
Stay focused on the CX Roadster.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE !

[pebra]

Buy it from him at his price, tell him you really appreciate his offer, and that if you find that you no longer want the bike within five years, you'll share any profit from a sale, after adjusting for major repairs or upgrades. (details can be tweaked to suit the two of you)

[Kev m]

I have a feeling that if I bought it and later wanted to sell it that Jay would probably take it off my hands. 

[Nic in Western NYS]

Here's a nice (pricey) one.  Looks like a fun, elegant bike.

https://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/6080377411.html

[O]

Don't bother.  it's the old blue 2000 version and not the beautiful new green 2001 version.   

[Adk.IBO]

If you let him do you this wonderful never to be forgotten deal, and later make more than a nickel on it, that hot feeling will be your ears burning
Stay focused on the CX Roadster.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE !

^^^this^^^
I entered and gave up a career in motorcycle mechanics in the '70s because it was becoming work... I wanted to ride. Winter project I suppose... All this is opinion only as if I were wise, I'd have the fruit to prove it .

[oldbike54]

 Who mounted those bags ?

 Kev , it seems strange that you are dithering on this , if this bike was on the market and not being offered by a friend would you consider the price to be a good deal ?

 Dusty

[JProdun]

Looking at the picture, I'd grab it if I were you...


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[Kev m]

Who mounted those bags ?

 Kev , it seems strange that you are dithering on this , if this bike was on the market and not being offered by a friend would you consider the price to be a good deal ?

 Dusty

Lol, my buddy Steve likes to tinker, he made the mounts and put those horrible bags on it.

I think I'm dithering mostly on whether or not I want to set back my CX savings.

[tazio]

Yes, sweet little bike. Good price.
FOCUS, my man, FOCUS.

[webmost]

Buy it from your friend for 2500 & do him a favor
Sell it to me for 2000 & do me a favor
Happy all around

[mainelytriumph]

I have a 2000 w650. Great bike. grab it.

[roadventure]

My one worry is that I think he sees CycleTrader adds for $4-6k and he thinks he's doing me a favor by offering it for $2500. But I think he's forgetting that he paid that for it almost a decade ago and he's really done nothing to improve it in any way and those bikes he sees online for a higher price are generally PRISTINE and this is NOT.

1) CycleTrader ads are ASKING $4-$6K.  What are the actual selling prices?  Anyone can ask any amount, but the actual sale price is the true value at that moment.

2) What "he paid that for it almost a decade ago " is not relevant.  The only price that matters today is the actual price he can get when he sells.

There is one thing that influences the actual selling price.  That thing is time.  If the current owner has a lot of time, he can wait for a buyer ready to pay that price.  If the current owner needs to sell fast, then the price has to be dropped enough to get a quick sale.

[jas67]

I have a feeling that if I bought it and later wanted to sell it that Jay would probably take it off my hands. 

That would depend on how much we own on the back surgery after the bills finally settle down, and we actually know how much was covered by, and negotiated by, insurance.

Medical billing is such a mess.    I'm sure its designed that way.   Baffle 'em with bullshit.

But yes, that could be a possibility, just not right now.   Also, my Eldorado is my current financial priority with any discretionary funds.

[jas67]

If the current owner needs to sell fast, then the price has to be dropped enough to get a quick sale.

THIS.

I think for $2,500, it will sell quickly.

[Nic in Western NYS]

The bags might be ok but look like they're mounted at the wrong angle.

[tazio]

$1k goes to your hand, $2.5k for this. Momma needs a new pair of shoes, yadda yadda yadda...
You're backing up fast.
Besides, the cherry has long gone on this and somewhere out there a new Roadster awaits.
 

[Kev m]

I told him that IF I don't buy it that he can store it here and I'll sell it for him. So there's no rush on anyone's part.

[twodogs]

Drop it off in Iowa and I'll take it off your hands
No seriously. They do have a cult following like the GB500 around these parts

[malik]

Kev, grab it. It's a lovely bike & needs saving. You'll enjoy fixing it & you'll love riding it. There's a lot of fun there. Don't worry overmuch about what might or might not happen later. Over this side of the pond they sell for a lot more, so from my point of view, it's cheap. If you think you may be paying a bit too much, that's OK - better a friend have the money than a stranger. Snap it up. And let us know how the rebuild goes (lots of photos please).

Mal

[Gliderjohn]

The technology may have improved by now so this still may not apply. But apparently another possible plus of this model is that it is stealth. I distinctly remember when the bike first came out and MCN did an eval they could not get a radar speed ready on it. The other test bikes they had out that day read fine. They finally wired a license tags to the forks and it would then post a reading. Go figure? They were mystified.
GuzziJohn

[kirkemon]

I tried to sell my 2001 W650 last summer. Apperently, I was asking too much - $4500

It such a good bike that I decided to keep it and enjoy it a little longer, rather than reduce the price. I've done a few mods: pancake air cleaners, Ikon shocks, Hi-pipes, and the best one was  Progressive springs. I swapped the tank with one I bought in Japan - very rare color.

You can't go wrong with these.