Stablemate opportunity - what do you think?

[hppants]

Rode by my local Honda shop on Saturday, and found a 2006 red 919 hornet that was laid down.  It looks like it's going to be totaled.  I have a copy of the estimate - all it needs is:

gas tank
right side crankshaft engine cover
right side turn signal (front)
windscreen
Instrument cluster - rear chrome cover
There are also a bunch of very minor scratches on pieces that can be buffed out, but it drove up the cost of the repair.

Everything except the turn signal is cosmetic.  The windscreen is serviceable (2" crack).  Honda says the gas tank is $635.00, but I found a couple on Fleabay for 1/3 of that.  Honda only sells the entire instrument cluster - we'll see.

The bike only has 1,600 miles on it, and the salvage sale will be about $2,500.00, but I may be able to bring them down more than that.  Except for the damge, the bike is immaculate.  I'm thinking hard.  I'd keep my NH regardless.  What do you think?  Also, does a "Salvage Title" mean anything special?

[Wahrsuul]

That's a judgement call.  My opinion; I wouldn't, but that's because the 919 never really impressed me.  The meaning of 'salvage title' depends on your state, but what it means personally is that you'll have a lower (maybe much lower) resale value.  Also it may mean jumping thru lots of hoops at DMV to get it titled.

[DesignFlaw06]

I've always liked the 919. Probably would have been my next bike if the FJR wasn't around.

Salvaged title does mean something. For most states, it means the bike is not road worthy. What you are able to do is get it inspected back to a "restored" or "rebuilt" title after an inspection. But those show up on vehicle history reports too if you try and sell it.

Salvaged price seems pretty high if you ask me, considering KBB says retail is $5k, and trade-in is $3500. Usually means you can get a bike for the average, so say $4250.

So $2500 + $635 for the tank, and for easy numbers, lets say $165 for additional parts. Now you're only $1k from what you could buy a used one, private party. Then go ahead and throw probably another $100 for an inspection to get it road worthy. Not to mention you've pretty much given up most of your resale value (Unless you find a dumb and/or gullible buyer). Sounds like the short end of the stick there.

Now the upside to that is you can use that argument to get the price down. Make sure to use Honda prices for those replacement parts. Then if you get it, be patient and scour the internet for replacement parts. But if you end up with it, regardless of how much you spend, don't expect a large resale value, even if you do get it inspected and pass.

Good luck though, hope you can work something out. Might be worth going to your DMV website, or local branch to see exactly what the rules are on Salvaged vehicles as I'm sure it varies state to state.

[DesignFlaw06]

Dang, Wahrsuul beat me to it while I was typing.

One more thing to add to give you an idea of what I got.

My insurance company gave me $2800 for my 02 Nighthawk 750, and the damage there was all cosmetic. Salvage price for that was only $800. Just something for reference sake, and why I still think that salvage price is high.

[Burgi]

I'd check with your insurance and make sure they will cover it and more importantly YOU. I had a car with a salvage title years ago that my ex rolled. Insurance company started grumbling that it could have been because the car was previously totaled. Finally got them to pay out but it was a little tense for awhile.

[DesignFlaw06]

I'd check with your insurance and make sure they will cover it and more importantly YOU. I had a car with a salvage title years ago that my ex rolled. Insurance company started grumbling that it could have been because the car was previously totaled. Finally got them to pay out but it was a little tense for awhile.

On a side note, in Michigan, motorcycle insurance does not include the rider. Unlike car insurance, if you get in an accident on your bike without medical insurance, you are SOL.

Worth checking into for anyone without adequate medical coverage.

[cmyers]

I would love a 919, but I agree that for a salvage title the price seems very high.

[hppants]

All great advice - thanks.  Now that I'm thinking, $2,500 is too much money.  I'm convinced that a 919 Hornet will be my next bike, but just not that one.  Wish it had shaft drive, though.

[fishmeister]

Is it Fast?

[m98]

hppants, yes these things are very tempting. But as other posters have said,
$ 2500 is too much. I have a rebuilt/salvage title on my Suzuki DL650 V-Strom
and because of that I will not be able to get top dollar because of the title.
I do know all the history on my rebuilt V-Strom and there is absolutely nothing
wrong with it, but you try and tell that to the next buyer. If you purchased the
bike with the intention of keeping it and have a low mileage in addition, yes,
but in case you wanted to sell in a couple of years you would take somewhat of
a hit. For comparison, check out the classified section at www.wristtwisters.com,
that will give you a good idea what used 919s go for.

No, I would not sell that beautiful 700 you have either!

[skramer360]

I just went to wristtwisters a saw a 2002 with 12000 miles for only $3500.

[luckylindy]

 I've looked at the both the 919 and 600 Hornets. Good bikes and can be had cheap.  If I really wanted one, I would find one with a clear title.

[fishball]

The 919 is a great bike.  Like others have stated, check around for others that aren't totaled for a good comparison.

[ariwhiteboy]

The 919 never really impressed me much either.  I had a buddy that had one and claimed it was the cat's meow, but diff strokes for diff folks I guess.  I always found his riding positon to be a little agressive but I do have some pretty bad knees.  If you are still considering I would suggest a nice long test ride.

[hppants]

Well, I passed on this bike.

To be honest Ari, I was absolutely convinced that the 919 Hornet was going to be my next bike... until I saw your CB1000.

Guess I'll follow Tryvelcro and play the OPB game.