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The 4 Worst Mistakes You Can Make at a Salvage Motorcycle Auction

It's no secret that you can get a bargain at your local salvage motorcycle auction. If you're smart, quick and mechanically inclined, you should be able to pick a diamond from the pile of rubble. Insurance companies tend to dump damaged motorcycles rather than repair them, so there are plenty of salvage bikes being pushed to the auction houses. As at any auction, you will have a good time if you apply a few basic rules, but if you don't - it could be a real disaster.

It doesn't matter if you are new to the salvage motorcycle auction scene or a veteran, making any of the following mistakes can end up costing you a bundle of cash and ruin your buying experience:

Mistake Number One. Not Doing Your Homework. I know. You thought that once you were out of school, you wouldn't have to do homework again. But I promise you, this homework will prevent you from losing your Astroturf at a salvage motorcycle auction. So, before you go, research the bike you want to buy. Find out the NADA value, the Millers Guide value, or the Japanese Motorcycle value. Find out the damage. Check the prices of replacement parts and paint.

Mistake Number Two. Not Setting A Money Limit. It's easy to get caught up in the auction frenzy and end up paying much more than the bike is worth. Once you have completed your research you should have a good idea of how much you should spend on your salvage motorcycle. It's too often tempting to bid "just one more time" and then "ok, just one more time" - until you have completely blown your budget on a bike that still needs repair.

Mistake Number Three. Not Previewing. Before the auction begins, you will be given time to preview the salvage motorcycle. Sometimes there will be auction staff available to answer questions and start the engines. Sometimes there won't. Just do your best. Make sure you write down the number and order of the auction. Check out visible damage. This is where you can adjust your budget if necessary. If there is more damage than you originally thought, adjust down. Less damage? If it will cost less to fix, you may need to adjust your limit up to stay up with the prospective bids.

Mistake Number Four. Not Listening To the Auctioneer. An auctioneer is required by law to tell you what is wrong with the item up for sale. You must listen. During your research you will find out the acceptable title requirements for your state. Your auctioneer will state whether the bike has a salvage title, clear title, or no title. He will tell you whether or not he has a key. (Handy if you want to actually start the bike.) He will impart all of the information you need to know, but do it so quickly that if you are not paying attention and taking notes, you may end up paying for a very large doorstop.

Yet, if you can avoid making these 4 common mistakes, if you do your homework, set a bidding limit, preview your auction item and listen to the auctioneer, you will put yourself at a great advantage when it comes time to bid on your salvage motorcycle. Happy Bidding.

Used Yamaha Big Bear Carrier / Rack Quad Salvage Parts
£39.99
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 17:48:12 GMT
Buy It Now for only: £39.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list

Used Yamaha Big Bear Carrier / Rack Quad Salvage Parts
£39.99
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 17:48:21 GMT
Buy It Now for only: £39.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list

Used Yamaha Big Bear Carrier / Rack Quad Salvage Parts
£39.99
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 17:48:30 GMT
Buy It Now for only: £39.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list

Used Yamaha YFM225 Moto4 Bull Bar Quad Salvage Parts
£39.99
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 17:49:55 GMT
Buy It Now for only: £39.99
Buy it now | Add to watch list

Yamaha TOOL BOX big bear 350cc moto4 250cc salvage
£0.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 18:57:14 GMT
Bid now | Add to watch list

2000 Yamaha R6 DYNOMITE DAMAGED SALVAGE SPECIAL
£2,195.00
End Date: Friday Mar-12-2010 11:38:52 GMT
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2004 HONDA CBR 125 R-4 Damaged, Repairable,Salvage
£155.00 (8 Bids)
End Date: Saturday Mar-13-2010 19:14:58 GMT
Bid now | Add to watch list

2003 HONDA CBR 600 RR-3 CBR600 RR DAMAGED SALVAGE
£2,100.00 (0 Bid)
End Date: Monday Mar-15-2010 20:07:36 GMT
Bid now | Add to watch list

2007 Honda CBR 1000 RR 5 FIREBLADE RED,SALVAGE DAMAGED
£3,995.00
End Date: Saturday Mar-27-2010 14:42:33 GMT
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2008 HONDA CBR 125 RW-7 damaged repairable salvage bike
£1,495.00
End Date: Sunday Mar-28-2010 23:18:24 BST
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2009 Honda VFR 800 A-8 SALVAGE DAMAGED REPAIRABLE
£3,995.00
End Date: Sunday Apr-04-2010 9:56:06 BST
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Dan Kitchel is an auctioneer and salvage motorcycle enthusiast. Check out the Salvage Motorcycle Blog for more information on how you can make money buying, fixing and selling salvage motorcycles.

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