Motorcycle Salvage

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.

1995 Yamaha FZR 1000 GENESIS BLACK DAMAGED SALVAGE

£1,095.00 End Date: Friday Sep-03-2010 17:22:18 BST Add to watch list

2006 YAMAHA RAPTOR 700R, ROAD LEGAL, UNRECORDED SALVAGE

£2,500.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 0:29:15 BST Bid now | Add to watch list

2008 Yamaha mt03 damaged repairable salvage

£2,995.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-04-2010 13:03:24 BST Add to watch list

2006 Yamaha BWS DAMAGED REPAIRABLE SALVAGE SCOOTER

£495.00 End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 11:01:44 BST Add to watch list

Yamaha 350cc Big Bear FRONT PROP SHAFT salvage parts

£45.00 End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 19:07:54 BST Buy It Now for only: £45.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Yamaha 350cc Big Bear STARTER SOLENOID salvage breaking

£15.00 End Date: Monday Sep-06-2010 9:56:24 BST Buy It Now for only: £15.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2009 Honda CBR 125R DAMAGED REPAIRABLE SALVAGE BIKE

£1,095.00 End Date: Friday Sep-10-2010 16:14:01 BST Add to watch list

2006 Honda CBR 600F DAMAGED REPAIRABLE SALVAGE

£2,895.00 End Date: Monday Sep-20-2010 12:50:24 BST Add to watch list

1994 Honda CBR 600F DAMAGED REAPRIABLE SALVAGE BIKE

£945.00 End Date: Wednesday Sep-22-2010 9:49:37 BST Add to watch list

2007 Honda CBR 1000 RR 5 FIREBLADE RED,SALVAGE DAMAGED

£3,995.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-23-2010 15:42:33 BST Add to watch list

2003 Honda VFR 800 DAMAGED REPAIRABLE SALVAGE

£2,495.00 End Date: Monday Sep-20-2010 12:38:12 BST Add to watch list