Buying Out of State bike - Unseen! Need Advice

[newbiker]

Hey guys,

I found a bike on Cycletrader.com out of state. It's in TN. I'm not going to fly out there or ride it back/etc.

For cars there is Carfax report, is there such a thing to look up for bike's history by its VIN number? If so, can anyone help?

I am having the dealer send me a work order showing all inspections done and detailed photos also. I will have it shipped here by a 3rd party transport company. What are your recommendations?

Thanks!

 

[bobl]

Be advised that if it's not CARB certified, or doesn't have at least 7500 miles on it, you cannot license it in California. An attempt to do so will put it on a black list so that it won't ever be able to be registered in the state.

 

[dmfdmf]

Is there something special about the bike that justifies buying it from across the country with the extra cost and hassle? If it is a generic, commonly available model I can't believe that you can't find one in the SF Bay Area, in state or at least in a Western state that makes a fly-n-ride feasible.

When I was looking for my first 'Strom I widened my search to Oregon, Nevada and Arizona (I wanted a gen1 650 with ABS which was an option so it was hard to find) and was prepared to do a fly-n-ride. I almost bought one from Reno but that deal fell through and eventually found one in Oakland across the bay. Seller even delivered it for an extra $20 and a return ride home so it was easy-peasy.

 

[newbiker]

Be advised that if it's not CARB certified, or doesn't have at least 7500 miles on it, you cannot license it in California. An attempt to do so will put it on a black list so that it won't ever be able to be registered in the state.

Bike has 11,000 miles. So will it register in CA?

 

[newbiker]

Is there something special about the bike that justifies buying it from across the country with the extra cost and hassle? If it is a generic, commonly available model I can't believe that you can't find one in the SF Bay Area, in state or at least in a Western state that makes a fly-n-ride feasible.

When I was looking for my first 'Strom I widened my search to Oregon, Nevada and Arizona (I wanted a gen1 650 with ABS which was an option so it was hard to find) and was prepared to do a fly-n-ride. I almost bought one from Reno but that deal fell through and eventually found one in Oakland across the bay. Seller even delivered it for an extra $20 and a return ride home so it was easy-peasy.

Kawi Ninja ZX6R (2015), 11K miles (30th Anniversary model) with ABS for $6,000 out the door.

Now, where am I gonna find that in CA? :rolleyes

 

[thePUNISHER]

So after you pay for shipping and DMV fees you'll be up around 6500-7k. There's a '15 for sale on CL in Monterey w/less miles for around that price and a '13 in Lathrop w/fewer miles as well. Personally, I would pay a bit more for something I could check out in person, hear run and ride before I spent that much money on something.

 

[usedtobefast]

This "out the door" in TN price will have no CA tax or dmv fees.

Figure $750 for CA tax and DMV fees.

Figure $600-$800 to have it shipped by a reputable company from TN to CA.

Plus add in that you don't have the chance to look it over first.

Is that still a decent deal?

 

[newbiker]

So after you pay for shipping and DMV fees you'll be up around 6500-7k. There's a '15 for sale on CL in Monterey w/less miles for around that price and a '13 in Lathrop w/fewer miles as well. Personally, I would pay a bit more for something I could check out in person, hear run and ride before I spent that much money on something.

Both those bikes don't have ABS. And neither is in the 30th Anniversary scheme. I am certainly looking for a bike with ABS, because I intend to keep it for a long time.

I understand the price would shoot up to 6500+ (close to 7K), but even at $7K, there isn't one anywhere in the neighboring state, let alone finding one in CA. :wtf

 

[SlidingBike]

For a CA vehicle,
if you are buying brand new: Dealer anyways.(dont directly import).
if you are buying a used, buy from another CA registered vehicle.
This is the CLEAN bet.
Especially the risk is more when the bike is non-native bikes to US(mine is a British model made in indYa )
When I was buying my bike, I got plenty of DEALS across the country but I didnt take the chances of not being able to register the vehicle eventually.
So, bought one from Fresno(drove to test drive it and got it delivered home for around $150.) Happy.

 

[newbiker]

Guys, thanks for the advice. I realize this is not the most ideal way to buy a bike (out of state, unseen). Having said that, my questions are related to this specific model/bike: 2015 Kawi ZX6R, with 11,000+ miles, sold by a bike dealer in TN.

- Can register it in CA?
- Is there a way to find a bike's history, in general, using a VIN?
- ANY other precautions I should take if I buy this bike?

Thanks!

 

[thePUNISHER]

Guys, thanks for the advice. I realize this is not the most ideal way to buy a bike (out of state, unseen). Having said that, my questions are related to this specific model/bike: 2015 Kawi ZX6R, with 11,000+ miles, sold by a bike dealer in TN.

- Can register it in CA?
- Is there a way to find a bike's history, in general, using a VIN?
- ANY other precautions I should take if I buy this bike?

Thanks!

1. Not sure if it's a 50 state bike or not but since it has more than 7500 you should be able to register it here.

2. I don't believe carfax or anyone else stores service history info on motos the way carfax does for cars. I would ask the dealership selling the bike if they have any of that info.

3. If I were buying a bike sight unseen I would probably try to get some sort of warranty with it to give me a little piece of mind should something go wrong down the road. However if they charge you for extended warranty and you pay for shipping plus Cal DMV fees you'll be right up there at the 7500-8k price tag of the few with ABS available for sale here in California.

 

[nine_inch_rear]

There are so many bikes for sale, why go through the hassle for that one?

 

[fubar929]

Kawi Ninja ZX6R (2015), 11K miles (30th Anniversary model) with ABS for $6,000 out the door.

Now, where am I gonna find that in CA? :rolleyes

This sounds like what you're looking for: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcd/d/2015-kawasaki-ninja-636-zx6r/6688023585.html

This one looks similar but claims to be a '16 and doesn't mention ABS: https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/mcd/d/2016-kawasaki-ninja-zx6r-636/6696380773.html

Spend more time looking on Craig's List or CycleTrader and you might turn up a few more? California is the largest motorcycle market in the U.S. by quite a bit; whatever you need can probably be found here within a couple of weeks...

 

[Pushrod]

Yeah, out of state motorcycle dealers have sterling reputations and fer sure will take care of you long distance when you discover major faults or niggling problems that irritate the hell out of you.

$6K neighborhood for a budget and can't locate local? It is a buyer's market for used bikes. Dude, listen to advice or don't cry when you don't listen and buy 1,800 miles of aggravation.

 

[motomania2007]

With 11k miles on it, you can register a non-California bike in California.

Been there, done that.

 

[splat]

Ask sell seller if the federal emissions/Vin sticker is still on the frame. I bought a bike (that white R6) and PO took off the sticker for a "cleaner" look. I bought the bike and now have to undergo a CHP secondary Vin check.

 

[newbiker]

There are so many bikes for sale, why go through the hassle for that one?

Not looking for so many bikes, who does? :laughing

Yeah, out of state motorcycle dealers have sterling reputations and fer sure will take care of you long distance when you discover major faults or niggling problems that irritate the hell out of you.

$6K neighborhood for a budget and can't locate local? It is a buyer's market for used bikes. Dude, listen to advice or don't cry when you don't listen and buy 1,800 miles of aggravation.

On the invoice, they emailed shows bike price $5700 + $300 in paperwork, etc = $6000 OTD. Shipping is around 500 ish. A total of $6500, for a 30th Anniversary with ABS can't be found anywhere in CA or nearby states... At least I can't find one. :wtf

There must be 3rd party companies that sell bike Warranty, as they do for used cars. I might consider that.

Ask sell seller if the federal emissions/Vin sticker is still on the frame. I bought a bike (that white R6) and PO took off the sticker for a "cleaner" look. I bought the bike and now have to undergo a CHP secondary Vin check.

I didn't know that. I'll ask. :thumbup

 

[stan23]

Not looking for so many bikes, who does? :laughing



On the invoice, they emailed shows bike price $5700 + $300 in paperwork, etc = $6000 OTD. Shipping is around 500 ish. A total of $6500, for a 30th Anniversary with ABS can't be found anywhere in CA or nearby states... At least I can't find one. :wtf

There must be 3rd party companies that sell bike Warranty, as they do for used cars. I might consider that.




I didn't know that. I'll ask. :thumbup

You forgot about $700 of taxes and registration fees.

So for about $7200, i'd put out a WTB ad on CL here and in Socal, and i'm sure something will come up.

 

[295566]

You forgot about $700 of taxes and registration fees.

So for about $7200, i'd put out a WTB ad on CL here and in Socal, and i'm sure something will come up.

+1

Keep in mind the summer season is winding down, and all the fair-weather riders will be putting their bikes away for the winter. October - February are THE BEST times to buy a new bike as there's much less demand for them.

 

[bpw]

You forgot about $700 of taxes and registration fees.

So for about $7200, i'd put out a WTB ad on CL here and in Socal, and i'm sure something will come up.

Going to pay taxes on a local bike as well, so that’s pretty much a wash.

What is so special about the 30th anniversary model?