Getting a '03 636 from a dealer via trade-in... Please help fast!!!

Well I am considering a trade-in with a dealership... will the dealer be able to prove how well (or ill) maintained this bike's 27,000KM have been?

This is the bike I am considering: http://www.buysell.com/advertisers/burnaby_kawasaki/pictures.asp?id=52236482

It's got a few mods: Micron oval high mount exhaust , Hyper pro steering damper and fender eliminator kit. I have no idea if those are good mods or not... when it comes to used bikes, are clean/stock bikes more desirable or are mods considered as "value add-ons"? Do mods necessarily indicate that the previous owner beat on the bike?

For $7000-$7500 a quick browse on BCSB tells me that for the same money I can get a '03 636 at anywhere from sub-1000KM(!!!) to 15,000KM of milage. Of course dealership needs to make money and I am spending more at the cost of convenience and saved time. However I just want to know if this 27,000KM may not be a biggie ASSUMING this bike was well taken care of, or I am really better off going through private sale and get one with less milage. For example, maybe a major service will follow very soon after 27,000KM, things like that...

10,000KM isn't considered "a lot" for bikes? Do they make much difference in price?

For the extra money that I have to spend by going through a dealer, other than the saved time and convenience, what else can I be sure of from buying this bike from them? That any previous problems this bike may have had are fixed? Dealer will show me the full ICBC claim history?

Is the dealer obligated to tell me all problems this bike has had? including if it's dropped?

When the dealer buys in this bike, could ther mechanic tell if the bike was beat on hard or not? Even if they could tell, could they have done anything about it? Would the dealer reflect the price according to the condition of the bike (been beat on hard or not)?

Well of course even going through private sales I couldn't tell if a bike is beat on hard or not by looking at it, but by going through a dealer can I be assured that if it was, then the bike will be fixed up or the price will be reflected?

Or.... are the "damages" done to a bike by beating hard on it "perminant"?


Sorry for the many questions because I am having a panic attack now. Please help ASAP because this deal could go down this Saturday! Thanks in advance...


AND..... anything else that I didn't consider? Any boobytraps and pitfalls?

It's got a few mods: Micron oval high mount exhaust , Hyper pro steering damper and fender eliminator kit. I have no idea if those are good mods or not...

Good reasonably priced mods

when it comes to used bikes, are clean/stock bikes more desirable or are mods considered as "value add-ons"?

Depends on you the buyer. You like the mods that are already on the bike, then its a good thing. They do litle to nothing to increase the value of the bike.

Do mods necessarily indicate that the previous owner beat on the bike?

No

For $7000-$7500 a quick browse on BCSB tells me that for the same money I can get a '03 636 at anywhere from sub-1000KM(!!!) to 15,000KM of milage.

Yes, you probably can get an '03 for $7-8,000 with less mileage. But think of mileage this way. You do one medium length ride each week for 500kms, plus a couple evening rides at 100kms each. Factor in 6 months riding season each year and you get roughly 18,000kms a year.

Of course dealership needs to make money and I am spending more at the cost of convenience and saved time. However I just want to know if this 27,000KM may not be a biggie ASSUMING this bike was well taken care of, or I am really better off going through private sale and get one with less milage. For example, maybe a major service will follow very soon after 27,000KM, things like that...

27,000kms should be no concern at all if the nike was maintained. I've owned a 636 and they are tough bikes. Even beaten on the hold up really well.

10,000KM isn't considered "a lot" for bikes? Do they make much difference in price?

For the extra money that I have to spend by going through a dealer, other than the saved time and convenience, what else can I be sure of from buying this bike from them? That any previous problems this bike may have had are fixed? Dealer will show me the full ICBC claim history?

Dealer is not obligated to show you shit. It is your responsibility to investigate the bike to a degree that you are comfortable with.

Is the dealer obligated to tell me all problems this bike has had? including if it's dropped?

Nope. Neither is a private seller.

When the dealer buys in this bike, could ther mechanic tell if the bike was beat on hard or not?

Yes. Will they tell you is another question.

Even if they could tell, could they have done anything about it? Would the dealer reflect the price according to the condition of the bike (been beat on hard or not)?

You will never know.

Well of course even going through private sales I couldn't tell if a bike is beat on hard or not by looking at it, but by going through a dealer can I be assured that if it was, then the bike will be fixed up or the price will be reflected?

Nope.

Or.... are the "damages" done to a bike by beating hard on it "perminant"?

You will never know unless you have your own mechanic stripping the bike down and looking inside. Sorry dude, harsh answers but its reality.

The only security you have is dealing with a trusted dealer, and perhaps with a salesperson that someone you trust referred you to. Thats about as close as you will get to a guarantee.