[weeman]

Hello I'm new here I hope put this in the right place. What would you say is a fair price for an 89 in excellent condition with less than 700 miles. NADA has the value at $1070 for excellent condition is there a better place to find true market value for the tw's?



The guy wants $1600 I just think that's a lot for a 23 year old bike low miles or not. Would you go any higher and if so what would you think the top end for a bike in this condition is? Ive seen pictures not inspected up close yet. Are there any problem areas to look for on a bike this old with so few miles? I know basic stuff like rust in the tank etc. Thanks for any advice and input in the matter. Sly

 

[Dark Sol]

To pay $1600 for an 89 I would expect everything to be like new and/or rebuilt; battery, sprockets, chain, tires, carb, gaskets, any rubber parts, maybe a new CDI and the frame and rims should be in excellent condition. Basically, anything that is prone to failure due to age I would expect to be rebuilt or replaced to pay that kind of price. It should run flawlessly too, of course.



Otherwise, a fair price is between the 500-1000 range, depending on the overall condition.

 

[Turwilliger]

Low mileage is great, but age plus lack of use can be problematic.



There are many things (uv, ozone, extreme temps, humidity, dryness) that will cause corrosion or degradation.

So as you begin to ride such an old bike- the tires may begin to crack, fork and brakes may begin to swell and/or split and leak, etc.



Factor in all these possible failure points and you'll realize the owner is asking too much on a gamble. YOU are the one that either suffers a breakdown at some I opportune moment or spends his $$$ refurbishing a bike that ultimately is still pretty old.



If these things are not daunting to you- Give him an offer you feel comfortable with- not the one you think he might accept. If it doesn't feel right, walk away.

 

[RisingSun]

Hello I'm new here I hope put this in the right place. What would you say is a fair price for an 89 in excellent condition with less than 700 miles. NADA has the value at $1070 for excellent condition is there a better place to find true market value for the tw's?



The guy wants $1600 I just think that's a lot for a 23 year old bike low miles or not. Would you go any higher and if so what would you think the top end for a bike in this condition is? Ive seen pictures not inspected up close yet. Are there any problem areas to look for on a bike this old with so few miles? I know basic stuff like rust in the tank etc. Thanks for any advice and input in the matter. Sly

What!!! No way!!! I got my 2001 with 700 miles $1400. Only two owners and the second owner only had it for 5 months. Hold off. Just wait for a guy who bought the bike for his wife and now his wife rode it twice and doesn't ride it anymore. I have seen it alot.

 

[mtkd]

I just picked my 2001 up with 6000 miles for 500 (busted fender missing mirror and ugly but running well).

 

[pgilles]

Hello I'm new here I hope put this in the right place. What would you say is a fair price for an 89 in excellent condition with less than 700 miles. NADA has the value at $1070 for excellent condition is there a better place to find true market value for the tw's?



The guy wants $1600 I just think that's a lot for a 23 year old bike low miles or not. Would you go any higher and if so what would you think the top end for a bike in this condition is? Ive seen pictures not inspected up close yet. Are there any problem areas to look for on a bike this old with so few miles? I know basic stuff like rust in the tank etc. Thanks for any advice and input in the matter. Sly

It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it

Since the market is so small for these bikes, it's tough to put a price on one. $1600 may seem like a lot, but the seller may be looking at their competition, or lack thereof, and realize it's the only TW in a 300 mile radius. If you search the newspaper and the local craigslist and the 89 is the only TW, or at least the only one is decent shape, the price should make more sense. Depending on how bad they want to sell, you may be able to talk them down on price.

 

[RisingSun]

It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it

Since the market is so small for these bikes, it's tough to put a price on one. $1600 may seem like a lot, but the seller may be looking at their competition, or lack thereof, and realize it's the only TW in a 300 mile radius. If you search the newspaper and the local craigslist and the 89 is the only TW, or at least the only one is decent shape, the price should make more sense. Depending on how bad they want to sell, you may be able to talk them down on price.

If you believe its worth whatever your willing to pay for it then I will sell you my bike for a $1,000,000. So that advice is ridiculous. Kelly's blue book didn't even list the bike until 1991 and it was $1015. That is at excellent. So unless that bike was run everyday and kept under a glass shield it is no way worth $1600. I would offer at best $500 and it would have to be spotless.



Kellys blue book definition of Excellent: Excellent Condition



A vehicle is deemed in excellent condition by Kelley Blue Book®if it appears brand new, hasn't had bodywork (including paint), lacks rust, is in perfect mechanical condition, and doesn't require any repairs whatsoever. The interior is clean, as is the engine, which has no observable flaws or fluid leaks. The engine should also appear to be free of wear and tear. A car in excellent condition has an entire (provable) record of service and a clean title history. According to Kelley Blue Book, "less than 5 percent of all used vehicles fall into this category."





R

 

[Omega Man]

Hello I'm new here I hope put this in the right place. What would you say is a fair price for an 89 in excellent condition with less than 700 miles. NADA has the value at $1070 for excellent condition is there a better place to find true market value for the tw's?



The guy wants $1600 I just think that's a lot for a 23 year old bike low miles or not. Would you go any higher and if so what would you think the top end for a bike in this condition is? Ive seen pictures not inspected up close yet. Are there any problem areas to look for on a bike this old with so few miles? I know basic stuff like rust in the tank etc. Thanks for any advice and input in the matter. Sly

Yes it's a lot of money. If you were up here in the Northeast, and they didn't show up very often, were gone/sold all but instantly, that is the market price. The other side of what I describe is as long as you keep it in a condition somewhat to how you bought it, you will get your money back should you decide to sell. The other up-side is you get a kick-start

and miss out on the disc brake

OM

 

[pgilles]

If you believe its worth whatever your willing to pay for it then I will sell you my bike for a $1,000,000. So that advice is ridiculous. Kelly's blue book didn't even list the bike until 1991 and it was $1015. That is at excellent. So unless that bike was run everyday and kept under a glass shield it is no way worth $1600. I would offer at best $500 and it would have to be spotless.



Kellys blue book definition of Excellent: Excellent Condition



A vehicle is deemed in excellent condition by Kelley Blue Book®if it appears brand new, hasn't had bodywork (including paint), lacks rust, is in perfect mechanical condition, and doesn't require any repairs whatsoever. The interior is clean, as is the engine, which has no observable flaws or fluid leaks. The engine should also appear to be free of wear and tear. A car in excellent condition has an entire (provable) record of service and a clean title history. According to Kelley Blue Book, "less than 5 percent of all used vehicles fall into this category."





R

Ummm, okay. I think you're confused. Just because you list your TW for $1,000,000 doesn't mean I have to buy it. The market is created by what the buyers are willing to spend on something. Remember that housing bubble a few years ago? Do you really think the homes sold at those elevated prices were a good value? Or do you think the prices were inflated just a tad because the seller knew the buyers were willing to spend a bit more? In the eyes of the buyer, at that point in time, those homes were worth it (that's why they signed the papers). Fast forward to today, and the same exact house can go for half the cost. No one is willing to buy at 2006 prices in 2012, even though it's the exact same house. And if you sell for less than what other homes are going for, you lose out of your full profit potential.



If I'm selling a bike and I have time to sell it, I can list it at whatever price I want. Maybe I can wait a year for that right buyer to come strolling along and pick up my 89 TW for $1600. Now, if someone down the street is selling the exact same bike for $1000 I know that my bike won't sell mine for $1600 while that other bike is still on the market. But if I have the only bike for sale within 300 miles, I very well could ask for $1600 and wait for that buyer to come in.



Look at the NADA/KBB values all you want. It's a baseline. From there, you look at your local market and respond accordingly.



I'm not saying an 89 is worth $1600. But to someone else, it just might be.

 

[mtkd]

I don't understand what the big deal about the kick start is. The bike is so light and small that getting it rolling and popping the clutch is super simple if the starter fails.

 

[STEVE IN SOCAL]

Ummm, okay. I think you're confused. Just because you list your TW for $1,000,000 doesn't mean I have to buy it. The market is created by what the buyers are willing to spend on something. Remember that housing bubble a few years ago? Do you really think the homes sold at those elevated prices were a good value? Or do you think the prices were inflated just a tad because the seller knew the buyers were willing to spend a bit more? In the eyes of the buyer, at that point in time, those homes were worth it (that's why they signed the papers). Fast forward to today, and the same exact house can go for half the cost. No one is willing to buy at 2006 prices in 2012, even though it's the exact same house. And if you sell for less than what other homes are going for, you lose out of your full profit potential.



If I'm selling a bike and I have time to sell it, I can list it at whatever price I want. Maybe I can wait a year for that right buyer to come strolling along and pick up my 89 TW for $1600. Now, if someone down the street is selling the exact same bike for $1000 I know that my bike won't sell mine for $1600 while that other bike is still on the market. But if I have the only bike for sale within 300 miles, I very well could ask for $1600 and wait for that buyer to come in.



Look at the NADA/KBB values all you want. It's a baseline. From there, you look at your local market and respond accordingly.



I'm not saying an 89 is worth $1600. But to someone else, it just might be.

X2

 

[n2o2diver]

If both buyer and seller are happy, its a good deal!

 

[FortPayne]

I don't understand what the big deal about the kick start is. The bike is so light and small that getting it rolling and popping the clutch is super simple if the starter fails.

Yeah, but the starter never dies at the top of hill. The starter/battery will always fail when you are in a bad part of town, being chased by wolves, stopped in quicksand, on the railroad tracks with a train coming, in the woods with a wildfire, or in traffic after a bad fish sandwich and have explosive diarrhea.

That and it just looks a little cooler to kick a bike.

 

[RisingSun]

If both buyer and seller are happy, its a good deal!

Is this really a discussion? This forum is to support our members. So a member is asking is a 89 TW 200 for $1600 is a fair price? So using a database that the entire nation uses to base pricing off of says its over priced. Being in a forum we would support our member in advising him it is overpriced rather than say if you want to pay too much for it then its ok. Not support the person who is selling it who isn't even a member. So I guess I am confused

 

[Kankujoe]

Hello I'm new here I hope put this in the right place. What would you say is a fair price for an 89 in excellent condition with less than 700 miles. NADA has the value at $1070 for excellent condition is there a better place to find true market value for the tw's?



The guy wants $1600 I just think that's a lot for a 23 year old bike low miles or not. Would you go any higher and if so what would you think the top end for a bike in this condition is? Ive seen pictures not inspected up close yet. Are there any problem areas to look for on a bike this old with so few miles? I know basic stuff like rust in the tank etc. Thanks for any advice and input in the matter. Sly

For me fair market value is determined by averaging the prices in NADA & Kelley Blue Book and the overall condition of the vehicle. If what I want is not easily available & I find it in great condition my final offer may go about 10% over book value. Usually I get what I want right inline with book values. When buying a vehicle I stick to these numbers. To get a good deal you need to be willing to walk away. If someone wants substantially higher than NADA/KBB I walk. Maybe they will find a sucker but it won't be me. Buying a used vehicle is risky enough at book value.

 

[STEVE IN SOCAL]

Is this really a discussion? This forum is to support our members. So a member is asking is a 89 TW 200 for $1600 is a fair price? So using a database that the entire nation uses to base pricing off of says its over priced. Being in a forum we would support our member in advising him it is overpriced rather than say if you want to pay too much for it then its ok. Not support the person who is selling it who isn't even a member. So I guess I am confused

Here's a scenario where you may be wrong...



Buyer lives in an area where used TW's are few and far between. Seller knows this and puts a premium on the price of the bike. So, buyer finds a TW 4 hours away...same condition...$400 cheaper. Factor in time and gas, What have you gained?

Let's also say buyer is ready to get a bike, spring is here and the riding weather is upon him/her. Is it worth waiting 2, maybe 3 months waiting for that "killer deal", when they could be riding? Is it worth $150 per month not to ride?

I would submit that the OP hasn't given us the full details that are needed to advise them.

Also, is it fully racked up with Cycleracks, o-ring chain, Jimbos, etc....just not enough info.

Soooo....he has to make the decision on his own. If it's a good deal for him, he should buy it. Is $1,600 too much? Maybe, but you can's say it is anymore than I can say it isn't.

 

[RisingSun]

Here's a scenario where you may be wrong...



Buyer lives in an area where used TW's are few and far between. Seller knows this and puts a premium on the price of the bike. So, buyer finds a TW 4 hours away...same condition...$400 cheaper. Factor in time and gas, What have you gained?

Let's also say buyer is ready to get a bike, spring is here and the riding weather is upon him/her. Is it worth waiting 2, maybe 3 months waiting for that "killer deal", when they could be riding? Is it worth $150 per month not to ride?

I would submit that the OP hasn't given us the full details that are needed to advise them.

Also, is it fully racked up with Cycleracks, o-ring chain, Jimbos, etc....just not enough info.

Soooo....he has to make the decision on his own. If it's a good deal for him, he should buy it. Is $1,600 too much? Maybe, but you can's say it is anymore than I can say it isn't.

I can say there is no way the bike is worth $1600. Its not a good deal. Worth waiting for $150 a month where is this math coming from? It is worth waiting cause it cost you nothing to wait. TW's are everywhere its not rare at all. Patience saves money. He is not gonna die for not riding. That money saved could go to parts for the bike to fix it up. But hey everybody wants you to go buy the bike except me. So if you can't wait go buy it. That is their opinion. I wouldn't pay for it and that is mine. That discussion is done.

 

[qwerty]

The value of anything is exactly what a seller can find a sucker to pay.



I would not pay $1600 for an '87 unless it was loaded with twice that value of accessories and/or recent replacement parts, all in excellent condition. Not including labor.



25 year old tires? Pass.

25 years of condensation in the tank? Pass.

25 year old oil in the crankcase? Pass.

25 year old fork oil? Pass.

etc.

etc.

etc.

 

[FLHusky]

I can say there is no way the bike is worth $1600. Its not a good deal. Worth waiting for $150 a month where is this math coming from? It is worth waiting cause it cost you nothing to wait. TW's are everywhere its not rare at all. Patience saves money. He is not gonna die for not riding. That money saved could go to parts for the bike to fix it up. But hey everybody wants you to go buy the bike except me. So if you can't wait go buy it. That is their opinion. I wouldn't pay for it and that is mine. That discussion is done.

I am new to the TW200 world and the forum. Having ridden one for a couple of days last month I can tell you that having to wait a week or so to get the bike I have now bought, I feel like I am loosing much more than $150/month in fun.

 

[RisingSun]

I am new to the TW200 world and the forum. Having ridden one for a couple of days last month I can tell you that having to wait a week or so to get the bike I have now bought, I feel like I am loosing much more than $150/month in fun.

If you can't be patient then you will end up being broke. But to each its own.