| Author | Message | ||
     J_s_machine |
I don\\'t know if you guys remember me, but I posted a topic about my \\'07 XB12S about 3 or 4 months ago. The title was something like \\"XB12S Dilemma\\" or something like that. The topic was about selling my bike, which has been wrecked twice, down on both sides. It also blew a rear cylinder head gasket, and that was fixed under warranty. Maybe you guys remember that topic. I have not had the best of luck with this bike. Another very unfortunate event happened the other day, and I am just about to give up. I took off 5 days from work over Thanksgiving to catch up on some things at home and spend time with the family. My first day off was Wednesday, and It was nice outside and the temp was fairly warm. I live in AL. I took my bike out, which I haven\\'t ridden in a month because of cold weather. My driveway is kind of sloped, but not too much. I put it on the kickstand and let it warm up, for about 2 minutes. I double checked the secureness of the stand, and walked off. I was looking for some kind of piece of rubber to put over the shifter lever, because I had my good boots on and I didn\\'t want to mess them up. After a minute, I went back and turned the bike off to keep from wasting fuel. I checked the secureness again, and walked off to continue looking for a piece of rubber hose. After no luck with that, I taped a piece of cardboard over my boot and prepared to ride. As I was walking towards my bike, I got to about 10 feet away from it when the unthinkable happened. I watched it roll off the kickstand, nothing I could do, and fall over full force onto the left side. I was just far enough away that I couldn\\'t catch it, and I just had to watch in horror. Well, when I picked it up, the damage ws clear. Broken clutch lever, scratched puck, broken mirror, broken foot peg, broken side case cover along with the entire shift linlage, and the front turn signal housing and lens. All these things I had just bought to fix it when it went down the first time. I guess the gravity was just strong enough to make it fall, and it just took it about 2 minutes to do so. I\\"m in a the bottom of a pit and I can\\'t get out! I feel like I every time I come here to post a topic it is something bad, and a appoligize for that, but COME ON! I mean what do you have to do to own one of these bikes peacefully??? I could not believe this, and of course there went my ride...What a way to start off my vaction! I had asked in previous topics what my options were in getting rid of this thing, only to find that I am going to completely lose my a$$ on it, which I have come to terms with. Now I just have to find someone to take it. Nobody will buy this bike at any price! I couldn\\'t give it away! I called the dealer back and talked to the saleseman that sold it to me, and he gave me the run around for about 3 days until yesterday when I called. I asked to speak to the sales manager instead of him, and I couldn\\'t believe what I heard. The guy actually laughed in my face, and told me they didn\\'t want it if it had been down...I was hoping that maybe I would get lucky and the dealer would buy it back, because I figured they would just take it to an auction anyway. NOPE. not gonna happen. I need to get rid of this bike, no matter what the loss. I am just going to have to take out a loan for the difference and pay off Harley credit to get the title. Someone suggested Cycle Trader. What do you all suggest? Again sorry for all the bad news, and thank you for your responses. | ||
| Dynasport |
J, sorry to hear about all your trouble with your bike. I have read a few kickstand problem threads recently. It seems some years have a recall on the kickstand. Do you know if yours is one of those and if it had the recall done? As to selling your bike, the fact it has been down on both sides and has current unrepaired damage, as you already know, means a huge hit on its value. I still think you are better off keeping it if possible. It can still be a blast to ride, even with the cosmetic damage, when you fix the stuff that has to be repaired. If I remember correctly, you can do the repairs yourself, you just need the parts. Buy them as you can, fix the bike, and ride it when you get the chance. Other than that, Cycle Trader is certainly a good option. Just be prepared for the low ball offers. | ||
| Swordsman |
Wow, man, I feel really bad for you! Tell you what though, I've had a few days like your last one. I can't help but wonder if, when everything that can go wrong before a ride does, maybe the Big Guy Upstairs is actually saving my ass from an up-close-and-personal with someone's bumper. Makes me feel better about it, anyway. You may actually make more money off the thing by parting it out. As a whole it may not bring much, but selling all the good parts one at a time (via Ebay, maybe?) could theoretically be more profitable. I doubt it'd ever be enough to pay it off, but maybe enough to take the sting out of your new loan. Again, sorry to hear about your string of bad luck! ~SM | ||
| Reepicheep |
You could do ebay with a reserve, or post detailed descriptions or pictures here in the classifieds section. Like you say, you might end up taking a pretty big hit, but somebody here will take it as a project or track bike. If it were me, I would repair as much as practical before selling it... A bike that is not really rideable will sell for peanuts (I know, I just bought a KLR-250 that way). It cost me about 15% of my purchase price to get the thing street legal again... had the seller done this, he probably could have sold it for 50% more. Sorry to hear about your experiences! Its frustrating and depressing to be upside down on debt... but it's nothing you can't work out of. Just takes time and hard work, but it feels *great* at the other end of it. | ||
| J_s_machine |
I had recently repaired all the damage that was done in the crashes. the only thing I can\\\\'t fix is the scratched and dented frame on both sides. The 12\\\\'s don\\\\'t come with pucks, and if I had known this I would have put them on there to protect it before hand. Unfortunately I found out after the fact, and now the new pucks just cover the spots. Now the left puck is shot...Before the incident Wednesday You couldn\\\\'t even tell it had been down. Now I am going to have to replace all of that stuff listed above. AGAIN. What years were the kickstands recalled? Mine is an \\\\'07. So I will probably get low offers from Cycle trader? As far as keeping it, at first that was an option, but now I just don\\\\'t even want to. I have other more important responsibilities that I need to pay attention to and a motorcycle that keeps sucking money out of my pocket just isn\\\\'t one of them. | ||
| Swordsman |
I think the recalled kickstands were all due to the bolt backing out and eventually breaking, not from simply idling over. I think this is just a case of slight misjudgment... I'd be afraid to let my bike idle on any kind of slope, given how much it shakes during warm-up. ~SM | ||
| T9r |
Sorry to hear about the rough time you've had with your Buell. I've seen bikes go for around $2k-$4k at auction. Most folks want the motor and that is about what it is worth. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to matter if it is a 2004 or a 2007 they all go for about the same. This is a strange market right now with motorcycles too, which is not making it any easier trying to sell a new or used one. For free postings you could try craigslist.org. Ebay is always an option. Or you could strip it down and build a custom bike, maybe a better option. | ||
| Glitch |
What years were the kickstands recalled? Mine is an \\'07. '07s had no recalls. There's no recall for leaving a bike on a slope in neutral. Not sure all your problems a re luck related. But I would suggest putting the bike on e-bay as Reep suggested. | ||
| J_s_machine |
gee thanks Glitch...lol | ||
| Swordsman |
Glitch isn't afraid to rub a little salt in the wound!  ~SM | ||
| J_s_machine |
gee thanks Glitch...lol | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
With it going down.......You may want to contact your insurance agent. Most of them will total the bike with a dented or scratched frame. That would get ya out from under it. | ||
| Glitch |
Sorry for the bluntness. That's just how I saw it from what you posted. I'm sorry you haven't had as good of an experience with motorcycling as most of us have. I'm one that believes very little in luck. | ||
| J_s_machine |
Already tried that. The worst of the two accidents, which broke my right leg in two places also, only caused $3100 worth of damage. That is replacing the frame and all. Progressive wouldn\\'t total it. Of course they didn\\'t total it.... Its ok Glitch. You are right. It was a misjudgement on my part, but like I said, it was fine when I walked off. And just to clarify, I had already turned it off when it fell. It had been sitting there not running for about two minutes. I guess it just took that long for it to rock over and the kickstand to fold...It just sucked even more because like I said, I double checked it and it seemed fine before I walked away from it. I owe $9800 on the loan. That means that whatever I don\\'t get for the bike I will have to take out a loan for. The sad thing is that it will probably be cheaper to pay on a loan, than to make payments on this thing and pay full coverage insurance. Every since this began, I have just had a hard time understanding why it has so little value. I understand why someone would be reluctant to buy it after it has been down, but like I said, you couldn\\'t even tell. It\\'s a great looking bike, just about to be a year old with 7100 miles. It just astonishes me that it is worth so little money. Especially after the screwing I took at the dealership..... | ||
| Stack |
learned that one along time ago. never park your bike facing down hill on the side stand. Sorry for your bad luck stack | ||
| Reepicheep |
If things are put back to intact, and the frame pucks cover most (if not all) of the frame dents, and the bike otherwise looks pretty good... it's hard to imagine you could not get $5000 to $6000 for it. That really stinks that you take a $4000 to $5000 hit on the deal... But I've lost more for less. Think of it this way, you only lost about 50 cents for each mile you rode... it was just a really cheap rental  Somebody will get a heck of a nice bike out of the deal though. Maybe you can find a friend / family member and let them know you are going to take a bath anyway, and would rather see it go to a friend then a stranger, and you won't have hard feelings about them low-balling you. | ||
| Etennuly |
If it were a car and had the same issues the value would drop by about the same percentages. Being upside down in any loan isn't a good feeling. Time will heal this(Oh, and money too). | ||
| Pwnzor |
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| Kedo |
J_s_machine - I know you're frustrated as all heck - and empathize with you. My suggestion is to keep the bike, fix it over time - as a "fun" project. Take it off operable insurance and registration to save a little money. When you're done, and riding again, the value of the fun you'll have will have no price on it. I dropped mine in my garage one day, after I found out that tranny in my truck took a s**t and would cost me $3500 to fix. The parts that broke on my bike cost another $500, adding insult to injury. I believe what Swordsman says about "the Big Guy Upstairs is actually saving my ass from an up-close-and-personal with someone's bumper." There is a reason for everything that happens. We don't get to choose what it is or when we see it.  | ||
| Dbird29 |
Keep it and customize it. Why not let time and payments pass rather than force a big loss? | ||
| J_s_machine |
I was under the impression that while I have a loan on it, I have to pay full coverage insurance. Am I wrong?? I know state laws vary, I am in AL. Like I said before though, I am to the point where I don\\'t even want it anymore. I love to ride it and I love the bike, I always wanted one. But, as I stated earlier, I have new responsiilities that need tending to. I had just bought a new house when I bought this thing, and when I went down and broke my leg in January my job wouldn\\'t let me work full time. I wasn\\'t bringing in enough money and almost lost my house because of it, and that caused 2 more small loans that need paying off too. Its just not worth it to me at this point. No one can assure your safety on these things, and I\\'m just to the point where I am not willing to take the gamble anymore. If I have another accident, not saying I will, but you can\\'t ever trust other drivers, I will proabably lose my house. I would rather make a good living and own a home than take the risk of riding right now. When I get older and get straightened out and have some money put back, I will positevely get back into riding. I remember the \\"good ole days\\" when I could wreck a motorcycle or bust my a$$ doing some other crazy thing and just miss school. The only real draw back then was pain and a messed up bike. Now, I have responsibilities.... | ||
| Ccryder |
I hear your pain. Welcome to the real world. Some days it's great, some days it sucks. Time and money will cure most of your problems. Many moons ago I found myself in a similar situation and time and money got me out of it. I also learned a valuable lesson. I look back on those lessons over the years and remember don't do that stupid shite again. We are of adult age and have to make mature decisions. I know that most people on this board would like to help you (some have tried) but you need to sit down with your SO and decide what to do from here out. I wish you the best. Neil S. | ||
| Treadmarks |
John, Relax, be patient, don't sweat it. Keep the bike. Fix it as time and funds allow. This way you soak up the depreciation over a longer period of time. Who knows, maybe we can help. Sheit, mine fell over three times in the first month I had it. Twice from the stand, and once while loading in on a wet trailer in the rain. Luckily, the side bags prevented engine damage. Exactly what parts do you need? | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Craig's list is a good selling place. | ||
| J_s_machine |
I was under the impression that while I have a loan on it, I have to pay full coverage insurance. Am I wrong?? I know state laws vary, I am in AL. Like I said before though, I am to the point where I don\\'t even want it anymore. I love to ride it and I love the bike, I always wanted one. But, as I stated earlier, I have new responsiilities that need tending to. I had just bought a new house when I bought this thing, and when I went down and broke my leg in January my job wouldn\\'t let me work full time. I wasn\\'t bringing in enough money and almost lost my house because of it, and that caused 2 more small loans that need paying off too. Its just not worth it to me at this point. No one can assure your safety on these things, and I\\'m just to the point where I am not willing to take the gamble anymore. If I have another accident, not saying I will, but you can\\'t ever trust other drivers, I will proabably lose my house. I would rather make a good living and own a home than take the risk of riding right now. When I get older and get straightened out and have some money put back, I will positevely get back into riding. I remember the \\"good ole days\\" when I could wreck a motorcycle or bust my a$$ doing some other crazy thing and just miss school. The only real draw back then was pain and a messed up bike. Now, I have responsibilities.... | ||
| T9r |
The bank is normally the one that requires the full coverage on the bike if the bike is licensed or has tags. -If you have a high interest rate on the bike loan, you might look to refinancing it as rates have come down recently. -Also with the loan thing if you get a home equity loan, then you could wrap the payment up in that and limit your insurance. I've been told it is legal and it is not legal to do this, so be advised. -Lastly, you could turn your tags in, cut the insurance and keep the bike for a period of time and wait for you to catch up on the loan. You may feel you are wasting money but your better off than selling it and still oweing $4K-5K. | ||
| Rick_a |
Most bikes fare best when the shiny side is kept up. Good luck with whatever you decide. | ||
| J_s_machine |
I was under the impression that while I have a loan on it, I have to pay full coverage insurance. Am I wrong?? I know state laws vary, I am in AL. Like I said before though, I am to the point where I don\\'t even want it anymore. I love to ride it and I love the bike, I always wanted one. But, as I stated earlier, I have new responsiilities that need tending to. I had just bought a new house when I bought this thing, and when I went down and broke my leg in January my job wouldn\\'t let me work full time. I wasn\\'t bringing in enough money and almost lost my house because of it, and that caused 2 more small loans that need paying off too. Its just not worth it to me at this point. No one can assure your safety on these things, and I\\'m just to the point where I am not willing to take the gamble anymore. If I have another accident, not saying I will, but you can\\'t ever trust other drivers, I will proabably lose my house. I would rather make a good living and own a home than take the risk of riding right now. When I get older and get straightened out and have some money put back, I will positevely get back into riding. I remember the \\"good ole days\\" when I could wreck a motorcycle or bust my a$$ doing some other crazy thing and just miss school. The only real draw back then was pain and a messed up bike. Now, I have responsibilities.... | ||
| Eicas |
Man, I feel for you! Regardless of what caused this chain of evens, you have had more bad luck with one bike than most people have with several. Still, - these things do happen to others as well. Take a deep breath and reconsider your options. This is a bad time of year to be selling motorcycles, and giving it away increases your losses. Advertising it also costs money with no guarantee of a return. On the other hand, if you keep it you are "only" out repairs and operating costs. (I fully realize that is a lot for you right now.) It sounds to me that you like riding this bike. A few dents, dings, and scratches does not change that. Spend the rest of the winter getting to know your bike and getting both you and the bike back into order, read motorcycle riding books, back track in your mind what happened and learn from your experience. Consider hanging on to this bike until spring or early summer, then start riding. If you still want to sell it, you will get more $$$ for it. You can advertise the bike with a "For Sale" sign while you are riding it. Riding bikes is a never ending learning experience, in a couple of years you may call this an "adventure". Not easy now, but try putting a positive spin on all of this. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
try and keep things in perspective! Your motorcycle fell over, a football player from the Washington Redskins was shot in the leg on Monday! And you want to tell us that you have bad luck? fix the motorcycle, ride it, and enjoy life! |
