Needing some advice on a potential sale that sounds too good to be true

[Wheelin]

I'm looking at a Super Tenere because I want to sell my high mileage BMW R12GS before real big mechanical problems start cropping up, because that's what these bikes are infamous for.

It's a 2016 60th anniversary standard Super Tenere with only 450 miles on the odometer, and it's never been dropped. The owner is moving to another state, so he's unloading all unnecessary items for the move.

From what I've seen, a bike like this would go for at least $14,000 at a dealership, and he's asking $9990, so I am having one of those "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" moments. I talked to the guy on the phone, and he seems like a nice guy, and he's local, but the numbers just don't add up. I suppose I could do a VIN check, but what other questions should I ask to draw this guy out so that I can make sure it's not a scam of some sort?

 

[Wheelin]

I should add that his asking price is still above with the trade-in price would be, per Kelley Blue Book.

 

[GunNut37086]

Lucky for you I'm 2000 miles away or I'd be trying to find him on Craigslist and buy it out from under you.

Just kidding, maybe. Wish I had some sage advice. I would be somewhat suspicious myself. Around here that will get you a low mileage 2014 without farkles .

 

[Sckill]

I bought my 2012 S10 back in 2013 with only 936 miles and altrider crash bars for $10k. Deals like that can happen. As long as the seller has valid title and the bike looks good in person, you should be ok.

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[lacofdfireman]

Once you buy it I'll trade you for my 2015 ES model. I want a Yellow one.


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[lacofdfireman]

Also I bought mine last week it's a 2015 Red ES model with 6900 miles. Bike came with OEM Side Panniers, Hepco Becker Skid Plate, AltRider crash bars, tall Parabellum Windshield, Bark Buster had guards, Denali LED Aux lights and an extra set of Mitas EO7 Dakar tires. I paid $10,000. Also my son bought a 2015 Standard model with 3 piece OEM Luggage and only 1800 miles for $9k 3 days before I bought mine. So yes. I think that bike for sale is legit. And I would trade you for my ES.

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[Wheelin]

Lucky for you I'm 2000 miles away or I'd be trying to find him on Craigslist and buy it out from under you.

Just kidding, maybe. Wish I had some sage advice. I would be somewhat suspicious myself. Around here that will get you a low mileage 2014 without farkles .

That's why I was afraid to bring this up in the first place! And yes, assuming he paid over $14,000 for the bike, why would he give up several thousand dollars after only a few hundred miles?

 

[Wheelin]

I bought my 2012 S10 back in 2013 with only 936 miles and altrider crash bars for $10k. Deals like that can happen. As long as the seller has valid title and the bike looks good in person, you should be ok.

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I sure hope so. I'll be visiting with him tomorrow.

 

[lacofdfireman]

I'm looking at a Super Tenere because I want to sell my high mileage BMW R12GS before real big mechanical problems start cropping up, because that's what these bikes are infamous for.

It's a 2016 60th anniversary standard Super Tenere with only 450 miles on the odometer, and it's never been dropped. The owner is moving to another state, so he's unloading all unnecessary items for the move.

From what I've seen, a bike like this would go for at least $14,000 at a dealership, and he's asking $9990, so I am having one of those "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" moments. I talked to the guy on the phone, and he seems like a nice guy, and he's local, but the numbers just don't add up. I suppose I could do a VIN check, but what other questions should I ask to draw this guy out so that I can make sure it's not a scam of some sort?

Also like my bike and my sons bikes they didn't last long. Mine wasn't on Craigslist for more that an hour before I told the owner I wanted it. I drove 1500 miles round trip to get it.

So jump on it if you want it. It's a good deal.


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[Wheelin]

Once you buy it I'll trade you for my 2015 ES model. I want a Yellow one.


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If I recall correctly, I believe you're the gentleman that responded to another ad in this forum for that very same 2015 ES

 

[Wheelin]

Also like my bike and my sons bikes they didn't last long. Mine wasn't on Craigslist for more that an hour before I told the owner I wanted it. I drove 1500 miles round trip to get it.

So jump on it if you want it. It's a good deal.


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I'm limited on funds, but I can appreciate the effort you put forth to get the bike. I hope this turns out to be legit. Just have that nagging feeling of why he's willing to give up so much money when he's only had it for a month.

 

[bob dirt]

That's why I was afraid to bring this up in the first place! And yes, assuming he paid over $14,000 for the bike, why would he give up several thousand dollars after only a few hundred miles?

I bought my first bike, a 2012 with 26 miles on it for $5000.00 less than the guy paid for it 8 months earlier and it had a lien free title in his name. There are great deals out there.

 

[lacofdfireman]

If I recall correctly, I believe you're the gentleman that responded to another ad in this forum for that very same 2015 ES

I responded to an ad on a 2015 ES that was posted here in San Francisco but he wouldn't go below $11250 for it. I ended up buying one out of Bozeman Montana. The guy in San Fran said he ended up getting the $11,250 out of it that he wanted. It was a good deal even at that amount but mine was a better deal and less miles and more stuff on it If that Yellow one would have even been $11k with nothing in it a week ago when I was looking it would be in my garage right now. I really wanted a Yellow one and really considered the one in Delta, Colorado for $11999 at the dealer but I would have been another grand in fees and taxes taking it to $13k with nothing. This bike is basically brand new in my opinion and with all the extras and ES I guarantee I could turn it for a profit right now of $1000 to 1500. Everyone wants the ES bikes. But to be honest I wanted the standard version and wanted to do my own suspension work instead of the ES.

 

[RonH]

There has been a new yellow 2016 on craigslist here in Denver for a couple months for $11,999, so a couple thousand below that on a used bike is possible for sure.

 

[lacofdfireman]

I'm limited on funds, but I can appreciate the effort you put forth to get the bike. I hope this turns out to be legit. Just have that nagging feeling of why he's willing to give up so much money when he's only had it for a month.

You can put me in this guys same category. I can't even tell you how many times I've bought things and had them for a few months and sold them at huge losses. Like thousands of dollars lost. My wife could tell you though. She keeps track. Haha. I sold my 2013 Tenere with probably close to $4 grand in extras for $6500. When I go to sell something I price it to sell even knowing I'm going to take a huge loss. My friend's always laugh at me. I just tell them I want to see someone get a good deal. Haha. It's only money. You can't take it with you when you die.

 

[Wheelin]

I responded to an ad on a 2015 ES that was posted here in San Francisco but he wouldn't go below $11250 for it. I ended up buying one out of Bozeman Montana. The guy in San Fran said he ended up getting the $11,250 out of it that he wanted. It was a good deal even at that amount but mine was a better deal and less miles and more stuff on it If that Yellow one would have even been $11k with nothing in it a week ago when I was looking it would be in my garage right now. I really wanted a Yellow one and really considered the one in Delta, Colorado for $11999 at the dealer but I would have been another grand in fees and taxes taking it to $13k with nothing. This bike is basically brand new in my opinion and with all the extras and ES I guarantee I could turn it for a profit right now of $1000 to 1500. Everyone wants the ES bikes. But to be honest I wanted the standard version and wanted to do my own suspension work instead of the ES.

I don't go off-road. I'm just a tall middle aged guy with a very bad back who looks for good ergos (which I have with my old BMW GS) and who rides like a Kansas farmer on a tractor. So a good reliable ride with good ergos is all I need. (Cruise control is nice for those long rides, too!)

 

[Wheelin]

You can put me in this guys same category. I can't even tell you how many times I've bought things and had them for a few months and sold them at huge losses. Like thousands of dollars lost. My wife could tell you though. She keeps track. Haha. I sold my 2013 Tenere with probably close to $4 grand in extras for $6500. When I go to sell something I price it to sell even knowing I'm going to take a huge loss. My friend's always laugh at me. I just tell them I want to see someone get a good deal. Haha. It's only money. You can't take it with you when you die.

You sound like a good guy.

 

[TXTenere]

I'm limited on funds, but I can appreciate the effort you put forth to get the bike. I hope this turns out to be legit. Just have that nagging feeling of why he's willing to give up so much money when he's only had it for a month.

$9990 is a great price, no doubt about it. BUT, it's probably also a realistic price to move the bike, and not hold onto it for several months, lowering the price incrementally until it sells.

I think people see the asking prices for bikes, and assume that's what they're worth. I think the selling price is often 10-15% lower than the asking. So a bike that someone is asking $11,500 for might sell for $10,000, basically the asking price of the bike you're considering. I am going to guess that quite possibly, the seller you're dealing with won't drop the price much; he knows it's priced fairly, and priced to move.

I sold my 2013 Super Tenere with 10,000 miles, 3-piece OEM luggage set, and a Seat Concepts seat, but otherwise stock, for $6500. People said that I was crazy for "giving it away." Took one week to sell. Others similarly equipped at the time were asking $7500-8000 and would sit on the market for literally months, incrementally going lower until the ask was $6700-7000. All that means is they're not worth what the seller is asking, because I proved that there were buyers out there (I could have sold the bike 3x).

 

[Crew Chief]

I think I saw that one a week or so ago. There's also another one out there with 600 miles, but i don't remember the price off hand. I recently saw a Gold Wing with 15 miles on it at a good price. People do all kinds of crazy things and it hasn't been uncommon to see such prices and low miles on a motorcycle from time to time. They are toys to most Americans, and while most of us may have to budget for them, others can spend 10 or 20K without much thought. Some of those people buy something that they weren't ready for or didn't really want as much as they thought they did.

 

[airhead81]

That sounds like a decent price, but I would come in at $9K and see what he says. I bought a new 2015 non ES this spring for $10,999 + tax . It took me about four months to sell my 2012 S-10. I got $6,500 out of it with 20K miles on the clock.