Looking to Buy a Used Motorbike - Private Sale - Qld

TubeLight on 04/03/2024 - 15:32
Last edited 05/03/2024 - 13:28

Hi All,

Looking to buy a used motorbike from a private seller. Saw the advert on marketplace.

Communicated with the seller and test rode the bike. Had the bike close to 30 mins. Liked it.

A few observations:

  1. The seller wasnt there themselves when I drove down to test it. It was their brother in-law who handed me the keys. Didn’t think much of it. People are allowed to have a life.

  2. The rego had expired a few days ago but the seller made sure it was renewed the night before I went out to try it.

  3. No red flags and I put a small deposit so the seller could get the rwc done.

  4. The seller said the bike was owned by their dad who is no more. Has assured me that the bike was transferred on their name. I’ve asked for documentary proof of that. That point is worrying me.

  5. The seller says they’ve got the RWC done. In Qld the RWC is loaded by the checking person directly to TMR’s website. Does anyone know if a hard copy is provided to the customer? If so, I can request that.

  6. The seller now says he is not aware there is a second key of the bike. He has asked his mum to check his dad’s stuff.

  7. There is no service history recorded in the manual. The bike has sub 2000 kms on the odo. There should’ve been atleast one service record. He says he will call the dealer and enquire.

My exchanges with the seller have been very pleasant.

Am I walking into some sort of a trap?

Hoping for some real answers.

Automotive Motorcycle

Comments

  • brendanm on 04/03/2024 - 15:42

    A) Should probably state that it's a motorbike.

    B) do a Qld rego check, it should have rwc info down the bottom.

    C) not sure what to say about the rest

    • TubeLight on 04/03/2024 - 15:47

      Updated point a. Thanks for point b - will check now.

      Well, if it not raising a red flag as a third party, things should be alright.

    • TubeLight on 04/03/2024 - 16:00

      Can’t see any rwc info where I’m looking. Do you have a link as to where I should be looking?

      • brendanm on 04/03/2024 - 16:36

        The Qld government rego check site. If it's had a rwc, it should give details down the bottom after the vehicle info.

  • barge-in hunter on 04/03/2024 - 15:48

    It doesn’t sound too bad, but a rego/Ppsr check should be done. Does 2000kms sound right for the age of the bike, or could the cluster have been replaced (due to crash damage). Assuming it’s not stolen, that would be my main concern

    • TubeLight on 04/03/2024 - 16:01

      Thanks mate. Yep, 2k sounds right. There are a few similar ones listed. Looks like people with midlife crisis buy them and don’t use them much.

  • Frashal on 04/03/2024 - 15:53

    Might be a scam, but sounds like it probably isn't. Do a PPSR check, it will confirm the details and that it isn't written off or reported stolen, and make sure all the documentation they can provide backs up what they are saying and cross checks with the PPSR details. If its only got 2000km on it, I wouldn't be super concerned about the service history. Just do an oil change when you get it to be on the safe side. It sounds like it may have been sitting for a while if the owner has died, so you should be doing that anyway really.

    • TubeLight on 04/03/2024 - 16:05

      Did a check on bikefacts com.au. The report it generated said no finance, not written off and not stolen.

      • Woody982 on 05/03/2024 - 14:19
        +1

        I'm not sure how much that cost you, but if it was more than $2 use ppsr.gov.au

        Only $2 and is through the government… so yeah

        • TubeLight on 06/03/2024 - 05:51
          +1

          Wish I had known this earlier. I paid 15. But I also thought they’d give me some more info. Nope. Got ripped off. Not the ozbargain way. Lol

  • Euphemistic on 04/03/2024 - 15:59

    So you havent bought it yet? If the rego/RWC checks out and they have the transfer papers to put it in your name and will give you a written receipt theyre probably legit, just a little clueless.

    How old is the bike? Not having a service record for a 2000km biek isnt rhe end of the works. Just get it serviced before you ride it much.

    • TubeLight on 04/03/2024 - 16:06

      Thanks mate. Hoping to close the deal soon. Everything seems to be lining up.

      Second key is the sticking point for now.

  • pegaxs on 04/03/2024 - 17:27
    +1

    1: Awww, that was nice of them.
    2: Awww, that was nice of them.
    3: Awww, that was nice of them.
    4: Awww, sorry to hear that. So long as you have someone's name and license details, you know, in case dad comes looking for his bike. (Have you done a PPSR check to see it isnt owned by a finance company??)
    5: If it is like NSW, probably not. It is loaded into the system and is able to be accessed by Qld Transport when you go to get your bike registered.
    6: Meh, keys get lost. If the bike gets stolen with the key, well, you will know where to go looking.
    7: May not have even made it to the first service with only 2,000km. Some are kept at the dealership though. My bike doesn't even have a log book

    On a side note, WTF is a "sleet"??

    And no, not really walking into a trap. Get their details from their license. Make sure you get them to give you a basic sales contract so you can say you purchased it, with money, and from whom.

    • TubeLight on 04/03/2024 - 18:21

      Haha. Sleet is supposed to be the seller. Blame autocorrect.

      Thanks for the contract mate. That looks great. Will have it signed.

  • Slinky0111 on 04/03/2024 - 17:39

    I don't see too many red flags. We bought a 4 year old motorbike with 400kms on it. No rear pegs and no log book. It happens quite a lot people buy motorbikes then for one reason or another they don't get ridden.

    Pretty normal the rwc is done via email. The seller would have also been emailed a copy of the rwc. https://ibb.co/87XDMJm was the last one I had done of the checks they do.

    As long as the rego paper/email checks out with their dad's name/their name etc doesn't sound scammy.

    • Slinky0111 on 04/03/2024 - 18:19

      Also unsure if the bike you're buying is LAMS approved or not, but if it has a slip on exhaust or other modifications it makes the bike non LAMS approved.

      Inspectors will also pass bikes with baffles out, so just be careful that you know what you're buying.

      • TubeLight on 04/03/2024 - 18:22

        Thanks for all of that info. The bike is LAMS approved and as stock as they come.

  • El cheepo on 04/03/2024 - 17:41
    +3

    The fact they let you test ride it without all the money in their hands first says to me that what they are saying is probably true.

    They clearly have no idea how bike sales go, so saying they are selling on behalf of a deceased relative is likely to be the case.

    Usually, most people selling bikes won’t let anyone test ride it without the full amount of cash held in hand (in case of accident or theft)

    Could be wrong though.

    • TubeLight on 04/03/2024 - 18:23

      The guy did hold on to my licence. But yes… anything could’ve happened.

      • El cheepo on 04/03/2024 - 20:29
        +1

        The cash is usually for the latter, people’s ambitions usually outweigh their ability on bikes - especially on a test ride

        it’s all well and good to have someone’s license, but if they damage or wreck it, good luck getting money out of them if they want to be difficult.

        Thats why I suspect their story is true, they have too much faith in humanity and don’t know how sketchy selling bikes usually is haha.

    • zonra on 04/03/2024 - 18:27
      +2

      Usually, most people selling bikes won’t let anyone test ride it without the full amount of cash held in hand (in case of accident or theft)

      Can confirm this is true. Sold my bike that way and it is the normal way to conduct transactions.

  • JIMB0 on 04/03/2024 - 20:17
    -1

    Ask them if it does good skids.

  • Darayus on 05/03/2024 - 10:06
    +1

    Enfield is a good bike to ride and value for the money. Enjoy the ride and ensure you ride this bike. I know few have driven Enfield beyond 100K and also it passes from one generation to another if good care has been taken for that bike.

    • TubeLight on 05/03/2024 - 12:33

      Yep. Hard to beat them for value and simplicity. I do like the old school retro look. And yes, I do plan to ride it and keep it for a fairly long time.

  • Brick Tamland on 05/03/2024 - 14:43
    +1

    Seems ok enough to me, just do your due diligence and it should be fine. I would probably get it serviced straight away if it hasnt been already for the break in period.

    • TubeLight on 06/03/2024 - 05:49

      It’s had its first service which for royal enfield is at 500kms. Hasn’t had anything since. So almost 3 years with the same oil. Yep… oil change will be the first thing I’ll be doing. Planning to DIY.

      • zonra on 06/03/2024 - 08:37
        +1

        Could also be serviced by the owner themself.
        I also only had the bike serviced by dealer at the first 1000kms, and did oil change and chain maintenance myself regularly after.

        • TubeLight on 06/03/2024 - 12:44

          Yaar!!! Plan to do basic maintenance myself.

      • Brick Tamland on 06/03/2024 - 09:34
        +1

        The R/E are pretty hardy engines as they are designed to operate in India. With such low KM travelled I don’t think the 3 years is a deal breaker but it’s definitely not great. It’s only potentially traveled less than 1000km on old oil. But yeah would definitely get an immediate oil change.

        • TubeLight on 06/03/2024 - 12:45

          Yep. Oil change and chain clean and lube on the cards. Cheers.

  • TubeLight on 08/03/2024 - 14:21

    Just as an update people… I got the motorbike. All went to plan. So far so good. Hoping it stays that ways.

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