Buying a bike on line without seeing in person

[MUZ720]

Trying to decide if a race bike on line is a good deal? its in Cali.. being sold from a shop not private sale..
Made an offer they excepted. After I got off the phone they sent paper work with the engine built sheet.. Description has the bike with a fresh engine. low hours. Paper work is from 2015? So I pushed back and ask what the deal was (time line is the issue) and I have gotten silence/Crickets.. for a response.
Frustrated doing business 3000 miles away. hard to read what's going on? Mostly just speaking out loud . Wife's getting frustrated with me..
Not sure if a take a chance or baulk on this . No money has been sent.. Never bought a bike without touching it.. Just wondering what the group thinks?
Thanks for letting me vent..

[Kurlon]

I bought my FZR just based on cell phone pics and emails from a guy who'd never actually ridden it and had it shipped directly to a builder I'd only talked to via email and phone. I never actually laid hands on the bike until about 8 months later.

2nd bike I bought based on pics from a racer, had it shipped direct to me this time.

In both cases I never got any bad vibes from the sellers, too many bikes out there to deal with anything that feels sketchy.

[GixerJockey]

Trying to decide if a race bike on line is a good deal? its in Cali.. being sold from a shop not private sale..
Made an offer they excepted. After I got off the phone they sent paper work with the engine built sheet.. Description has the bike with a fresh engine. low hours. Paper work is from 2015? So I pushed back and ask what the deal was (time line is the issue) and I have gotten silence/Crickets.. for a response.
Frustrated doing business 3000 miles away. hard to read what's going on? Mostly just speaking out loud . Wife's getting frustrated with me..
Not sure if a take a chance or baulk on this . No money has been sent.. Never bought a bike without touching it.. Just wondering what the group thinks?
Thanks for letting me vent..

What is it? And who's the seller?

Is it so exclusive that you can't find another example anywhere between here and Cali?

[boosten lebaron]

If im trying to give someone my money and they dont want to do anything for it i move on. If they cant answer a few of your questions before they have your money imagine how they will be once they get it.

[Garandman]

I know people who pick wives online, so what can go wrong with a bike deal?

Radio silence after asking pertinent questions?

[jhawley]

I brought my last street motorcycle from a car dealer in pa. Granted the bike was 3 years old when I got it. It also only had 180 miles on it so it was practically new.

[MUZ720]

As it turns out all the Issues have been resolved, Questions answered, bike is coming to New England.
Just hard to know what's going on Via emails ,phone calls work much better. Time zone issues are also a bit of a hassle.
Plus I am generally a skeptic about peoples intentions when it comes to business transactions. Not Always a bad thing... Not always a good thing either... But much easier when you can see what your buying and talk to the seller face to face, Not naming names or telling what I bought. This thread is not about that. You will have to wait till April to see..

[Johnpewpew]

Busa??

[loudbeard]

The short answer to this is just use an escrow service for these types of purchases.

[DucatiGuy]

I do it a lot.

Have a phone conversation with the person and you should be able to tell very easily what type of person they are. Usually that's a good indication on how the deal will go. Service records help.

[MUZ720]

Busa??

Think Again LOL.
Was never In doubt about payment transfer ,Just the commination part and getting a feel for the persons honesty about the sale.
Repeated phone calls worked. It does help to get quick reply's but you don't always know the schedule of the person 3000 miles away, so its a bit frustrating when its slow to happen. Now comes the waiting for it to be shipped...

[GixerJockey]

Oooooooo! A secret, used, racebike of questionable origins!


I'm already over it.

[MUZ720]

So am I

[OneCheekRider]

Where in Cali? I'm curious what the shipping costs are since I'm looking at doing the opposite (buying bikes back East to ship to CA)

[GixerJockey]

So am I

[MUZ720]

Cost vary but figure around 750.00 coast to coast.

[MUZ720]

As far as being a secret I just don't want to throw anyone or someone's business under the bus . Just because I had trust issues. Everything has been worked out. And the deals done. No need to name names .I will share once it's in my possession. No secret weapon just another bike in the long list of bikes for this old man. .

[number9]

Where in Cali? I'm curious what the shipping costs are since I'm looking at doing the opposite (buying bikes back East to ship to CA)

I did Austin, TX to Boston, MA shipped for about $640 or so. Was very happy with the service.