Opinions On This Bike

Afternoon Guys,

I've found a bike for sale on Gumtree that i'm potentially interested in.
I've ping-ponged a couple of emails back & forth with the buyer, could people give me opinions on it, things to ask (it could well be a forum member)
& how much it would cost to rectify the damage to it? As well as the pillion seat?
It's reasonably local (30mins from me) so i could go & see it at some point but would like to get a forumers opion as well.
If i'm honest the main thing that puts me off is when people always say once you see it you'll like it, it is one of the good ones etc etc?

Here's the ad: 2004 aprilia rsv 1000 in Plymouth | Motorbikes & Scooters for Sale | Gumtree.com

Here's my emails with the guy:

Could you please give me a few more details on the bike?
I'm local & would like to know the following if it's still available)
Could you tell me more about the damage to the panel?
Do you have the standard cans / pillion seat?
Do you have full service history for the bike?
Do you have old MOT's to back up mileage as i know the clocks can be re-set on these?
Have you up-rated the starter/sprag clutch problem?
How're the state of the chain/sprockets?

yes at the moment i still have the bike & its still for sale.
damage is minor & sounds worse than it is. the damage is-
graze down nosecone right ear.
small mark on left side of the nosecone, just below mirror.
scratched rsv sticker.
very light marks on edge of right mid panel.
a repaired crack, this is under the 'a' of the 'advance' sticker.
end of brake lever has a tiny scuff.
& that's it. all sounds worse than it is, i'm just being honest. damage isn't noticeable & its a bargain bike at £2200, if mint id be asking £2600+ for this bike due to low mileage/owners & overall condition.
there's no standard cans or pillion seat.
the mileage is genuine, i've checked. & yes i do have the old mot's.
i haven't up-rated anything on the bike as it has no known faults. i bought it rode it didn't like it so locked it away in my garage.
all the running gear- chain/sprockets/tyres/bearings/brakes are all excellent, as is the bike.
i have a few receipts for the bike but no stamped service book, but inside the user handbook this has been wrote-
1st service - 500mls - oil/filter change & check valves.
1200mls - oil/filter change.
3566mls - oil/filter change.
7589mls - oil/filter change.
i also have a receipt dated 10/4/12 for a full service, replaced pads front & rear & also new rear indicators fitted.
the engine purs & runs sweet, you can tell its been looked after.
mots go back to 2008 & they are -
08/09 - 5570mls - no advisory.
09/10 - 6096mls - no advisory.
10/11 - 8191mls - no advisory.
11/12 - 9697mls - no advisory.
12/13 - 1040mls - advisory of indicator working but faulty.

heres some more pics as requested, & no probs about all the questions.
If youve had an rsv before then once you see this one, despite the damage you will know its one of the good ones out there.
& no the bike hasnt been on an optimate as they kill batteries. but the clocks 'dont' reset, all they do when the battery is disconnected is change from mph to kph which is easy to put back. (Personally i've not known an optimate to kill batteries, my old RSV was on one without any issue)

Hmm i did think that, what bothers me is that it looks like it's been dropped on both sides (plastic damage)? But that he also doesn't have the standard can, which makes me think it might have been down the road?!
How much would a body shop charge to repair the plastics & apply a new decal? I'm a bit OCD & would want them repaired.

Paul Ali said:

Personally i have kept my original exhaust but if you look on ebay theres loads of ppl selling them so presumably they just want rid of it for a bit of cash.

I cant see any damage to the swinging arm from the photos, did he say how the damage happened??? I have no idea how much for decals and fairing repair but am sure someone else will be along who does. It may be cheaper to keep an eye out in the for sale section for replacements.

Go see the bike would be my advice and compare it to others in the area. Check the headstock moves fully and you cant see any twisting on the nose cone bracket. Check for play in the wheel bearings.

Some ppl dont like vtwins it took me a long time to get used to mine, and to be honest suspension is key with these bikes get in wrong and it can feel awful, intimidating and confidence destroying but get it right and man you'll love it.

Good thing is theres plenty of guides on here to help you set it up.

Click to expand...

I've asked him & he said that the previous owner was a new rider & it was his first bike & put it down at around 10mph on the side with the scratches & crack.
Apprently the 'scratch' on the otherside is just an edge where the paint has lifted.
He's also said the clocks have been reset when putting a new battery in but the mileage is still there, i trust this is possible, he just said it's reading in KMH now which i know is fairly simple to change back.
I would go & see a few local but that's the only one really worth viewing as it as a nice low mileage.
For the extra few £000 i'd rather have the R but there doesn't really seem much about at the moment.
Normal Mille's go for around £2000-£2200 & R's for a little more.
I did have a an RSV a couple of years back, an absolute minter with only 7000 miles on the clock 3 owners, but i sold it as the then gf was pregnant & i did 150 miles on it in 6 months, it was polished & cleaned to within an inch of it's life! A chap took it away for £2000!