Selling a Scooter...

[punkypossum]

Hi,

I know this is a cycling forum, but just wondering if there are any scooter enthusiasts on here or anybody else that knows something about selling bikes.

To cut a long story short, I'm planning to sell my Y reg Yamaha BW's. It's a 49cc, always been kept either indoors (or the shed for the last year) and only done just under 2,000 miles. The only thing wrong with it is that the battery is flat and, as it's been SORNED for about 12 months, it will need a complete survice and MOT.

I'm trying to get an idea what kind of price I can ask for it, as it's a bit of an odd one being fairly old, but with really low mileage. It was just about £1,900 new, but I've looked on Autotrader, and the only reasonably similar 49cc Yamaha on there is an X reg and sold through a shop - they want £750 for it, which seems like a hell of a lot for a 2nd hand bike of that age (it's a different model, but still)....

Does anybody know any other websites I could check where I might find something a bit more like for like? Don't want to ring the bikeshop for advice as they probably will give me a really low quote...

Also, am I better off spending the money to get it serviced or MOT, or would I be better off selling it "as is" for a lower price?

Any help would be appreciated!!!

Thanks a lot,
Jana

 

[brockers]

find out what they're going for on eBay, (don't seem to be too many, admittedly) and adjust accordingly. The first thing is to get it running, so you'll need to either bump it, or charge/change the battery. Another problem with leaving bikes stored for some time is that fuel can sometimes go 'bad' and gum-up the jet in the carburettor, in which case it'll need a clean out to get it running. Might be worth seeing if there are any mobile motorbike mechanics prowling around your neck of the woods (Google), if this is the case.

 

[punkypossum]

find out what they're going for on eBay, and adjust accordingly. The first thing is to get it running, so you'll need to either bump it, or charge/change the battery. Another problem with leaving bikes stored for some time is that fuel can sometimes go 'bad' and gum-up the jet in the carburettor, in which case it'll need a clean out to get it running. Might be worth seeing if there are any mobile motorbike mechanics prowling around your neck of the woods (Google), if this is the case.

Yes, I believe the fuel does need changing, so will the oil...the bike shop that do the service are the ones that usually take it for the mot as well, so if the worst comes to the worst, I can push it there (although I'd prefer not to).

But will check out Ebay, hadn't even realised they sold motorbikes Thanks!

 

[XmisterIS]

One thing you could do is to phone round your local bike training schools - there is always a steady stream of young 'uns who do the CBT and who are too young to legally ride anything other than a 'ped. They do the CBT and then need a ped. You will sell it within the week and for a good price. You'll get people fighting for it! The excitement of having just passed a CBT is more than enough to make a 16-year-old want to rush out any buy a 'ped!

 

[Panter]

Personally, I'd get it MOT'd and a basic service done. That way it's instantly usable for someone and consequently worth more.


This is the perfect time of Year to be selling something a bike/scooter, especially with the current fuel prices. Vehicles like that will become extremely desirable this Summer, IMO!

 

[XmisterIS]

Personally, I'd get it MOT'd and a basic service done. That way it's instantly usable for someone and consequently worth more.


This is the perfect time of Year to be selling something a bike/scooter, especially with the current fuel prices. Vehicles like that will become extremely desirable this Summer, IMO!

It's happening already! I took my bike into my local mechanic to get the restrictor taken off (and now it goes like a bat out of hell), and he said he's inundated with business at the moment! His brother runs a bike school and apparently they have a two month waiting list for CBT and DAS courses!

 

[3narf]

You can't bump start an auto!

 

[3narf]

Have a look on here. You can post an ad free.

http://www.scootertrader.com/

 

[MarkF]

It's a basic scooter, nothing special, so the low mileage is not such a + point, on the contrary, I'd prefer to buy a "used" one. I'd guess it's value at £550-600 Taxed and MOT'd, ready to ride away with no faults. As it is, it's worth nack all, IMO, you have to get it running and to fetch what's it's worth, taxed and mot'd.

Mines been started all winter with no problem, today when I actaully want to ride it, it won't start. Got air, got fuel, got good big spark, going to be a long day with a 1962 carb.

 

[brockers]

That's a nice looking scooter MarkF ! I'd actually prefer riding something like that to a big sportsbike nowadays, but am worried that the local low-lifes would attempt to half-inch it, should I get one. (That's got to be worth 2 1/2 grand at least, no ?)

 

[3narf]

Smart, that. What is it, a 150 Super?

How come it has a 1962 carb?

 

[MarkF]

That's a nice looking scooter MarkF ! I'd actually prefer riding something like that to a big sportsbike nowadays, but am worried that the local low-lifes would attempt to half-inch it, should I get one. (That's got to be worth 2 1/2 grand at least, no ?)

I've had a lot of big bikes, still have one, but for smiles per mile the Vespa can't be beat. After being used to big bike running costs, Vespa spares and consumables are a scream. Headlamp £9.99, carb £25, gear/brake/clutch cables £2................. wouldn't sell mine for £2.5k, it's the only asset I have that is sure to increase in value.

Smart, that. What is it, a 150 Super?

How come it has a 1962 carb?

1962 Vespa Gran Lusso (GL) I am a sucker for the trapezoid headlamp models.

 

[Alan Whicker]

* Raises hand *

Good evening. My name is Alan Whicker, and I am a scooterholic.

I am owned by a 1973 Vespa Sprint Veloce and a 1981 P125X. I absolutely adore scooters. I'm actually a scooter bore. I'll happily steer any conversation round to scooters, even in business meetings.

The Sprint is for sunny sundays, and the PX was my daily ride until I got back into cycling in a bid to improve my fitness. Now spring is here they'll both be going back on the road - they haven't moved for months. The PX might be up for sale soon. It's 100% original and still has the Verona dealer sticker on the mudguard. I'd never, ever sell the Sprint. She was my main transport for years but now enjoys semi-retirement.

 

[3narf]

I've had a lot of big bikes, still have one, but for smiles per mile the Vespa can't be beat. After being used to big bike running costs, Vespa spares and consumables are a scream. Headlamp £9.99, carb £25, gear/brake/clutch cables £2................. wouldn't sell mine for £2.5k, it's the only asset I have that is sure to increase in value.




1962 Vespa Gran Lusso (GL) I am a sucker for the trapezoid headlamp models.

Ahaa, I see it now. The panels looked more angular from the back; I should have maximised the pic...

They look lovely in orange!

 

[3narf]

Shall we hijack this thread for all stuff scooter-related?



My ETS. It's currently in bits while I mechanically rebuild it:

I had some major tuning work planned but I have no money so it's just getting a front disc brake, a few seals, bearings and cables replaced and a new exhaust.