Selling a Valkyrie - Learning the hard way

[J V McLure]

Live and learn - some lessons are hard.

I'm selling our 97 Valkyrie. The thing only has 259 miles on it and looked brand new - not a chip or scratch on her. Like a fool, I listed it on fleabay. Someone came to look at it and was "ready to buy." He wanted to take her for a spin and I said, "Okay."  He came back after a while, parked it and said he did not want it. Within seconds, he was driving away in his cage. After he left, Tammy went out to plug here in and cover her up. Within seconds, she let out a scream and a string of four letter words. I rushed out to see what was going on. She was pointing at the top of the fuel tank and had fire in her eyes. Someone had taken a key or something and scratched up the top of the tank. Tammy had washed and hand dryed it the day before and she said the scratches were not there then.

We can't prove anything and even if we could, it would not do any good. I did the only thing that I could and took her to the paint and body shop this morning.

In lieu of having more "test rides", I'm thinking of putting her into storage for the next ten years. Is this a crazy idea?  What would I need to do to the bike prior to storage?

[highcountry]

JV, don't store the Lady, ride her!

[fudgie]

Yea its crazy.  Ride it. Why store it? It wont be worth anything, well much, as it will be now. Seems like you wasted 10k to put that low of miles. My push mower has more miles.

[J V McLure]

Thanks for the sound advice. I just relisted it.

[Chillerman]

Sounds like it has been in storage for the last 13 years!  Another 10 won't hurt it any, it may be a classic by then and you can get big bucks for it!   

[stude31]

J V,

Your bike looks great.  I read where you ride a trike and going back to two wheels is a true adjustment.  I am not a fan of beetle bags but I must say they match the bike very nicely.  I am not sure how you can own a bike and only have 259 miles on her.  I can put that on a bike in a morning      But, I don't think storing it is the right way to go.  Best of luck on your sale, and I hope no more vandalism happens to that pretty bike of yours... 

I hope you stick around the vrcc after you send her off to her knew home. 

oh here is a link to J V's bike:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Valkyrie-Showroom-condition-only-256-miles-/190405258487?cmd=ViewItem&pt=US_motorcycles&hash=item2c5509acf7

 

[fat6man]

Hey JV, If a buyer wants to kick a tire or 2 - Fine. if they wish to test drive make sure they provide a license for Motorcycle and also $1000.00 cash for you to hold during the process. What happened to you is BS. Don't worry that bike will sell for you quickly.
Good Luck

[Tundra]

What happened to you is horrible, turns my stomach. (like to catch up with the bast%rd)
  I have an agreement pre-typed and fill in the blanks for that purpose. Cash deal (green kind) test drive requires cash in MY hand, I will make a copy of your VALID FLORIDA drivers license with motorcycle endorsement. I also take their tag number. You scratch it, you drop it, you bought it!
  This flushes out the tire kickers and first time "I wanna ride a Valkyrie" types.
  If they don't like this arrangement, feel free to move on down the road. I also type my own bill of sale before anything leaves my driveway, with VIN#'s full names in transaction, and DL information. This just to protect me from someone who may not take it to motorvehicle and do the proper title change and registration. This prevents me from being sued as the owner in the event of an accident.

Don't laugh, this did happen to me. Sold my wifes suv, the guy wrecks it two years later. He's uninsured, fled the scene of an accident with injuries and killed the other driver. (on foot) our old suv was totaled. They run the VIN# and tags and guess who it comes back to...yup me.
Sorry about your incident.

[solo1]

Some years back, I was at a new dealer's place.  This unknown customer comes in and says he wants to ride the most powerful d*** motorcycle that they had.  They wheeled out a Susuki 1100, gave him a helmet to use, and seated him on the bike. He didn't know where first gear was, that should've been their first clue!  He let out the clutch, the bike got away from him in the gravel, landed on the gravel and spun around.  He stood up, slammed down the helmet (the dealer's), jumped in his car, burned rubber,  and was gone.
The dealer went bankrupt shortly after that.

There are wise words on this post.  Before you let them on the bike, qualify them first and get their green!
Trust no one unless you know them and even then........

[Garland]

I saw your bike listed-I couldn't believe there was one around with so few miles. Sorry for your bad experience...I probably would have listed the bike here on this site first if I were you. I have always had good experiences both buying and selling through the VRCC.

I hope someone buys your bike that appreciates it and knows what they are getting.

[Jabba]

If I was going to look at a bike... I'd probably ride my bike...

But if they asked me for cash for a test ride... I'd walk.  But that's just me.  I got insurance.  It'll coer it.  And the probabllity of that happening is low IMO.  Getting a license is a good idea though.  If you had gotten that guys drivers license... he wouldn't of done you that way.

Live and learn right?

Jabba

[Gear Jammer]

I was watching your bike on ebay.  I thought you sold it.  I know you had another yellow on there too.  I guess the ebay deal didn't reach the reserve?  Nice bike.  I wish I had the time and $ 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

259 miles on a 1997     Yeah I'll agree with you ....You need to sell it