Replacing my Wrecked IS, Any Words of Wisdom?

[Atl-Jerry]

A couple of weeks ago a woman pulled out in front of me and I could not dodge this one.  She T-boned me and for a half a second I thought I could ride thru it after I came off her bumper, but that didn't work out.  The bike landed about 20 feet down the road and I landed about 10 feet beyond it.  Even though I was dressed inappropriatley in shorts and a T-shirt, I didn't have a scratch on me, my cell phone case took all the abuse, but the cell phone still worked.  The repair estimate came in just over $13K from the local Honda shop.  I've put 76K miles on this bike in just over 11 years and I've decided to replace it with another Valk.  So far I have been impressed with the number of clean, low-mileage Valks on the market.  I have not found a Valk specific "buyers checklist", looking for input for any specific items I should watch for in this process.

Thanx in advance.   

[Pete]

Rust free inside of the gas tank.
Starts and idles cleanly and well. No off idle miss or stutter
No excessive play in the drive line.
Header pipes not blued or straw colored.

Just to get the list started.

[thumper]

Watch out for scams and always buy with your head not your heart.

Good luck

[wiggydotcom]

First off, did you get a payoff from your totalled bike? Often, the insurance company will want to settle without even seeing the bike. If so, pull whatever chrome off it you can and put the orig parts back on. You will also probably get lowballed. If so, use a strategy I used on the other company. When my I/S was totalled back in 07, I was offered 9600. Even my local Honda dealer said they were about a thousand low, cuz my bike was towed to their dealership and they saw what I had on it. When the lady wouldn't budge on her offer in spite of my chrome and extras, I then said, "Fine, but I want to buy another I/S with similar equipment. Please find me SEVERAL for that price."

She said she'd get back with me and an hour later she called and admitted she couldn't even find a Valk within 50 miles, much less with similar equipment and for "her" price. She then stated she'd up the offer from 9600 to 11k. Wooo hoooo.

Good luck!

[Jabba]

Yeah... Play hard with the insurance people.  Get your goodies off it.  Buy it back for scrap if you have the opportunity.  Pinwall makes a killing parting them out.

there are a lot of low mileage valks.  Good luck.

And buy a Lotto ticket!

Jabba

[Big IV]

Atl-Jerry,
Are you going to get another IS or are you looking at Tourers too? What is important to you in the next Valk?

[RainMaker]

http://amarillo.craigslist.org/mcy/2496309618.html

[Dagwood]

+1 on staying firm with the insurance company. I totalled my 2000 tourer in 2009, bought in 2004 with 3K, 32K when totalled. The insurance company came in at 5K payoff . Spent an hour on the phone with the agent, by the time I was done, they paid off 7500. Bought for 9500 originally, i think I got a fair shake.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I can hook a brother up 

[Atl-Jerry]

Thanx for the responses.  To answer a few questions;

1.  Haven't finished with the insurance company yet, they sent an independent appraiser to the shop to confirm the damages and he submitted his report this morning.  Perhaps I'll see their offer later today or Monday.   They did call to see if I had sought medical treatment yet and confirm I had no injury.  They offered $600 for "pain and suffering", even though I never asked for anything. 

2.  I am looking primarily at IS's, but I suppose I would get a tourer if it appealed to me.  Mama really likes the back seat on the IS and we ride 2 up about 90% of the time.  You know what that say, "If Mama aint happy........".

3.  My initial critera is the bike needs to be clean and low mileage.  All the bling has never appealed to me, all I added was hiway pegs and a back rest.  I always thought my IS was pretty close to perfect the day it was born.  But I have to admit, while looking a scoot's lately, I've gained an appreciation for the aftermarket seats, in particular the Ultimate seat. 


AJ

[Bama Red]

I'm gonna put in a plug for Joe's I/S. It is as fine an Interstate as is out there, I'm guessing and you know it has been well cared for.

No interest in the sale, not related to Joe, etc., etc., etc.

[Red Diamond]

I can hook a brother up 

If I could afford it, this would be one you could not look at.

[RainMaker]

1) If Mama likes the I/S seating, don't even look at at Tourer.  
2) Take the after-market chrome off of your I/S if you can and sell it.
3) Buy Joe's I/S as it is ready to go and you know it's been well maintained, except for all that scraping of unnecessary metal on the bottom of the floorboards.  

Honestly, if I had to replace mine, I'd buy Joe's I/S and just move the CB from mine to his.  That's all I think it would need.

My .02 cents and worth every penny (both of 'em).

[Doc X]

Atl-Jerry, you will find my 2000 Valk Interstate on Cycle- Trader.
 The color photos are pinkish due to the early morning sun. Why am I selling you ask, well since January I have had six stents placed in my heart vessels. I have a bad case of arthritis which was under control with Celebrex, but they will not let me take Celebrex . There are some days that I can't wrap my hand around the throttle much less get on the bike.

Doc X ,   John

[Jess Tolbirt]

mine is also listed in the classifieds,,,

[Willow]

Okay, guys, let's do our best to get back within the parameters of the General board.  We have a Classified Ads section and you're more than welcome to promote your sales there.

I think the OP asked for advice.  I'm not sure he intended to solicit a come on from every VRCC member selling a motorcycle.