Moving abroad and selling my motorbike

[Tebbers]

Hi all

Was hoping I could get some collective wisdom from the pointy heads. I'm moving abroad in six weeks to the Middle East for work, likely for several years. I have a 2016 Yamaha XSR900 in the anniversary colours - loved the bike but need to sell due to the move. The issue is that it hasn't moved for 3 years - I bought it in early 2019, kept it at my dad's in Hampshire (I live in London) due to the risk of theft and couldn't really find anywhere to keep it secure, COVID happened so I couldn't really ride for pleasure any more and then I just forgot about it. I probably put 500 miles on it in total - if that!

So I was wondering - should I try and sell it to a dealer as it is is (it's been in the barn all this time with a cover over it - will need a new battery, MOT and fluids - likely new tyres too) or get it transported to a dealer for a full makeover for a few hundred and then list it for sale?

Any thoughts gratefully received - thank you all!

[jondude]

Personally I'd get it up and running, nice MOT and sell it.

The dealer is going to play on the 'unknown state of engine' factor, methinks.

Having said that, you can always look at how much you would be asking for a running and MOTd bike, as opposed to the dealer offer. If there is not too much between them, it will certainly be easier to let the dealer collect and take,

[Tebbers]

Great, thanks Jon. Yep that’s what I thought too, I don’t mind putting a few hundred into it if it means I get it back from the eventual sale. From the dealer’s point of view, it’s quite risky taking something like this - it could be a total lemon even though it was faultless for me.

[Krikkit]

I'd get it serviced at the dealer with a fresh MOT and work at it from there - both are a good draw of funds.

If there's an XSR owner's group on Facebook or similar it'd be worth putting a post up there in case anyone wants a near-perfect one.

[Omaruk]

If it’s been stored inside I bet it’ll be fine, check tyres for cracks but again if it’s been inside they wont have suffered UV degradation. Start it and ride it gently and get it up to temperature before clearing its throat.

[KTMsm]

Just do a battery and MOT unless you have a cheap indi

It's a terrible market for bikes - 6 weeks isn't long IME so price it cheaply to start with, if you wait you might end up selling to a Dealer

[Jazoli]

KTMsm said:

Just do a battery and MOT unless you have a cheap indi

It's a terrible market for bikes - 6 weeks isn't long IME so price it cheaply to start with, if you wait you might end up selling to a Dealer

Agreed, and also agree it’s probably easier just to WBAB it to one of the many trade buyers.

[Gixer968CS]

My SP2 (which was 20 years old when I got it) hadn't run for 4 years. I changed the fuel and battery myself before staring it (started first turn) then took it to a local garage for a service, new tyres and an MOT. A modern Japanese bike will almost certainly have no serious issues from sitting around for a few years.

I'd personally get it running and MOT'd then sell. You'll make for money. FYI, unlike WBAC, WBAB only buy what they want and when so you can't rely on them being the buyer of last resort. They decline bikes they don't want/need. SO if you're going down that route try them first before contacting a dealer and compare notes!

[stang65]

If you're moving in six weeks and it's in a different county do you have the time to mess about? I'd be inclined to chuck it at a dealer to MOT/Service, and ask them how much they'll give you for it. Too low an offer then pick it up to sell it, good enough then just leave it with them. It takes away their "taking a risk" excuse and they have to price on the assumption you'll take it away to sell, and remember they make a margin on battery/service etc. that they can factor in that looks positive to you. Many years ago I sold a damaged VFR800 to a dealer for more than I could have sold it for privately, as they factored in the replacement parts at cost them them whereas private sales obviously factor in a very different cost to repair. Realistically though, six weeks, you need to book it in asap.

[RSTurboPaul]

You could take it with you?

Or does it need to be left hand drive?

[Tebbers]

Thanks everyone, very useful. Have been chatting with the very helpful The Motorbike Shop in Farnborough Surrey who are going to collect it next week, transport it and let me know what needs doing. They’ve also said they’ll let me know their offer taking into account the work that needs doing to get it up to scratch so I may not need to shell out anything.

Also considering shipping it out to Dubai, I think shipping would be £400 or so.

[bennno]

said:

Whats it worth roughly?

[Tebbers]

Worth about £6k. Just had a quote from the shippers for £1.25k so not sure it’s worth it to ship it to be honest.

[carinaman]

They seemed to be £6K ish when I looked days ago. One advert returned was for an Abarth Limited Edition one. I am not sure that tailpiece worked.

Good luck abroad.