| It's no secret that you can get a bargain at your local | | | | on a bike that still needs repair. |
| salvage motorcycle auction. If you're smart, quick and | | | | Mistake Number Three. Not Previewing. Before the |
| mechanically inclined, you should be able to pick a | | | | auction begins, you will be given time to preview the |
| diamond from the pile of rubble. Insurance companies | | | | salvage motorcycle. Sometimes there will be auction |
| tend to dump damaged motorcycles rather than | | | | staff available to answer questions and start the |
| repair them, so there are plenty of salvage bikes | | | | engines. Sometimes there won't. Just do your best. |
| being pushed to the auction houses. As at any | | | | Make sure you write down the number and order of |
| auction, you will have a good time if you apply a few | | | | the auction. Check out visible damage. This is where |
| basic rules, but if you don't - it could be a real | | | | you can adjust your budget if necessary. If there is |
| disaster. | | | | more damage than you originally thought, adjust |
| It doesn't matter if you are new to the salvage | | | | down. Less damage? If it will cost less to fix, you |
| motorcycle auction scene or a veteran, making any | | | | may need to adjust your limit up to stay up with the |
| of the following mistakes can end up costing you a | | | | prospective bids. |
| bundle of cash and ruin your buying experience: | | | | Mistake Number Four. Not Listening To the |
| Mistake Number One. Not Doing Your Homework. I | | | | Auctioneer. An auctioneer is required by law to tell |
| know. You thought that once you were out of | | | | you what is wrong with the item up for sale. You |
| school, you wouldn't have to do homework again. But | | | | must listen. During your research you will find out the |
| I promise you, this homework will prevent you from | | | | acceptable title requirements for your state. Your |
| losing your Astroturf at a salvage motorcycle auction. | | | | auctioneer will state whether the bike has a salvage |
| So, before you go, research the bike you want to | | | | title, clear title, or no title. He will tell you whether or |
| buy. Find out the NADA value, the Millers Guide value, | | | | not he has a key. (Handy if you want to actually |
| or the Japanese Motorcycle value. Find out the | | | | start the bike.) He will impart all of the information |
| damage. Check the prices of replacement parts and | | | | you need to know, but do it so quickly that if you |
| paint. | | | | are not paying attention and taking notes, you may |
| Mistake Number Two. Not Setting A Money Limit. It's | | | | end up paying for a very large doorstop. |
| easy to get caught up in the auction frenzy and end | | | | Yet, if you can avoid making these 4 common |
| up paying much more than the bike is worth. Once | | | | mistakes, if you do your homework, set a bidding |
| you have completed your research you should have | | | | limit, preview your auction item and listen to the |
| a good idea of how much you should spend on your | | | | auctioneer, you will put yourself at a great advantage |
| salvage motorcycle. It's too often tempting to bid | | | | when it comes time to bid on your salvage |
| "just one more time" and then "ok, just one more | | | | motorcycle. Happy Bidding. |
| time" - until you have completely blown your budget | | | | |