JMHO, but: There is nothing wrong with buying a salvage titled bike, as long as you know what you are looking at. If it won't run and ride when you buy it, you have no way of knowing about strange handling, lack of shifting (that's what happens when you bang the shift lever over with full load; shifting drums gall, internal springs break, or shift forks bend) or new and exciting leaks.
Understand that a decent salvage bike with simple cosmetic issues can be a cheap reliable ride for many years.
A. I'll NEVER buy a salvage titled bike from a dealer/salvage house. They are marked up 100% over what is available from private parties on CL and Cycletrader.
B. Low end bikes can be had for nearly the same price with or without a salvage title; it just takes a little patience and shopping.
C. The big money to be saved is in the higher-priced bikes...that RSV or 09 GSXR1000 that just needs a new set of plastics....
D. If I'm not in a hurry, careful shopping can yeild almost as good a price as bottom feeding for salvage.
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