[NoGoodDirtySnake]

Hi All.

I found a 2005 year model bike for sale recently, where the seller indicates it's on a 'Salvage Title'. I contacted the seller, and he indicated that he's the 2nd owner, and bought it with 70 miles, now has 1800.

The reason he understands that the title is in that status is that the first owner was a 'buddy' of his insurance agent, and the agent totalled the bike out when the first owner cracked the 'seat frame'. The bike is a Suzuki GSXR-750; yes, I'm looking for some 'speed'... =)

I am keeping my '05 VTX1800 F2 for cruising around town, and looking for a sportbike to go have some extra-fun on...

Can anyone educate me on the risks of a bike with a salvage title that is supposedly not 'crashed'...? It's a real steal with the price he has, and the low-mileage, and only being two years old; but is the price worth the 'risk'?!?

I found "CycleChex" website and they say they can provide a history on the bike for $20, so I know that's an acceptable option.

Thanks, and good riding to all!

 

[twin1300]

Salvage usually means...."it was wrecked". It does around here anyway.


.............twin

.

 

[Guest]

That depends on the state I believe.

Some states will not allow a 'salvage' titled bike to be retitled for on the road use. Others may require that a 'salvage' titled bike be repaired and inspected prior to a new title being issued.

Bikes don't usually get a 'salvage' title unless they are declared a total loss by an insurance company as I understand it.

My state, Maryland doesn't even have 'salvage titles'. I own one bike, it was dropped and suffered frame damage, insurance company totaled it and I bought it back at 'salvage' value. They even keep it insured, as we told them we intended to repair it and keep riding it. I asked if it was going to be getting retitled as 'salvage' and they said no, not in Maryland.

I don't know though if Maryland would issue me a title for a bike that has a 'salvage' title I bought in another state.

By the way, I do not believe Insurance AGENTS total bikes, I believe the insurance company assigns and ADJUSTER to do that.

For some reason, something does not sound right about that deal/bike!

BE CAREFUL

 

[Guest]

Doh! Someone beat me to it!

 

[NoGoodDirtySnake]

Thanks for those very quick replies!

I am in TX, and he's just in the city adjacent to me, so it's a +\- 15 mile drive over to take a look-see!

 

[twin1300]

Do insurance companies insure salvaged bikes?

Yes, my friend is riding a salvaged titled Valkyrie Interstate model right now with insurance. That's how we found out it had been wrecked....frame was bent and repaired. It does ride good...we checked it out real thoroughly.


................twin


.

 

[GITARDED]

SALVAGE TITLES

Maryland does have salvage titles by the way... they usually put a salvage title on something that they feel will be unsafe unless repaired properly... in Maryland it requires an appointment with a state police inspector to make sure the repairs were done properly and that the vehicle is safe... some states will not give a "clean" title to a bike or car that has a salvage title.. repaired or not.. so make sure before you buy... if you are close to PA that is where most people around here go to "wash" a title because they will title a soapbox derby car if all your paper work is right...!!!! The other thing to check is to make sure the insurance co will cover it... if it has been "branded" salvage some won't. Hope this helps.

 

[spudwrench]

Alabama used to be another state that folks used to "wash" salvage titles.

 

[NoGoodDirtySnake]

Yes, I am going to call Progressive (my current carrier for the VTX I have), to ask about a quote for the 2nd bike, and the case on the Salvage Title, if it's insure-able...

Thanks again guys for the tips and references for this issue!

 

[jd carter]

If it's done right there should be no problems, I was looking @ 1300 X that had a salvage title. The owner told me that the bike had been in a sand storm and as apposed to replacing all of the chrome and engine case, paint etc, they just totaled it. The obvious thing about it was it was only slightly pitted on one side, could have bought it right though. Sure am glad I waited for the big X. My insurance co doesn't have a problem w/coverage of salvage titles.

 

[gary n]

If it's really a "deal" it would be worth it. It will never have the value of non-salvage bike when you want to sell it, so be sure to keep that in mind. The "seat frame" is probably the subframe - the trellis shaped framework that supports the seat, rear bodywork and exhaust. That alone would not be enough to total the bike, but combined with some bodywork and other parts it would. The plastic bodywork is very costly so a bike can get totalled without structural damage. I totalled my Hayabusa, bought it back from the insurance company, rebuilt it and got a "rebuilt salvage" title. Texas gives you a salvage title first. Then after you do the repairs, you submit the salvage title, repair and parts receipts and documentation and a safety inspection certificate and they will issue a "rebuilt salvage" title so you can get new plates. My insurance company (State Farm) had no problem issuing full coverage after it had been rebuilt. Hopefully your insurance company will do the same.

 

[rileysdad]

My 1800 was a Salvage and now has a Rebuilt Title. It was totaled mostly due to cosmetics. Tank, bars, fenders, seat, paint, scrapes, scuffs, etc. It would have cost more to fix it. The guy I got it from had the title changed from salvage to rebuilt so he could register it in Florida. I have all the paperwork and seems as though it was a pretty in depth process. All kinds of micrometer specs all over the frame and rest of the bike to deem it safe. I have it registered in NH and had no problem, but every state is different. Also, I have it insured through Progressive. I jacked my coverage for accessories to 5K so if anything ever happens, I'll get back what I have into the bike.

 

[Guest]

Progressive seems to bean excellent company.

They let me ride my 'totaled' bike home with the imsurance on the bike unaffected. Bike had frame damage in the area of the kickstand mount.

We won't sell that bike to anyone because of any potential liability over it once being 'totaled' due to frame damage.

When we're done with it, we'll part it out or make a go-cart out of it! :lol:

 

[NoGoodDirtySnake]

Awesome information all, thank you.

I phoned a local shop, where I have a small rapore (sp?) with one of the guys. Being that this is a sportbike, he said to not even consider the bike as a purchase-able alternative... ...No matter how well priced.
He said that there's no telling what could be 'real' with the situation... Odometer might be changed out (since he says only 1800 miles), etc...

But, this has been an insightful learning experience from all your information! Thanks!!!!!!

 

[texascop]

There are some major red flags with this deal. Can you PM me with the VIN for the bike? I'm in the Dallas area.

 

[NoGoodDirtySnake]

Thank you for the very considerate gesture!

...I've not looked at it yet... Only emailed and seen pictured. Here's the link to it- http://dallas.craigslist.org/mcy/361283623.html

Here's an excerpt from our communication-
- The first owner broke the seat frame and the insurance adjuster was his buddy I guess. That was the only thing the wholesaler fixed on the bike. The bike is really nice. Nothing rebuilt about it. I got it with 70 miles on it. Just give me a call if you want to take a look.

He and I are so close to one another, I still may go look at it. I'll approach him about the 'Salvage' issue further, and write down the VIN (if he's cool with me doing some 'detective work'), then possibly fork out the $20 for a check against the VIN...

Thanks again for the offer!

 

[texascop]

Save your $20, I'll do the research for free to see if the bike is possibly stolen.

 

[NoGoodDirtySnake]

Ohhhh!
Holy-Crap, I never even thought of that... :shock:

You rock for the generous offer! I'll let you know what I find out!

 

[texascop]

It's my job. (I know, people get paid to do cool stuff like this. Weird, huh?)

I'm also not far from Lewisville. If what I find is fishy, I'll need you to tell me where to find this bike so I can inspect it. Don't worry, I'll just say I saw it on Craigslist, you don't have to be involved.

 

[Carioca]

Here are some notes :
1--.- PA has salvage titles(after fixed they come as rebuilt ).

2-- Salvage does not meant it was in a wreck ( a bad one ). A friend of mine was rear ended by a car ( couple months ago ). The only thing the bike needed was a rear fender, both rear shocks, and a new tire ( of course the fender had to be painted). He took it to the dealer for an estimate. They had on the estimate , the following:::: New fender, New frame, New seats, new rim, New tires, new turn signals, New foot pegs ( passenger). plus $ 1800.00 of labor.-- Total was $6900.00.
The insurance gave him the check, now He bought a 240 kit from HDL and will be happy forever. The insurance Co, paid that and did not put the salvage title, due to the insurance was from the car that hit him.
My wife started again riding and so I bought her a "salvage title" yamaha 650. I had it checked from a mechanic and the only thing that I had to do was buy a tank on e-bay, fix the rear and front fenders ( had a litle nicks) and paint the whole thing. I guess the former owner took it to a dealer for estimate and they probably decided to charge an arm and one leg, so the Ins. Co. ended up taking it.
Many times ( very many) there are only cosmetic problems, but the dealers charge for everything ( needed or not) at MSRP cost, so becaome impossible.
Just a note :::: If a stolen car is found missing the seats only, it's deemed SALVAGE by the Ins. Cos.
just my 2 cts.