Am I about to get ripped off?

O

Osad

Active Member
Hey guys,

I'm new to the motorcycle world and just FINALLY found a really nice CB200T after a good amount of time searching. The bike is very clean, no rust except TINY amount on two joints below the swing arm. It runs very smoothly, kinda burps every now and again, doesn't quite sound like a misfire, not really sure what it is but definitely audible out of the exhaust.

The electric start doesn't seem to be functioning correctly and the front disk brake isn't either, so he removed the cable so I couldn't even try it. But it does run and go through the gears. Tires are in excellent shape, new battery (so he says). I know he bought it about a month ago, because I was going to buy it. He says he paid $1000 (asking price then was $1100) and now after getting it running (probably carb, tuneup, battery) he is asking $1500. I've gotten him down to $1350. Am I overpaying for this bike, I feel like I am.

Thanks for any input,

Dan
 
To me... Yeah. That's crazy money for a cb200. But, unfortunately that's where the prices are going now. If you like it and you can afford it do it.
 
I love it. Im a bigger guy though, Im 6'4" and about 240-250lbs. The bike doesnt feel too small either, but the CB350/360 feels much much better. I can't really justify the high prices today, but hey thats the way the market is and you gotta pay to play. Im really conflicted...
 
I wouldn't pay that much for a CB200, unless it was in perfect mechanical condition. Even worse, he's marking up the bike by 35% just because he's had it for a month or does that price increase represent parts and labor he's put into it?
 
$1350 for a bike in that condition doesn't seem worth it to me especially if its only a 200cc motor..

i would wait... you can find a cb350 or 360 for cheaper, it might be in worse condition but you could make the bike your own and overall be more happier with it
 
If thats what you are looking for then go for it. Personally, I would be weary of him trying to flip the bike so quickly and not to mention that he didn't even fix everything. $400 markup for a new battery, oil, spark plugs and a crap carb tune up AND you can't even ride it home.

1500 does sound a lot to me for a CB200, I'm not sure where you are located but here in Chicago I've seen CB550's and 750's go for that much that are in pretty good condition.
 
In Toronto, there are people asking $2500 for CB200's with missing body parts and dented tanks... Hahahaha market is super messed up!
 
It depends what kind of rider you are. Sounds like you could put very little effort into it and have a good rider so i'd say sure if that is what you are after. Personally I don't care if a bike has little rust or a perfect tank i am likely painting those items when i tear it down to bolts so i look for ugly bikes, with solid motors cheap. If you don't want to wrench a bike it's unlikely you will find a good running one that looks nice for under 1000 period. You do need to rebuild the front brake so i'd knock off another hundo for that.
 
I think the 200 might be too small to be completely honest. I think I may have fallen for their charming good looks and ousted my real needs.

I am looking for a project, but after dealing with rust buckets for years in cars I just want a solid base to work from!
 
The bike is worth exactly what someone is willing to pay.
There is someone that will pay $1500 for a cb200, is that you?
Debating "value" in the used or vintage market is kind of a waste of time because everyone wants everything to be dirt cheap, but its not any more. Also everyone has stories about buying bikes for nothing and some how think that represents the value. I bought a beautiful CBX for $500, is that what its worth?

Then people insist on adding in the wheeler dealer factor. Not everyone can make money on every bike they find or buy. And at the end of the day its about riding and not talking about cheap deals. Great the seller snagged this bike not running and put some time into it and wants to be paid, why is his work not worth money? Want to talk about if his work is good or not thats one thing. But the story is he bought it not running and now it runs. Its always a risk when buying a non running bike. This notion that hondas are some how exempt from running issues is naive at best.

With out getting into if a CB200 is a good idea for you or if you really want a vintage bike there are still things to think about.

You say the tires looke good? what does that mean? 30 year old tires are 30 year old tires and should be changed.

Best advice for a person getting into vintage bikes is to buy the best bike you can find and pay accordingly for it. Buying something from someone that just found this bandwagon and thinks he can make a buck is not a good idea, not saying that is whats going on with this seller but you need to figure that out.
A $2000 bike that has new tires, runs great, looks nice and just passed a state inspection is a WAY better deal then a $1000 bike that was just dragged out of a 30 year slumber.
A vintage bike will give you plenty of chances to learn to wrench with out looking for work.
 
Osad said:
I think the 200 might be too small to be completely honest. I think I may have fallen for their charming good looks and ousted my real needs.

I am looking for a project, but after dealing with rust buckets for years in cars I just want a solid base to work from!
Click to expand...

A 200 is small and super slow. A 175 is faster and all around better, but everyone falls for that 200 tank....

If you want a project then look at a project. Its always a cheaper buy in for a non running barn find, but not always cheaper in the long run
 
I agree with almost everything you said. The seller can ask whatever he wants and thusly can price out his labour as well as he pleases. However, there is a loose 'market value' for goods, no matter how old they may be. The market is hot right now, and prices are high. At this point, I think the 200 is simply too small for me. I still feel it is over valued as well. Im not hating on his work or his price, but my sense of what something is worth. Im not the guy who is going to pay for it. I've bought and completed a few projects thus far, and just being that Im a beginner to the world of bikes means that I am not necessarily afraid of wrenching but that I am weary to start with a very solid base to work from.

I appreciate everyone's input btw. Thanks for helping out a noob :)
 
Be patient- the right bike will find you . . . I am always looking, mostly for nothing, and often end up with something pretty cool.

I have a CL175 and it is a little beast, but it is small. I am 6' 180 . . .
 
Surffly was right on the mark!! 8)

Value is determined by so many different factors. Truly, the purchaser determines the value. If I can perform all the service and repair needs, that affects the value of the bike to me. I can afford to pay less and buy a clunker that I can fix up. If I can't, then paying more for a bike that's ready to ride is a better value to me.

The vendor sets his price and the market determines the value.
 
Don't be fooled by a "runner" either! ;)

My '74 h2b had been sitting but was started, ran and seemed ok. When I got it home and we dug deep, we found water in the bottom of the engine!! :eek: Tearing it apart we found more "issues" and quite a few dollars later, I had my "runner" ready to ride! :p

Just sayin'. 8)
 
You are too tall for that bike IMO. Have you sat on a 350, 450, 550? Test out a couple. With the market becoming so saturated there are a lot to choose from. Be patient.
 
1350 is too much for a 200, and at your size it would get boring pretty quickly. There have got to be better deals out there be patient. And good luck with whatever you get.
 
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