1996 speed Triple with 69 miles

Help:

I have found 1 1996 speed triple with 69 miles that has been maintained perfectly with oil changes every year. The bike has all doc's and is in showroom condtion. The bike is owned by a older gentelmen who purchsed new in 1997. I have looked at the bike since May of this year but the lowest he will go is 6500.00 plus I have to ship!!! Can anyone give me any opinion on what the bike would be worth and any techincial thoughts on the bike itself.

AH1f1987

AH, This doesn't seem like a good buy to me. IF, you were wanting a '96 S3 for some sentimental reason or something, sure, it's pretty sweet to find one with such low mileage and having the oil changed. BUT, and this is a big but, you can get near new '02 to '04 S3s for this range of money. Newer ones will have fewer electrical gremlins, less oil leaks, more power and torque, and fuel injection etc. If you want a S3, I think you can do alot better for your money, even though it's pretty neat to find an old one taken care of with such low mileage. Just my opinion, and no dissing of the older models was intended :wink: .

Interesting that you also have/had a 919 , that's what I came off of before getting my '02 S3. What are your opinions? I really like both bikes but for different reasons.

Scott

[linsler]

If it's an orange one located in Farmington Hills, MI then I saw it on cycletrader and Ebay half a dozen times, going back to 2002. Back then the price was $7500. Even at $6500, if there were to be anyone interested in forking that sort of cash for an 8-year old bike that has not run for several years then it would have been long sold by now. Also factor in that you'd be wise to replace time-sensitive items such as the tires and battery immediately.

[TBSstunta]

Could be a, "Wife wants me to sell and I want to keep the bike" scenario; thus the high price.

[97TB]

I'll sell you my '03 with 1200 miles on it for $7500 . . .

Sounds great... IF you are a collector! Otherwise it's an utter waste of your time.

Say you have $6500 to spend and you are NOT a collector. What are you getting? An 8 year old bike with not a single redeeming value to it compared to what you could buy.

For example: I bought my 02 S3 this spring with 814 miles on it for $5000. It was nearly perfect. I got a bit of a deal because it had fallen over into a wall in a garage and has a tiny dent on a headlight can and the little piece of plastic on the middle of the tail has a broken tab and doesn't fit right.

Umm.. SO WHAT!?

This bike, while very cool, is a waste of your money if you plan to ride it.

On the otherhand, if you want to ship it: www.forwardair.com. It'll probably run you less than $500. Or if you want to spring for a plane ticket I'll fly from Albany to MI and ride the thing back! (no.. really, I will).

Thanks for everyone's input. I will let you know how I make out.

AH1f1987 :???:

[Hinckley]

Do what makes you happy!!!

I love my nearly 10 year old bike. It rocks! And you don't see them around anywhere.

If you are into it for the performance, then yes follow the advise of the others. But, if you are into this bike, and are into the satisfaction that owning a bike like this will bring then by all means..... :-D

like linsler said, be prepared to spend some money to make sure it is road worthy.


[ This message was edited by: Hinckley on 2004-11-17 19:38 ]

I have seen that Farmington Hills ad many times. My opinion is, if you are buying it to ride, that isn't the bike for you. The seller is asking for a premium because it is almost in showroom condition. Problem I see is that after one summer of riding, it wouldn't be worth near that much anymore. If you are collecting, then collect away. I think the fact that the ad has been around for so long tells the story.