Doesn't sound wise to me.....
Alright, the plot thickens.
Been texting with the seller. After I offered the $1,500 I wasnt getting a lot of responses from him, he was acting like you've said, like he thinks the bike is his retirement fund. But when I sent him a picture of cash (no words, just the $1,500) he got diarrhea of the mouth. Immediately said "the bike needs work." so I mentioned what he'd said in the ad- "yeah, the carb, right?" and he responded that in addition to the carb, it'll need a new seat. I asked what was wrong with the seat, and he said that it was lost while transporting the bike to CA.
This seems fishy for a few reasons. First, I figured it's be convenient that the bike now cont be test driven (he says it runs, and sure, maybe it fires up and idles) and second, I wondered what else could have "fallen off" since the pics were taken. Now I'm feeling like $1,500 is the MAX I would offer, and I'm certain the only way he'll get more is if a more naive n00b than myself comes to him. I asked if there were any other issues, after the carbs and seat, and he said that was all.
So before I responded (actually, still waiting to) I called my father in law and emailed him the link. He's a bike guy, been riding for years, and I asked his opinions. He's going to call the seller and feel him out. Still waiting to hear back from him.
I also emailed the link to my euro bike friend, who (again) has like 40 years experience on bikes, owns 46 bikes right now, and has a business selling motorcycle parts (reselling others, and manufacturing their own). I've asked him to do the dirty work for me with this guy (I really hope he's willing to do this- the guy has been insanely helpful in mentoring me thus far). He's going to call the guy and use his experience, knowledge, and time tested bargaining skills to get me the best deal. I'm terrible at low balling.
I trust and appreciate the help I've already gotten from you guys. I'm just trying to weigh your advice, my father-in-laws advice, and Bill the Euro bike mentor's advice, to see where I should go.
The reasons I'm hooked on this particular bike, is mostly that it's stock. 9/10 of the XS650's I've seen now are already cut and altered 6 ways from Sunday. The other reason is that Bill's company makes and sells many many parts for this bike, and he's offered to sell them to me at cost, and to let me use his shop to do the dirty work.
Although I've only been eyeballing these Yammies for a few weeks, I've spent that last 3 months reading all about Norton, Triumph, and especially Honda. Even at $1,900 this bike seems to have a lot more to offer than a Honda at the same price. $1,900 will get you a stripped Norton frame, or a running Honda 200...
I suppose the cons could be many, and unseen at this point, by a n00b like me. I'm not going to hand the guy a dollar until either of my present teachers give me their blessing. Are there any members here in SoCal? Maybe these ARE just pricier in this area?
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