Yes I was like you but I owned a new 08 blade with all the bling, did a few track days shitting myself thinking well what if I drop it.
So I went looking at prebuilt track bikes, yes with all the gear , from suspension upgrades to 520 kits, but the thing I was worried about was the motor ( to be honest without it you have nothing), even if they have low Km’s on the clock 100% of the time a track bike is running its flat –out, no holding back.
When comparing road use and specially a 1000cc we very rarely even get close to use anything more than 80% of its true power, even less for some.
So went to Manheim on a tuesday afternoon just to have a look at what was available and on that day there wasn’t anything, so the following week I went the pickles auction at bankstown and seen a 2009 blade with 3500km road kms, frame wasn't touched, both foot pegs had no damage, chain looked new(OEM grease still on it)…the only issues were damaged clip-on (RHS) and a ripped up CF exhaust. With pickles you can go online to bid or even listen to the auction. Well that blade ended up going for $4300.00 + $700 in fees a true bargain, especially at the time when people were listed 09 blade trackies for over 10k on Fx classifieds.
So three weeks later after looking daily, I seen two bikes at Manheim that had caught my eye , one a 2010 Blade, damaged subframe and a few scratched plastic, the second was a 2010 zx10r with no dash and smash rear end.
So on the day of the auction I went with a little straight edge ruler (just to check things if I thought anything was bent etc), my iphone fully charged to search parts and $500.00 in my pocket.
Well the zx10r was like new the headers were still that golden colour,engine oil was still gold, the tyres still with painted lines running down the centre of the tyre, it just seemed someone had riden out of showroom and dropped it. Where the blade had more damage, subframe, rear wheel.
Well the auction started and the zx10r was first up, the auctioneer started the bid at $5k and the room was silent, he tried to pump the auction up but no bidders, so he tried $4.5k still with no luck and now he asked for anyone to start him off so someone the background started it at $3.5k, which I couldn’t believe my eyes the bike was like new , had a key ,all the metal parts looked straight and un-touched.
After almost pissing myself (as I never been involved in an auction before) made a counter offer of 3.8k.
Before I new it the auctioneer went “ first call 3.8k, second call 3.8k, third and final call 3.8k” and out of the blue this dirty bastard screamed out $3.9k..I was spewing, but didn’t let this prick think he was getting this bike as I was already pissing myself with fear so I up it to $4k. Which was the winning bid and I was pumped, couldn’t wait to get it home and start pulling it apart.
The thing is Ebay can be your friend, one thing I’ve found is something’s are listed on ebay motors that aren’t listed on your standard Ebay. Use companies like shipit.com that lets you create an USA address so you can buy from yanks who won’t ship to Australia, and then help you ship it to your door.
Deal direct with suppliers,the internet is your friend.
http://www.fastbikeindustries.com/
If you aren’t doing anything and you are close to bankstown just pop in and have a look and even if you go online and see what this Suzuki goes for.
http://www.pickles.com.au/damaged/item/ ... /202189869
I have to say I’d do it again and maybe next year a gen4 might come my way!!!!
If you have any question just ask or Pm me, I’m more than happy to help.
here is my 10k toy.
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) from 2003 >..........
