Looking to buy - some advice please . . . .

[OJ UK]

Hi jthspice!! WELCOME!!

OK the bike is being sold in Scotland, yes? There are a number of reasons why there have been 4 owners.
There are no longer any official Can-Am dealers in Scotland and that means a long ride for servicing.
Unless it's had a BajaRon "swaybar" fitted, the handling is going to feel very strange initially and it can take
up to 1000 miles to get used to it.
Relatively poor fuel economy....not so much an issue recently but we were paying over £5 a gallon not so long ago.
It needs to be checked out by a Can-Am dealer and I think that your nearest will be 158 Performance (Lincolnshire).
It's too bloody expensive!!
158 Performance sold my 2011 RS-S with 8000 miles for £11500 and that had "everything" on it!!

Oh! Could you please put your town on your profile? Thanks!!

 

[jthspace]

OK the bike is being sold in Scotland, yes? There are a number of reasons why there have been 4 owners.
There are no longer any official Can-Am dealers in Scotland and that means a long ride for servicing.
Unless it's had a BajaRon "swaybar" fitted, the handling is going to feel very strange initially and it can take
up to 1000 miles to get used to it.
Relatively poor fuel economy....not so much an issue recently but we were paying over £5 a gallon not so long ago.
It needs to be checked out by a Can-Am dealer and I think that your nearest will be 158 Performance (Lincolnshire).
It's too bloody expensive!!
158 Performance sold my 2011 RS-S with 8000 miles for £11500 and that had "everything" on it!!

Oh! Could you please put your town on your profile? Thanks!!

Thanks for the comments. When I had more info on the bike, MOT, service history etc. I was going to put a silly offer on it. They can only say "No" so nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I am in Cambridge but hoping to move to Norfolk later in the year.

Jeff

 

[jthspace]

Your probably right to avoid this one just because if your uncertain about it's history it's going to worry you.

The front wheels are the right type for the year (later models have more spokes) but SteveP is right they didn't do them in black. There was a local rider here who had theirs repainted black because they didn't like the silver. Black certainly works better with that bodywork.

General condition would tie in with mileage. E.g. footpegs don't look worn, rear tire wear is consistent with fronts for that mileage, etc.

Screen has been changed and new exhaust, but a lot of people make those changes early on so that's not particularly unusual either. Wouldn't be surprised if original screen and exhaust are included with the bike - if they where that would be a good sign.

The thought that came to mind was oil rig worker - Scotland, low mileage, money spent on it.

But the question is the number of owners - and that would worry me to. Are dealers included in the count or is that real owners?

Thanks for the useful information. Dealer involvement does not count as an "owner", only a registered keeper shows up on the documentation and dealers do not have to register, just advise who has it (stock) so the Government doesn't charge the road tax on it or prosecute for withholding the road tax. Advert says original exhaust "available".

Jeff

 

[monkeyboymorton]

Aside from the RS you are looking at have you considered importing an F3 from europe? It may not seem like you can get to an F3 close to your budget but there are lots of used ones on the continent for much more reasonable prices then the UK. Much like owners on here buying from other states to save cash.

Doesn't take too much to get them to get them on road in the uk. Imported my F3 from Germany last year for not much more than the RS you are looking at, although GBPEUR exchange rate has dropped since then. PM me for more info.

 

[skak72]

looks great!

For it to have 4 owners tells me that there is a chance it has just been bumped from dealer to dealer that maybe they have not been able to sell it.... i think its work a look and a test ride if you are nearby.
My dad purchased a 2009 with only a couple thousand miles on it last year and has not had any issues. it would be pretty hard for someone to mess one up within 800 miles. I would just verify if there were any recalls on this model year and be sure those have been corrected and that the price is valid for everything you find out - then go for it!!
:doorag:

 

[PistonBlown]

Thanks for the comments. When I had more info on the bike, MOT, service history etc. I was going to put a silly offer on it. They can only say "No" so nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I am in Cambridge but hoping to move to Norfolk later in the year.

Jeff

On a completely different subject - which bit of Norfolk are you looking at moving to?

Originally from Brixton but lived in Norfolk on-and-off - Pulham Market, Norwich and Harleston. Good fun on a motorbike that area though the mud on the road could be an issue in winter, that's less of a problem on a Spyder though.

 

[jthspace]

Thanks. Dealer "bumps" don't put the owner numbers up, so it is 4 physical different registered owners. I am too far away to make a visit on the off-change all is right with it, so I am dropping this one from the list.

The hunt continues..........

Jeff

 

[Kwalsh]

If it's to good to be true then it usually is, probably best to keep up the search for something with a more verifiable history

 

[jthspace]

On a completely different subject - which bit of Norfolk are you looking at moving to?

Originally from Brixton but lived in Norfolk on-and-off - Pulham Market, Norwich and Harleston. Good fun on a motorbike that area though the mud on the road could be an issue in winter, that's less of a problem on a Spyder though.

We are empty-nesters so the house in Cambridge is far too big now. We also have a 2 bed apartment in Hunstanton which is the only West facing town in Norfolk, so we get great sunsets over the sea. So, we are selling the house and looking for one in Hunstanton as we like the place so much. Miles and miles of empty beaches, bird sanctuaries and natural marshlands to explore. We want out yesterday on the Sea Monster, a US Vietnamese era cargo landing craft and a picture I took is attached. Next to the old lighthouse is a WW1 listening post that received the first radio message from the battle of Jutland, whose anniversary was a couple of weeks ago.

Jeff

 

[PistonBlown]

We are empty-nesters so the house in Cambridge is far too big now. We also have a 2 bed apartment in Hunstanton which is the only West facing town in Norfolk, so we get great sunsets over the sea. So, we are selling the house and looking for one in Hunstanton as we like the place so much. Miles and miles of empty beaches, bird sanctuaries and natural marshlands to explore. We want out yesterday on the Sea Monster, a US Vietnamese era cargo landing craft and a picture I took is attached. Next to the old lighthouse is a WW1 listening post that received the first radio message from the battle of Jutland, whose anniversary was a couple of weeks ago.

Jeff

Ah yes I know Hunstanton - funny enough the last time I was in the UK 7 years or so ago a friend took me for a trip along the North Norfolk coast and that was our final stop. It has a lovely feel to it so understand why you'd want to move there, difficult to pin down but much more of a community feel to it than some other north Norfolk townships. Main thing I remember is that it was about the only place people would chat to me - the rest of the places that day they looked at me as if I was nuts when I tried starting a conversation with them and then refuse to make eye contact In the South Island NZ it's just normal to chat to people you meet, even nipping into a Dairy to get a bottle of milk can take you half an hour.

 

[jthspace]

Talk to strangers? Shudder. Actually, the locals will talk for hours, but as a seaside holiday place it is mostly filled with visitors and they are a strange lot, especially if they come from a city where everyone avoids contact. The real 4000 residents will happily chat. Midweek during the summer when it is quieter, then people recognise you and will say something. Weekends and school holidays are manic, but people are out and enjoying themselves and seeing children running about on the beach having fun is heartwarming. Better than being in a dark room playing games on the Internet or other dodgy activities.

Two whales beached and died last year, normally the council would pay the USD20,000 clean up cost per whale but unusually the beach was given by royal grant to the Le Strange family in the 13th century so the estate had to pay.

Normally, if the beach is privately owned, the area between the high tide mark and the low tide mark is owned by the Queen so you can walk on that part. In Hunstanton it is owned by the Le Strange estate. I believe the island of Jersey was given back it's beaches by the Monach a couple of years ago.

http://www.norfolk-on-line.co.uk/hunstanton-norfolk/new-hunstanton/

Jeff

 

[Martin Slovakia]

changed dashboard>>?

Sorry dont have time to read all replies.. but, i had a problem with my Dashboard on F3s and the dealer wanted to replace it. And he told me, that the number of km would be 0. they can not do it without hassle around. i think what only remains is number of motor hours..
and this is very close to that thing.
martin

Hi, having finally given up on two wheels (after 47 years of riding, to give you some idea), I am looking for a fun machine and want something a bit "unusual". O.K., I admit straight from the "get-go" (it is a predominantly U.S. site, afterall) I was looking at the Morgan Three Wheeler but having read up on the issues that machine is having, I am looking at the Spyder instead. Now, politically (home politics, that is), a "bike" is going to be a much harder sell than the Morgan, but, worth a try

ray:

The problem . . . . I have seen the machine below, but there is a BIG concern. Look at the year, the mileage and the number of owners. I have emailed the dealer (some hundreds of miles away in another Country [Scotland]) asking for an explanation, but have not heard anything back from him.

Date Registered : July 2011 / Mileage 860 / Previous Owners 4

Also, WHY would someone swap out the exhaust at such a milage?

I would welcome some thoughts / ideas / comments. My immediate thought = "walk away", but if it is "right" . . . . it could be a nice machine. Looking at the wear on the rear tyre area / suspension, it doesn't look like it is weathered, but looks can be deceiving.

Thanks for looking,

Jeff

 

[jthspace]

Thanks for the advice, it certainly looks like this is a good explanation, and I have decided to let this one go. Like buses, another one will be along shortly....

Jeff

 

[PistonBlown]

Talk to strangers? Shudder. Actually, the locals will talk for hours, but as a seaside holiday place it is mostly filled with visitors and they are a strange lot, especially if they come from a city where everyone avoids contact. The real 4000 residents will happily chat. Midweek during the summer when it is quieter, then people recognise you and will say something. Weekends and school holidays are manic, but people are out and enjoying themselves and seeing children running about on the beach having fun is heartwarming. Better than being in a dark room playing games on the Internet or other dodgy activities.

Two whales beached and died last year, normally the council would pay the USD20,000 clean up cost per whale but unusually the beach was given by royal grant to the Le Strange family in the 13th century so the estate had to pay.

Normally, if the beach is privately owned, the area between the high tide mark and the low tide mark is owned by the Queen so you can walk on that part. In Hunstanton it is owned by the Le Strange estate. I believe the island of Jersey was given back it's beaches by the Monach a couple of years ago.

http://www.norfolk-on-line.co.uk/hunstanton-norfolk/new-hunstanton/

Jeff

Yep it was locals I was chatting with and your right they could talk for hours which suited me fine There was one place in particular called Wells-Next-the-Sea (I think) where people were very stand-offish but I also didn't hear a single local accent. There was a pub at Wells that was making a big thing out the owner being a Kiwi (who'd possibly been on TV?) but it certainly wasn't Kiwi service in there.

Ownership of the 'foreshore and seabed' was bit of an issue here in the early 2000's. One of the Māori Iwi's claimed ownership of the foreshore and seabed in the Marlborough Sounds as customary Maori land though the courts. This was in challenge to the Treaty of Waitangi of 1840 which had signed them to the crown. In the end it's been agreed no one owns it but we can all use it and we're all responsible for it - well that's the general gist of the final Act in 2011.

I remember land ownership is a real issue in Norfolk towns when you come to buy or sell. When we had a house in Harleston on one set of council plans there was a 15cm bit along the front that officially didn't belong to us (or anyone else). This was actually a near vertical bank built of flint but it caused all sorts of issues when we went to sell - apparently my "Well you can just step over that" wasn't a good enough answer for the lawyers

 

[JerryB]

Hi Jeff,

Re: We also have a 2 bed apartment in Hunstanton

Sep '61 - Aug '62 I was stationed at RAF Sculthorpe.

We often went into Hunstanton for a beer; or into Syderstone as it was a little closer.

Back in '04 I visited the area & the pub in Syderstone ( the Lynn Arms ) and the only thing that had changed was the age of the customers. Even the couch we used to sit on was still there; probably a newer version though.

And the weather was terrible there,

Jerry Baumchen

 

[jthspace]

Nice to hear from you! It's called "Sunny Hunny" but today the weather is terrible, thunder, lightning and rain, but still managed to walk along the sea front and get an ice cream (well, you have to, don't you?) Nothing much changes, as you noticed. Which is why we like it so much.

Recognise the inside of the pub still?

Jeff