Buying motorcycles sight unseen

Two times I’ve bought a bike, sight unseen, from people met on a forum.

First was a fly and ride R1200GS. Got picked up at airport, a lunch, and help to ship all the extras home. I then enjoyed a 2000 mile 10 day ride return from Atlanta to Ft. Worth.

Second was a pickup in CO, after the seller had all the service and back warranty work caught up on his 650X Challenge. Seller met us a couple hours south of his home on our route to help us, loaded on our trailer. Spent a week riding in Ouray and then some days in NM on our way home.

Both sellers were straight up, helpful, and things worked out really well on both deals.

I look for bikes in far away locations, as a chance to fly and ride new areas on my way home.

I enjoyed my 2000 mile wandering around on my way home. Forgot to mention, that a GSA that I had been looking at was on my route. The dear wife said I really should at least go by and see about it, and try to make a deal. I called that seller, arranged to see it the next day and made him an offer. He did not take it, so I turned north towards MO to ride northern AR and see a friend. Two days later the GSA seller calls to accept my offer. So I called a friend to fly to Little Rock and ride the GSA home. He and I had a great time, riding new to us bikes around AR, and finally to Texas.

I ended up with two GS’s and a GSA, and lots of parts and farkles. Spent the next week reorganizing the farkles. Ended up selling one GS on Wed. off the driveway to a guy driving by. Sold the other GS on Sat. to a friend after a couple of hours test ride for brunch. Came out of the deal with a GSA under warranty, all the upgrades I was going to put on the first GS, and we all had a great trip as well.