Hi all!

I've seen a BMW 04 650gs listed as a cat D. The damage looks very cosmetic, and relatively minor at that. The guy at the garage assured me that it was due to the insurance company looking to replace the whole bodykit, seat etc for a couple of scratches and a rip in the seat. He said that there is no other known damage (should I ask for a guarantee?)

I'm wondering if this is a good buy or just to leave well alone?

Also being a cat D, will it affect reselling?

many thanks

Nothing wrong with buying a CAT D bike, just ensure that you pay less for it and that you're aware of all the damage.

With regard to selling it, you'll buy it cheap, so you'll need to sell cheap for the same reason. Keep receipts for all that you spend on it, you may also be required to have it MOT'd to ensure that all work's carried out to the right standard?

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[QUOTE=Pip the Scotsman;266944]Hi all!

I've seen a BMW 04 650gs listed as a cat D. The damage looks very cosmetic, and relatively minor at that. The guy at the garage assured me that it was due to the insurance company looking to replace the whole bodykit, seat etc for a couple of scratches and a rip in the seat. He said that there is no other known damage (should I ask for a guarantee?)

Hi Pip, you've got no chance in a trader giving you a guarantee on a written off motorcycle, so forget that for a start.

I'm wondering if this is a good buy or just to leave well alone?

If the price of the machine is below the cost of buying it and all of the parts to bring it up to a level that you're happy with, and that you're handy with a set of spanners, and you know that it'll remain on the register at the time that you sell it, then no problem.

Be very careful when you inspect it, as a garage may have given an estimate for the visible damage + labour at say £50/hour to repair and the insurer decided not to repair. It doesn't mean there's no damage underneath, so make sure you've got you eyes open when viewing.

Also always check that the keys match and work, and that both sets are with it!

Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

hi. Thanks for the info. I did kind of wonder why the bike had been on Ebay for a wee while and no one had snapped it up. I thought it was probably due to unseen damage that isn't recorded.

I'm quite handy with a hammer and chisel (?!) but I don't have a garage, live in central London and have sod all space to keep the tools/parts.

The price isn't amazingly cheap either, it's on a par with a similar model with higher milage/slightly older so I'm opting to buy one that hasn't been written off.

thanks again.

Hi Pip i saw that one its still on ebay , was wondering about it as well have asked seller questions but no reply yet

I bought a 2003 XT 600e off ebay to match one we allready owned, it was listed as damaged but looked straight enough in the photos, made a few calls to the vendor(colin appleyard suzuki in leeds) he described the damage accurately, Bars, tank, clutch lever ,indicator. Paid 1120quid for a bike with 1100miles on the clock, we fitted acerbis tank ,new bars indicator, clutch lever.
We have done 40000km in a year an a half on our RTW trip on 2 XT,S ,are currently in OZ and the bike is fine.
It does help that I am a mechanic but if you get somebody to check it for you it can work, and save a shit load of money, most people fit new tanks anyway, look for something that has been down the road sideways, not a frontal impact and you should be OK.
Hope this helps, Pete