I'm considering purchasing a SH with a salvage title. How do you think this may affect eventual resale? Also, other that the quality of the "fix" what should I be considering?

 

I think it tanks the resale. Expect about half of the Kelly blue book low retail for the bike/year.

 

Not to mention you're buying problems already.

 

If you have to ask a question like that, I would say stay away. the risk goes up if something goes wrong and you only have 2 wheels under ya.

 

What year and how many miles does the bike have? The older the bike and the more recent the salvage the better. Chances are that the bike was salvaged for minor damage if its old. Do you have any idea when or why it was salvaged?

 

If you're worried about resale value then don't do it. Otherwise, there are lots of great bikes out there that have salvage titles due to minor damage. Like MAB said, it depends on the type of damage. I'd go for it if there are no safety concerns.

 

There are a lot more factors to consider besides title status. How good are you at going over a bike before a purchase? If you're lacking mechanical ability and know-how then it really doesn't matter what the title status is. I just bought a 2008 GSXR1000 that looked like it was run into a wall at 100mph... clean and clear title. Does that make it safe? Of course not! I've gone through tons of salvaged bikes and a lot of them weren't too bad off. Sometimes it doesn't take much to salvage a bike. A big scratch on a frame is marked as a frame replacement when doing and insurance estimate... that'll salvage a bike pretty quick. Ask the seller why it was salvaged, ask for the insurance estimate if possible.

 

My bike is a salvage, too. In NC, where I bought it, there is a description at the DMV about why it was written off. Mine said that it had been in a basement with minor flood damage and the bodywork had been ruined. I was trying to trade a Buell (which I loved even if it needed constant repairs) and took the leap.

Around 12k later and it's been fine, but it's really a case-by-case type of thing. I would check the frame (especially the headstock) carefully no matter what.

Resale is not the SH's strong point anyhow, but if you buy a salvage bike, you better know that you're going to keep it. If I had the cash, I probably would go with a titled bike... You get a lot for not much $$$ and then you have the possibility of selling it in the future.