How many miles is too many miles on a magna

bradk600 · February 25, 2009, 06:41:06 AM

Newbie Question Here please bare with me.

I am going to look at a 1996 Black Magna. It has 64,000 kms (39,000 miles) yes I am from Canada. I have seen pictures of it and it looks good. Pictures can be deceiving though. The problem is that I am a 7 hour drive one way away from the bike. I was wondering how many miles you guys have on your bike or how long these bikes last. Is it worth a 7 hour drive or should I run the other way. This is going to be my first motorcycle (I have owned dirt bikes before) I love the look of the magnas, and you can't go wrong with a Honda......can you. I talked to him on the phone and he said that it runs good and is ready for spring. He was asking $3000 and I got him down to $2500 on the phone. (That is $2000 U.S. dollars at todays currency exchange). Thanks for any help in advance. Sorry for the long post

Brad

roboto65 · February 25, 2009, 07:29:17 AM

That is a good deal and the miles are not bad I have 65000 miles on mine and she is running strong and we have members that have much more than that mileage wise. With the miles you have stated she is just getting broken in LOL

bradk600 · February 25, 2009, 07:59:48 AM

I thought that was a pretty good deal when I came across it. So I phoned my father-in-law and he said that he was going to look into it. He phoned a stealer by his place and they said that was too many kms. and too far to drive. He told my father-in-law to tell me to come and look at a Kawasaki that he has for sale, I think that he might just be trying to make a sale.

Brad

hootmon · February 25, 2009, 08:17:13 AM

Quote from: bradk600 on February 25, 2009, 07:59:48 AM
I thought that was a pretty good deal when I came across it. So I phoned my father-in-law and he said that he was going to look into it. He phoned a stealer by his place and they said that was too many kms. and too far to drive. He told my father-in-law to tell me to come and look at a Kawasaki that he has for sale, I think that he might just be trying to make a sale.
Brad

Yeah, like the Stealer has an unbiased opinion and is looking out for your best interest!!! NOT...
I have 60k+ on my '94 and still runs like a top.. Uses/leaks no oil. As best as I can tell, it runs as good as when it had 20K on it..
$2000 - So long as it has not been left outside to get all rusty, etc. and has been reasonably maintained - Oil replaced from time to time, etc.. BUY IT...

KTC · February 25, 2009, 08:43:00 AM

Royal Purple man to the rescue!!!!

MarylandMagnav45 · February 25, 2009, 09:11:34 AM

Quote from: bradk600 on February 25, 2009, 06:41:06 AM
Newbie Question Here please bare with me.

I am going to look at a 1996 Black Magna. It has 64,000 kms (39,000 miles) yes I am from Canada. I have seen pictures of it and it looks good. Pictures can be deceiving though. The problem is that I am a 7 hour drive one way away from the bike. I was wondering how many miles you guys have on your bike or how long these bikes last. Is it worth a 7 hour drive or should I run the other way. This is going to be my first motorcycle (I have owned dirt bikes before) I love the look of the magnas, and you can't go wrong with a Honda......can you. I talked to him on the phone and he said that it runs good and is ready for spring. He was asking $3000 and I got him down to $2500 on the phone. (That is $2000 U.S. dollars at todays currency exchange). Thanks for any help in advance. Sorry for the long post

Brad

Not to be the devil's advocate, but why drive 7 hours for a bike when you could probably get others more local? Unless you live in the Yukon in Canada, I'm sure there's other bikes being sold off of craigslist?

IMO, from what I know of Canada, I'd be more inclined for a dual sport like the Kawasaki KLR 250/650 or the Suzuki DRZ400.

lragan · February 25, 2009, 09:51:14 AM

If something happened to my Magna, I would drive seven hours to retrieve one that I believed to be in good shape. Of course, I would look it over carefully before I loaded it into the pickup to bring it home.

Before I owned one, I would not go that far -- but having ridden my '96 for two years and 12K miles, I would travel that far for one in good shape for $2000!! In a heartbeat!

How far is it from Austin, TX???

bradk600 · February 25, 2009, 10:27:07 AM

To answer some of your questions
Some bikes that are within an hour of me

2003 42,000km $5500
1996 30,000km $5500
2001 45,000km $6500
2001 14,000km $7500 (This one looks amazing lots of aftermarket parts but more than I want to spend)
1996 ??????km $3400 (This one is about 6 hours away)

It seems like where I am located (1 hour from Toronto) is the most expensive place to buy a bike. Could just wait and keep looking but I am afraid that once the weather gets nice the prices will go up also.

Charles S Otwell · February 25, 2009, 10:36:55 AM

I drove 6 hrs for my first Magna (82 V-45) I gave $1,400.00 for it. Would I drive 7 hrs for a third gen for $2,000.00, Yes! But then I have spent the whole weekend driving around looking at bikes and wasn't even buying anything. Some of these guys have rode three hrs just for a piece of pie

. My 2 cents..

roboto65 · February 25, 2009, 10:56:03 AM

Oh and it was GOOOOOD Pie Too !!!!!!!!!!!!

lragan · February 25, 2009, 11:14:13 AM

Quote from: Charles S Otwell on February 25, 2009, 10:36:55 AM
I drove 6 hrs for my first Magna (82 V-45) I gave $1,400.00 for it. Would I drive 7 hrs for a third gen for $2,000.00, Yes! But then I have spent the whole weekend driving around looking at bikes and wasn't even buying anything. Some of these guys have rode three hrs just for a piece of pie . My 2 cents..

Well, yeah, a piece of pie and the time to spend with friends from this outfit!! And, I would point out that we were riding, not driving. Big difference. I presume he will have to drive (as I would) both ways to retrieve the bike. Now, if he could ride two-up one way, and ride his new steed home, well, why is he still sitting there reading this??

MarylandMagnav45 · February 25, 2009, 11:58:29 AM

I guess I'm spoiled living next to DC/NYC area.

There's thousands of bikes on craigslists. Every hour or so 10 more show up. Few Magna's though.

I guess if you REALLY want a magna...go for it AND if its cheaper to drive 7 hours and buy the bike...that sounds weird to me.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/

here's my craigslist...and as you can see tons of tons of bikes for sale...

When i look through it, I'm just like damn...either people are super transient with there bikes (as in always trying to buy a new one), the economy is bad, or ???

Anyways, good luck!

TLRam1 · February 25, 2009, 12:19:43 PM

I see your predicament. Not much available in the New York, Montreal, PA. areas.

These are on the US side, is that an issue? Do you have photos you can post of the one you are looking at? Best is have the seller email several up-close photos for you to look at before looking and if you know someone close to take a look at it for you.

To answer your question....for the right deal I would, now, with not much to choose from in your area it looks like you will have to travel for one anyway. As already stated, if the bike is in good condition, that's a good deal.

There is a 95 11,000 miles in Medford NJ for 2750 USD.
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/mcy/1034679282.html

Here are a few more.
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/mcy/1029718791.html

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/mcy/1031969647.html

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/mcy/1047669620.html

http://up.craigslist.org/mcy/1036377859.html

Good luck and ask questions when you need some advise!

hootmon · February 25, 2009, 12:28:27 PM

Quote from: TLRam1 on February 25, 2009, 12:19:43 PM
http://up.craigslist.org/mcy/1036377859.html

Terry;
I like this one.. "4 cylinder V-Twin"

TLRam1 · February 25, 2009, 12:44:05 PM

And that one has the pipes on it I like, turn-outs.

How many miles is too many miles on a magna

MarylandMagnav45

MarylandMagnav45