Considering 2004 Rockster - Any thoughts?

[jniels]

Hi All,
I'm a newbie and this is a very nice site you have here. I'm looking for some opinions. I looked at a 2004 Rockster ABS earlier this evening with 10,300 miles. It's a Lime Green 2-owner and has some damage on the right valve cover. There is also a small scratch on the tank which happened recently when the current owner lifted the tank against the right handle bar while installing a new battery. I'm more concerned about the scratch on the tank than I am the valve cover. There is some slight discoloring and a couple minor scratches around the ignition. The bike comes with bags and these are also scuffed in a couple of places. Other than that, the bike looks pretty clean and it seems completely stock, although I can't be positive. I took a short test ride through a residential neighborhood at slow speeds. It's been several years since I've ridden and it felt awkward. The first thing I noticed was how different the steering felt compared to my previous bikes...78 R80/7 (S bars and S fairing) and 82 R100Rs, both long since gone. I didn't notice any noise coming from the ABS. I had to pull and release the clutch lever a couple times to go from neutral to first. The bike will soon be in need of tires. It's been listed for 3 weeks and the price has dropped once from $6200 to $5900. It includes a battery tender. I asked about the splines being lubed but the owner had no idea. Does this seem like a reasonable price for this bike? Any recommendations on what to offer without insulting the owner? Your thoughts and advice are very much appreciated. Thanks!

[jas]

It’s my opinion that the price may be a bit on the high side for what it’s worth. As for the bike, the rockster has been the best bike I’ve owned. It has outlasted my other bikes, and I doubt it will be in anyone else garage except mine for the remainder of its life.
I would thing that $5,000 for the bike, $250 for cases and another couple hundred might be okay having not seen it. $5,500 tops. The Valve cover can be removed and sanded down/painted or replaced ($150ish).

[sweatmark]

Gotta agree with jas. $5k seems reasonable, assuming the bike's mechanicals are 100%. Don't think I'd spend more than that, when you can buy so many other interesting bikes for <$5k.

Just for grins, I've pulled up Cycle Trader to look at all the bikes within 250 miles, private seller, <$5k. About 80 bikes, maybe 10 good deals for things like VFR, a sweet R1, 2 Buells (Note: I'm biased), a Sprint ST, a Sprint Tiger, decent Concours (actually two!), FZ6, FZR600, ST1100, and an absolutely beautiful 1983 Honda CB1100F!!!

http://www.cycletrader.com/listing/1983 ... f-98837196

Several of these would be strong contenders for do-all bikes with good reliability and performance, similar to the Rockster.

Hmm... that cheap R1 would be perfect replacement for my Buell for trackdays!

[jniels]

Thanks jas and sweatmark for your input.
I'm locked into the idea of getting another R, but I am keeping my eyes open.
That really is a sweet looking Honda on cycletrader.

[jas]

My rockster is a one owner bike, 30k+ miles. Piaa's, ohlins, sargent seat, rack, cases, bar risers, hand guards, full remus with carbon can, taken care of as it should be. I have all the take off parts along with new stick coils, guards, rs intake tubes, new manifolds. The list goes on and on. If I could get $5900, I would be amazed. CL for boise has a great 1150 r, low miles, cases, etc. ferro blue for right around $5000. Thats a good price.