Kelley Blue Book K75 Value

[Motorhobo]

1988 - $2275
1994 - $2475
1994 ABS - $2275

Doesn't seem to depreciate based on mileage or any other factor including age. This is of interest because registration fees are based at least here in MD on the vehicle value, which is KBB-related not related to declared value. So if you buy a brick for $500 you still pay taxes and registration based on the KBB value.

That sucks for me at the moment because my project of merging two K75s means I have to register the frame of the one I'm donating to, which means I'll have to pay hundreds more $$ to register it even though it has the engine of an already registered bike.

[Elipten]

Same method here in Texas.  Irrelevant what you pay as everyone would lie on sales price. Welcome to reality

[Laitch]

Same in Vermont.

[Motorhobo]

1988 - $2275
1994 - $2475
1994 ABS - $2275

Oops, that was a typo, should read 1994 ABS $2775

What I don't get is why mileage isn't considered for depreciation just like with a car. It sure affects the resale value, so why not the book value? Totally bogus.

[Laitch]

What I don't get is why mileage isn't considered for depreciation just like with a car. It sure affects the resale value, so why not the book value? Totally bogus.

The depreciation should be greater the less miles they've been ridden—at least with a Klassic K.

[Motorhobo]

That's true up to about 70k, I think, but once you reach 120k you're not going to get jack for your k-bike.

[Laitch]

That's true up to about 70k, I think, but once you reach 120k you're not going to get jack for your k-bike.

If you've got a low seat to sell, a very lucrative bidding war may be possible.

[TrueAce]

But why do you have to title the parts bike? Just leave the title in the sellers name, don't register/tag for road use, and part away. What register a non-road use bike?
The other issue is the accuracy of any "blue book". The limited number of K bike sales by model would cause the data base to be limited. You also cannot differentiate by condition by model by region. Value is in the judgement of the buyer.

[Motorhobo]

But why do you have to title the parts bike? Just leave the title in the sellers name, don't register/tag for road use, and part away. What register a non-road use bike?
The other issue is the accuracy of any "blue book". The limited number of K bike sales by model would cause the data base to be limited. You also cannot differentiate by condition by model by region. Value is in the judgement of the buyer.

The problem is that I'm trashing the bike that is already registered because it has frame damage. The registration and title are linked to the vin which is on the frame, isn't that correct? If the vin is on the engine, then that's fantastic because that's the section I'm keeping on the road. So -- if the VIN is on the frame I have to register the frame because it's currently titled but not registered and therefore has no tags. Here, it's the registration that costs the big bucks, not the title.

So I guess the question would be: where is the VIN stamp on these machines? I have no idea.

[Laitch]

So I guess the question would be: where is the VIN stamp on these machines? I have no idea.

Mine's stamped on an angled frame tube above the right footpeg plate.

[Motorhobo]

Figured...that's gonna cost me.

[Laitch]

Figured...that's gonna cost me.

Trash is required to have registration in Texas, Motorhobo? That's quaint.

[TrueAce]

And when the DMV lady said "now, where is the VIN on this bike?".........I pointed to the engine. (As if they will actually visually verify on a $2500 book value.). But 1 out of 5 actually comes to the parking lot to inspect. For Florida, title is required to register for tag, but registration is not required if non-road.

[Motorhobo]

I'm in Maryland not Texas and no, trash isn't required to have registration but I think I haven't been clear on the situation...

I have a 95 K75 with 107K that is currently registered, but it was in a front-end accident 11 years ago that broke off the stops that prevent the fork tubes from bashing into the tank when locking the bars left/right. I didn't see the damage till after I'd accepted the fixed bike and left Seattle for the East Coast. I welded some nubs on the frame to emulate the stops that broke off, but I have reason to believe it wasn't the only damage, despite the fact that I've been riding it like that for 11 years. Risky, I know, but I had little choice because I had to ride but didn't have any $$ for a new bike or a workshop to fix the old one in. Anyway, the dealer who did the repair said it was safe to ride, whatever that's worth, so ride I did.

Last year I bought a 94 K75 with 174k on the clock. It had some goodies I need (Ohlins shock, Bruno-ified FD and DS, etc...), so I paid the PO what he was asking ($1500) and bought it for the purpose of putting the 95 engine and drivetrain on the accident-free, undamaged 94 frame and selling the duplicate parts to the K75 community at a good price.

So that's where I am now. When I'm done, I'll have a K75 with a 1995 107K engine on an undamaged, unregistered 1994 frame. The registered, damaged 1995 frame will be trashed, as it should have been after the accident in 2005. I'll have to pay to register the undamaged 1994 frame to make it legal. Once I do that, I intend to put another 100k on it at least, so it will be worth the $$ I'll need to pay to register it...I just dont' particularly like spending $$ so I am hereby bitching about it.

Make sense?

[Motorhobo]

And when the DMV lady said "now, where is the VIN on this bike?".........I pointed to the engine. (As if they will actually visually verify on a $2500 book value.). But 1 out of 5 actually comes to the parking lot to inspect. For Florida, title is required to register for tag, but registration is not required if non-road.

I think my issue is if a cage comes out of nowhere and hits me, their insurance is going to get the bike, look at the title and the VIN and say -- Hey...that's not legal, so f**k you! We're not paying you jack!

So I need to do it by the book for CYA. VIN has to match title -- no getting around that I'm afraid or I open myself up for a world of hurt legally.

[Laitch]

Make sense?

Yes.

[Filmcamera]

I am having a similar issue here in Costa Rica with my bike.  It was imported into CR in 2003 but the PO never actually registered it so he was driving on FL plates for 12 years (illegally). 

When I brought it I wanted it legal so I could get insurance etc. So far it has been in customs for nine weeks while they decide how much tax I have to pay.  Tax is based on some fictional blue book value which you then pay 59% of when it is imported. It is looking like that will be $1500 plus a $500 fine for having been illegal for so long, add to that the fees for the customs agent and warehousing etc I will end up paying in the region of $2500 to get it legal! I only paid $1250 for it in the first place. 

Sigh, the price of living in 'paradise' is high sometimes.

[Motorhobo]

Now that is a story worth bitching about.

[TrueAce]

Makes sense....except why insure a $1500 bike?

[Motorhobo]

Makes sense....except why insure a $1500 bike?

Liability -- required in MD. Florida doesn't require liability? That's scary ...

[Laitch]

Liability -- required in MD. Florida doesn't require liability? That's scary ...

It's the perps insurers that could create the problem because they'll be responsible for the payout.

Florida doesn't have vehicle inspection either. People didn't like waiting around in the subtropical sun at the official inspection stations. FL didn't license independents to do inspections. It all got voted away.

[Motorhobo]

It's the perps insurers that could create the problem because they'll be responsible for the payout.

Florida doesn't have vehicle inspection either. People didn't like waiting around in the subtropical sun at the official inspection stations. FL didn't license independents to do inspections. It all got voted away.

Roger that -- that's why it has to be VIN on the frame has to match the VIN on the title. Any excuse can't be given to them. I've had dealings with perps insurance before and these are people who do not give a crap about anything but their balance book.

Washington State only requires vehicle identification inspection (VIN on title transferred from out of state must match VIN on vehicle) and emissions testing. No vehicle testing -- I guess that went the way of dinosaurs and giving a shit.

[jjs1234]

The problem is that I'm trashing the bike that is already registered because it has frame damage. The registration and title are linked to the vin which is on the frame, isn't that correct? If the vin is on the engine, then that's fantastic because that's the section I'm keeping on the road. So -- if the VIN is on the frame I have to register the frame because it's currently titled but not registered and therefore has no tags. Here, it's the registration that costs the big bucks, not the title.

So I guess the question would be: where is the VIN stamp on these machines? I have no idea.

While not great my powdercoated frame has obscured the numbers. In CA there is a checkbox for "not legible". Also with knowing a LEO or just being friendly to one you might be able to have them say "whatever" and go off the engine numbers instead.

Note: If your bike is stolen you need to tell the Police to use the engine numbers and not frame.

[Motorhobo]

Well -- under the circumstances I think I'll just bite the bullet and pay to register the frame. I want a clear, traceable title back to the origin of the vehicle and that's the only way to get it.

[Motorhobo]

Turns out the registration fee isn't tied to the book value -- it's a flat $104 for two years of tags in MD plus whatever it costs to get it inspected.

I could have sworn it it cost close to $400 to title and register my 95 K75 ABS here in 2013 - maybe it was my sphincter talking. Things are always more expensive in retrospect I guess.