Why would a super-low mile bike be on ebay for thousands less?

[Lukey]

I saw a couple 1098 bikes on ebay with 271 and 306 miles, respectivley. Each had a reserve price under $13k and neither sold.

1. Why do you suppose such low-mile bikes are on the market?

2. Why did nobody buy them at such great prices?

I'm wondering if now is the time to jump on a deal like this or if there's something I should be aware of when people are selling low-mile bikes on ebay.

Neither is a salvage title. Both are 100% stock.

[wbeck257]

A lot of people are more worried about paying their mortages than buying a Ducati.
And the 1098 is old news, the 1198 is where its at.

[Speeddog]

Also, they could be scams.
Usually those have ridiculously low prices, the bike is in one country, the owner is in another country, etc.

[kopfjäger]

I guess for the same reason alot of really nice bikes for sale on this site never sell.

[Spidey]

Bikes are used.
Economy sucks.
New model--1198--coming out.
Private party sale (i.e. no assurance like from a dealer).
Requires cash or credit payment (i.e. generally no financing).
Are they a color other than red?
Possible scam.

Why are they on the market?  Bikes are toys for a lot of people.  *Possibly* more so than other bikes, Ducatis SBKs are toys.  Expensive toys that may not get ridden much.  When times get a bit tough (or seem like they could be), people sell their toys.  I'd expect to see more 1098s for sale in the coming months.

[swampduc]

Why are they on the market?  Bikes are toys for a lot of people.  *Possibly* more so than other bikes, Ducatis SBKs are toys.  Expensive toys that may not get ridden much.  When times get a bit tough (or seem like they could be), people sell their toys.  I'd expect to see more 1098s for sale in the coming months.

Sounds good to me 

[sbrguy]

like everyone says, its either too good to be true, a scam or what. or my theory is ... its too much bike for some people.

i honestly think that the 1098 for some people they realized its way too much bike, they could get an 848 with enough power and speed and it looks practically identical to it

also like others say, the economy, they are toys, etc.. and the people that may get it "bc its cool" will want the 1198 instead so they can afford to let it go for a few thousand less than blue book value.

but in the end if you get a cool deal and can afford it more power to you.

if only those 748 would come down in price i'd jump on one of those.

[MotoCreations]

Sport Classic sold a few weeks ago in the Seattle area with 1200 miles on it in pristine condition.  Owner was on layoff due to the Boeing Machinists union on strike -- his facility had to shutdown as they were a supplier to Boeing. (and will remain closed until January when they can start supplying again)  His choice was sell the Ducati or miss the house payments / power bills / Xmas bills through Dec 31st.  $5500 for a perfect bike.  I was five minutes late to make an offer.  I helped the new owner load it into his truck with my ramps.  Owner contacted a few dealerships and they all passed.  He had five days to sell and took the first offer with *cash in hand*.

[TAftonomos]

Damn, I'd have driven all the way there and back from Atlanta for a 5K SC  

[Holden]

Who knows how the engines were driven for those first vital miles...

[TAftonomos]

Who cares?  The things are broken in from the factory.

How many race bike guys you know "break in" their motors before they go racing?  The darn rings seat within minutes of first starting the bike up.  The bikes come with synthetic oil in them from the dealer.  If they were that worried about "break in", they wouldn't have that in there either.

Let it warm up, then pin it open  

[Holden]

Who cares?  The things are broken in from the factory.

How many race bike guys you know "break in" their motors before they go racing?  The darn rings seat within minutes of first starting the bike up.  The bikes come with synthetic oil in them from the dealer.  If they were that worried about "break in", they wouldn't have that in there either.

Let it warm up, then pin it open  

Well, that's definitely a good thing.

But they still could have been flogged before they were warmed up... or bogged.

[GLantern]

About 13k is standard pricing for a used 1098 nowadays.  Thats no surprise at all, that the bikes are a little bit less than this considering the economy.  Last year i almost picked up one with full termis and about 1k miles for 13k. 

[Capo]

From the 1098 owners manual

Running-in precautions

Rpm limits to be observed during the running-in period and in normal use:
1) Up to 1000 km;
2) From 1000 to 2500 km

Up to 1000 km
During the first 1000 km, keep an eye on the tachometer. The revs should never exceed: 5.500÷6000 rpm.
During the first hours of riding, it is advisable to continuously vary the load on the engine and the rpm, though still keeping within the above limits.

For this reason, roads with numerous bends and hilly areas are ideal for running in the engine, brakes and suspension.

For the first 100 km, use the brakes gently. Do not brake violently or keep brake applied for too long. This will enable a correct break-in of friction material on brake pads against
brake discs.

To allow all the mechanical moving parts in the motorcycle to adapt to one another, and to avoid shortening the life of the main engine components, it is advisable to avoid sudden
acceleration and running the engine at high rpm for too long, especially uphill.

From 1000 to 2500 km
At this point, you can ask for more power from the engine, being careful, however, never to exceed: 7000 rpm.

Keeping to the running-in recommendations will ensure longer engine life and reduce the need for overhauls and re-tuning.

[TAftonomos]

Explains it for me

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm