NEW 2004 12R with 2 miles! - Ride or Sell?

[Ronquest]

Hi, I just acquired a 2004 XB12R (Black & Gold) that has been in storage since new. Long story short, guy buys bike, guy gets divorced, wife gets house and bikes go into storage. I bought 3 bikes from his collection , two new and one with just a few hours on it.

The 12R has never even been plated. I changed all the fluids which still looked new. New battery, oil & fuel filters and fuel pump.
Fired it up and could not resist leaving it at the dealer prepped 1 mile and had to go around the block and it just rolled over to 2 miles..... I had to stop or it would have been a 100miles in a few hours. I now know why you guys love these bikes

So, should I sell it as it is or ride it for a few hundred miles and enjoy it? I would think it's worth the most now. Any idea how much I should ask or is anyone interested before I'm overtaken by desire to ride it!

Located in Mesa, Arizona

I'll post pictures soon.

Thank You

 

[fishxb12]

Wow. Put in a museum,lol. Thats a rare find.

 

[wolfo68]

What's the production number?

 

[go cytocis]

What's the production number?

Yea, that's an important question to answer before deciding if you think you might have a museum piece. Otherwise I say just ride it.

My research into the collectability of these things showed limited potential. An XB is probably more valuable as daily rider than anything else.

 

[Ronquest]

Here's the Vin# 4MZAX14J343425706
Manufactured Date Oct 03

 

[Alien]

Ride that bitch.

 

[2004xb12s]

I doubt I would ride it. You would be better off getting the most money for the brand new bike and then buying a used one to ride around on. A collector would probably enjoy having such a rare bike.

 

[UMDterp13]

Saw it on c list. I'm not close enough nor did his price make me a potential buyer. Might get $4-5k for it. Not anyone on the forums tho, we're all cheap bastards.

 

[joebuell06]

I have also seen this bike on CL for quite a while. If you decide to sell it, would you pick up another bike or pocket the cash? Like Jeff said, you will not get a ton of money out of it. It is more of a novelty that it is so pristine. If you have the time and patience, but also want to ride it, I would hold onto it and go through that break-in period, then you can enjoy the hell out of a (basically) brand new bike!

 

[StarWolve]

Chop it.

Just kidding. I'd ride the hell out of it, or sell it to someone who wants a museum piece and buy something to ride.

 

[Ronquest]

I definitely want to ride it!, however I'd rather put miles on a used one. I will be looking for another V-Twin sportbike for sure if I sell this one. For some reason I'm ok with a bike with miles on it. I could never buy a brand new one at the dealer because I'd never ride it, LOL

I mostly ride trail and some motocross. Just getting into street bikes a little and could not pass up this one up when I'd seen it. I think I like the find and fix up as much as the ride.

I will say that the 12R made me smile more than my Z1000.

 

[d_adams]

Never buy a bike to let it sit, they're meant to be ridden. I get it if they're super rare and you have more money than say, Jay Leno or w/e, but for the normal guy, buy it and ride the damn thing.

 

[theMelvster6]

Ride it...or sell it to some idiot willing to pay way more than it's worth because it's "rare"...then just buy another one and pocket the profits! Lol

 

[thrstrmech]

pics or it didn't happen and keep it...

meet up next month at EasyRider to test ride the 1190RX, great group of guys...all in you neck of the woods: Chandler...we use to meet up at Chases diner, 1st Monday of every month. check out the Arizona / Phoenix group meet up for details

 

[Ronquest]

Thanks for the invite thrstrmech.

 

[nicholas900]

That's an awesome time capsule. Ride it! Congrats on finding a "new" XB. I think lots of us would buy a new XB if we could.

 

[Fatty SS]

In your shoes, I'd ride it. Sure it's worth more money with 2 miles on it, but how much more? And how long until you find someone willing to pay for it? I'd say just enjoy the bike, it'll be worth more to you as a pristine rider than it would as a headache to try to squeeze every penny out of.

Also, if the tires are original consider replacing them. The general consensus is around 5-7 years of life for motorcycle tires before they begin to harden from age. Even with zero miles. While they may look perfect, 11 year old tires just don't grip as well as they should. In aggressive street riding (or an emergency maneuver) you may find those 'brand new' old tires just don't have the traction they should. Many a rider has crashed while emergency braking or swerving on old rubber. Please don't let a $240 set of tires mess up a perfect time capsule bike.

 

[Enemy Zero]

As much as I want to say "Ride It", that thing is gorgeous! I'd drain it and find a way to fit it in my living room as an art piece.

 

[Theycallmecrash]

It would be worth more to me if you put 1500 mature miles with a proper break in and some new rubber.

 

[Ronquest]

Good point! I would definitely change the tires out (Q3s) first thing before riding it.
What is this proper break in?
Different than other bikes? Please don't tell me it's running the factory oil for a 1000 miles before changing with the engine at a varying light load. Then to the dealer for $600 worth of checkup?
What is it for real? I would gladly put 1500 miles on it for you!