Need Help on buying a Bullet

akas_chauhan · 30th March 2009, 15:27

You already decide to buy electra, then what confusion you r in still. Go and get it. It got good thumps as somebody already mentioned in this thread.

ZedMae · 18th August 2010, 09:41

Hi guys,
I have been on the lookout for an used bull for quite some time now. Not that there is a dearth of bikes in the used market, but either the price would be too high or the bike wouldnt appeal to me.

Yesterday, came across an Ad for an Electra 5s, 2007 model. Spoke with the owner and it seems he bought the bike, ran it for a few 100 kms and then went abroad. It has been unused for almost 2 years. The owner is back now, and told me he is again leaving abroad shortly. This time he wants to sell off the bike. The bike now has 1700 kms on the odo.

What are the cons on going for such a bike? Or is it worth going for it at all? Btw the price quoted is 83k, which is high as well.
Please drop in your suggestions.

Thanks

ricky_1605 · 18th August 2010, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZedMae

Hi guys,
I have been on the lookout for an used bull for quite some time now. Not that there is a dearth of bikes in the used market, but either the price would be too high or the bike wouldnt appeal to me.

Yesterday, came across an Ad for an Electra 5s, 2007 model. Spoke with the owner and it seems he bought the bike, ran it for a few 100 kms and then went abroad. It has been unused for almost 2 years. The owner is back now, and told me he is again leaving abroad shortly. This time he wants to sell off the bike. The bike now has 1700 kms on the odo.

What are the cons on going for such a bike? Or is it worth going for it at all? Btw the price quoted is 83k, which is high as well.
Please drop in your suggestions.

Thanks

Its good that the bike isn't run that much but i think the price is too high. There are no cons as such, you just have to see the bodywork and all.

bblost · 18th August 2010, 11:59

No idea on the price. But if you do buy the bike, take note of the following.

1. Change all fluids.
2. Drain out the unused petrol if any in the tank. Fill the tank the first time.
3. Check the condition of the tires. Esp the part that was in contact with the ground. It would have gone hard and sidewall weakened by now.
4. Insurance would have elapsed.
5. Verify if the owner indeed go abroad and the bike does belong to him.
6. Check all rubber parts on the bike. Including the seals and wires. The manifold etc could have cracked if it was exposed for a long time in the sun.
7. Check for fading paint.
8. The rubber in the seat may have also gone hard.

H3LIOS · 18th August 2010, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZedMae

What are the cons on going for such a bike? Or is it worth going for it at all? Btw the price quoted is 83k, which is high as well.
Please drop in your suggestions.

Thanks

Don't know much about Bullets, but based on whatever I read on this forum, the Electra 5S is a good balance between the old & new. Price is high, IMO.

I am in same situation. Electra 5S - 2009 model -2500km and owner has gone abroad. His family wants 90K for the bike. I thought used Electras were supposed to be cheaper than the STD Bullets.

ZedMae · 19th August 2010, 10:44

Thanks for the replies guys. Will keep in mind the tips.

Cheers

Born 2 Be Wild · 20th August 2010, 18:30

Dont Know about the prices down South But In delhi This bike wouldnt sell for anything above 55k tops depending on condition. 2 of my friends have each sold 2 electra 4s in the past 2 months which were in good condition One went for 45k as that was sold to a friend

The other one went for 52k. In the end its your Call.

shyn · 25th August 2010, 21:55

i've got a '76 Bullet which has been lying unused for the past month or so.before you all scold me for treating her so, let me clarify that i am not be blamed.*FLASHBACK*.around six months back my uncle got her and within a month he went back to saudi leaving the keys with my elder brother.now my elder brother, who loves the thump, used to ride it untill she broke-down.it was because of some problem with the battery.got it fixed and it broke-down again.....and again....and again.
hence the bullet has been lying unused for the past month as nobody had the time (and patience) to look after her.now that my exams are over, i've decided to get her up and running.
one of the local mechanics told me that the battery is to be replaced.it is supposed to be very hard to find and costs 1500 bucks.
so all i want to know is what particular brand/model should i be looking for? and any other advise (particularly from the HYD bhp-ians) would be highly appreciated

.

PS:this is my first experience with a bullet and i love the THUMP!

ashokrajagopal · 26th August 2010, 21:30

This being a '76 bull, guess its 6v.
You can get an EXIDE 6v battery -- they still make it. Checkout a dealer near your place. Or call up justdial.com or any local search for the contact number. Might take a couple of days, but pretty sure that they do make it.

It was available when I searched for one in march. But what I did is a 12v upgrade from Sudhakar Anna's workshop. Costs 5k including the battery, but worth it.
You may consider that too. From my experience, suggesting sudhakar anna's garage in Ranigunj. What would be better is to get it charged up completely and take the bike there to show it.

shyn · 27th August 2010, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashokrajagopal

This being a '76 bull, guess its 6v.
You can get an EXIDE 6v battery -- they still make it. Checkout a dealer near your place. Or call up justdial.com or any local search for the contact number. Might take a couple of days, but pretty sure that they do make it.

It was available when I searched for one in march. But what I did is a 12v upgrade from Sudhakar Anna's workshop. Costs 5k including the battery, but worth it.
You may consider that too. From my experience, suggesting sudhakar anna's garage in Ranigunj. What would be better is to get it charged up completely and take the bike there to show it.

what exactly is the advantage of a 12V upgrade? i guess the normal(6V) battery costs around 1500 bucks, right? and you just said that the upgrade costs 5000 bucks, so is it worth all that money?
PS: try to keep the explanation as simple as possible 'coz i'm kind of technically-challenged as of now

ashokrajagopal · 27th August 2010, 19:59

To start with you have more light at night

.
A 6v battery would not stand any more accessories, so in case you tour and need an additional lamp or a bigger horn etc, you might like a 12v 14 AH battery.

I intend to keep my bike for as long as it would run so a 12v upgrade is inevitable someday, if I want to ride at night on highways. Just thought i'll do it now when my old 6v went kaput. Advantage is simple, you might inevitably convert to 12v in 5 years(if you ride as long), why not do it right now when you have to get a new battery.

30th March 2009, 15:27	#46
akas_chauhan BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio Posts: 596 Thanked: 25 Times	You already decide to buy electra, then what confusion you r in still. Go and get it. It got good thumps as somebody already mentioned in this thread.
	() Thanks

18th August 2010, 09:41	#47
ZedMae BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: chennai Posts: 99 Thanked: 49 Times	Advice required Hi guys, I have been on the lookout for an used bull for quite some time now. Not that there is a dearth of bikes in the used market, but either the price would be too high or the bike wouldnt appeal to me. Yesterday, came across an Ad for an Electra 5s, 2007 model. Spoke with the owner and it seems he bought the bike, ran it for a few 100 kms and then went abroad. It has been unused for almost 2 years. The owner is back now, and told me he is again leaving abroad shortly. This time he wants to sell off the bike. The bike now has 1700 kms on the odo. What are the cons on going for such a bike? Or is it worth going for it at all? Btw the price quoted is 83k, which is high as well. Please drop in your suggestions. Thanks
	() Thanks

18th August 2010, 11:59	#49
bblost Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 11,008 Thanked: 15,337 Times View My Garage	No idea on the price. But if you do buy the bike, take note of the following. 1. Change all fluids. 2. Drain out the unused petrol if any in the tank. Fill the tank the first time. 3. Check the condition of the tires. Esp the part that was in contact with the ground. It would have gone hard and sidewall weakened by now. 4. Insurance would have elapsed. 5. Verify if the owner indeed go abroad and the bike does belong to him. 6. Check all rubber parts on the bike. Including the seals and wires. The manifold etc could have cracked if it was exposed for a long time in the sun. 7. Check for fading paint. 8. The rubber in the seat may have also gone hard.
	() Thanks

19th August 2010, 10:44	#51
ZedMae BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: chennai Posts: 99 Thanked: 49 Times	Thanks for the replies guys. Will keep in mind the tips. Cheers
	() Thanks

20th August 2010, 18:30	#52
Born 2 Be Wild BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Roaming Posts: 813 Thanked: 1,367 Times	Dont Know about the prices down South But In delhi This bike wouldnt sell for anything above 55k tops depending on condition. 2 of my friends have each sold 2 electra 4s in the past 2 months which were in good condition One went for 45k as that was sold to a friend The other one went for 52k. In the end its your Call.
	() Thanks

25th August 2010, 21:55	#53
shyn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,542 Thanked: 3,032 Times	Bullet For Dummies i've got a '76 Bullet which has been lying unused for the past month or so.before you all scold me for treating her so, let me clarify that i am not be blamed.FLASHBACK.around six months back my uncle got her and within a month he went back to saudi leaving the keys with my elder brother.now my elder brother, who loves the thump, used to ride it untill she broke-down.it was because of some problem with the battery.got it fixed and it broke-down again.....and again....and again. hence the bullet has been lying unused for the past month as nobody had the time (and patience) to look after her.now that my exams are over, i've decided to get her up and running. one of the local mechanics told me that the battery is to be replaced.it is supposed to be very hard to find and costs 1500 bucks. so all i want to know is what particular brand/model should i be looking for? and any other advise (particularly from the HYD bhp-ians) would be highly appreciated. PS:this is my first experience with a bullet and i love the THUMP! Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

26th August 2010, 21:30	#54
ashokrajagopal BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 169 Thanked: 797 Times	This being a '76 bull, guess its 6v. You can get an EXIDE 6v battery -- they still make it. Checkout a dealer near your place. Or call up justdial.com or any local search for the contact number. Might take a couple of days, but pretty sure that they do make it. It was available when I searched for one in march. But what I did is a 12v upgrade from Sudhakar Anna's workshop. Costs 5k including the battery, but worth it. You may consider that too. From my experience, suggesting sudhakar anna's garage in Ranigunj. What would be better is to get it charged up completely and take the bike there to show it.
	() Thanks

27th August 2010, 19:59	#56
ashokrajagopal BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 169 Thanked: 797 Times	To start with you have more light at night . A 6v battery would not stand any more accessories, so in case you tour and need an additional lamp or a bigger horn etc, you might like a 12v 14 AH battery. I intend to keep my bike for as long as it would run so a 12v upgrade is inevitable someday, if I want to ride at night on highways. Just thought i'll do it now when my old 6v went kaput. Advantage is simple, you might inevitably convert to 12v in 5 years(if you ride as long), why not do it right now when you have to get a new battery. Last edited by ashokrajagopal : 27th August 2010 at 20:00.
	() Thanks