Best way to sell a Berg

I love my '98 berg- I want a newer one- can't get it until I sell the one I have-(I'm working on the wife on that one)

Had a buyer who left me a deposit...said he was really impressed with how well the bike ran and all... then I went and arranged a deal for a newer one- my buyer called me up today but instead of bring me the rest of the cash he backed out :cry: said he did some more research and decided to keep looking for a freaking CCM! unbelievable! :scratch: I am disappointed. I bought this one knowing the risks fortunately it seems that I have a "good" one- the price i am asking for the condition it is in can't be beat- but dang if you are lucky enough to get traffic on your add. and then people don't want to pay you half of what it "SHOULD" be worth. it is offensive when people offer $1000-1200 for a excellent running good condition bike especially when you aren't asking much in the first place.

So... here I sit all broken hearted- tried to sell-but I got thwarted, want to buy, have a tear in my eye , i think I have to back out of the deal with the other guy.

RE: Take my bike, please!

Tim,

If it's possible, I want you on a 300 more than you do yourself.

I will put you in the newsletter, make sure you stay in the ads, hell, maybe have a fund drive and buy the damned bike from you and give it away.

Anybody else have any ideas on the matter? If Tim doesn't sell his bike soon, my head is going to explode.

thanks,
json

While this site is relatively new to me, Husabergs are not. Have been riding them since 1994 and am on my sixth one. Can't say I have had trouble selling them. What has been the trick? Friends have bought them from me. They ride with me, know the issues of the bike, know my meticulous maintanance, but most importantly, I let them ride the bike once and a while and the performance sells the bike. But......when I bought my last one, I had come up to speed and found this site. The posts concerning the reliability issues with the 01 and 02 models made me hang onto the 00 til I found an 03. Ah... the cost of progress. :roll:
Dan

Dont get me wrong- the bright side is I still have a strong running, albiet not as nimble, Berg! And I plan on having a blast!

t-jet-tim said:

Of the racing four strokes the 04
bergs are probably as good as
the big fives.

Click to expand...

The funny thing is the CRF's have a higher rate of catastrophic engine failure. They even have the same valve tulipping issue as the Husaberg engines, compounded by the weak valve spring issue. The small bore Yamaha's grenade regularly out here.

All in all, the Husaberg is a better built machine. But as with any performance vehicle, power comes with a price. All the Italian sports cars have had similar reliability reputations as the Husaberg. It's all part of the package.

A customer of mine has a 3 year old Porsche. He drives it about 2000 miles a year. It costs him a couple dollars per mile in repairs.

The Germans aren't much better.

If you want performance, you buy a Ferrari; if you want reliability, you buy a Honda.

t-jet-tim said:

I've got $4000 in it and I have put
about 16 hours on it. $2700 as is.
I would like the cost of riding it to
remain under $100 an hour.
I will even go back and edit all my posts
to just blank pages if that helps.

Click to expand...

Does it have the updated rockers?

Give me all the details so I can pass on the info.

Second issue is shipping, are you willing to crate it and ship it?

Most bike shops will give you a crate if you ask and are willing to wait a couple of days for them to build the next new bike.

I believe that BMG here in the states is trying to do their best to undo the sins of the past distributor without driving themselves into bankruptcy. Even if BMG was to resolve ever owner issue today, the public would still need time to regain trust in the brand.

From what I understand the Australian Berg importer has some very good policies and practices in place, and would be a very good role model for other Berg importers.

Hopefully with the newer model upgrades and brand exposure through racing, the Berg's will soon regain their reputation.

Possible things that would help to alleviate older Berg issues would be:

- Upgrade kits for 01/02 models to 03 specs at reduced cost. i.e.. Rockers, main bearings, steel cam gear, upgraded balancer.
- A stator only replacement part with a low profit margin, since this appears to be truly a design flaw.
- New camshafts available with a milder ramp design. (Similar to what Dale offers.) This would be a recommended upgrade available as a Force part, maybe with a small discount for exchange of an older design cam.
- Service bulletins/recommendations sent out to all known Berg owners reminding them of service intervals and things to look out for. (This could also be a good faq section on husaberg-usa :wink: )

And to expand on the Force parts, Berg should offer more things in this area like KTM does.(Especially since many of the ones listed by KTM fit both brands). This would definitely help to supplement the lack of aftermarket parts, and feed money back into the Berg brand. Most of the items are already produced, they just need to be listed for easy reference. ie. Wheels, suspension, black/blue/yellow plastics, keihin carb kits, light kits, brakes, 6speed upgrades, electric start upgrades, etc. Other items can be listed that are from the aftermarket(KTM lists/markets akropovic and FMF pipes), they would just need to negotiate a deal with the supplier. ie. Pipes, seat foam/covers, graphics, cams, valves, etc.

Just an update on the parting out '03, up to $1016.53 at the moment. And check the price on this '02 FE400E that was just listed.

[web]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6711&item=2494325922&rd=1[/web]

Jay

json wrote

I will put you in the newsletter, make sure you stay in the ads, hell, maybe have a fund drive and buy the damned bike from you and give it away.

Click to expand...

I think that's a great idea. How many members would be willing to get involved in something like a raffle for t-jet-tim's bike. Sell 108 chances for $25 each and that's the $2700 he is asking. Or how about 54 @$50 each. I would take a chance and buy a $50 ticket.



Jay

I would Buy Two!

SINce I bit the bullet and am buying a 2002 FC470E from Lesmoto got a screaming deal also-WAHOOO! so I listed my berg on E-bay- and cycletrader and in the paper- we'll see how much traffic i get.

[web]http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2494437949&category=6719[/web]

Risky,

So your the one that just listed the '98 FE600. I am on ebay alot and from what I have seen in recent weeks, the bergs are getting bid on more than usual. Good luck in the sale of the older workhorse. But that sure would be a good bike to keep as a spare. I would like to buy another as well but am sure I would keep my '99 as a back-up and to let friends ride so they could be envious.

Jay

SHHHHH dont tell the wife but Secretly I hope i dont get any traffic for exactly that reason, However the deal with my better half was "go ahead and buy the newer one sell the older one- buy the kids another one since they have outgrown the 50's" it would be great to have a spare around but I have some kids who are really liking this dirt buke stuff and i think i need to invest there- Otherwise I would have bought and '05

I'd buy a $50 ticket! Tim If your a member of the CCC in MI. Put a ad in there for a killer price like $2700 and state AS IS. You need to be honest. But you don't have to give the store away. I'd pull that clutch cover off and in spect the counter shaft bearing just for GP and peice of mind. That way if it fails and your get a big haiy knucked dad very pissed off on your front pourch.

PowerFiend makes some very good suggestions. All of his ideas would go a long way to improve goodwill among current owners and thus improve Husabergs image through word of mouth to the riding public.

I'm not here to fault BMG. I am grateful that they had the guts to take on such a monumental challenge. Things are certainly alot better than they used to be. I would just like KTM/Husaberg to step up, take some responsibility for their bad decisions and then try to make it right with their customers. I think we all deserve at least that because without our unwavering loyalty to their product/philosophy the marque would have been gone a long time ago.

Rat

'02 FE650

1998 - 2002 300 exc's are selling here locally for 1900 - 3000. Thats about what your asking for your berg T-Jet-Tim

You also have to realize this is the off season it's hard to sell bikes this time of year

Spring time is when you get the full asking price, when people got the itch.

Don't go the dealer route you will never get a good deal from a dealer unless you have connections with them.

I saw a used 2002 fe 400 e going for 3999 at the KTM/Husaberg dealer here locally and they will get that price. They may not get that price right now unless the right person comes along but they wil get that price next spring when the riding is hot.

I went to the KTM dealer to buy a KTM. When i saw the Husabergs and the dealer told me about them I couldn't help think that they were the exact bike i had been looking for. Lighter, faster, and better options than i have seen on any other bike. You've got to talk that bike up and tell people what makes it so much better than other bikes.

Times are tough all over right now and this is not the best time to try to sell a dirt bike.It would be better if you can to wait till spring.More people will be looking for one then.My 2 cents worth.

That's funny how your selling season just ended and ours is just starting.

The fall racing season is underway and we have a full winter race series as well.

Spring and summer are the dog days for the dealers out here. As soon as the temps drop to the 80's, the sales take off.

Tim, you can send the bike down here and it would sell very quickly.