What motorcycle ads really mean

Alex · February 6th, 2015, 01:47 PM

Fun article on revzilla:

Quote:

I’m a word guy. Over the years, I’ve made my living writing the news, writing about motorcycles, and fixing stuff other people wrote. Sometimes, people pay me to translate stuff from Spanish to English.
But I also speak another language: motorcycle ads.

That’s right, I can translate your average Craigslist "motorcycle for sale" ad into the truth.

It’s a useful skill developed from countless wasted hours looking at ads when I should have been doing paying work. And now, at absolutely no charge to you, I’m going to share that hard-earned wisdom. Here are some phrases you’re likely to see in “motorcycle for sale” ads and what they really mean.

link to rest of article

fry1024 · February 6th, 2015, 01:51 PM

lol, Thanks @Alex

subxero · February 6th, 2015, 02:02 PM

oh Craigslist ad's, one of the little joy's in life.

The article was pretty spot on.

When i went to look at the rz350, i had talked to the guy a good bit before and and drove 4 hrs to go see it. The ad said OBO and i take that as (i will come down with out much fuss).

I threw out my first starting low ball offer and he damn near threw me off his property

I had to rebound in a hurry and quickly learned that his OBO actually meant Very Firm! After some smooth talking he finally and reluctantly agreed to come down a whole $150

I worked hard for that $150

I would have taken the bike at his list price regardless, i didn't spend all that money & time driving all that way just to drive back home empty handed over a few hundred bucks

shereth · February 7th, 2015, 08:46 AM

I like the first comment. If I had a dollar for every time I read "Previous owner dropped it" in an ad ...

Tigerpaw · February 7th, 2015, 10:41 AM

Good find!

NevadaWolf · February 7th, 2015, 01:36 PM

Bwahahaha

liberpolly · February 7th, 2015, 10:17 PM

Heh. Perfect. I'll start sending the link to this article in all my craigslist correspondence.

Toly · February 8th, 2015, 08:42 AM

The article highlites a very important point: only a relatively small percent of buyers/sellers are genuinely interested. Most seem to be engaged in playing "the sucka" game, and won't do a transaction unless they fleece you on the BS fees or low ball you into some ludicrous price.
Both types piss me off greatly.

Finesse · February 9th, 2015, 08:13 AM

so true. haha I'm disappointed there isn't anything about it being 'female owned'

February 6th, 2015, 02:02 PM	#3
subxero dirty boy Name: Joe Location: Johnstown, PA Join Date: Sep 2012 Motorcycle(s): I don't even know anymore?? Posts: A lot. MOTM - Apr '14	oh Craigslist ad's, one of the little joy's in life. The article was pretty spot on. When i went to look at the rz350, i had talked to the guy a good bit before and and drove 4 hrs to go see it. The ad said OBO and i take that as (i will come down with out much fuss). I threw out my first starting low ball offer and he damn near threw me off his property I had to rebound in a hurry and quickly learned that his OBO actually meant Very Firm! After some smooth talking he finally and reluctantly agreed to come down a whole $150 I worked hard for that $150 I would have taken the bike at his list price regardless, i didn't spend all that money & time driving all that way just to drive back home empty handed over a few hundred bucks __________________________________________________ I love the smell of burning pre-mix in the morning I don't think I'm a lot dumber than you thought that I think that I thought I was once.

February 7th, 2015, 10:41 AM	#5
Tigerpaw ninjette.org guru Name: Tom Location: Dayton, OH Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 '09 Boulevard C50. '08 250r(TOTALED BY DEER) Posts: 467	Good find! __________________________________________________ CHEERS!!!

February 7th, 2015, 01:36 PM	#6
NevadaWolf Certified looney toon Name: Teri Location: 39°52'40.7"N 118°23'53.8"W (Northern NV) Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250, 102k+ miles -- 2014 CB500X, 42k+ miles Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 16 MOTM Jul '13, Jul '14	Bwahahaha __________________________________________________ <-- Linky Hey Unregistered! The code [you] shows the username currently logged in. IBA # 56020 AMA # 521481 Fun Rides! ][ My Videos ][ My Gear Hold yourself to the same rules you expect others to follow.

February 7th, 2015, 10:17 PM	#7
liberpolly ninjette.org guru Name: Poul Location: Seattle Join Date: Jan 2015 Motorcycle(s): 1999 Triumph Legend "Arwen", 2006 Ninja 650 "Matsuo Hotaru". 2010 Ninja 250 "Firefly" - sold. Posts: 338	Heh. Perfect. I'll start sending the link to this article in all my craigslist correspondence. __________________________________________________ Screw the inscrutable, eff the ineffable.

February 9th, 2015, 08:13 AM	#9
Finesse ran when parked Name: Katie Location: DC/MD Join Date: Aug 2013 Motorcycle(s): Freeride 250R, KLX250SF, mopeds Posts: A lot. MOTM - Sep '17, Dec '14	so true. haha I'm disappointed there isn't anything about it being 'female owned' __________________________________________________ Instagram: @katie.baden

February 6th, 2015, 01:51 PM	#2
fry1024 ninjette.org guru Name: Jason Location: WV Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 650R & 2007 Buell Blast Posts: 323	lol, Thanks @Alex

February 7th, 2015, 08:46 AM	#4
shereth ninjette.org member Name: Alan Location: Phoenix Join Date: Jan 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 73	I like the first comment. If I had a dollar for every time I read "Previous owner dropped it" in an ad ...

February 8th, 2015, 08:42 AM	#8
Toly ninjette.org guru Name: Toly Location: NY Join Date: Nov 2010 Motorcycle(s): KTM 390 Duke Posts: 428	The article highlites a very important point: only a relatively small percent of buyers/sellers are genuinely interested. Most seem to be engaged in playing "the sucka" game, and won't do a transaction unless they fleece you on the BS fees or low ball you into some ludicrous price. Both types piss me off greatly.

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