New tires...or new bike?

[bajakirch]

I'm in a real dilemma, maybe some of you can provide the benefit of your experience.

I've known for a while that my CB550SC is in need of new tires. Not only are the ones that were on it when I bought it manufactured in 2004, but I've put nearly 10,000 miles on them since last spring. Needless to say, they are getting nearly bald. I'm getting more concerned about them each time I ride, and really don't want to ride in any kind of wet conditions until I can replace them.

I've been waiting on a fat paycheck from work for some time, and it's finally coming this week. I already had the OK from the family banker (SOQS) to buy and mount new tires as soon as the paycheck arrives. So I basically had about $250 set aside for that.

The other day I was trolling craigslist and came across this:http://madison.craigslist.org/mcy/1949679880.html. I think my bike was in good shape when I bought it with 10,000 miles on it, but this one (other than the rough running issue) seems to be even better. At first I dismissed it because I really couldn't see spending $800 for a parts bike, especially because I might look to upgrade my 550 in 1-2 years.

Then I got thinking about the tire issue. I sent an inquiry to the seller asking about the tire status, and asked for some close-up photos. He replied today with the shots below.

So here's what's been eating me up...Do I just suck it up and pass on this deal, buying my brand-new tires as originally planned? Or do I pick up this extra bike for $800, switch out my bald tires for those on the new bike, and somehow convince my wife that the extra $525 I'd be paying would be money well-spent (no mean feat, as she's been waiting on that fat paycheck herself to get caught up on some bills)?

[gammer]

Hard to judge tires from a picture.

Since safety is a priority, I would go with new tires.

[Bumblebee]

Those tires aren't straight off the rack and the pictures don't show enough to tell anything useful. What is the date stamp on the tires? My old tires look just about like those but they have sidewall cracks that will take you down given the opportunity.

He's had the bike for 4.5 years and it's been sitting for 3 years. There's no indication he's changed tires since he got it. Based on that and a 5-6 year life span, if you get that bike, you'll still be putting new tires on sometime between the day you buy that bike and the next 2.5 years at the very most. Just guessing, it'll most likely be within a year.

$800 for a parts bike that might also come with useful tires, maybe if you're going to keep your bike any length of time or fix the parts bike and sell it for more than you paid. $800 for tires and maybe a parts bike you can fix up or salvage, probably not unless you're actually intending to use the parts bike and not just shove it out behind the lawnmower shed.

IMHO: Tires are super critical components and should be treated like underwear. Never buy used, toss them when old thin or damaged. Nothing makes you more confident about tires than when you know their history.

[B83550nighthawk]

Buy new tires...

[fishmeister]

IMHO: Tires are super critical components and should be treated like underwear. Never buy used, toss them when old thin or damaged.

That's a first for me, I've never heard a comparison of the two before.
I'm sure there's some deep psychological metaphoric relation tho....

[LOKi]

New tires man. I wouldn't take a chance.

[Bumblebee]

I'm sure there's some deep psychological metaphoric relation tho....

The only metaphorical connection here is that old tires are crap. I could have just as easily said to never reuse toilet paper.

[fishmeister]

I'm sure there's some deep psychological metaphoric relation tho....

The only metaphorical connection here is that old tires are crap. I could have just as easily said to never reuse toilet paper.

Direct and to the point...like a Bee sting.

[Option13]

If you buy the bike, you'll be paying, like you said, $250 for tires of unknown condition and $550 (what a coincidence!) for a parts bike. There are far better, newer tires for that price and far cheaper parts bikes. Just remember this, the bike is utterly useless without tires - no tires, no point in having any other components. A lot of people here have payed $500 for the bikes they ride every day, and like you said, if it's good looking why would you use it for a parts bike?

Basically, if you want the bike, buy it, but new tires should be part of the deal either way.

[JB1290]

I would go with the tires. Too bad you can't get both. 

[ariwhiteboy]

I also vote for tires...yeah a parts bike would be nice, but in the words of hppants "That's not a hill you wanna die on".

[Cherry Bomber]

Get the new tires and know that they are safe Vs. use the tires off the parts bike and worry about them popping and the bike throwing you everytime you ride, dosen't sound like much of a decision to me. There are plenty of parts bike out in the wild but you only have one hide and scraping some off is no fun.
Peace
Spike

[bajakirch]

Well, all the votes seem unanimous. I agree that buying new tires AND the bike would be nice, but that's just not in the cards right now. Plus, if I had the extra $800 to spend right now, I'd probably get my son the dirt bike I've been thinking about.

OK, you've saved me some serious negotiating with SOQS; I would have probably had to use up ALL of my Good Husband Tokens and foregone a Xmas gift this year to make it happen.

I will (reluctantly) let this one pass.

[noahnsteph]

Well, all the votes seem unanimous. I agree that buying new tires AND the bike would be nice, but that's just not in the cards right now. Plus, if I had the extra $800 to spend right now, I'd probably get my son the dirt bike I've been thinking about.

OK, you've saved me some serious negotiating with SOQS; I would have probably had to use up ALL of my Good Husband Tokens and foregone a Xmas gift this year to make it happen.

I will (reluctantly) let this one pass.

Don't you hate it when they're right and common sense wins out?

[ariwhiteboy]

Don't you hate it when they're right and common sense wins out?

Not always...if I had gone against the advice of the forum I wouldn't have a CB 1000 sitting in my garage.  Looking back I can't believe I ever needed any  to make the right purchase! 

[bajakirch]

Well, I did one last thing. I sent the guy an email explaining the situation. Told him I would hate to part out a bike in as good a condition as he had. I know he said he was firm on the $800, and I told him to sell it to someone that would get as much fun riding it as I got out of mine. But if he didn't sell it before winter, I left an offer of $500 on the table.

[SirSeanSean]

Glad you chose the tires. The tires on the other bike didn't look too hot either.

[Option13]

Honestly, you made the right decision, and still left the option to purchase later. Who knows? You might end up with new tires and another bike come Christmas!