2+ yr old TNT 125 vs 1 year old TNT 125 - Need advice!

[Dapplefrost]

I am looking to buy a bike and need advice!
I am currently looking at two Benelli TNT 125's which are the exact same price, except one is just over 2 years old and the other is just over 1 year old. (Don't laugh at me for wanting the TNT, I am very short and have a small budget, otherwise I'd get a grom xD)

So the older bike (69 reg) has no scuffs or damage that I could see, and has had many add ons, mods and upgrades done to it, including adjustable levers, frame sliders and an exhaust kit which I wanted to buy anyway if I brought this bike new, however, it has already done over 10k miles. This is from a private seller.
The newer bike (22 reg), only has 2k miles on it, but it has clearly been dropped or dunked on a corner, as it does have some scuffs on the left fairing and bar ends. Probably about £90-£100 tops to buy a new fairing from motogb and a bar end on aliexpress. and repair myself. However, this bike is completely stock, so I would still also be wanting to make upgrades such as front sprockets, levers, and exhaust kit and spark plugs etc etc, which is obviously all going to add up, and I have a relatively small budget anyway. The main pull for me towards this one, other than the fact that its newer and has less miles is the fact that it would still have a years warranty, and coming from a dealer, I would hope that I would have more options if things go wrong shortly after purchase.

 

In terms of how long I am going to keep it really depends on how much fun I have with the bike. I only have a CBT and will be doing my full A license once I have gained enough experience and confidence. Once I have got my full licence, I plan to upgrade as soon as I have the money to do so, but I have no idea how long that will be, and if this bike is as fun as people say, well we might want to keep it and have multiple bikes xD haha

 

So I just need a little advise... Would you guys go for a newer (stock) bike from a dealer that has some damage and just repair the damage and upgrade as you want for the reassurance, or would you go for the older bike with more miles that has no damage and already has most of the upgrades you want for the exact same price.

Thank you!!!

[Guest]

If the older bike has evidence of being well maintained and looked after that's where I'd put my money. Very hard to drop a TNT, which makes me wonder what the owner was like. Don't blame you for wanting one. Love a grom, so much fun. 

[Dapplefrost]

1 hour ago, goat said:

If the older bike has evidence of being well maintained and looked after that's where I'd put my money. Very hard to drop a TNT, which makes me wonder what the owner was like. Don't blame you for wanting one. Love a grom, so much fun. 

 

I agree with you to be fair, but while he says that its well maintained, and it looks clean etc, there is no way of knowing for sure until its had a service because the guy has done all services himself since new, which isn't a bad thing if obviously done right. I mean visibly from what I've seen so far, sounds like it runs okay, chain looks good, no other damage, so just not sure if there are other more important things that I've missed on inspection...
Additionally, I have just had another look and noticed a crack in the front mudguard which will cost £178.30 OEM to replace, or £80.00 if I buy from ebay...  So guess I could use that as a haggle point xD haha
Additionally, further checks indicate that it has actually done 12k miles according to MOT history, not 10k like he said. He also said MOT was due in feb, but its actually due in December, so while these are small things, I feel like these are just little red flags to me... Not sure if this should should put me off or not xD

So I think my next best step would be to have another chat with the owner of that bike to ask how that happened and go from there in term of getting more history about the bike.

Thank you for the advice so far ^-^ Would any of the above change your opinion do you think?

Edited August 12, 2023 by Dapplefrost
Correction of some wording and added some extra detail.

[Guest]

It's not uncommon and youll be taking their word on it unless theyve receipts fof service parts theyve used. I'd have to take it in instinct, consider viewing with someone who knows a bit of bike mechanics and don't be afraid to walk away and take your money elsewhere. 

[Old-codger]

I would want receipts for parts if he claims he has been servicing the bike and also I would knock off the cost of the mud guard as a starting point. Seems like a few things dont add up with mileage and MOT he is either being a bit vague or hiding things. Why dont you just save your money buy a Japanese 125 look after it learn on it, pass your test then sell it on for about what you paid for it. I take it you have seen under the frame sliders to see if it isnt covering damage up already. 

Edited August 12, 2023 by Old-codger
spelling doh

[Guest]

Missed the bit about the mot. That's shifty. 

[bonio]

Yup the MOT thing shows at best he's not always 100% accurate... which is the opposite of what you want from someone who's been servicing the bike you're about to buy. It would put me off. If the bike was close by, I would go to view it, and look out for things like, how tidy the garden is, and the garage or shed, and take a punt from there on how tidily they've kept the bike. And if I'm 85% happy with the outcome, I hope I'd walk away. 

 

About the dealer bike, a lot depends on the dealer and how reliable they are. But here at least you've got an internetful of reviews to check up on. Good dealers in the main get got good reviews in the main.

  

[Dapplefrost]

Thank you to everyone for the advice!

The guy has been in hospital for a few days, so I haven't been able to go back to view and he lives an hour away. Luckily my husband is a bike guy and confidently works on his own bike for the most part, so he knows what to look out for. I will be taking him to see the bike as soon as I can!

In the mean time, I am going to try and get more info on the one at the dealer and try and get a closer look at the damage on that one as well before I make up my mind. Only problem with that one is that its about 2 hours away and likely wont be ready to ride away on the day, meaning having to go back xD aha

Thank you again everyone!

Edited August 14, 2023 by Dapplefrost

[Old-codger]

Thats good you are taking someone with you two heads are better than one, I know its exciting getting your first bike but take your time get the right one and you wont regret it. Good luck.

[RideWithStyles]

Agree with goat and old on this one... my spider senses are tingling... yes take someone else with u to see but i would go with a CLOSED mind of NOT buying when viewing it to be honest, rather than open to buy it....

they'll always are many others some in better states.

 

 Not wishing to put u off it but just to let you know what will happen if tou buy certain bikes! 

a lot of garages wont want to work on the Chinese bikes so if tou cant fix it yourself you better find a garage nearby that will be prepared to work on it other than a dealer if they still one the next year first before committing to buy this bike.

If you want to upgrade later many will not want to px or buy so yourreturn coup is harder to achieve... and thats from actual experience of ownership!!

 

older jap bike would be better bet like a cbf125 that is a few years old, parts are plentiful and cheaper, everyone knows them so even if u come a cropper its soo easygoing.

Plus even if it has abit of a usual wear and marks and u add another to it (even experienced riders do it actually 🫨)ur not gonna be nowhere near as annoyed or ashamed about being the first!!

 

dont be concerned about mileage on bikes they're actually barely run it till about 9000miles, buy on background (service history and the persons demeanour) plus its condition!!

Edited August 18, 2023 by RideWithStyles
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