Cat N, ignition fault?

[IndigoJo]

I'm looking to get a 125 in the next few days (CBT permitting this Saturday) and there's a Kawasaki Z125 going for a little under £2,500. The listing says its a Category N, meaning a past write-off. I contacted the dealer to ask why this was, as the bike looks decent in the pictures (no obvious damage, though they took all the pics inside the shop surrounded by other bikes, rather than outside where you could get a clear view), and they told me that the only thing damaged was the ignition, which they had replaced. Why would a bike be cat N because of this alone? I thought that term meant it had been written off because of an accident and it would have cost more to replace than repair.

 

https://www.bikesandscooter.com/used-bikes/kawasaki-z125-125-performance-willesden-202405079447271

[Nick the wanderer]

Hi, category N is non structural. It's been written off because it was deemed too expensive to repair by the insurance company. Damage to fairing panels and an ignition could add up.

A full HPI check will tell you all the details l believe.

[Mississippi Bullfrog]

I bought a bike which was written for just because the ignition switch had been broken. I fitted a new switch and ran ignition for years no problem. 

 

The only issue is when you come to sell it but that's only a matter of the value being a bit less and the need to declare it. So long as you get it cheaper in the first place that's not a problem..  

[IndigoJo]

1 hour ago, Mississippi Bullfrog said:

I bought a bike which was written for just because the ignition switch had been broken. I fitted a new switch and ran ignition for years no problem. 

 

The only issue is when you come to sell it but that's only a matter of the value being a bit less and the need to declare it. So long as you get it cheaper in the first place that's not a problem..  

Yeah, this one is a good £1,000 less than similar secondhand bikes of this model (not that there are many). If it works OK it's a bargain; a 125 with a bit of extra horsepower, will be useful when I get my licence and can take it on the motorway.

[Gerontious]

A bike is also written off automatically the moment the original owner receives the insurance payout. It could have been missing for a few months. Nothing abnormal about this.

[Tinkicker]

14 hours ago, IndigoJo said:

I'm looking to get a 125 in the next few days (CBT permitting this Saturday) and there's a Kawasaki Z125 going for a little under £2,500. The listing says its a Category N, meaning a past write-off. I contacted the dealer to ask why this was, as the bike looks decent in the pictures (no obvious damage, though they took all the pics inside the shop surrounded by other bikes, rather than outside where you could get a clear view), and they told me that the only thing damaged was the ignition, which they had replaced. Why would a bike be cat N because of this alone? I thought that term meant it had been written off because of an accident and it would have cost more to replace than repair.

 

https://www.bikesandscooter.com/used-bikes/kawasaki-z125-125-performance-willesden-202405079447271

 

 

It is likely stolen recovered.  The lock was broken during the theft.  Bike was recovered and damage assessed.  Since it would have had matching keys, not only the ignition switch would need replacing, the tank filler cap, seat lock and any other locks would also need replacing.  In addition any small scratches on any panel or part would have made that part a candidate for replacement.

Factor in several hours labour at £100 per hour and you can see how a stolen 125 is nearly always treated as a write off.

[AstronautNinja]

Most sellers would be happy to HPI check it for you surely?

[Capt Sisko]

On 18/07/2024 at 07:51, Tinkicker said:

 

 

...  Since it would have had matching keys, not only the ignition switch would need replacing, the tank filler cap, seat lock and any other locks would also need replacing....

 

Definitely check all the locks match. Come resale time it's a red card to some if they don't, but as you said, it's a thousand quid less. If they're not and you can live with that (and the fact the Cat N never goes away), go for it, (but make the dealer pays for the HPI check).

 

Ref your desire to be able to ride on the motorway. On a 125 and on an urban motorway you'll probably be fine as they tend to run slower anyway, but once out of town a 125 is going to struggle. Sure the reviews say it'll do 70mph, but that's revving the nuts of it, flat on the tank, mirrors folded in. Not real word and not safe. Realistically you're talking 60mph, and that barely faster than the HGVs. Take care.

Edited July 19, 2024 by Capt Sisko

[RideWithStyles]

There are definitely loads of these bikes around, all in many conditions and miles.
no doubt cheaper and better without the “what and why”of cat rating, Remember kids only good cat is a one in the exhaust system and the Hospital.

now more than likely it’s had stuff done to to it by whoever bought it from the insurance, what that was and how good is questionable without a proper inspection, now if your not mechanical or electrical minded or know of its history id just be looking else where plenty about.

 

We sold a 125cbfr 2011 with 15k, loads of history and services from myself and garage, loads of good additions like aftermarket shocks and topbox etc, need for nothing to ride- all for £1250. it will run the same again with no problems and lose next to no money if any at all, we could of pushed for more if we wanted but not need also helped a female rider in need.

 

[bud]

One thing to consider if you do buy it. Is later on if you want to trade it in for something bigger. Most bike shops won't touch it.

[IndigoJo]

On 19/07/2024 at 09:16, bud said:

One thing to consider if you do buy it. Is later on if you want to trade it in for something bigger. Most bike shops won't touch it.

Useful to know. The bike has sold now (not to me).

[RideWithStyles]

Some wont service or willingly fix it either as its could be opening a can of worms. 

 

Personally I think that’s for the best, just keep looking, the right one will turn up not today or tomorrow but soon.
least you’ll get an idea of what your looking for or need to in the mean time rather than be stuck with a manky piece of shite wasting resources fixing rather than riding.

[Davidtav]

19 hours ago, RideWithStyles said:

Some wont service or willingly fix it either as its could be opening a can of worms. 

 

Personally I think that’s for the best, just keep looking, the right one will turn up not today or tomorrow but soon.
least you’ll get an idea of what your looking for or need to in the mean time rather than be stuck with a manky piece of shite wasting resources fixing rather than riding.

How would they know though?  If you book your bike in for a service or repair they don’t ask to see the log book. 

[RideWithStyles]

how can I say without offending?

CAT list are not log booked as all the log book says who is a listed owner of a vehicle is.

This info is known through insurance and other records even a noob can find out with no money to exchange for info. HPI, mot, dvla, yada yada…..even I can find out a lot of shite out of a crap box with just a reg plate and im not in the game.
Even small garages can and do pay yearly for a more extensive survey that goes in into more details- especially if they buy and sell bikes. All a mech or a garage needs to do is look it up especially if they smell a rat.

generally once they open the can of worms it’s their problem to sort it but ull still have to pay for it.

[Davidtav]

16 hours ago, RideWithStyles said:

how can I say without offending?

CAT list are not log booked as all the log book says who is a listed owner of a vehicle is.

This info is known through insurance and other records even a noob can find out with no money to exchange for info. HPI, mot, dvla, yada yada…..even I can find out a lot of shite out of a crap box with just a reg plate and im not in the game.
Even small garages can and do pay yearly for a more extensive survey that goes in into more details- especially if they buy and sell bikes. All a mech or a garage needs to do is look it up especially if they smell a rat.

generally once they open the can of worms it’s their problem to sort it but ull still have to pay for it.

Really?  Maybe if you are trying to part exchange a bike. But if you are just booking in for a service. I don’t think so. And if the only thing that had been done is ignition barrels changed then what would concern them?

[RideWithStyles]

Yes really, especially if they smell a rat.
a local garage to me does it.

Remember that if they look and start poking or moving to get to something they need to, disturbed something then it would start or miss firing viewed they broken something, it’s then their problem to fix it even when they haven’t done owt wrong.

its mostly to protect the garage/mech from blame or fault.

Edited July 24, 2024 by RideWithStyles

[Davidtav]

5 minutes ago, RideWithStyles said:

Yes really.

Nonsense