Im looking at buying a 97 Savage with about 4,000 miles on it.  If the bike runs and looks solid is it worth $1,600?  And how can i be sure it'll be good enough to make it across the country and back by may...about 6,000 miles in four weeks.  Thanks guys.

Even if you buy a new bike you don't get a garranty, you get a warranty.

For that kind of mileage on an untried bike with or without hidden issues... you're best to follow skrappies advice.

But at minimum, new tires, new battery, look at cam chain tensioner.
Why the tensioner? certainly not because it's time too.  But, so far this has been the most telling evidence of how the PO treated the bike.  And you can look inside to see anything out of the ordinary, check the clutch, etc.  It's really not hard to do and will only cost you a gasket and an oil change.  

I'm lost.

You want to buy a bike for a trip, then sell it when you get back?  Is that correct?

Pardon me for asking, but have you considered renting a motorcycle?   Some mega-dealers will rent them for about $50.00 per day... That would be cheaper in the long run..

I just don't understand the reasoning behind buying a bike for one trip then selling it....

No.  You won't.

You will never even get close to what you paid for the bike when you go to sell it.

By the time you buy the bike, pay taxes, registration and insure it, you're going to be closer to $3000.00 than $2000.00.  Add onto that a complete inspection and any necessary repairs. You're going to have to budget at least another $1000.00 on top of that.

Not to mention that you will probably have to change at least the drive tire once during the trip (they get between 2000 and 4000 miles of wear), you'll have to do at least one, possibly two oil changes as well as other routine maintenance.  You're going to need to budget another $500.00 for maintenance DURING the trip.

Honestly, when you put the bike on the market, you're likely to get offers of between $500 and $1000.00.  You're going to have to eat the rest.

So unless you're planning to keep the bike (longer than just this trip) you're better off renting a bike from a dealer, or maybe you should consider Greyhound for the trip....

I gotta agree that renting would be the way to go.  You can get a bigger and more comfortable "distance" bike that an S40 for a long interstate ride.  Plus a larger bike may have more options for cargo storage.

westward bound wrote on 02/13/08 at 10:48:09:
Yes, but I would be leary of such a low mileage bike -- it most likely didn't get annual oil changes.
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You cannot be sure, which is why you have contingency plans.  On my 2300 mile trip I was ready and willing to push the bike into a dealership and ride out on something new; if the bike gave the reason to do so.
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One day of rest in seven, that is an average of 250 miles a day.  On a Savage?  It is doable, but why?  I did my trip 'cause the Savage was what I had, not to mention I am not entirely sane.  When I went to England for a five week ride I picked up a GL500 Silverwing and was quite comfortable.  If I were to be getting a bike for a 6K mile trip I'd be looking for a nicely faired touring bike such as a PacificCoast or a Connie or some such, or even an old GL500 if you can find one with a fairing.

i'm with max on this one, buy it, ride it, plan to sell it, then  KEEP IT...you've gotten the value you wanted out of it on the ride. the rest of the miles are now free......

It's not a guarantee that everyone loses out buying and selling MC's. I purchased my 2004 with 17 miles on the odometer, commuted with it for a year, kept it for a while longer and then sold it for almost what I had paid for it. When I figured what I saved in operating costs I came out ahead. So if you don't pay too much to start, do you own maintenance and repairs and chose a Savage in good condition it's doable.

But this seems like a really interesting/ambitious plan. I think a better question would be "Do you have the experience (are you "good enough") to make a cross country ride on a used thumper in 4 weeks. Keep us informed of you progress, especially if you make your trip on a Savage. There are benefits to this kind of trip that can't be measured in dollars and cents.