The Superbike Factory Largest used Motobike Retailer, Should you avoid at all Costs?

[@jonr1122]

I went to SBF in Donnington. There was big notice on the door saying 'Do not sit on or touch the bikes'. I didn't bother going in.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I had a similar experience. I won't ever go there agin. I now go to Completely Motorbikes in Hinckley. Totally the opposite experience. Every single bike is available to sit on, and they don't have to be pulled out as they are not packed in. Furthermore they are clean unlike SBF and lastly the staff are fabulous, unlike the surly ones employed at Donington.

[@IndigoJo]

@@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOneThey've just gone bust.

[@tommykarate6226]

It's a company owned and run by a finance company. It's where all the bikes the main dealers don't want in their showroom get sold to .

[@davidmatthews3093]

I trust a high mileage bike more than one with a strangely low mileage. The high mileage bike has been used, been ridden and will probably continued to run for years. Low mileage bikes are often used for short journeys, possibly so short that the engine never reaches its normal working temperature. To suggest that a high mileage bike for sale is a sign that the previous owner simply wanted to get rid is bizarre. It’s just as likely been owned by a real enthusiast, someone who has taken care of it mechanically throughout its life knowing that that’s the best way to ensure reliability.

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

I suppose when u put it like that very true 👌

[@alexspeed960]

Very true. How many owners etc

[@whammo11224]

I once asked a dealer why so many of the used bikes had low mileage. He stated that most of them were returned by wimpy men after they showed the bike to their girlfriends/wives/mothers etc.

[@BlokeOnAMotorbike]

my Hoodlum has had a quiet first year, 1800 miles since April (lost the summer due to being on jury duty), bit of luck I'll've put on another 600-800 between now and April this year, get another service done and go for a rip around Spain.

[@MrEnglishman6969]

@@whammo11224 also lots of bikers run two sets of clocks which is very common. Same as cars being clocked. Also you have a lot of Sundays riders that just don’t get much time to ride. Then you have the talker that only rides 10 miles to a local bike meet and talk crap all night long then rides home. And trust me there are loads of them Out there.

[@youngeroldie5089]

I went to view a bike at Donnington that I had first seen on on their web page. the advert mentioned a few minor scratches. It didn't mention one of the Kawasaki badges was half missing plus a hell of a lot more scratches than mentioned. I was waiting for them for 2 days to get back to me with a part ex price, yes at a weekend I am glad it took a while as I rang a couple of other places and was offered almost 2 grand more so I did a deal with them.

[@philipholland6989]

I brought a Honda VFR 800 from Macclesfield, the salesman showed me the bike over the phone and when they delivered it what a pile of S@#T, i returned the bike immediately and another VFR 800, another pile of crap,. The front discs were warped and tryes no good,, I've been to Donnington site the bikes are not the best, but went to the shop in Bradford, the bikes are very well presented, i know they are cheaper than other dealers but the PX they offer you is not the best price

[@stevec6427]

I went in to Superbike Factory in Bristol recently and every bike I looked at in there was rough. I guess this is where dealers dispose of trade in bikes which aren't good enough for their showroom

[@Achilles22]

Thanks for the feedback, I hate poorly presented stock. It speaks volumes about the dealership attitude. Not for me!

[@aa-vu9vb]

I've just returned a bike back to them bike ran rough and the forks leaked oil all over the disc I would advise people not to buy from them bunch of con artists

[@lammy1100]

This is the information we actually need , fair play to you

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Haha no worries just sharing what I think of them and my own personal experience with them

[@twowheelsquirrel]

Got my 2016 900 Tracer from there February 2023. 10k miles later im happy with the purchase. Only issue i had was getting in contact with them after id bought the bike.

[@ianskeldon6032]

I took a punt a few years back and go an OK 2014 CBR 500 R at a fair price, however I have a colleague who bought a 2015 MT125 from them and it shouldn't have bene on the road. The headstock was F***ed every time he braked the handlebars danced around and there was lots of forward and rearward movement and banging. On stripping it down the stem was badly worn and the threads were stripped meaning it could never have been tightened down onto the bearings, chain and sprockets were scrap and the battery needed replacing within days, a mirror had been glued in as it also had stripped threads, oil looked like tar and filter had not been changed for a very long time, same with the air filter so if any company is happy to send a bike out like I would never buy anything from them, hell I got away lucky with the one I bought but I value my life far more than saving a few hundred pounds and hoping I get away with it. Incidentally I have put all of the problems on his Yam right but it has cost him a fair bit to have it sorted out and the bike has been unavailable for him to ride for a couple of weeks.

[@doh444]

The adverts are scant in detail about history etc so I just skip them and look at other websites.

[@mono5310]

Just recently purchased a bike from Donnington and it felt like as soon as they got my deposit they didn't really care about me. I had no update on my bike after waiting for a week and the salesman that dealt with me got sacked (I was never told why) and I was never assigned someone new to help process my bike. Then whenever I rang them I was on hold for 20-30 minutes at a time :/ Maybe I was just unlucky but from my experience it wasn't too good. Probably won't get another bike from them but its nice to get a rough idea of all the bikes on display

[@grahamkdt]

Bought my last two bikes from them at the Donnington branch, which is a really lovely place IMO. No issues at all, and would buy from them again...

[@davidwright-p9v]

I sold these cretins a 2010 tiger 1050 sport with under 10k, for £3500 approx 2 yrs ago, but only after they kept me freezing outside while they tried every dirty trick in the book to bump me....advertised two days later in their shop...£6,000 no fkn need.

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Just shocking 😳 the amount of bikes they turn over you wouldn't think they would try that much to get u down.

[@MrEnglishman6969]

That’s what they do all the time give you as less as they can and then prices them as high as they can. God knows why anyone would sell a good bike to trade when they can get a lot more private. I know some people want to sell there bike hassle free. And the cost of that is getting your pants pulled down. That’s life if you can not be bothered to sell a bike yourself. And a lot of people sell there bikes to them because they have faults , no come back then @@BK_MotoVlogs

[@stuipooey1]

Wouldn't go near them again, buying or selling. Dealing with them was an awful experience.

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Sorry to hear that bud that sucks 😞

[@distilledgogilba]

My first big bike was an XL700 Transalp that I bought from their warehouse in Macc a few years ago. They lied about the service history (there was none), told me they'd clean up the bike (they didn't) and (in hindsight) it felt like they would say anything that gets the bike sold. SBF were impossible to contact after the sale, they just didnt want to know. The panniers were held up with duct tape, the top box wouldn't lock, almost all the rubber tubing was end of life, forks seals leaked a few weeks later, rear tyre had a nail in it (only an advisory on the MOT), the handlebar was bent, electrics were a nightmare, etc. Unfortunately, at the time I wasn't as clued up on my consumer rights as I am now so pretty much had to eat all the repair and service costs. Now, as a more experienced biker, would I buy from them again? Perhaps, IF the price was right, IF they could show me some service history, IF it was a Japanese brand, IF I could buy on a credit card for Section 75 protection, IF it wasn't a daily rider and IF they allowed me to touch the bike at their warehouse before deciding to buy it.

[@FlowCharge]

I've never bought a bike from them but I have had the misfortune to sell them one and they really take the piss, imo, they are nothing short of scam artists, never again.

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Sorry to hear buddy that sucks 😞

[@FlowCharge]

@@BK_MotoVlogs it was a hard lesson but well learnt, something akin to sticking a fork in a socket 😵‍💫

[@garrywhite8976]

Go regularly to Donnington cafe for a full english which is great.Vast majority of the bikes look like they have spent their lives at the bottom of the sea ( expensive too).Each to their own but i would pass .

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Highly recommend the chicken burger too that's good 🤣🤣👌👌

[@Bannister99]

Just went at the weekend for the first time - The bikes were shocking

[@adrianjturner]

Bought my Honda NC750X DCT from the Macclesfield branch back in June. Was happy with with the buying process and bought the bike on my credit card after doing the maths and working out that it was cheaper than the finance options on offer. Less than three weeks later one of the fork seals were leaking oil and after speaking to customer services the bike was collected by their own people and dropped off fully repaired a couple of weeks later at no cost. Overall I was very happy with the experience and will definitely be going to see them as first choice when I my my next bike.

[@roadwarrior8560]

a couple of weeks to fit a fork seal? they'd have been as well to refund you £100 and let you get it done local yourself.

[@techtinkerin]

They lost the sale as soon as it became clear the price on autotrdr was not the price they were actually selling it. Simple as that.

[@Nicholas-w7q]

Which of their dealerships do you work at ?

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

i dont haha i have brought lots of bikes from them

[@MrEnglishman6969]

All they do is buy peoples bikes off line cheap . Pick them up and put them straight up for sale for a thousand pound more. Been there about 10 times to look at bikes I wanted to buy then go buy private. As most of them I would not touch. I bought one from them when they first opened had problems with the bike from the off. But to be fair to them they sent me the parts to fix it no problems at all. They did say bring the bike back and they world fix it but would rather do it myself

[@goldtek]

Buying from the superbike factory, is the same experience as buying privately but with access to finance. If you follow the same safeguards as when buying privately you will probably be fine. Just as with buying privately you assume the risk because their aftercare is atrocious. A finance company that uses motorcycles as the asset, but doesn't really care about the quality of the bikes; because the bike is only the asset for the finance agreement.

[@markbur1503]

The outlet in Milton Keynes is very good. All nicely set out in a well light warm enviroment. Sales staff are knowledgable and polite and friendly, however what you see is what you get. You wont get them replacing parts etc if there is corrosion etc. Overall it wouldnt put me off i prefer to see stuff in the raw so to speak.

[@joshcook9605]

I brought one from the Donnington branch, Mutt Akita 125 only 200 miles. Had my mate ride it home and he kept stalling. Turns out the gearbox and throttle were knackered so their 300 point inspection was a total lie. Would never recommend buying from them.

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Now that does suck. Did u get any off your money back or anything 🤔

[@joshcook9605]

@@BK_MotoVlogs yeah, full refund. They offered a repair but that would have taken me over the return period so I didn’t bother.

[@robreed2999]

They are absolute SHIT from my experience 🤬 half of the bikes are grubby and not prepared the salesman knew sod all about bikes and didnt even make to get a mechanic to get it started for me 🤬 I drove 100 miles to to look at the bike XJR1300 and walked out with disappointment 🤬 go to a private showroom with salesman that know about bikes and you can talk to 👍 got my XJR1300 a week later from a private showroom for cash and rides a dream 😃ride safe and pleased you got a good deal 👍😊

[@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555]

Made me a lowball offer on my bike for a trade in, l'm fine with that, it's a business after all. But after I sold it privately for 50% more & they hounded me for weeks, wouldn't touch a hard sell company like that with a barge pole.

[@trevornelmes9331]

Ooh. Second video watched, even closer to me, on the Birmingham Road (Maybird) in Stratford. Not sure I would ever 'trust' Superbike Factory. But, they do what they do. Buy in OK(ish) bikes from dealers who have taken them part ex, spruce them up, mark them up, hope they have no hidden faults and sell them on. You can get a bargain, you can get a lemon, because they really don't do a deep dive in to the bikes they sell, for them it is all about volume turnover.

[@ommanomnom]

Places like SBF suck unless you know exactly what you are doing. You can only get a good deal when you walk in, know exactly what you want, put half the bikes worth down in a deposit, already tax and insure it, and ride it home. Then pay it off early. Anything else is completely suicidal. If you do it this way, you get complete convenience, with good warranty, and are merely paying a bit extra for said convenience of walking in and walking out. If you do ANYTHING else. You will get screwed over. Go somewhere else. I'm not saying I'm a wizard haggler. I'm just saying you will have no joy and lose more money and time doing anything more with them. I got my first large bike from SBF, a honda CBF 600 and I'm loving it. Remember SBF are merely the finance salesmen of your next bike. Treat them as such. They are a means to an end.

[@markbeynon2006]

I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole! Had a bad experience with them. As far as I'm concerned they're a rip-off.

[@EasternBmx36]

Nice to see a fellow rider in Stratford!

[@PaulCopp]

They might be OK to buy from, I don't know, but what I do know is that their trade in offers are very low to say the least.

[@snakeman9902]

Ahhhh, the good old motorbike vs. mileage debate... Answer? It all depends on the type of bike. If I was looking for a goldwing, I wouldn't be concerned if the mileage was 70k. Nobody buys a GW for speed. It's built for long distance and generally looked after. If I was going to buy a sportsbike, there would be no way I would buy one with 70k miles on it. Nobody buys a sportsbike to go 30 miles an hour all day.faster bike, more miles, higher revs, more stress on the engine. Buying from SBF gives me a lot of reservations.. Besides the reluctance to give back your money and the terrible customer service you mentioned, you can't take the bike for a test run. Then there is the ridiculous £200 admin fee, which you lose if you change your mind. One thing for sure is the closures of motorbike dealerships, which seem to be for SBF benefit. They're prospering, while others are collapsing. It's more of a warehouse for motorbikes (with direct sales)rather than a full-on dealership.

[@benkelly2190]

Great if you’re buying. Not so good if you’re a private seller.

[@davidbluhm7716]

I bought a 2009 BMW 1200GS from the Bristol showroom earlier this year, clean and immaculate, exactly as it was shown in the photos and video, paperwork and all service history in order. I'd get one from them again.

[@russthebiker]

Make sure you fit a tracker and keep it secure It's the most stolen motorcycle at the moment And brizzle has a gang of thieving mongs running around

[@onenoodles]

basically ... if you have really looked after your bike and its lovely then you will probably be insulted with their offer (as they need to buy it cheap) and probably sell privately or maybe px with a reputable dealer whose own bike will be more expensive but prepared properly and easier to deal with if any issues. So many sellers moving on their junk will accept the low ball because they are maybe buying something at what they consider to be a bargain ... so junk in and junk out generally. However, you might be lucky and some poor sap has had no option but to accept the offer for their pride and joy due to personal circumstances and you might benefit from buying it? I saw a bike in their Macc depot and it looked pretty good, their offer for my Crosstourer was derisory so no deal ... went to a long established dealer in Brum and got £750 more against a bike only £200 more than the SB bike ... £550 better deal, with a great experience, prepped with care, presented beautifully and would deal with them again in a heartbeat so ... SB if you are just wanting to look at a model you haven't seen in the flesh before (as they will almost certainly have one) and then hunt one down elsewhere would be my advice.

[@John-jw8rx]

I tried to sell to them. They gave me a low offer which I accepted, I wasn't happy with it but wanted a quick sale. They then messed me about for over a week. Ended up trading it in at a local dealer for a better deal.

[@NUFC2412]

Be always ok until something goes wrong after purchase. They will ship them out quick but flip them quick. Delboy's of the bike world

[@MrWingman1966]

Just got a honda cb125f from them on a 21 plate 6000 miles on it rode it 10 miles and it blew up.

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

No way that really sucks 😕 what they said about it

[@MrWingman1966]

@@BK_MotoVlogs waiting for them to get it picked up, then they need to do an investigation.

[@MrWingman1966]

@@BK_MotoVlogs but want my money back.

[@MrVinnyh]

Yes I brought a Moto Guzzi V7 from Donnington, never buy again! I needed a little finance so they phoned no prob with that, but the number of phone calls I received from Superbike Factory attempting to sell warranty, finance package, 3 phone calls from 3 different people, asking when I could collect the bike ( gave the answer the first time) when you trade in a bike go's into the workshop to devalue it, saying this & that's wrong. The only way to describe Superbike Factory is a bunch of con artists.

[@chrisr6710]

It’s such a shame they come with the reputation they do. I have a branch near me, they have the bike I want at the price I like, and it’s literally minutes from my door, but I’m not going there.

[@BlokeOnAMotorbike]

I like to walk around the Donington branch and just drool all over the bikes. I already bought my bike (0-mile Sinnis Hoodlum which I LOVE).

[@T3-RIDER]

Iv yet to hear anything positive about superbike factory, I enquired about a 8000 miles honda CB600 hornet, until she said its had 1 service its life and 8 owners....

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

1 service ouch 🤣🤣

[@kwak1k]

​@@BK_MotoVlogsthe 8 owners is more of a red flag...

[@King_Harrold]

I've visited a couple of their sites. All the bikes look like they've been pulled out of a lake. Scratches and rusting to fixings, not consistent with age and mileage. Not for me, I'd go elsewhere.

[@SloboloboVFR]

Ive bought 3 bikes from them and ive not had an awful experience but I did find that a bike on the website may not be in the showroom, trying to find someone to help is a nightmare, they dont offer any test rides. Don't bother with delivery, warranty or any extra rubbish. An SV650s I bought from them apparently had new fork seals before I bought It on its 1st MOT the fork seals were leaking. Dont sell them a bike or part ex they will gouge you. Like you said they are flippers, dont expect premium bikes/service.

[@philardern6923]

I recently bought a CBR 600 f from super bike factory. Had no problem with either the bike or the sales team. They mother a bit about taking out the extended warranty and putting new tyres on, but the tyres were fairly new

[@ommanomnom]

Hey nice one. I just bought a cbr600 a few weeks ago from SBF too. Loving it so far.

[@TheMatlockBiker]

Billy is this back vlogging again? Didn’t you go off to US?

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Unfortunately funds just didn't allow 😕 😪

[@somatyk]

I actually skip their adverts on Autotrader bikes. I want information about the bike. There is none. And every second picture is an advert. Hard pass. First impressions? F.

[@somatyk]

You're talking about going to a major dealer who doesn't wash the bikes? How the flip are they supposed to assess the bike? What if dirt is across a frame break or bend? You are basically driving the nail into the coffin.

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

I no i went to look at a crf250l a year ago and they was a massive dent in the bottom of the frame where a bash guard wasn't fitted. Told them about it 3 days later still there on the website 🤣 you realy do gave to check them over your self

[@MrEnglishman6969]

I am looking for a bike now, I never even look at a bike that has superbike factory heading, I go straight past it.

[@MrEnglishman6969]

@@somatyk I have seen them take bikes they have just picked up to sell pull them Out the van start it put it into gear and then put it straight on the web for sale. No bike are ever serviced unless you pay for one to be done. They really are just pushed straight out the door to the next owner at an inflated cost. It’s all about turnover and commission sell sell Sell that’s it

[@somatyk]

@@MrEnglishman6969 I'm fully expecting a used bike subscription model any time now

[@oddball7483]

I have never met an HONEST sales person !!!! Most seem to think they are in a supermaket and expect you to purchase like you would a can of overpriced main label beans.

[@mikeberrisford9772]

Super bike factory , run like a corner shop , the customer service lets them down.

[@michaelhutton3642]

Its a supermarket for bikes. Dont expect too much knowledge from the salesman. Know what you want and how much you are willing to pay. I am very happy with my CB500X bought from them.

[@cm8227]

How much was ur cb500x from em

[@michaelhutton3642]

About 4.5k

[@robreed2999]

Went there once and walked out of 🤬 never again💩🤣

[@aeron-mw7ofs]

Lots of their used bikes look like restoration projects.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

Completely Motorbikes Hinckley. WAY BETTER.

[@Banditmanuk]

I often go a wander around the bikes at the Donington Superbike Factory. Lots of rough looking unwashed bikes on show. Personally I would be more interested in a bike's overall condition together with it's service history. My MT10 is at 34,000 miles with full main dealer history. Its probably a better buy than a bike that's been modified, decated, flashed and then spent it's life on its back wheel. You can still buy a bad bike privately and you probably hear more bad stories about the Superbike Factory simply because of the scale of bikes sold.

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Yes very true well said 👌

[@theUrbangh0st]

Got my R1 from them years ago its a stunning bike still going strong today, sale was fast but 100% good experience

[@zaddaz570]

It’s a massive rip-off customer services on the phone very rude and insulting, admin charge to sell you a secondhand bike £170. This is not on the price of the bike. This is separate charge and then even if you live like I do 15 miles away from them they want to charge a £250 to do it drop-off.

[@craigcraig2524]

I to bought a Bike from there (This year) Picked a Correct Millage, One Owner, enough service History and looked clean..And it was ,Nice bloke on the phone and double Glazing Sales men at the depo trying to sell addons at £300 each wash n wax, paint gard, new tyres However do your research, Check the Bike, and Stick to your guns. I even got some £ knocked off. .But then again I was buying a Cheap Bike so worth the Risk...Would I use them again?? YES,, But "Buyer beware" Oh the Bike is still going Strong 3000 miles On. ;0)

[@richardgiles2484]

Think this advice applies to ALL used bike dealerships 😂

[@malcopopolo44]

Bikes older than a year are not in the best nick. There might be the odd gem but the ones I saw on Saturday had corrosion, rust and generally unloved. They are linked to we buy any bike who have some dubious practices to negotiating prices in their favour. Buy private and take your chances. If your credit history is shit then you should not be buying motorbikes.

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Haha I just can't help buying a bike with bad credit 🤣 no point living other wise 🤔🤣👌

[@davidmatthews3093]

I have no credit history which is worse than having a bad credit history. That didn’t stop me buying a brand new bike last month.

[@carlarthur4442]

A couple of my sons bought bikes from the S B F and had no probs at all , I actually rode one back to the Wirral along the M W no probs 👍

[@ThatBlackDog]

I’m sure I sat on this bike when I was looking 😂 I got an mt07 from there in the end. No issues with it (so far), I got money off the bike when I asked as they had had it for a while. I went on a Saturday, enquired about it, rode it home 2 hours later. They had a space in the post sale final check workshop so I got lucky with timings on that. My experience was good.

[@bigjam8429]

You sound a little bit like Peter Hickman

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

haha shame i ride nothing like him

[@julianpowell6355]

I've not had a problem with them...

[@BK_MotoVlogs]

Does seem to be very 50/50 but like you I have only had good experience 👌👌

[@proreviewstv8898]

You’re riding 50 in a 30, you need to slow down

[@markimark82]

buy but dont part ex

[@stephenlawson555]

Absolute crooks