Even though these were practically released as turn key collectibles, most buyers put them on the street for a little while to experience the investment a little bit. If you browse our archives, the examples we have highlighted have only turned 500-2500 miles in most cases. Not this one. It’s still a 0 mile example and never removed from the crate. While previously unopened sportbikes we’ve seen haven’t necessarily had a preview of what’s inside, this seller has taken the time to x-ray the contents! While part publicity stunt, it will add to this particular example’s history and value. 20 years from now if it’s still in the crate, can you imagine what it may be worth?
dc
2002 Ducati MH900e for sale on eBay
from the seller:
2002 Ducati MH900e still in the original, un-opened, crate!
This is #1617/2000. The crate has literally NEVER been opened. It still has the original nylon straps around it as it came from the factory.
I won’t go into details about the Ducati MH900e model itself because I’m sure, if you’re looking at this listing, you are well aware of the history of these bikes. If not, Wikipedia has some great information.
This particular bike was purchased locally by an acquaintance who, by the time the bike was actually delivered to him (2 yrs after his online order), had fallen ill and was in no condition to drive it so he had it delivered to his home still in the crate. It sat in his heated garage until last year when I acquired it.
Knowing the rarity of finding an MH900e still in the crate I did not want to open the crate either. But also knowing that a potential buyer would want some form of confirmation as to the contents, I made arrangements through some senior contacts I have at UPS to have the bike taken to the airport for a security scan and x-ray. I’ve attached pics of the x-ray. If you look closely you can see everything inside, including the stand and box that contains the plaque & shirt (on top of the seat). I also have the original bill of sale (from 2002) from the local dealership.
I make/offer no warranty about the mechanical condition of the bike itself other than it is brand new, complete, and the crate has never been dropped, damaged, or opened. Obviously never having been PDI’d by a dealer, it would be impossible for me to warrant it mechanically.
I apologize that there aren’t more pics, but there’s only so much detail you can show of the crate itself. If you would like any more shots please contact me. For obvious collectability reasons though, I will NOT “break the seal” and open the crate to take pics. The winning bidder will be entitled to open the crate and my facility prior to shipping if they choose, once payment in full has been made.
While I can appreciate the novelty of the crate being unopened, I don’t know if that adds any value to one which was just opened to prove it’s validity. It may fetch less as a result.
Seems like a ‘Schodinger’s cat’ situation. lol
Cheers
Counter Point: you wouldn’t necessarily uncork a collectible vintage bottle of wine just to confirm its taste.
also, an opened crate of a limited edition is nice but from what I have read these bikes were more of a style and marketing exercise, in part due to the miniscule gas tanks. So it will appeal to a collector but to someone who really like bikes for their history or performance.
Now if he had an opened OWO1 that would something, or maybe a Ducati 750ss
The owo-1 came with a cardboard cover which was easily removed to reveal the the bike nicely in it’s webbed crate… much better for viewing than the cover on it.
I can neither confirm or deny whether someone has purchased a $20,000 of wine, only to open it up at a later date to find out it was refilled with Welches grape juice and re-corked. I do suppose if you can afford such wine it wouldn’t be an issue!
I can’t imagine many people, if any, will be lined up to pay a premium for something they cannot verify exists under the pretence they bought it, without losing their investment once they do. That being said…..it only takes 1. Lol
This is one of the basic fundamentals of a how a scam operates.
*** NOT TO SAY THIS IS !!! ***
I guess you should only risk what you are prepared to loose.
Cheers
Hey guys this bike was for sale last year and the owner wanted $55,000. I heard there was interest at $25,000 but that was it. I wonder if he still is hoping to get $55,000. Sounds like a crazy asking price to me. What do you guys think?
Hi guys,
I’m actually the seller. First of all, thanks for featuring my bike on your site, quite an honor!
Hopefully I can address a few comments posted here:
1) this is definitely not a scam. I would welcome, in fact encourage, anyone to come see the bike/crate if they choose. I recognize this would make a good scam,
which is the reason I went through the effort of the X-ray. If anyone wants to contact me through eBay I will provide my phone # to chat live. As mentioned in my
listing too, I would allow the buyer to open the crate in front of me once payment had been made.
2) I’m not disputing that another MH was for sale last year or not, but I can assure you it wasn’t mine. Hence, I can also tell you that I’m not expecting $55k (although I’ll take it…lol). I will tell you that my reserve starts with a “2”.
Anyway, thanks again for the post and for all of you looking/commenting!
Best regards,
Matt
Hi, I saw this bike for sale on craigslist last May and we spoke then. You had the X-rays then. I’m sure it’s a good buy and now that you have reduced your expectations you will sell her for sure.
In
M sure they future buyer will be happy too. When are you planning on selling your rg500? Hope you have come down in price too
I don’t particularly care for the MHe, a real kickstart MHR is more to my liking, but those scans are strangely beautiful; truly works of art.
Rick, I’m not sure how to respond. I took this X-rays on Dec 21st, 2013…which I can prove through the time stamp on the original X-ray files. I have never spoken about this bike to anyone till now. If you want to chat live we can certainly clear this up. I also have never owned an rg500. You sure you have the right person? I’m in Toronto, ON.
Hi Rick, not really sure how to respond again. I took the X-rays on Dec 21st, 2013 and can provide the original date stamp on them to prove it. This bike has never been offered for sale before other than a posting on a blog in Jan 2014. I also have never owned an rg500. Respectfully, you have me confused with someone else. I live in Toronto, ON, Canada. In any event, thanks everyone for your comments!
Lovely bike Matt and it’s strange that at first you said you never had the bike for sale previously and now you admit you did offer it for sale back in January this year. I’m not sure why you needed to fib/lie about that. Either way guys he seemed like a lovely man when we spoke last year and he seemed at the time very honorable. Now his BIN has been reduced to 20something it’s a great deal and something I’m sure will sell easily this time around. Matt good luck with the sale and remember there is no need to fib, you will sell the bike easily this time around.maybe you were fibbing to me about owning the rg500 too I’ll never know now.
Rick,
I’m trying not to be offended about being called a liar. FYI, I listed it on the mh900e.org in January to let that community know that I was thinking of selling it and would for the right price. It’s a forum, and I was informing everyone about my bike. Not sure that makes me a liar. Anyway, you insist we spoke last May yet I didn’t even own the bike at that time nor was the X-ray done till December. Would be easy to swing the “lair stick” myself but I’m not interested in going to that level. Again, I’m a little leery to just post my phone # here, but if you or anyone else want to reach out to me via email I’d be happy to give any details requested. Rick, please be more respectful if calling someone a liar without actually reaching out to them. Thanks.
Hi Matt,
I’m sorry if I offended you, this wasn’t my objective at all. You were a lovely man and very honourable when we spoke last year and the bike is worth every cent you are asking for it now. I’m sure the buyer will be happy. Good luck with the sale. Once again please accept apologies.
Looks like you have to drop the forks and take the clip ons off just to get the fairing/gas tank off, what were they thinking!
Sold for $28,600. Congratulations to buyer and seller!
dc
Hi guys, Matt here again (Seller). Thought I’d double back on this thread and clarify. I actually sold it for $33,000. However, because a deal was made with less than 12 hrs left in the auction, and reserve had been met, I was not able to delist the auction (eBay rules) but eBay DOES allow a seller to end an auction early by accepting the current highest offer. Therefore the buyer submitted a high offer (which was $28,600 at that moment) and then I immediately ended the auction. I’m only explaining all of this for the benefit all of you out there that we’re watching the auction to determine the market value of YOUR MH900e. Anyway, thanks again so much for this article on your website, I’m both appreciative and honored. Oh, one last time for the record: Rick-we-never-spoke-last-May-as-I-didn’t-even-own-the-bike-then-nor-were-the-X-rays-taken-till-Dec 2013. There, nice and slow, so hopefully it’s more easily understood. :). Thanks all!
Matt