A few new bikes I may look at

[My Name Is Dave]

I was just checking out the website for a bike shop by my house and saw these:

2005 Suzuki V-Strom® 650 -       $4,999.00

2005 Yamaha YZF-600R -  SALE $4,685

2005 Triumph Sprint ST ABS -  SALE $6,285

These all seem like pretty good deals, especially from a dealer. Now, I have not checked them out so I can't say that the condition is great, but I may head up there anyway tomorrow so I'm thinking about giving them a look. They are much different bikes, but are all ones that I can see myself enjoying.

I'm just wondering what you all think about these. If I could get a good trade on the GS I would consider that, although I'm sure I would be much better off to just sell it to a private party. This is just something I am considering, nothing serious.

Thanks guys and gals,
Dave

[Kasumi]

Never road a V-strom or paid much attention to one really....

The thundercat however YZF-R Great sports tourer more angled at sports. Got more grunt than you can shake a stick at and even with bikes as fast as they are now you won't be left behind the pack. Bike is rather heavy (touring side) not as nimble as your new R6 of Gixxer 6 however this makes it far more comfortable with a much bigger seat and plenty of room for two.  Known problems have been rear shocks need replacing if alot of 2 up riding has been done, the stock one is a little soft and get worn after lots of heavy 2 up riding with gear however equally you may find one that this problem never existed on - enquire about the history and check the cushioning of the shock.

The Sprint ST. Test rode one alongside my dad when he was looking for a new bike. Great bike, great for touring and excellent for sports blasts - very similar to the Yamaha in the market its aimed at. Don't go for the old model, they are dated now, you want the new model with the 3 headlights abit cyclops lookalike ish. Bike is very fast, nimble and feels well built. Only problems. tall passangers sit up with their head in the wind which can be tiring for them but alternatively they do get a better view, and one other note, the exhaust on the newer models exists under the seat and out of the tail at the back. Now on cold days this is great you get a warm bum on the long ride however if your going to be riding around Cali in scorching heat you will probably want to test ride first and see if you can deal with it. The seat really does get warm when the bike is heated up.

Hope this helps... BTW deal prices dont look too bad

[ohgood]

I was just checking out the website for a bike shop by my house and saw these:

2005 Suzuki V-Strom® 650 -       $4,999.00

2005 Yamaha YZF-600R -  SALE $4,685

2005 Triumph Sprint ST ABS -  SALE $6,285

These all seem like pretty good deals, especially from a dealer. Now, I have not checked them out so I can't say that the condition is great, but I may head up there anyway tomorrow so I'm thinking about giving them a look. They are much different bikes, but are all ones that I can see myself enjoying.

I'm just wondering what you all think about these. If I could get a good trade on the GS I would consider that, although I'm sure I would be much better off to just sell it to a private party. This is just something I am considering, nothing serious.

Thanks guys and gals,
Dave

They're all fuel injected, right ?

The v-strom fits me, but never rode it. Some say it's a pig in the tight stuff. The looks are well, different. Not like I care while I'm riding

The yzf sounds like a blast. I don't know I could fit on one myself, and be comfortable all day, but hey, everyone isn't a jolly green like me.

The triumph is pretttty. Personally I'd skip it though, and go for Jap dependability, bevy of parts, techs that know/love/race them, etc.



Good luck, don't forget to post your impressions of each one when you fire them up.

[vtlion]

I'm fairly sure that the YZF 600R is carbed.  it dates back to the late 90's.  definitely verify that one.  Fun bike though.  I demo'ed one a few years back and I would buy one if I found a good deal.

[My Name Is Dave]

The YZF is carbed, you're right. Based on the reviews it's a blast. It supposedly has good gas mileage and great brakes, with the downside being a bad rear shock. The early models also had an issue with 2nd gear becoming defective, but I think that is irrelevant to the newer ones.

It is a rare beautiful winter day today, so I am riding regardless. I'll stop by the shop and see if I can get a test ride on it. Thanks for the input guys.

Just out of curiosity, what would be a good value if I tried to trade in the GS? I know they will lowball, so I was thinking something like $3000 as my minimum, but that may not be realistic. It is a great bike and is in great shape, but you never know.

Dave

[Affschnozel]

If you want to own just one bike that does everything well but doesn't excel in one thing in particular ,it's the DL650 V-Strom
( lately i'm thinking about it a lot  )

The YZF600R is excellent bike ,also versatile with reliable and potent engine ,good brakes ,sporty but comfy,

it's carbed and steel framed.

Just go check them out and tell us what u think 

[My Name Is Dave]

I just got back from my ride/bike shopping. Don't worry, I still have the GS. But here's what I found out.

The YZF is a nice bike in general...really nice. I do like the ergonomics more than the GS- it's more forward (I feel like I'm practicing perfectly erect posture on the GS), but isn't leaned forward so much that there's any discomfort. I like the clip-ons and pegs as well.It is a nice looking bike and I really had to force myself not to just got for the trade. I really wanted to mull it over and run it by you all first.

Here's the deal on the bikes, specifically. They have 2 YZFs there, both 2005s and the same color scheme.

1- 7k miles for $4600. No upgrades, no damage, nothing really out of place at all. The rear shock seemed fine with me on it. The only thing that caught my eye was the chain and rear sprocket needed a cleaning, but there was no visible rust or anything. Normal wear and tear, no scratches and not a damaged title.

2- 9k miles for $5300 (go figure, right). Apparently this one is new to the lot so that's why the price is higher. Who knows. Anyways, nothing remarkable here. A tinted double bubble windshield is all it has different from the other.


Naturally, I was leaning towards the first one. Less miles, cheaper, no real reason to not opt for that one. The guy said he could give me $2000 for the GS, and I said no way. So they went back to the magic room and came back and said $2500. Which got me thinking, but didn't make me want to make a deal.

So I would owe $2100, which I would finance. I know I have a $1000 check coming to me at the end of the month that would go straight to that loan if I were to get the bike. And I can justify it, but I did not want to sign anything today.

Here's the thing- I know I could sell my bike for about $1000 more than what they are offering and then save the difference up and buy something else. Really, I do like the YZF and am heavily considering them now. And I do not want to let a good deal get by, that's why I'm even asking for advice. However, I may be able to sell my bike to a private party, take that $1000 and whatever else I have, and buy one outright and not have to finance it. Now, that will add more time to the process, but I'm in no rush (well, until you are standing right in front of the bike that you could hypothetically ride home...which makes you want to get it done ASAP).

I guess that is all the info I have. Basically, I do like those bikes and this seems like a good deal. However, the trade-in seems low and I may be able to rock this without going to the dealer. So...thoughts?

Thanks
Dave

[bergj1986]

Personally I would sell the GS private party, then walk into the dealer and buy the bike without a loan.  After interest and everything, you'll end up spending more than you'd think to switch bikes.  Also take into account ALL the fees that the dealer likes the tack onto the price (dealer prep, shop air, shiny valve stem caps, etc.)  When I'm trying to do negotiate a deal at a dealer, I talk only in OTD price (out the door, which includes taxes and all fees).  That'll give you a much better idea of how much the bike will cost. 

Also realize that just because you're looking at a dealer bike, doesn't mean it's any better than something you'd buy private party.  A beaten bike is a beaten bike, regardless of where it is.  Case and point:  The previous owner of my GS bought the bike at a dealer about 2k miles ago, it's VERY obvious that the dealer did very little or even no work after taking the bike in on a trade and getting it back out the door. 

Business-wise, dealers act just like any private party seller would; main goal is to make profit, profit profit!  If I were you, since you now know you really like the YZF, I would looked in the newspaper or Craigslist and see if you can find a local seller with a YZF similar to what you found at the dealer.  It's been my experience that you can use many more negotiation techniques and are usually much more likely to be able to talk the price down compared to a dealership.

Anyway, good luck with your decision, you now know my $.02 on the subject.

Thanks,
Josh

[My Name Is Dave]

Well, I agree with the last post. I have decided that I made the right decision. In the heat of the moment it was hard not to jump on the offer, but I am so glad I did what I did. I will tune up the GS in the next month, sell it on the open market, and try to look for a "new" ride on CL. The YZF is definitely a consideration, as is the F4i. They both seem to be like something I would like at this point. I'm gonna sit on a F4i and see how that feels. I like that they're more aggressive than the GS but still made to be ridden. But who knows, by then I may want something way different 

Thanks again for all of the advice, kids. I appreciate it.

Dave