Newbie...

[Anderw]

Hello,

I am new to bikes/biking I only have a CBT but I have bought a '08 Suzuki GS500f and take delivery Friday 

I am giving up 4 wheels for 2, I have had a rough time with my recently sold '04 Alfa 156 JTD m-jet Lusso, a lovely car own until you get to your third thousand pound bill in 10 months 

That's me 

[Porkchop]

Welcome  Andrew.

Take some photos of you picking up your new bike on Friday.

- Porkchop

[simon79]

Hi Anderw,

congrats and welcome!

EDIT:
Happy 500th post to me!!! w00t!!

[scratch]

Welcome!

[the mole]

Good choice, cars are for transport, bikes are for fun. If you want to blow money on a more exotic toy, get a plane or a boat!!!
Welcome!

[drincruz]

delivery?

anyhow, a new gstwinner is always welcome!

cheers!

[jdbutler13]

Congrats; I'm pretty fresh myself, but its the best feeling just hitting the road and going.

[mister]

delivery?

cheers!

In Aust, when we go to pick up a vehicle we know it as "taking delivery" (bike bought/ordered on one day and "delivered" days later due to what follows, plus getting it shipped from factory/warehouse). Part of the On Road Costs is the dealer's mysterious Pre Delivery - which can range from a few hundred bux to a grand or two.

This Pre Delivery is supposed to involve a kind of service to make sure the vehicle is running - check all fluids (oils, water, grease, etc.). Tighten bolts, etc.

Of course, considering ALL dealers use apprentices as their main workforce with usually only one fully qualified head mechanic (two at the most for a larger dealer), this Fee is complete BS. And it's used to Reduce the Marketed Price of a vehicle. For instance...

GS500 only $7000* (cheap in Aust BTW)

* does not include dealer delivery or govt statutory charges.

Govt charges include Stamp Duty (tax), Registration (which also includes 3rd party insurance, fire levy and some other crud), clear title check fee, title transfer fee, etc.
Dealer delivery is, in my opinion, the dealer's profit.

So instead of advertising a GS500 for $8,500. They list it as $7000 plus on roads. Then, when you go to buy and do the paperwork, they add on $800 for govt taxes and $700 for their piece of the action. And suddenly it's $8,500.

Considering the dealers get 90 day floor terms in Aust - they don't have to pay the factory for 90 days for any bikes they get from the factory and put on the floor - the dealers really have Zero Inventory Cost.

So new bikes cost different prices in different states depending on how much the state govt charges for it's compulsory taxes and how much the dealer charges for pre delivery - based on the different hourly rates the dealer has to pay his apprentices.

Anderw: Got some pics for us or what? Or did you get the old "hasn't arrived from the warehouse yet?" excuse?

Michael

[Worm]

Congrats on the new bike! Post up a pic once you get the chance.

[Anderw]

I've had real problems logging in, I think the Safari update may have fixed things. Anyway things have progressed, I have my full bike license now and have done about 400 miles on the GS500. I am enjoying the bike so far learning more and more each ride I go on. I did an advanced course too, the instructor had nothing to report and felt I was 'born to ride', happy days!

A couple of pics:

[drduimstra]

congrats on the new bike and nice picsk

[O.C.D.]

Your last pic almost makes me feel that these bikes can handle 2-up, lol.  Good score and good use of ATGATT!

[Porkchop]

Very nice.  Congrats on the new ride.

- Porkchop