Hi everyone,
I am looking to change bikes. I found an FZ6 and a GSX650f at a local dealer.
The 2005 FZ6 has 10,000mi, givi to top rack and matching blue case, framer sliders, adult owned, excellent shape from what I can tell. ~$3500 with case from what they told me
The 2008 GSX650f has 2,000mi, black/silver, excellent shape from what I can tell. ~$4000.
Prices are not exact and hopefully the bikes will still be there till I can pick them up. Also, there is a $5000 loan minimum so I would get a givi case and rack with the gsx to meet the minimum or if I went with the FZ6 i try to use my card and pay cash and maybe sell the gs500f later.
I just wanted some advice on which one is better deal and better ride. I need something for everyday commuting with bags since I'll be riding fully geared and will need a place to store at least some gear. I've ridin' the FZ6 and wasn't the biggest fan, but I can easily adjust and forget about the small things I didn't like.
Thanks for the help; I just someone else with more experiance to chime in.
My advice would be ride the GS while you save a little more money then search for a deal on craigslist and pay cash.
I recently bought a 2009 fz6r with 2000 miles for about what you are getting the 05 for.
Quote from: myfirstluv on August 12, 2010, 09:13:46 PM
I've ridin' the FZ6 and wasn't the biggest fan
If you ride it everyday you should like it.
Ill second what was also said. Save up your $ and wait until you can buy a bike outright. Loans are money pits. There will be good deals in the future as well, especially in the fall or spring.
First off don't buy something that you did not totally like the first time you rode it. It is going to be a lot harder to actually adjust to the dislikes than by just saying you will if you get that bike. Second, my local dealers are selling 2009 GS500F's with 0 miles for $3999. I'm sure this is location based but it proves that you can find a much better deal by researching all possible sales locations (local craigslist, other shops, etc...). Both bikes are exceptional. Of course I am going to be bias because I own a Suzuki GSF and say look into it. Good luck!!
I'd go for the FZ6 if those were my two choices hands down, but I also agree you can probably find something for a better price if you look around. I picked up my XB9s for $3200 with only 3400 miles on it in perfect condition.
See if you can get a personal loan instead of one through the dealership. I saved up about $1500, and then just got a loan from the credit union for $2000. It gets automatically deducted from each paycheck, I can still get whatever insurance I want, and I didn't have to buy unneeded accessories just to increase the loan amount.
I dealt with that when I bought my triumph. I only needed to borrow $2500, but they said the minimum loan was $5k, so I took the loan, planned on sending in an extra $2500 with my first payment, but I never did and I spent that money SO fast. New jacket, helmet, air filter. It was very easy to spend. Definitely regret how much longer it took me to pay it off.
The main reason I want to make the change is because I will be doing a lot of commuting and highway riding. I find the gs is too susceptible to being pushed around with wind and I also need cargo space. I found a solution to the cargo today with a topcase rack givi 526f and e460 case which was huge for me cause I'll need a place to store all my gear at work.
Does anyone else have trouble commuting on the highway or is it just me in heavy wind situations?
Also does anyone have experience putting a sweaty helmet and shoes in a closed/nonvented hard case?
http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2010-kawasaki-ninja-650-vs-2009-suzuki-gsx650f-vs-2010-yamaha-fz6r-89460.html
Basically the heavier and larger GSX650F trumps the other bikes over longer distances.
The'09+ FZ6R uses the motor from the 2003 R6, so it makes less power up top than the '05 FZ6 you rode. Nevertheless, they liked it the most overall - a lightly used one for $3500 would be a good buy. Plus it would be four years newer.
Quote from: myfirstluv on August 13, 2010, 09:12:24 AMDoes anyone else have trouble commuting on the highway or is it just me in heavy wind situations?
We got caught in a summer storm during a trip this year and it was pretty scary how much the little GS got blown around :o
Eventually we got tired of the "pulling the carpet out from underneath you" feeling you get from a good wind gust and called it quits until the storm passed.
Quote from: myfirstluv on August 13, 2010, 09:12:24 AMAlso does anyone have experience putting a sweaty helmet and shoes in a closed/nonvented hard case?
:icon_eek: stinkeeeee lol
Maybe the wind is different down under :dunno_black: but even in wind, cross wind, head wind, I never feel like I have the carpet pulled out from under me. In my almost 26,000km on the bike this last year, the worst wind was the other day. This was rip-your-helmet-and-spin-it-around-your-head type wind. And even though it was uncomfortable and I was getting buffeted to buggery, I never felt like the carpet was getting ripped from under me. And no bike would protect YOU from the wind - my head would cop a bounding no matter how heavy the bike ridden cause if it can make it harder for cars to stay in their line it's sure as heck gonna make it harder for a bike rider.
Mind you, I mostly ride around 65mph and seldom go above 75. So factor that in.
Of course, I ride a naked, so maybe there is less bike for cross-wind to get a hold of :dunno_black:
IF you are going to save your $$$ to buy something else, why restrict it then to those two bikes? Why not throw a VStrom or SV650 into the mix? Or even a GSR600?
IF it's just about luggage space, why can't you throw some extra capacity onto the GS? Check out the Touring Modify thread http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=36428.0
I cannot imagine a Job that did not allow you to take your jacket/helmet with you from the bike.
Michael
Quote from: mister on August 13, 2010, 12:40:16 PMMaybe the wind is different down under :dunno_black: but even in wind, cross wind, head wind, I never feel like I have the carpet pulled out from under me.
90km/h cross-wind, with hail behind us...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkfy7klBqv4
Quote from: mister on August 13, 2010, 12:40:16 PM
IF you are going to save your $$$ to buy something else, why restrict it then to those two bikes? Why not throw a VStrom or SV650 into the mix? Or even a GSR600?
IF it's just about luggage space, why can't you throw some extra capacity onto the GS? Check out the Touring Modify thread http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=36428.0
Thanks for that link, I couldn't find anything like that after all my search. It helps quite a bit. But, I was on twisted throttle today and found a topcase system for myself for the gs500. I've been riding this bike for ~3 years and have put on over 14k miles. As much as I love it, I've been looking for an upgrade, but at the same time have no aversion to keeping it for another year (since the fall is the best time to purchase a bike).
I'm not worried about the helmet and jacket. I'm worried about riding over pants, shin guards, and riding boots that I want to buy (some of it I already have). I don't know where I would store it. I'll know for sure next week when I start my new job.
I have looked at the dl650 vstrom and it was on the top of my list for a while, but stories of the buffeting and being knocked around in the wind worried me. The sv650 is also a great option, but I would prefer something at least partially faired with comfortable bars for "all day" riding. I'm open to any bikes really, but no gsr600 for us in the US.
You can get bandit 600's (GS?600) a few years old state side.
I like the FZ6, but haven't ridden it. Al frame > steel frame.
If you get the unfaired or half faired sv650, they've got pretty similar egros to the GS.
I thought I'd read that the buffeting on the DL's was a reasonably easy fix with a spacer or something. I've been leaning this way for next bike, but they don't show up much on craigslist...
Thank you for all the advice.
I think I'm going to take everyones advice and wait at least till next year to upgrade and put cash $$$$ aside instead of getting a loan. (gotta buy a car anyways)
I'm just gonna spend more money on more gear and the givi topcase.
I hope suzuki comes back with a full line up, cause I like the GSX650f and it'll drive down the prices of leftovers and used bikes.
Quote from: myfirstluv on August 13, 2010, 01:33:37 PMI have looked at the dl650 vstrom and it was on the top of my list for a while, but stories of the buffeting and being knocked around in the wind worried me.
I have an 04 Wee Strom and ride it everyday to work. As per the advice on the forum, I lowered the front (raised the forks) by 15mm. It made a world of difference in highway stability. A number of people try different screens or a madstad bracket to get the perfect setup for themselves. I haven't changed anything as it doesn't bother me that much at all - the riders height has a lot to do with it. Some also have chosen different mirrors to adjust the wind buffeting.
All that being said, the Wee is a great overall bike, my favourite in over 30 years of riding. Even my 19 year old sport bike riding son thinks it's pretty good for an 'old mans' bike :laugh:
Quote from: PachmanP on August 13, 2010, 06:28:17 PMI thought I'd read that the buffeting on the DL's was a reasonably easy fix with a spacer or something.
It is, see my post above.
QuoteI've been leaning this way for next bike, but they don't show up much on craigslist...
You'll be happy with one.... Check out stromtrooper.com or www.vstrom.info as riders will post bikes for sale there.