Buying a bike

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stompy · #1 Unread post by **stompy** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:25 am

I am going to look at a bike on monday. '02 Road Star. 1600cc. Under 20k mi on it. Looks to be in excellent condition. Listed for $7k. Should I offer less? And if so, how much less? It is being listed by a dealer which is why I want some opinions on how to approach this deal.

RhadamYgg · Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:01 pm

Is this your first bike?

RhadamYgg

Gunslinger · Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:50 pm

Wether this is your first bike or not you should always offer less than the asking price. The Dealer's game is the same as in Las Vegas, that is to take as much money from you as possible. KBB lists this bike at $6300. If it was me I'd offer something in the five thousand range and if they balk then keep working it until you get the price you want.

I don't like bike/car salesmen and they sure don't like me because I do my homework. The worse that can happen if the offer is to low is for them to say no.

stompy · #4 Unread post by **stompy** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:07 am

Yes. 1st bike.

Thanks Gunslinger. That is the advice I was looking for.

Lion_Lady · Sun Jul 20, 2008 11:56 am

stompy wrote:Yes. 1st bike.

Thanks Gunslinger. That is the advice I was looking for.

That's a HECK of a lotta bike for a newbie. Go for something smaller. Have you taken the MSF Basic Riders Course yet?

Do that first, if not.

P

stompy · #6 Unread post by **stompy** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:06 am

Anything smaller will look like a moped under me.

Lion_Lady · Mon Jul 21, 2008 11:32 am

You don't have to go with 1600cc. You can certainly find something less massive that you can ride and will fit you. You didn't offer any information about your build.

Frankly, even if you're 6'6" and weight 400 lbs, I still say you don't need that much machine - especially if you're starting out. The rest of the motorcycle frame changes little from 900cc to 1600cc. Why buy the extra weight?

P

monkeywright · Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:28 pm

I have to concur. I'm bike shopping now, and I want something medium-sized. I'm 6'3" and 240lbs. I thought the nighthawks we trained on were small, but I could ride one my first year if I had to. I'm setting a 750cc ceiling for myself, since I will have to do some freeway commuting within a few months.

stompy · #9 Unread post by **stompy** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:22 pm

I was advised (by my MSF rider coach among others) to ride the bike you WANT to ride- not the bike someone else thinks you should ride. But I do appreciate your concerns.

Thumper · #10 Unread post by **Thumper** » Tue Jul 22, 2008 1:33 pm

stompy wrote:I was advised (by my MSF rider coach among others) to ride the bike you WANT to ride- not the bike someone else thinks you should ride. But I do appreciate your concerns.

That bucket of advice only holds water to a point. If the bike you WANT is the bike that seriously increases your odds of getting killed, it's ill advice given by someone who should know better.

You might be able to handle a 1600, but the reality is that your skills will improve on a much faster trajectory if you choose a smaller bike first. And really, who cares what you'll LOOK like on a bike? My first bike was small enough it probably looked like it was wedged up my a$$ half the time. It was functional and I learned on it...that's all that matters.