Bad Economy = Good Time to Buy Used

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BuzZz · #1 Post by **BuzZz** » Thu May 21, 2009 10:10 am

So I've been wondering how to fritter away my summer and it came down to either a month or so in Asia, or buying a new (used) bike.

Now a month in Asia would be all kinds of fun, especially for a single, unsavory Dude like me

, but once you're back home, all you have left is the memory, some pics and hopefully no new medical issues.

A bike is fun for a much longer time. So I have been looking at the used bike ads and hanging out in bike shops. It seems like there are alot of people who have dug themselves a deep hole, and are selling toys off to try to get out. This means there is a glut of really nice bikes just a few years old, selling for less than half of what they are actually worth.

Some examples I have seen so far....

How about an 02 Ducati MH900 with 1000 km's, dragged through the carbon fiber bin and in pristine shape for under $3000..... tempting.....

An 06 Yamaha R1 LE, with Ohlins suspension, Marchesini wheels, the yellow/black Yamaha racing colors that give me wood and less then 1000km for under $4000..... it seems a shame I want the bike to rip the fairings off and 'Fight it....

How many GSXR's less than 3-4 years old and under 5000km and $5000 do you want? The ads are littered with 'em, and they all have tons of aftermarket goodies already. 'Fighter Fodder central......

Yep, I think I'm finally gonna buy a bike made this century.

The front runner so far is a SuperDuke in Cowtown for $4500 and lots of extras, just waiting for the seller to get back to me... that Duc is dam tempting, except it is a monoposto. Still......

I feel bad about benefiting from other's bad luck.... almost. But I've taken enough nutshots from life that I don't feel that bad, certainly not enough to not get the best deal I can on a sweet new bike.

The bad economy sucks, but I am going to suck all I can out of it while I can.

paul246 · #2 Post by **paul246** » Thu May 21, 2009 12:21 pm

I know how you feel.

We try to travel abroad every 2 or 3 years and I often consider how that money could be used to add another piece of fine kit to the garage.

But, those travel memories are forever and will probably come in handy if I end up staring out the window of a nursing home someday.

In the meantime, I have fun with the "one" bike that I now have. Glad I sold off the others before the downturn in the economy.

High_Side · #3 Post by **High_Side** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:11 pm

I don't know where you are finding these bikes so cheap Buzz, but are you sure you don't have to forward the check to Nigeria before you take delivery? I've been looking alot and I can't seem to find any deals anywhere. Heck, even Blackfoot Cycle in Calgary is still so busy on the weekend there isn't even any elbow room! Maybe the north end of hte province is hurting a lot more than the south but if you pass on the Superduke, I'll take it!

#4 Post by **fireguzzi** » Thu May 21, 2009 1:32 pm

Man the MH900 just looks painful to sit on. Ouch.

Personally I would like to see ya build a fighter out of the R1, but this ain't about me is it? Good luck on the hunt.

BuzZz · #5 Post by **BuzZz** » Thu May 21, 2009 2:17 pm

High_Side wrote:I don't know where you are finding these bikes so cheap Buzz, but are you sure you don't have to forward the check to Nigeria before you take delivery?

I'm sure some of them are, one CBR1000 for sure, but I got the time and the bug, any bike I do buy will be in person. I am pretty suspicious of that MH900 too, but it's worth checking out.

If you want a tip, I know of a 2008 Aprilia RSV-1000R with 1001 miles for $2800.... in Calgary, apparently. I dunno, sounds on the up-n-up....

High_Side wrote:I've been looking alot and I can't seem to find any deals anywhere. Heck, even Blackfoot Cycle in Calgary is still so busy on the weekend there isn't even any elbow room! Maybe the north end of hte province is hurting a lot more than the south but if you pass on the Superduke, I'll take it!

The dealers are gonna have a rough summer, I'm thinking. Their inventory is always a little over priced and with GST and stuff, they don't stand to move much against what's out in the private market.

I'm not gonna tell you where I'm finding them, you'll scoop a dam 'Duke on me... lol

Actually, the Buy-n-Sell, Kajizzme (or whatever they are called) and such have lots of bikes selling cheap. Lots selling for what they should, but a surprising amount selling for half what they are worth.

SCgurl · #6 Post by **SCgurl** » Fri May 22, 2009 3:06 am

Maybe I need to head to the Great White North...ain't many deals to be had here. I'm thinking of just waiting to look until August when the '10 models start showing up and the dealers stil have '08s on the floor....

High_Side · #7 Post by **High_Side** » Fri May 22, 2009 12:38 pm

SCgurl wrote:Maybe I need to head to the Great White North...ain't many deals to be had here. I'm thinking of just waiting to look until August when the '10 models start showing up and the dealers stil have '08s on the floor....

In an interview with Cycle Canada, Warren Milner who heads Honda Canada, stated that bike prices will be going up 10-15 % next year. This is the same individual responsible for pulling all of the extablished dealerships from Calgary and putting bikes in to a lawn-mower shop. Lot's of luck with the price increase. I haven't seen may of his $15K DN01 scooter clogging up the streets, so raising the prices of the rest of his bikes will be right in charecter!

RhadamYgg · #8 Post by **RhadamYgg** » Fri May 22, 2009 6:40 pm

High_Side wrote:
SCgurl wrote:Maybe I need to head to the Great White North...ain't many deals to be had here. I'm thinking of just waiting to look until August when the '10 models start showing up and the dealers stil have '08s on the floor....
In an interview with Cycle Canada, Warren Milner who heads Honda Canada, stated that bike prices will be going up 10-15 % next year. This is the same individual responsible for pulling all of the extablished dealerships from Calgary and putting bikes in to a lawn-mower shop. Lot's of luck with the price increase. I haven't seen may of his $15K DN01 scooter clogging up the streets, so raising the prices of the rest of his bikes will be right in charecter!

I haven't seen a single DN01 in person. I suppose that doesn't mean much though as I'm sure many people probably haven't seen my bike on the streets either.

But I couldn't see paying major bike bucks for beginnerish bike. Even if it does look neat. All I see is riding it would result in me forgetting how to ride manual motorcycles.

RhadamYgg

dean owens · #9 Post by **dean owens** » Sat May 23, 2009 1:19 am

i saw one in the store/shop when i was going around and sitting on bikes. not my cup of tea at all.

btw, i thought of you when i picked up the latest issue of sport rider yesterday. they have an article on a b-king that has been very customized. it's pretty nice. personally, i really like the look of the b-king... just don't have a need for the sized engine.

BuzZz · #10 Post by **BuzZz** » Sat May 23, 2009 3:27 am

Lots of scammers prowling around the bike ads, that's for sure. But I ain't putting anything down on a bike I haven't seen in person, screw escrow and the other convoluted systems these people dream up. Show me the dam bike, if I like it, I will lay the bills out on the seat.... how easy is that? Too hard for you Mr. Scammer? That's too bad.

But I ain't giving up, there are still bikes out there to be had. Looking at a nice 03 Z1000 pretty hard...... at a *gasp* dealership..... I have never bought a streetbike at a dealership before, but there is a first time for everything. As long as we can work out a deal..... I just wish I didn't instantly detest salesmen, it would make dealing with them so much easier.