2005 V Star 650 Classic

[Social Distortion]

Hey Everyone!
I am looking to get a new V Star 650 Classic. Looking around Chicago metro for a good deal, but was so surprised on the price differences i have been seeing.
Out the door, the lowest i will spend is about $5900, seems pretty fair, but i wanted to get an idea on how much everyone else has been paying, since i plan to have a long term relationship w/ the dealer for accessories and service.

Also, I wanted to get everyone's feedback on buying a new bike - more specifically-
A) better to buy at the end of the year ( and look at the bike all winter long since i wont be able to ride it until Spring) or
B) Waiting til the begining of Spring and seeing if the dealers will drop the price even more on the leftover 05's

thanks gang!

[Sev]

650 is a bike that has been around forever. Even now there are a handful of '03s for sale around here. No one says a new bike has to be NEW. So why not look for a slightly older model. It hasn't changed much recently.

[Social Distortion]

650 is a bike that has been around forever. Even now there are a handful of '03s for sale around here. No one says a new bike has to be NEW. So why not look for a slightly older model. It hasn't changed much recently.

thanks for the feedback.
in Metro Chicago, i have seen a couple of V Stars going back to 2002. Some look to be in awsome shape and the price is very competetive ( anywhere from about 3500-4200). I guess in regards to saving some cash it may work out. No tax on a used bike from a private seller (unless i use a check) and no dealer prep and such, but there is something so exciting about buy a brand spankin' new bike!

[Sev]

You misunderstand, here I have seen 2 brand new, between 1 and 10 km on the odo v-star 650's 2004 model for sale. They are discounted somewhat because they are older, but for all intents and purposes are essentially brand new.

[Wizzard]

1st off welcome to TMW . Secondly , what Sev said is right on .
Regards, Wizzard

[JustJames]

but it is not a bad idea either to get a used bike a couple years old with very low milage. Let say you can get brand spanking new 04 V-star for around $5000 out the door (at dealer). You might be able to find 02-03 year with around 2,000-5,000 mile for less. I got mine 02 V-Star Custom 650cc with only 470 miles on it for $3,600.

[-Curly-]

I never rode before and bought a '06 VStar Custom when they first came out. I don't like buying other peoples problems. The dealer gave me 200 bucks off the sticker price plus a helmet and gloves. I was happy with that.

[Lion_Lady]

I never rode before and bought a '06 VStar Custom when they first came out. I don't like buying other peoples problems. The dealer gave me 200 bucks off the sticker price plus a helmet and gloves. I was happy with that.

The worry about 'other people's problems' with a used bike is of some concern, but most newbie riders know they're gonna move up to bigger or just brand new within a year. Getting a used bike safety inspected by a shop (sometimes a seller will split the cost of this), will ensure that the basics are up to spec. before you complete the transaction.

P

[Social Distortion]

thanksd for the feedback gang.
I'll keep thinking about the New Vs. Slightly used and see where the Spring takes me.

Nothing like going to the same motorcycle shop and sitting on the same bike over and over again, having the shop owner say " geez, here is that guy again that will just sit on our bike".

Actually, a quick story for everyone that actually made me not want to shop at this motocycle shop in Chicago ( Skokie actually). Went there to look at the V Star 650's and just sit on them and such and a sales person really was pressuring me to buy the bike and to get the 1100 instead, really bad mouthing the 650. He kept saying that on " girls ride the 650's". I dont know if he was trying to sell me a more expensive bike or what, but i thought to myself " what a fool- here i am telling him exactly what i want without a doubt and he is steering me away to another bike". Then, i sat on the bike and he gave me light pressure to subtly say " either buy the bike or get off it". Now i know he has to make sales and all, but geez- if i am gonna plunk down any amount of money somewhere, at least listen to me and provide me the valuable feedback that i need to feel comfortable purchasing my bike. They had a free helmet offer, as well a s$50 credit for those that travel more then 30 miles to the shop, but in all honesy, the way the salesman and his sales team approached me and tried to sell me the larger bike turned me off. I even told them that i only had about 25 hours of riding experience and it seemed that they cared a lot more about thier sales than my wants!


thanks again for the feedback all and for those looking to buy new bikes, lets talk pricing and see what numbers may work out best for us and the dealers!

[Sev]

It's a fairly well known fact now that I'm pretty small guy. 5'10" 120lbs or so. And when I went shopping for my first bike I ran into pretty much the same thing that you did. I was looking for a small bike, not a big one, something that'd suit my strength.

I was looking at a V-star 650 the dealer told me that it wouldn't do highway very well, and if I put a windshield the bike it'd have trouble pushing all that wind and on and on. Air cooled so it's not that reliable.

The bike I ACTUALLY wanted was a Suzuki Marauder 800 little bigger a lot heavier and liquid cooled. It cost a LOT MORE.

I was not impressed.

Ended up with an LS650, a lot smaller, good sized engine, and it worked well. Don't let the salesmen bully you into a bike that you don't want.