Okay, I finish the MSF, got my license, and I'm now down to getting a bike. My style preference is a cruiser and I'm leaning towards the 2006 V-Star 650 Custom. I've looked at most other brands and models but as a beginner this one sticks out...it just feels right. I've read info and some postings about this Yamaha but I would like some direct feedback with your opinion or personal preference. I'm not committed to anything yet, in fact, I also like the Suzuki M50 but it's bigger than what I'm looking for. As a newbie getting his first bike I'm tossed about buying something new so this weekend I'm going to check out some more used shops but I would like to know what you think about this Yamaha?
Also, the V-Star is MSRP for $5,800. How much should I haggle down or push extras out of the dealer for? For example, would something like $300 off and a free helmet be a good deal, bad deal, or impossible to get deal? Also, I'm buying my bike out-right (no financing). Can this be used as a bargaining chip?
P.S. A Yamaha salesman tried to talk me into the V-Star 1100 knowing I'm a newbie. He said because I've taken the MSF-BRC I could easily handle the bigger block. Of course, for a true beginner he'd recommend the 650, but I'm not a true beginner. Told me I'd grow out of the 650 in months and be bored with it.
You might want to start used since he could be right about you getting bored of the bike in a year... depends no your skills and personality. If you buy a used (recent model) japanese cruiser you can probaby sell it for close to what you bought it for.
silly salesmen! Sometimes I think they should just be paid a flat rate commission on what they sell, then the B.S. would stop.
Anyhow, I bought brand new like you intend to. Now I know for a first bike its not a good idea as people will tell you, but its all in whats important to you.
What I did was go to cyclebuy.com and purchased a report for the bike I was set to buy (2006 vulcan 500, report is 12 bucks roughly) and what this report tells you is the invoice price, or what the dealer generally pays for it. So your goal in negotations is to find the right price point in between the invoice and msrp. Of course in some cases such as leftover models haggling to below invoice might not be far fetched. In my case I paid only 50 bucks over what invoice is for my bike is supposed to be. Also, look into GAP insurance if you finance, they may offer it to you. GAP was about 500 bucks for me and you should get back a portion of it after you pay off the bike.
"There are a terrible lot of lies going around the world, and the worst of it is half of them are true."
- Sir Winston Churchill
06 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 Ltd.
silly salesmen! Sometimes I think they should just be paid a flat rate commission on what they sell, then the B.S. would stop.
That'd be nice, but dealerships would never go for it. They have that system on purpose because it gets the sales people to sell more expensive products. But I'm guessing you already knew that, I don't think you're stupid.
Member of DWPOMD and RATUBBAW
'80 Suzuki GS 450
'00 Kawasaki ZR7 ( Sold 09/08 )
'82 Honda Nighthawk 450 ( Sold 02/07 )
I have a 2004 650 Classic V-star. I love it. I am not bored with it. I bought it as an absloute beginner 1-1/2 years ago.
It is less for insurance than the 1100
It gets better gas mileage than the 1100
It is 100 pounds lighter than the 1100
It will be slightly easier for slow speed maneuvering than the 1100
It has plenty of power for passing on the freeway.
It has plenty of power for accelerating and merging onto the feeway.
It is physically the same size as the 1100 or very close to it.
The 1100 has 2 disc brakes whereas the 650 has a rear drum brake.
The 650 has plenty of stopping power.
The only shortcoming I found with my 650 is this: On very long, long, long steep uphill climbs on the highway it lacks unless you can get a run at it before you get to the hill. Although it did manage to maintain the speed limit going up a particular hill, once I caught up to a slower moving car, it lacked the power to go around in the passing lane. This was a mountain road I'm talking about. On every other road or highway I have taken that bike, it has performed well.
I think next time we go stateside I shall carry a large wet haddock from dealership to dealership and use it to slap salesmen that say I'd get bored with a small-mid sized bike...
silly salesmen! Sometimes I think they should just be paid a flat rate commission on what they sell, then the B.S. would stop.
That'd be nice, but dealerships would never go for it. They have that system on purpose because it gets the sales people to sell more expensive products. But I'm guessing you already knew that, I don't think you're stupid.
Yes, a flat rate commission would probably not fly in real life unless it was mandated by law which in itself is likely to be unlawful. Certainly would stop salespeople from badgering newbie buyers though.
Also, although I am college educated don't discount the fact that I may actually be stupid compared to you.
"There are a terrible lot of lies going around the world, and the worst of it is half of them are true."
- Sir Winston Churchill
06 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 Ltd.
The only shortcoming I found with my 650 is this: On very long, long, long steep uphill climbs on the highway it lacks unless you can get a run at it before you get to the hill. Although it did manage to maintain the speed limit going up a particular hill, once I caught up to a slower moving car, it lacked the power to go around in the passing lane. This was a mountain road I'm talking about. On every other road or highway I have taken that bike, it has performed well.
(southern lip) Yeah..mount'ins won't really be a pro'lem for me 'ere in Oklahoma...being it's "Tornado Alley" and all. Yup...kinda gets purdy flat 'round here .
As far as the Cyclebuy.com printout goes, I did it, and I'm glad I did. Once I sat down to negotiate, the sales guy offered his 'lowest price', at which point I told him that with all due respect, I don't beleive in wasting other people's time and certainly not mine. So let's cut to the chase and make this fast. According to my information, (now pulling out and showing him the printout), you bought that bike for xxxx$, you'll get a rebate from the manufacturer for xxxx$ by the end of the year, therefore, I don't beleive that your price is the best you can do on that bike.
It was amazing how his tone changed once he realized I had done my homework.
As far as the 650 vs. 1100 goes, I have the 1100, and am very happy with that purchase. I rode an old Seca 750 for 3 years, then was away from bikes for almost 10 years, and bought the 1100 this January. At first I was nervous about buying something that big after a long hiatus, but I remembered being bored of the Seca, and I didn't want that to happen. I also want that torque to be there when I need it.
Having said that, I know 2 people that are very happy with thier 650. The only complaint they've raised is that on the highway, the thing tends to scream like a banshee, almost as though the engine is going to explode. It's not as bad on the 1100.
I guess like all bikes, you must look at what you want as a rider. What will make you happy? I could no doubt get by with a 650, but I like having the extra power of the 1100 (I believe the 650 has 42hp compared to the 1100's 52hp). I don't really think weight is a huge issue with the Stars -- once the 1100 starts moving, it really doesn't feel any heavier than my old Seca.
If you have no need for the extra power, then go with the 650, regardless of what any sales person says.
But, sometimes, there's something to what these people say. There is a lot of people who upgrade from the VStar 650 to the 1100 quite fast. Up here in the Toronto area, the v-star 650s just flood the pages of the Bike Trader (major used bike publication).
Make a wise choice knowing what you honestly want.
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