Close to Buying-Got Tips?

[Social Distortion]

I am looking at getting the 650 Classic.
Prices in Chicago run about $4900 for a 2005 and a new 2006 will run anywhere from $5200- full retail.

I think that if you can get a new bike for 4900 to 5000, its not a bad deal.
Just be careful of the dealer prep ( i've seen some at $220) Destination ( like $95) and processing charge ( what ever that means) at $65, plus tax title and all that good stuff.

As for a used one, i keep my eyes peeled on Ebay and Cycletrader.com and most V Star 650s w/ about 3000-8000 miles always seem to go for over $4000 and just under $4900, which tends to make me wonder if i should just buy a new one, but at the same time, w/ a used one, you dont have to worry about all those addtional charges.

On a final note to make life interesting, i saw a website for an 05 V STar classic new going for 4220.....i have never seen one going for that low ever. I can only assume that the Custom must be closer to $4000 or $4100....

If you want to haggle over accessories, good luck, but keep in mind that at the end, the dealer will always win.
Do your homework, find out how much the range of the products you want cost. As mentioned, i know my Classic will run anwhere from $4400-$5000 new aprox. The helmet i want will go from $130-$180 retail and i am eyeing a leather jacket that i saw was like 25% off the retail price.

Once you add everything up, if you can gt a better deal, then haggle...asides that, once you start mixing and throwing in things...costs are simply bound to rise w/ out you knowing.

As for the cash thing, the only thing i know about cash is that the dealer knows you are ready to buy. I think financing, allows them to make more money off the interest. Over the life of the load i was looking at, someone would be making close to $900 over 5 years on my $5000 loan.
I wouldnt disclose how much cash you have, but simply let them know you want a bike, willing to pay X amount since you only have x dollars on you.

Good luck test riding one...since its been a little tough for me to find a dealer that will let me test ride one, especially since i have not purchased my own helmet yet.

[cbseas]

Okay, from what I'm getting from some people it would seem the 1100 V-Star wouldn't be a bad fit (if I could afford it). Being a newbie is this wise? The horsepower differnece is 53 vs 42 when compared the 650 V-Star. The bigger difference is in torque, the 1100 reaches max at 2500 RPMs while the 650 gets there at 3000 RPMs. Is this where I should be careful in looking for my first bike on a cruiser, the low-end torque. Aside from that the 1100 weighs only 100 pounds more but all other dimensions are similar to the 650. Most postings for newbies on cruisers don't recommend anything over 800cc. Does the same apply to the V-Star 1100? and can someone tell me why this is considering it is so closely similar to the 650? I wasn't even considering the 1100 before this post initially began but now I'm getting a little confused.

[dieziege]

It isn't just HP and torque... weight is a real PITA and can bite you at any time... including when coming up to stop lights or repositioning in the garage. The 1100 is heavier (just to fulfill my "stating the obvious" quota for the day).

Within limits just get the bike you like the best... but when setting those limits remember that the higher you set the bar the more likely you are to lose the bike. An 1100 is more likely to be dropped, more likely to be run into something, more likely to be stolen, and so on.

[cbseas]

you forgot - the 1100 is more likely to put a big freaking hole in my pocket. Ouch-$8500!!!

[azdodger]

I've got an 03 650 custom and it handles everthing I throw at it. IMO unless you really have a need for the extra horse power the 650 is a great bike. I use mine for daily commute about 30 miles round trip both on and off the highway, no problems. I have yet to take it out for any very long road trips so I am not sure how it would feel.

[basshole]

I walked straight into a Suzuki C-50 as my first bike. No regrets at all and it's the best bang for the buck IMHO.

[Bachstrad37]

And another thing - you can always resell it if you need/want a bigger bike. The 650 is a great bike. I don't think you'll have any trouble owning it or selling it. You'll take minimal loss when it's time to upgrade. New bikers are always in the market for a bike that size. They're the first to go in any publication. I'd get the 650. Your pocket book and enjoyment in learning correctly about motorcycling will thank you.

[BubbaGump]

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.

So what was the MSRP and what did you end up paying?

[Myself002]

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.

So what was the MSRP and what did you end up paying?

I'm interested in knowing as well

[zarakand]

As a lot of the people on the forum are saying, I too think you'll be satisfied with the 650. At that engine size, you'll be able to handle every day commuting and highway trips quite comfortably. There are several members here who put on significant mileage a year on a bike that size.

As for growing bored of the 650? I don't know about that. I recently upgraded from a Honda Shadow VLX 583 to a Aero 750 simply because on the 500 mile plus trips the bike wasn't as comfortable. The VLX eaisly handled highway speeds of 80mph, out accelerated almost all cars on the roads (Corvettes still beat me!), and was very light and mauneverable at low speeds. The skills you learn now will help you for the rest of your riding career. Take a year or two and put several K miles on the 650, and if you decide that it's boring try some very twisty roads. If you're maxing out on those, then feel free to upgrade.