fiveoboy01 wrote:CNF2002 wrote:V, you couldn't really 'afford' your dream bike. You financed it, took a risk, and lost.
I dont know why so many people have such a distorted view of their finances...things are just more complicated than paying the monthly bills. People are so concerned with how much they pay monthly on a car or whatever, they dont even look at the actual 'cost'. I'm not talking about just insurance costs and gear, etc...I mean interest paid over long-term loans, depreciation costs including wear and tear, down payments (which do nothing but lower your total interest paid), taxes+fees that will never be recooperated, accidents/thefts/insurance are all about risk management.
When you finance a vehicle you take a huge up-front risk. As you pay on the vehicle and as time goes on, your level of risk decreases. People need to look at their upfront risk and ask themselves..."If I am squashed by a semi driving out of the dealer parking lot, can I afford what I just dumped on this vehicle and afford to buy another one?"
Most people dont...they get excited about a new car and they say, "well, I can afford $300 a month to cover the costs of owning this...I can afford it!" Wrong.
Your bike just got stolen, you took a huge financial hit. Your car is totalled, you still have to buy a new one of those. You dont have confidence in your job, and you are 25 years old. No, you can't afford your dream bike. You couldn't afford the dream bike you already bought (hence your current situation). You are barely out of high school and already you want the best stuff...maybe you should work on building your life first.
As others have said, if you want to keep riding, get a cheap bike you can afford.
I've been down that road before.
This is the best post in this thread, and it's great advice.
Financing something like a motorcycle is plain dumb, IMO. You end up paying for the bike x2 by the time the loan is paid off.
The only thing worth financing is a home, and MABYE a car.
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Financing ANY "luxury" Item is foolish. Whether it be a TV or motorcycle.
Some will say a motorcycle is their sole means of transpostation, therefore NOT a luxury. However any NEW bike IS a luxury if you cannot pay cash for it. IF you only have $3000 then buy the 250 Ninja. Don't use it as a down payment. You will be able to sell the 250 for $2500 in a year or so as you save for a bigger bike.
Good things take time. When you are debt free you will be surprised at how much money gets piled up. Its financing in reverse. NOthing has quite the feeling of being able to take a wad of cash to some buy a bike at YOUR price while other lookers are trying to get financed.
It's not rocket science. EIther you can afford the WHOLE bike or you can't.
IF you learn this lesson at 20 years old. You will have a home paid for and have no debt and when you are 45 or so years old you will have the freedom to chose to work at Wal Mart if you want and have a nice home, car bike boat, plasma TV and OWE NO ONE NOTHING. I did exactly that.
DId I go without bikes cars, TVs, and toys? . NOPE. BUT I had em all. They were not new though (Still never bought a new car). IF I financed it was only for a short period and usually only 50% of the cost.
Freedom of choice to work places without regard to PAY. Thats real freedom. IF you marry and have a kid it's still possible.
ITs not how much you make that determines your financial freedom Its how much you owe. As said a truly rich man is the man who needs the least.