My trip to the motorcycle dealer

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Ninja Geoff · #1 Post by **Ninja Geoff** » Wed May 24, 2006 6:25 am

I walk in, and nearly go into shock, like i do every time i go there just from the sheer number of bikes they've got. Start wandering around, shoot the "poo poo" with the same guy and then i say "Well... Let's see what i can get financed for." "Sure thing, pick a bike so i know what to tell the financing people (Polaris card)" "Okay... How about that YZF600R" "Can do. That would be a decent bike if you decide to get today too." "Well, I'm just looking today" "Okay, sure thing"

What, no pushing me to buy it? Hmm... I like this place more and more. A few minutes later, he comes back from the office and tells me I'm good for $5,000 on that bike. Good thing he didn't say $7,000 cause i may have a 2004 YZF600R in the drive way with a Arai helmet on my bed with all new gear.
Though I did spend some time sitting on different bikes; impressions:

YZF600R: Comfy comfy comfy. Nothing wrong with it, everything felt fine in regards to controls. EFI too.

599: I can definatly see why Sev chose this bike. It fit the best out of all the bikes i sat on, though the seat wasn't as nice as one or two others, though i can see spending a few hours on the bike. I think I may have to get one in a couple years to replace what ever i get, used though, $7,500 is redonculous for an 06.

Super Hawk 1100: I liked it, but the boys disagreed. Little cramped, wouldn't want to ride it more than 30 mins i bet.

Shadow 750: Comfy, though the foot controls felt... off to me. Dad was pushing me to this bike the whole time

. As if the awkward feet controls weren't enough to turn me off from it.

ZX-6 (ZZR-6?): Not quite as comfy as the YZF600R, though about $500 cheaper, with brand new, still have the little hairs on it, tires.

FZ1: My second favorite comfort wise. Felt good.

V-Strom 1000: Ohhh yeahhhh, i could spend all day on this thing no problem at all. Very comfortable, AND came with some cortech bags. Too bad it wasn't the 650, I might have had THAT parked outside.

SV-1000S: You know that saying about never meeting your heros? Well, the SV1K was like that. Really uncomfortable in every sense. Hell the RC-51 felt better.

RC51: I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it, I want it.

R6: Still the most comfortable of the RR bikes I've sat on.

F4i: About as good feeling as the ZX-6(ZZR-6?) was.

There were a few others, but i remeber these best. I'm so close to a moto, i can taste it. I need to go look at this FZR some time this week though.

PS - The dirtbike is up for sale in uncle henry's

I'll miss it when it's gone.

earwig · #2 Post by **earwig** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:00 am

If you really love a bike, but not the seat check out the aftermarket options and not give up on the bike because many of the stock seats suck!

Sev · #3 Post by **Sev** » Wed May 24, 2006 8:07 am

Got an 04 599 they look much nicer! That being said, I'm still looking for an aftermarket seat for it that I don't need to have custom made. I broke in on Tuesday and ordered one of those lambskin pad things.

I know that bagster makes a seat, but they're UK based and shipping would be enough to destroy me. LoL.

#4 Post by **Scoutmedic** » Wed May 24, 2006 8:10 am

Good luck with your decision! It can definitely be tough choosing just one.

#5 Post by **Skier** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:24 am

Sevulturus wrote:Got an 04 599 they look much nicer! That being said, I'm still looking for an aftermarket seat for it that I don't need to have custom made. I broke in on Tuesday and ordered one of those lambskin pad things.

How long do you stay in the saddle before you have to get off? The seat feels about twice as wide as my old bike's, so I can stay on there for 100 miles without a hitch. Quick stretch and I'm good for another 50 to 75 without stretching.

Also, I hear the Airhawk pads work great, a friend has one on his Vulcan 1500 and he puts in incredible amounts of saddle time.

badfish89 · #6 Post by **badfish89** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:26 am

Are you very serious about buying one? Sounds like a Harley Dealership except the guy actually helped you.

Sev · #7 Post by **Sev** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:36 am

Skier wrote:
Sevulturus wrote:Got an 04 599 they look much nicer! That being said, I'm still looking for an aftermarket seat for it that I don't need to have custom made. I broke in on Tuesday and ordered one of those lambskin pad things.
How long do you stay in the saddle before you have to get off? The seat feels about twice as wide as my old bike's, so I can stay on there for 100 miles without a hitch. Quick stretch and I'm good for another 50 to 75 without stretching.

Also, I hear the Airhawk pads work great, a friend has one on his Vulcan 1500 and he puts in incredible amounts of saddle time.

I did... about 100 miles twice on Sunday, once to Red Deer and once back. By the end I was pretty sore. I find I get used to it as the season passes, but first thing it's pretty rough. I've got a bunch of long long trips coming up, so I've chosen to take preventative measures.

-Holiday · #8 Post by **-Holiday** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:39 am

I too recently went to a dealer, and to my surprise, they had a honda 919. I was trusting after this bike for a while, but was told at the local honda dealer i wouldnt find one anywhere, at least not new.
I went to a "ghettoish dealer" in north east philly, and found several bikes i've really wanted to sit on. They included:

ZRX1200
cb919
cb599
and a bunch of other sport bikes i wasnt really interested in.

I have to say, with my preferences for torque, seating position, looks, price, all of that in mind, I had a personal clear winner out of the bikes listed above.

Keep in mind i lean towards a sport tourer, even mix between an upright standard seating position, and something leaned down a bit. I dont really like fairing, i'm a maked bike fan. I ride an old 86 fj1200 which im going to set up for long distance touring.

Anyway, the bike that fits all of those things for me, and that I absolutely love...the ZRX1200, Preferably in green.
SOO light compared to my FJ (20 years newer technology of course) pretty upright seating position, comfortable stock seat. Of course I havnt been lucky enough to drive on yet, but I hope to some day. I really love this bike.
The only issues for me with is it that I dont think I can get a taller windscreen for it, since it has that front headlight fairing thing on it.

Just for the hell of it, and since I love that bike so much, here's a pic:

the cb919 came in next. seating position was good for me (i'm 6'3" and taller in the torso area"). From what i could tell the seat was coomfortable. It just didnt quite "fit" me like the ZRX did. the 599 just felt too small to me.
I also sat on a FZ-6 recently, and it was also very nice. Kinda reminded me of the feeling of the 599, a little on the small side. I really did dig the looks of the under tail exhaust though. I cant let looks alone dictate what bike i get though.

Once again, I didnt get to ride any of these bikes

Daveg · #9 Post by **Daveg** » Wed May 24, 2006 10:31 am

Looks like you're in my neck of the woods. Which dealer did you go to? We always look forward to Thursday so we can check out the cycles section in Uncle Henry's.

jstark47 · #10 Post by **jstark47** » Wed May 24, 2006 11:37 am

-Holiday wrote:I went to a "ghettoish dealer" in north east philly, and found several bikes i've really wanted to sit on.

Castor Avenue? (Near the Betsy Ross?)