B-King - An Odd bike's Journey

[RhadamYgg]

I got a cheap ($50) tailpack way back in the 90's when I got my bike -- same thing, 4 bungee hooks -- and I loved the thing. In fact, I used it as carry-on luggage, overnight bag, schoolbag, everything because it was a perfectly packable cube shape. After only 10 years or so, though, all the seams have opened up and it's more of a sieve than a bag.

Good lookin' twins there, and I feel for you on the disposable income. This year looks like it'll be the first year I'll actually get the bike on the road since our twins were born in 2006.

I've been brutal on my tail pack. I had to replace one of the hooks. It seems I just don't like the size of my tailpack.

You have to post pics of your twins! They are around the age of my younger son - who was born in September of 2006.

My biking future is in question. I have been thinking of selling the B-King and getting a cheaper bike - to put a couple grand in to credit card debt and pay lower insurance. I just don't know what to do. Next year when the insurance comes due I'm not sure I'll be able to pay it. Maybe I'll get money back in taxes, but I had to liquidate a 401K and a IRA this past year to stay afloat and there will be a tax consequence for all that...

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

So, I'm looking at some cheaper bikes. The place I'm looking buys bikes for cash, so I'm hoping for some surplus cash and cheaper bike insurance. Nothing is for sure. I may just keep the B-King and hope for the best. I can put some of the cash in to credit card debt and maybe survive financially a little while longer - if I sell, anyway.

My first year motorcycle insurance cost $750 (for the B-King) at Rider Insurance. The second year - it doubled. They wanted $750 for liability only. I switched to progressive and kept my premiums down - even lower to $477.

I'm concerned that next year - my insurance my rise at progressive and there will be no alternative.

Here are the bikes I'm looking at - it seems even on an even swap (if possible, there is some damage to my bike) - on most bikes I'd save on insurance.


Suzuki 2004 GS500F
Suzuki 2004 GSXR 750
Suzuki 2006 Katana GSX
Honda 2000 CBRF4
Kawasaki 2006 ZX-10 Awesome in Kawasaki green. Lighter and less hp (which is actually a good thing) than my B-King. Bit pricey though. Need to trade in the B-King and not have to pay anything for the replacement bike.

Kawasaki 2006 Z 750 S This is so much like a smaller version of my bike... This might be my best option.

Oh, hell. We'll see what happens. Sometimes it is just easiest to try and keep things the same. $6000 - $4601 = $1300 or so to put in to credit card debt. $231 savings on annual insurance and a lower chance of the insurance bump up in price that happened with the B-King.

Seems like a viable option.

[RhadamYgg]

Some more bikes I was looking at...

Honda 2003 RC51
Honda 2005 VFR 800!!! But, my bike will only trade-in for say 6K kbb - and I can't afford to put any money in, so this is probably out.
Kawasaki 2008 KLR 650
Kawasaki 2009 KLR 650
Kawasaki 2000 ZX 6 R
Kawasaki 2002 ZX-6R (pretty sweet)

[dean owens]

not sure how serious you are about looking for another bike but i'll suggest the fz6. yes, i have one so i'm a little biased... but they're great to insure. the only company that treats them like a sportbike is geico (who i no longer have). some peoples full coverage for a year is as low as $250.00. mine isn't that low... it's about $400.00.

the bikes have a downtuned r6 motor and can become a monster above 7/8k but are great around town/commuters below the 7k range. and it has an upright seating position. i've taken it on 4+ hour trips with no issues.

if you shop around you can get them for a pretty good deal too. i used searchtempest and looked for some in your area. here's one that the guy has been trying to get rid of for a month (has posted it four times and the first one was feb 23rd).

here are a few more i found.
depending on milage, amazing deal if it's true... but we didn't get that color option in the states for 06.
low milage '08
cheaper '05 without milage listed
another '08 with more miles and cheaper

not sure if you're familiar with searchtempest, but you put in your zip and what you're looking for and it'll check all the craigslist you tell it to based on the distance you're willing to drive.

good luck with your search.

[noodlenoggin]

Here's a picture of my twins, on my Flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunliner500/4388052137/

[RhadamYgg]

noodlenoggin - they are sooo cute. I can't wait until my girls look more like girls. It is funny, with the boys when they were babies/toddlers people kept mistaking them for girls. Now we've got the opposite with the girls. But once their hair gets to be grown in they'll look more like girls - for sure.

Good luck getting back on the roads on a motorcycle.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

searchtempest - I haven't tried it yet, but thanks - holy cow that was my biggest issue with craigslist. I had to run my search three times, to get NYC, Northern NJ and southern NJ, I mean, if I find the right bike and a easy way to trade my B-King in it could work.

[Wrider]

Look at older VFRs too. They've made them since the 80s so it's not too hard to find them. But I'm voting with Noodle on the FZ6 or FZ1. And just so you know, your bike will beat the ZX-10R through the quarter mile, but will get stomped in the 1/8th. The Busa engine is quite a bit different than the ZX or even the GSXR power plant in it's power delivery.
The Z750 is also an awesome bike.
But honestly with how little you speed. (And I know this because you haven't complained of the limiter at 147 on your bike... haha) The FZ6 will be just fine for you.

[noodlenoggin]

Not me, @dean owens touted the fz6.

I've got an XS650 I'll sell you for what you owe on the B-King.

[RhadamYgg]

Look at older VFRs too. They've made them since the 80s so it's not too hard to find them. But I'm voting with Noodle on the FZ6 or FZ1. And just so you know, your bike will beat the ZX-10R through the quarter mile, but will get stomped in the 1/8th. The Busa engine is quite a bit different than the ZX or even the GSXR power plant in it's power delivery.
The Z750 is also an awesome bike.
But honestly with how little you speed. (And I know this because you haven't complained of the limiter at 147 on your bike... haha) The FZ6 will be just fine for you.

Fastest I've ever gone on the B-King is 100 flat. Maybe 101, trying to catch up to my wife in the minivan on the way home from Cape May The website/dealer I'm looking at will just give me cash for my B-king, and while I know I'd be taking a beating against selling it - it would be sure cash and right away. The only VFRs they have are too new for me to afford, unfortunately.

They do have a Honda 919... A little too expensive.

But I mean really, I only ever ride the B-King in B mode.

Looking for lighter, cheaper, more fuel efficient regular gas burning bike. So that I can actually save money riding it (as an excuse admittedly) and enjoy riding. I even looked at cruisers, but I can't stand having my legs forward.

RhadamYgg