So I went to the bike dealer today...

[kellanv]

I decided that I'd make my first real visit into a bike shop/dealership to see what they have, what they can offer, and ask a few questions concerning financing and warrantees etc. One of my roomates went with me as well just for fun I suppose.

We get to the shop and I was pretty much in heaven. All sorts of different bikes and different sizes. I was very happy to find the 3 bikes I'm mainly looking at, Kawa 250R, Kawa 500, and a Suzuki GS500F. Now, I know most do not reccomend a new bike, and I completely understand why. Wear and tear from a newer rider is much less emotionally scarring on a used bike with a couple dings already on it. However, due to the fact that I'm 22 and trying to build some credit, financing a bike would help with that so I'm not excluding it. Plus finding these bikes used here is becoming next to impossible, as well as the fact I'd have to go directly through the bank to get a loan, which most private sellers do not like...

BUT MOVING ON

The 250R seemed like a pretty cool bike, more so than I thought it would be. Compact and pretty sporty. Only thing I didnt like is that it wasnt exactly comfortable for me. My legs couldnt tuck against the tank very well and seemed a little on the "rigid" side. The Ninja 500 was quite a bit better for me comfort wise. I actually liked this bike quite a bit. Comfortable, bit more pickup and a more solid feel. The bike I liked the most though was still probably the GS500. This one felt the most "connected" to the way I fit on the bike(hard to explain). It does seem like a bigger bike than I at first thought it was. Not too big, but just seemed like a bigger beast sitting on it than just looking at it. The faring comes out quite a bit which is probably part of the reason.

I talked to a salesman and told him what I was thinking and of course instantly he suggested a 650R etc which I promptly told him that I definitely wanted to stay in the 250-500cc range. He tried a little bit more but I held my ground. He was a pretty big help tho. Zero down payment was a big suprise, and on the GS500 its around 100/month which doesnt SEEM like a bad deal at all. Interest isnt too bad on it, and since I do plan on upgrading bikes after a couple years, that would work out.

The funny thing is, the roomate who went in just for fun found a blue 2006 S50 cruiser that he just about tried to pick up and run out of hte store wtih. In all fairness it was a sharp looking bike. Maybe he'll bite the bullet too and I'll have a riding buddy

Just thought I'd share

Any thoughts/suggestions appreciated

And now you may return to your regularly scheduled program

-Kellan

[BigChickenStrips]

remember- its $0 down + $100 a month + the $700-1000 to buy the gear you need to ride the bike.

dont forget insurance ($400ish) and maintanace costs (i just paid over $130 for my first service to be done by my dealer within 2 weeks of owning the bike)

im all for people getting new bikes and it sounds like you have your head screwed on straight but just remember motorcycling is an expensive hobby and dont let this other stuff be "hidden costs" and prevent you from stayign safe out there.

[ninja79]

However, due to the fact that I'm 22 and trying to build some credit, financing a bike would help with that

That's a stupid reason.

Plus finding these bikes used here is becoming next to impossible.

But that is a good reason. I'm convinced now that the only way you can buy a used ninja 500 is if you watch craigslist every day, and when you see a listing you immediately go to the seller, cash in hand, grab the bike and run.

Anyway, ninja 650r (and Suzuki sv650 / sv650s) is also a reasonable choice -- not the best but reasonable. It has a parallel twin engine, not inline-4, so it is not in the same class as the 600cc supersports. However, I would still recommend ninja 500r (or GS500F), especially if you are financing since those bikes will depreciate slower and cost less up front.

The one BIG showstopper (for me) about ninja 650r is that I couldn't find frame sliders for it (it's a brand new model, so there is practically no aftermarket for it yet). And you *will* want to install frame sliders to protect that shiny new plastic. Trust me on that one

[kellanv]

yeah I have all that planned. I did forget about the 2 week checkup tho.

My plan is to take the MSF course and get my license etc then buy a helmet, jacket and gloves, then go to the bike. Insurance was only around 250/year quoted which wasnt too bad. I am a student but have a decent job so it should all work out fine, I just have to save a bit

I'm pretty excited tho

[Scoutmedic]

The GS is a nice bike and, if that's the one that you felt most comfortable on, get it. No sense buying something that you don't feel right riding.

The S50 is nice too. I bought one about 2 1/2 weeks ago. Have him give me a shout if he has any questions.

Good luck, have fun and Stay Safe Out There!

[bok]

I'd have to go directly through the bank to get a loan, which most private sellers do not like...

not sure i understand what you are saying here. in most cases if you negotiate with your bank up front they basically cut a cheque for the other person or a bank draft or whatever and you basically start paying the bank back. Depending on your relationship with your bank it's a pretty easy way to go.

if the bank just deposited into your account and you wrote a cheque to the seller then yeah, the seller would hate that

[MotoF150]

I hope you understand the Suzuki Credit Card is 0 down with a minimun payment of $69 per month at a 6.95% rate for " 2 YEARS", after the 2 years it goes to a much higher rate of 19.5% and you will spend 50 years to pay that off. I would suggest to put as much money down as you can and figure out the payment that you could pay it off in 2 years. Last year I purchaced an M50, paid $178 per month on the Suzuki Card, had it paid off in 1 year. This year I bought a new Eiger on the Suzuki Card,, down payment of $2250, my balance on the card is $2550, Im paying $220 a month to pay that off in 1 year. If ur going to ask me why should you pay off the bike in 2 years or less, here is 2 answers, first you save money, second in 2 years you will want a new and bigger bike and you need to pay off the first bike before you buy another one. shhhhh,,, I would go with the GS500, great bike, easy to ride, enough speed and power you want and Suzuki has been making that bike for a long time, they have the buggs outta it.

[icariz83]

You could also transfer any remaining balance after 2 years to a 0% card. Most banks offer them if you don't have a credit card from them yet. 1 year too so you can put the balance on it and not worry for another year.

Huzzah for loopholes!

[ofblong]

I hope you understand the Suzuki Credit Card is 0 down with a minimun payment of $69 per month at a 6.95% rate for " 2 YEARS", after the 2 years it goes to a much higher rate of 19.5% and you will spend 50 years to pay that off. I would suggest to put as much money down as you can and figure out the payment that you could pay it off in 2 years. Last year I purchaced an M50, paid $178 per month on the Suzuki Card, had it paid off in 1 year. This year I bought a new Eiger on the Suzuki Card,, down payment of $2250, my balance on the card is $2550, Im paying $220 a month to pay that off in 1 year. If ur going to ask me why should you pay off the bike in 2 years or less, here is 2 answers, first you save money, second in 2 years you will want a new and bigger bike and you need to pay off the first bike before you buy another one. shhhhh,,, I would go with the GS500, great bike, easy to ride, enough speed and power you want and Suzuki has been making that bike for a long time, they have the buggs outta it.

My thing on this is if you cant pay it off within a year/year and half then you shouldnt be getting a bike .

[kellanv]

Yeah I dont have any credit cards for that reason, they just get you in trouble and can take forever to pay off etc. I will put down as much as I can afford as a downpayment to reduce the payment. According to the salesmen, its 99/month for 60 months, then goes up drastically OR you can do 79/month for 48, at a higher interest etc. I definitely plan on paying as much as I can when I can(if I make more money that month, I'll put more down etc). Next summer I'll have a really nice internship which should pay quite well, and most likely I'll pay the whole thing off with any luck.

I'm not gonna rush into this, but things seemed promising and it was overall pretty exciting

thanks for the help/tips/concern

-K