This is for reader Ben, who asks:
I know how I like to ride --high revs with my feet under me -- and I very much like the larger Ninjas and the Yamaha R6. My budget for this is very tight, not more than $5k, which I think puts me in used motorcycle territory. Unfortunately, while I have been working on cars for 15 years, But really I know jack squat about motorcycles and am very poorly equipped to assess a used motorcycle. Since I am but one state over (CT), I thought I would appeal to you for any pointers you might have. Can you vouch for (or advise against) any dealers within a couple hours of western CT? Know anyone reputable looking to sell something (sport orsporty) in the midsize range (something between 500cc and 750cc would be ideal, the right 1000cc would be ok.Anyone in the CT/Western MA/Eastern NY area got some info/leads for Ben?
Barring that, I would strongly advise Ben to pick up a copy of the WantAds (or similar local ad) and see what's being sold privately right now. With the economy in the shape it's in, people are most likely looking to divest of "toys" like sport bikes (and power boats and skimobiles, too, if you're in the market for them...)
As a general rule, you're not going to go wrong with a Honda CBR or Kawasaki Ninja. Here in the Northeast, you're likely to find a 5-6 year old bike with very low miles (4-5K) selling for around $5K for a 600-750cc bike. Look for a bike owned by an adult - and here I don't mean 18+, I'm talking 35+ - as it's less-likely to have been dropped/downed/beaten.
Craigslist is a decent place to start looking, although there are many less-than-forthcoming ads. A quick perusal shows a bunch of bikes meeting Ben's criteria in the Boston area:
Yamaha YZF600R $3600
Buell Lightning Xb9s $4999
Honda CBR 600RR $5700
Kawasaki Ninja 650R $5500 (2007!!!)
There's a lot of good sport bikes out there in this price range. Right now is a tough time to buy - bikes are either in storage for the winter, or you don't want any part of them (if they're not properly stored now, it's a good indication that the owner hasn't been caring for the bike properly as a general rule). Wait another couple of months until the snow starts thawing, but before the first warm day.
As always, suggestions as to what to look for or avoid are always welcome!
That is all.
5 comments:
FUCK! You mean I have to wait FIVE MORE YEARS to be an "Adult" now??? BOOOO!
As for Bikes, I drive like a nut, so a cage will help me live to a ripe-old age.
You know, Tam is a sport-bike aficionado. Perhaps she'd have some insights.
As a word of caution...motorcycle prices tend to rise as as Spring approaches, and decline as Winter approaches.
However, I think the market glut of "need to sell the expensive toy" might override the usual Spring-time price rise in motorcycles.
weer'd,
Damn straight, ya dern whippersnapper!
AD,
Alas, despite my stalker-esque attempts to get Tam to notice me, the only way I seem to be able to entice her over here is to post pictures of *really* nice old guns.
Hmmm...
karrde,
That's kinda what I'm thinking at this point in time - that as the weather thaws in a couple of months, we'll still be hip-deep in debt and as such the "I gotta have $$$ right now" takes precedence over "it's really gorgeous out and you want to ride this"...
Well, if he's not comfortable going over the bike himself, I say stick with a reputable dealer. The bigger the dealer usually the bigger the choice of used bikes. The biggest in CT would be Libbys in New Haven, CT. http://www.libbysmotoworld.com
Like with a car you will pay more then with a private party, but like with a reputable car dealer you are paying them to give it the once over. They're showing a 2002 YZF-600R with under 4,000 miles for $3500. You REALLY want a mean machine they also have a 2003 Triumph Speed Triple for $4600.
My personal experience with them is limited to one bike purchase. My wife's current V-Star, which was a used bike. Overall we're pretty satisfied, though like any dealer I think they gave her a couple hundred too little on her trade-in, and charged a couple hundred too much on the V-Star, but she saw it, fell in love with it, and it was a month after I bought my new truck, how could I say no to her on the bike? She's got that guilt thing down pat too. She pretty much did the same thing with the 92FS she recently got. "But YOU just bought a M1 carbine! What about me?"
Besides, my wife has her own motorcycle and her own firearms; what man can say no to that?
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