First Bike?

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: speg
This is sounding good, DL650 - AnandTech approved

Now I just have to find a good deal on one...

I emailed a dealer and he replied:

"Price on 2008 650 V Stom $6995 plus, 300 for pdi, 389 for admin fee, 140 fght = 7824 x13% = $8841.12"

That seems a bit much? I have never bought a car or anything before so I dunno how this is supposed to go down. $400 for admin?! Also, $8,841.12 CAD = $7,120.74 USD

You will always get jacked on prices here in Canada. Try and get them to lower the price and throw in some free stuff. Some of the fee's like admin can be waived for sure. Not sure how you are paying for the bike, but the best thing to do is to get cash or a pre approved loan and just walk in there ready to do business, if not walk out and go to another suzuki dealer.

 

[jagec]

The problem with the DL650 as a beginning bike is that it's tall and a bit top-heavy. If I were the OP, I'd start on something that cost between $1000 and $3000, and wasn't very top heavy.

Mind you, the DL650 makes an EXCELLENT second bike.

<--owns one.

 

[Saga]

Jagec nailed it, really. Anything over $3000 for a first bike seems really silly to me. But then again, I remember how I was way back when and I was about to be stupid and drop a ton of money on a new liter bike. Glad I got some sense knocked into me, I trashed my first bike quite a bit.

 

[speg]

Yeah... that's why I don't wanna spend this much on a new one. Hopefully I can find a used one for <$5K? But then I dunno what to look for in a used bike... Decisions, decisions...

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: speg
Yeah... that's why I don't wanna spend this much on a new one. Hopefully I can find a used one for <$5K? But then I dunno what to look for in a used bike... Decisions, decisions...

You won't find shit used here in Canada. Unlike the USA we don't have a market for bikes, and finding ones you like for good prices / in good condition is impossible. I've been searching for a used Harley for months and months before I decided to buy a brand new one with no luck. I found a shit load in the US, but with our dollar value it wasn't worth importing. When it was $ 1 to $ 1 it was awesome, wish I would of bought one sooner back then.

You're best bet is to call around Suzuki dealers and see if they have like a 07 or 08 or something still on the showroom or possibly a demo, you can get those crazy reduced.

 

[MiataNC]

The DL650 has been around since 2004.

They are in high demand and short supply when new (at least in the USA), and people who own these bikes (myself included) rarely part with them.

Finding a new or used one was tough for me. I was 2 hours away from home, cash in hand, planning on getting a Triumph Speed Triple, when I snagged my '05 DL650 (fully accessorized and farkled) that had just been traded in on a Triumph Tiger.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: MiataNC
The DL650 has been around since 2004.

They are in high demand and short supply when new (at least in the USA), and people who own these bikes (myself included) rarely part with them.

Finding a new or used one was tough for me. I was 2 hours away from home, cash in hand, planning on getting a Triumph Speed Triple, when I snagged my '05 DL650 (fully accessorized and farkled) that had just been traded in on a Triumph Tiger.

Yeah, you don't see many around for sale.

A friend of mine had a V-Strom 1000 for about a year before he sold it and bought a different bike. He always said that thing had gobs of power, probably more than necessary for street riding or touring. It was a fairly tall bike too.

 

[MiataNC]

When buying used it is no different than shopping for a car....

Sport bikes are often "stunted" and flogged/thrashed (like sports cars). Cruisers are often heavily modified. Touring/Distance bikes often have high mileage (not a deal breaker if properly maintained).

1. Look for a "clean" title - non-salvage, no lien holder
2. Look for signs of abuse - crash damage, dents, scrapes, rounded/scared heads on bolts around the major components
3. Maintenance records
4. Inspect the chain/sprockets for wear (google images of good and worn parts)
5. Bring someone along who is objective and knows/rides bikes

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

What's the roll-over rating on the V-Strom?

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: Saga
Jagec nailed it, really. Anything over $3000 for a first bike seems really silly to me. But then again, I remember how I was way back when and I was about to be stupid and drop a ton of money on a new liter bike. Glad I got some sense knocked into me, I trashed my first bike quite a bit.

Shut up man you're scaring me

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: DVad3r

Originally posted by: Saga
Jagec nailed it, really. Anything over $3000 for a first bike seems really silly to me. But then again, I remember how I was way back when and I was about to be stupid and drop a ton of money on a new liter bike. Glad I got some sense knocked into me, I trashed my first bike quite a bit.

Shut up man you're scaring me

Don't worry, V-Rods have a low center of gravity, and a 26" seat height. One thing I will caution you on is wet roads, it's easy to break the rear end lose if you get a little heavy handed on the throttle.

 

[DVad3r]

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: DVad3r

Originally posted by: Saga
Jagec nailed it, really. Anything over $3000 for a first bike seems really silly to me. But then again, I remember how I was way back when and I was about to be stupid and drop a ton of money on a new liter bike. Glad I got some sense knocked into me, I trashed my first bike quite a bit.

Shut up man you're scaring me

Don't worry, V-Rods have a low center of gravity, and a 26" seat height. One thing I will caution you on is wet roads, it's easy to break the rear end lose if you get a little heavy handed on the throttle.

Thanks that's encouraging I think next week we are pulling out the Sabre so it should be fun. I'm also excited cause I bought some new gear, I look pretty pimp!

 

[xalos]

First bike should be as cheap as possible.. Don't even worry about what it looks like. You're probably going to drop it at least once. I learned how to ride before I took the MSF safety class.

Doing it over, I would take the MSF class first. I might not have laid my bike down since I didn't realize when I first started riding that the bike often goes where you look and for that reason you dont want to look down in a turn...lol

I looked down, got wobbly, and hit the front brake. It wasn't good...But, I never did it again