Never Been This Torn

[olds]

I am not really one for brand new vehicles. I just don't see the value in them, they are just transportation.

My truck is a 2001, my motorcycle is a 2004. There is nothing wrong with either one of them. Both run great and are dependable. They look a little long in the tooth but that doesn't bother me enough to upgrade. Till now.

I test rode a 2015 Kawasaki C14. Bigger engine (faster), better fueling (FI), better braking and better charging system for accessories. Worse wind protection.

I've left my bike mostly stock but over the last year I have been upgrading it lately and will likely put almost $3k into it. Then I'll have $6.5k into a bike worth $3k.

New bike is $16k and I'd have to put about $1.5k into it to set it up fully.

Wife wants me to buy the new bike since I ride everyday. Better brakes, traction control and ABS appeal to her. (my bike is basically based on 30 year old technology) But the thought of (basically) spending $11k to replace something that functions (almost) as designed just gnaws at me.

But I want the new bike, been researching for about 3 months now.

Now, just to talk myself into it.

/blog

2004

2015

 

[sgrinavi]

Get the bike! Might as well get a new truck too LOL

 

[skyking]

I look at it this way. you got 11 good years of use out the bike. If you get that much out of the new one it is totally worth it.
If you buy it and sell it in a couple of years and take the new vehicle hit, then no. But you roll like my wife and I do. We get something that works for us and then use the heck out of it.

 

[saratoga172]

Get the bike, ride it, be happy. Plus you got approval from the wife. Win-win

 

[pauldun170]

I am not really one for brand new vehicles. I just don't see the value in them, they are just transportation.

My truck is a 2001, my motorcycle is a 2004. There is nothing wrong with either one of them. Both run great and are dependable. They look a little long in the tooth but that doesn't bother me enough to upgrade. Till now.

I test rode a 2015 Kawasaki C14. Bigger engine (faster), better fueling (FI), better braking and better charging system for accessories. Worse wind protection.

I've left my bike mostly stock but over the last year I have been upgrading it lately and will likely put almost $3k into it. Then I'll have $6.5k into a bike worth $3k.

New bike is $16k and I'd have to put about $1.5k into it to set it up fully.

Wife wants me to buy the new bike since I ride everyday. Better brakes, traction control and ABS appeal to her. (my bike is basically based on 30 year old technology) But the thought of (basically) spending $11k to replace something that functions (almost) as designed just gnaws at me.

But I want the new bike, been researching for about 3 months now.

Now, just to talk myself into it.

/blog

What's the current bike?

 

[EightySix Four]

I am not really one for brand new vehicles. I just don't see the value in them, they are just transportation.

My truck is a 2001, my motorcycle is a 2004. There is nothing wrong with either one of them. Both run great and are dependable. They look a little long in the tooth but that doesn't bother me enough to upgrade. Till now.

I test rode a 2015 Kawasaki C14. Bigger engine (faster), better fueling (FI), better braking and better charging system for accessories. Worse wind protection.

I've left my bike mostly stock but over the last year I have been upgrading it lately and will likely put almost $3k into it. Then I'll have $6.5k into a bike worth $3k.

New bike is $16k and I'd have to put about $1.5k into it to set it up fully.

Wife wants me to buy the new bike since I ride everyday. Better brakes, traction control and ABS appeal to her. (my bike is basically based on 30 year old technology) But the thought of (basically) spending $11k to replace something that functions (almost) as designed just gnaws at me.

But I want the new bike, been researching for about 3 months now.

Now, just to talk myself into it.

/blog

Do you have the money to spend? Do you have an emergency fund that's good? How's your retirement fund?

If the answer is yes, yes, and good - I don't see why not. The new bike will probably make you happy and there's no other purpose for the money.

 

[olds]

What's the current bike?

2004 Kawasaki Concours.

Do you have the money to spend? Do you have an emergency fund that's good? How's your retirement fund?

If the answer is yes, yes, and good - I don't see why not. The new bike will probably make you happy and there's no other purpose for the money.

All yes. I retire in about 5.5 years.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I am not really one for brand new vehicles. I just don't see the value in them, they are just transportation.

My truck is a 2001, my motorcycle is a 2004. There is nothing wrong with either one of them. Both run great and are dependable. They look a little long in the tooth but that doesn't bother me enough to upgrade. Till now.

I test rode a 2015 Kawasaki C14.

See there's your problem. Don't go looking unless you actually want to upgrade. I find it very difficult to hop back on or in old trusty and expect her to put a smile on my face after I just had a whirl with new hotness.

Give it a few weeks for the memory to fade and the skinflint to get back in control. Whatever you do, do NOT go back for a visit. You are toast if you do.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I still have a bit of buyer's remorse over buying a new bike back in November. Basically, I paid about as much as you are considering spending.

But all that goes away when I ride it. It just puts a big grin on my face every time. :biggrin:

Get the new bike. You'll love it.

 

[pauldun170]

(my bike is basically based on 30 year old technology)

2004 Kawasaki Concours.


All yes. I retire in about 5.5 years.

Having owned a GPz900r I'm actually quite familiar with the older Connie under the covers.

They are fine under rated bikes but modern designs are very awesome.
At the very least, you can say goodbye to carb cleaning and synch.

 

[cabri]

Get the bike; both of you will then be happy.

If you keep the old; take it out once/twice a month so it still feels loved

 

[SSSnail]

I rarely say this, so it should carry some weight when I do, but YOLO!

 

[T2urtle]

most people have issues with getting their S.O. to sign off on getting another/upgraded toy. Yours is signing off on it with good enough reasoning.

If you like the new bike, get it. I'm about to crack into my 30's and the street touring bikes are slowly peaking my interest. But i'll stay on my SV650n for now. That ninja 1000 is something i'm eyeballing.

 

[Greenman]

$16k isn't bad at all for what you're getting. Bite the bullet, if you don't do it now you never will.

I've been eyeballing a BMW K 1600 GTL, $27k price tag is a big bite for a motorcycle.

 

[clok1966]

I am not really one for brand new vehicles. I just don't see the value in them, they are just transportation.

I've left my bike mostly stock but over the last year I have been upgrading it lately and will likely put almost $3k into it. Then I'll have $6.5k into a bike worth $3k.

New bike is $16k and I'd have to put about $1.5k into it to set it up fully.

"Just transportation"
"Then I'll have $6.5k into a bike worth $3k."

read those two then this

"New bike is $16k and I'd have to put about $1.5k into it to set it up fully. "

so you will have a 17.5K bike that when drove off the parking lot is worth 12K

I'm not seeing the logic here.

 

[BUTCH1]

I don't personally like the styling of that particular bike but that is irrelevant, I say buy it. Your not taking out a 2nd mortgage to get it and you only live once, I've been to a few funerals and I've yet to see a Wells and Fargo truck roll up.

 

[JulesMaximus]

"Just transportation"
"Then I'll have $6.5k into a bike worth $3k."

read those two then this

"New bike is $16k and I'd have to put about $1.5k into it to set it up fully. "

so you will have a 17.5K bike that when drove off the parking lot is worth 12K

I'm not seeing the logic here.

New bikes are fun. :wub:

 

[olds]

"Just transportation"
"Then I'll have $6.5k into a bike worth $3k."

read those two then this

"New bike is $16k and I'd have to put about $1.5k into it to set it up fully. "

so you will have a 17.5K bike that when drove off the parking lot is worth 12K

I'm not seeing the logic here.

New bike has newer technology and is safer, relatively speaking.

Still researching issues, maintenance, accessories. Looked at the Yamaha FJR. It's better looking than the C14 but didn't stir my loins like the C14 does. Reading reviews and test ride reports, it sounds like the C14 is better overall.

Yes, a sport tourer is an old man's bike. But I am an old man. I need the extra luggage room to carry my Geritol and Depends.

 

[sze5003]

If you have the money and you ride all the time get the bike. Especially if you also like working on it and doing the regular maintenance.

I don't know much about cars but I did everything I needed to maintain my ninja 250 and sv650s.

I sold the 250 last year and now I need to sell the SV until I move to a place with a garage so I can get another bike providing I don't have to use the funds to fix my stupid car that's only 4 years old and has been having issues.

If you have the funds it looks like a great ride. 16k is quite a lot for a bike but I've never bought my bikes new.

 

[rstrohkirch]

The concours hasn't had any significant updates since its 2010 revision. You don't need to buy a 2015 to get all the features you want. You can buy a used 2010-2014 in very nice condition and save quite a bit off that $16,000 price. Could probably find one that has the mods you want without costing anything more as well.

 

[xaeniac]

That new Concours is sweet!!!! Get it YOLO. Enjoy life and ride while you still can.

 

[MongGrel]

I rarely say this, so it should carry some weight when I do, but YOLO!

I avoid saying the YOLO thing myself, but in this situation I'd say get the bike.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[olds]

The concours hasn't had any significant updates since its 2010 revision. You don't need to buy a 2015 to get all the features you want. You can buy a used 2010-2014 in very nice condition and save quite a bit off that $16,000 price. Could probably find one that has the mods you want without costing anything more as well.

The 2015 has a lower first gear, updated linked braking, narrower seat, new steering stem seal, adjustable vent in windshield and a few other things. It hasn't significantly changed.

I looked at used bikes first, 2010 and up because of the heat shield. There are some deals out there. It's possible I could go that route but a bike with only 3 miles on it is a little more appealing.

Also, I can't find my keys right now. Wife had the carpets cleaned and stuff was moved around. If they don't turn up I will have to buy a new bike...

 

[SteveHarley]

There is the reason I do not test ride new/newer trucks, cars or bikes. I know if I test drive/ride them I will want to buy one. I have had my bike 16 years since it was brand new and it still to this day puts a smile on my face when I ride it. That said, you only live once as they say. lol

 

[rstrohkirch]

Sometimes I'm surprised people keep things like motorcycles for so long. There are so many kinds of bikes out there. You have to treat them like food and try different ones out every now and then. I buy, try out and sell a different kind of bike almost every season. If I hadn't I wouldn't have known how much more fun I could be having.

If you research, buy used and smart you can get away with this while suffering almost 0 depreciation. If you have actual seasons where you live you can sometimes even make money.