buying new, or second hand

[Kay-J]

i am currently a student thinkin about buying a nice 125cc, probably a marauder. my question is whats the difference between buying a first hand and a second hand. i know it like this, its cheaper on one hand, but how much better is it to buy a new one?
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like a true natures child....

[Joe?]

dpends on how old the bike is,


I went for 2nd hand - got a honda vt125 shadow on 04 plate with 2100 miles on clock for £1400. slightly cheaper insurance too. Plus if you drop it etc etc, then your not ruining a brand new bike. Plenty out there too.


last week got over 70mph going up hill - thats with a 16.5stone bloke on too
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Got my bike - Honda VT 125 SHadow - passed DAS (2nd time) - got my BabyBlue A suzi VL 800 mmmm - 2 yrs on a brand new c1800rt (suzuki torque monster)

[Stiffler]

There are lots of things to consider. 1st and foremost is cost and usually a new bike will cost you much more than a 2nd hand bike. You've also got to remember that new riders often drop their bike and if you drop your brand new bike you're going to be upset.

Another thing to remember is that 125's often hold their value well, but you'll still loose money on a new bike when it comes to sell it, whereas often when selling a well looked after 2nd hand bike you'll get what you paid for it.

Sometimes dealers will throw in lots of extras on a new bike though and this is where it can become more desirable. If you can find a new bike which offers free insurance and a discount on clothing it could end up a better deal. Buying new you also get exactly what you want in the colour you want and you know that the only poor treatment it's had is whatever you do to it...

I just picked up a Yamaha YBR125 1 year old, 1770miles and in near perfect condition for £1050. Although the stickers are a bit ugly! I'm really happy with the price I paid and the bike, but I must admit I've been looking at 2nd hand ad's for a number of weeks and buying a new bike would have been alot less hassle.
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Current Bikes - Kawasaki ZX-6R (636) | BMW G650GS

[tomkapsalis]

If you buy a 125 new you lose 1/3 of the price as soon as you ride out of the show room. Most garages sell demonstrators on 05/55 plates for a fraction of the cost of 06/56 plates.
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Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death...

[freedee]

I've always taken the attitude that buying a brand new bike as soon as you do your CBT is asking for trouble and basically throwing money away, the amount of people i know who've gone out and spent 3K on a brand new "race replica" only to bin it in the first week is too scary to count!

Personally, i'd buy something relatively cheap and cheerful first off, even if you only keep it a few months and then sell it on to buy something else a little better once you're a bit more confident. This is the way i'm doing it atm, it also leaves me with a bit more cash free to spend on decent gear and put towards my DAS in the new year.

[cestrian]

What about the interest free credit offered on many bikes nowadays.

Either way, its almost pointless buying a brand new bike unless you get an amazing, unmissable deal with interest free credit.

Gordy

[Kay-J]

[G]

Had you considred an SR125?

They offer styling along similar, though more restrained lines.

An ok example can be got from about £500 and is an excellent bike to start out on if you like the cruiser-ish style. You probably won't lose much when you come to sell and will be a lot less bothered if you crash it.

Also good to start on a cheap bike to see what you like - for instance do you want better handling, or decide you do want a big-looking cruiser bike, or even that the power's fine and you'd just like a newer looking similar model. Whatever, you get the option to find out without spending a lot.

[Kay-J]

i'm gonna get my next payment of my student loan in january, a hefty £1500 or so. i'll see what second hands area available then, its an ever changing market

oh yeh, and i think i sat on that one, i looked like a giant on a tricycle
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like a true natures child....