This really hasnt been my day, despite it being payday

[s0urc3]

Hey all, been a while since I last posted...

I put my Kawasaki ER5 into my local kawasaki shop today for a checkover by a qualified engineer. Received a call this afternoon informing me that it is virtually a write off and needs at least £2000 worth of kit to repair it.

So, this hit me quite bad as I use it every day and was also considering going for a ride out with people in the south east here on sunday (weather permitting), but now I bloody can't.

When I got home from work, I opened a letter informing me that I had been clocked doing 45mph in a 30mph limit

It hasn't said exactly what the punishment is except I have to fill out a form confirming that it was me that was riding at the time (it was a mobile unit that got me)...My worry is I only passed my test a few months ago and it might put my insurance up extremely high, especially as I am considering getting a new bike in the coming months. Also, if I get 6 points on my licence, it is taken away as I am still within my two year restriction period.

I'm not sure what punishment I'll get but I sincerely hope that it's only 3 points and a small fine.

So, have had to pay rent, service charge at local kawasaki shop, fine for speeding and also bike not roadworthy. Best day of my life So on my payday my wages have been considerably reduced and now I have next to nothing

Anyway I apologise for the fairly long post, needed to get it out really.

Take care guys
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[.....]

What's exactly up with the bike? Is the quote to get it back to 100% perfect or roadworthy? There will be a big difference between the two.

As for the speeding get over to www.pepipoo.com and get reading.

[0ddball]

Pretty sure it will just be 3 points and a fine. And as it's hard to avoid being caught these days most people have at least 3 points. So i doubt it will make much if any difference to your insurance.

What's wrong with the ER5?

[Ichy]

Blimey what have you done that will cost £2k to fix? You could buy a decent bike for that money!

[Ariel Badger]

If it has 2K worth of damage just break it on ebay.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[s0urc3]

Hi guys,

Apparently there is a problem with the headlamp, clocks need replacing (they are a bit f***ed), and they said something was wrong with the engine (a particular part), I am due to get a service overview tomorrow so I will know all of the specifics then. I didn't think it would be worth fixing if it is going to cost me over £1000, after all I got the bike for just under that figure.

However, I am a little suspicious of what they have told me and will go to get a second opinion somewhere else. They already know that I might be interested in getting another bike soon, they already tried to sell me a new zx10r, and she said to me on the telephone that the bad news today would make a good excuse to get a new one. Even though it's true I'm still a little bit skeptical about the situation.

Thanks for the advice Joe I'll have a look at that website
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[Pete.]

46 in a 30 I got 3 points and £60. They won't bother taking yours to court because the costs will be higher than the fine is worth, so no net-gain.

As for the 2 grand to fix your bike up - - - GET IT OUT OF THERE NOW. Somebody is trying to take you for a mug. A 2002 ER-5 is barely worth £2k as a minter. Why would you spend that much on it when you could replace it for less?
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Ariel Badger]

Do not let them service the bike, fucking robbing cowboys.
Get it to a reputable dealer.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[s0urc3]

Ebay might be a good idea, but the bike has a lot of sentimental value as it's my first big bike, I have been everywhere on it and also my girlfriend doesn't want me to get rid of it, so thats fine by me lol..I might keep it in my garage for a bit and think about what to do.

As for buying another bike, I am looking at kawasaki zx6r's, cbr600rr's and also suzuki gsxr 750's. More tempted by the kwak but honda has a good reputation and pretty good build quality..

Time will tell I guess, but I have developed a bike addiction so it wont be too long
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[s0urc3]

Thanks Geri thats put my mind at rest a little.

And yeah they probably are bastad robbing cowboys!

I'll get it checked elsewhere I think.

I'm looking to take out a personal loan on a bike but I'm not too sure whether to do it or not. I am pretty secure in my job, can afford the repayments comfortably, loan would cover bike, insurance and gear, and I would be a pretty happy bunny.

However my mum says no way, the rest of family don't like the idea as it's "just a bike", "you can get a car for that money" and all the usual crap.

The only downside would be paying the interest, but it's a very good rate at about 5.6% APR fixed...

I have read all the other posts about finance and loans on bikes, however if someone would like to voice their opinion on this then it would be appreciated.

Thanks guys
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[veeeffarr]

[s0urc3]

Yeah I'd be using it every day, as a tool and a toy, and hopefully if I get a suitable bike, trackdays as well..so would be well used

Would probably need to get loan protection and fully comprehensive insurance though. That should bump up another grand or so.

I've heard that kawasaki zx6r's are less forgiving than a cbr600rr, might look into that even though I had my heart set on a zx6r
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[Polarbear]

A personal loan is certainly the best way to go if you have to borrow money.

5.6% is pretty good at the moment so if you go for it, get it on the shortest time you can comfortably pay, that way your compound interest is kept relativley low and you get to have the bike paid off quickly.

Also, you own the bike from the word go, it is yours, unlike HP (sorry if I'm telling you things you already know)
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[The Tot]

Student loan and overdraft, it's the best way to rinse every bit of money you have. Oh, just read that you were working, .

Take it out of that garage RIGHT NOW! For 2 grand, you're pretty much had. Find somewhere reputable in your area. Rule of thumb, don't ever get your bike serviced by a franchise dealer unless its your first complimentary service. Most workshops are far more reputable and have less overheads to worry about than the dealers, and if you say you got recommended by somebody, they'll be honest, especially if they're on first name basis with you. Find an established place and then they'll make an honest living out of you. Plenty of them about, but they seem to be few and far between.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[s0urc3]

Thanks very much for the advice guys I really appreciate it.

I think I will go for a personal loan, it's a good rate, affordable, like you say the bike will be mine so that is a big plus, and I will get to have some great fun

The question is, which one? Either a CBR600RR, or a kawasaki zx6r..I don't like the look of the 07 CBR600's so would probably go for 2003-06.

For my 18th birthday I was bought a day with AJP, off-roading for an entire day!! Will be great fun Going this saturday
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02

[kawakid]

You can buy a new ER5 for £2600 so you are being ripped off.

All the parts you talk about can be found on ebay, including the engine.

I've seen an engine for less than £100

(I do own an ER5!).

One thing you might be getting ripped of due to your location, I new of someone tow their car back to Yorkshire just so they weren't ripped off with Southern sky high rip off prices.

You need to go to some back street place (NOT A DEALER), that is recommended.

£2000 for a bike thats £2600 new is a joke. I'd love to have a look at it myself just to give you my opinion.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[The Tot]

You know you want to be old skool and get something from the mid to late 90's, it's where it's at , where sportsbikes are merely muscle bikes with fairings by comparison to the 06-07 offerings .

Just get a test ride on as many as you can, or if you're like me and go on impulse, get the shiniest , nicest one, packed with really neat extras for the cheapest price!
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[stinkwheel]

What he said. You can buy a good second hand engine for well under £200. I can't possibly imagine what is wrong with the clocks that would require they were replaced in their entirety unless you crashed them (and even then, I've had a set of clocks pretty comprehensively smashed apart in a crash but they still worked.).

Headlamp. Well, I presume it was working when it left you? So what the hell is wrong with it? Even so, you can buy a bog standard round, pattern headlamp for about £30.

As has been said, get it back and make sure they give you a list of what they reckon needs doing. They will be charging you for the time they spent checking it over so you might as well have something to show for it.

I can't see how an ER5 could be ridden to a shop and need £2000 of repairs to make it roadworthy. If you took it into the shop in a wheelbarrow smashed into small pieces, maybe then.

[s0urc3]

Yeah I would love to go and test ride some. But lets say I go to a dealer and ask for a test ride on a zx6r for example..I am under the two year restriction period..so is it under the dealers discretion whether they let me have a go or is it just a plain no go?
(As I would imagine the bikes in the showrooms are full power)

Yeah southern prices are a rip mate, and I didn't actually know ER5's were as cheap as that from new. I know of a "backstreet place" who are pretty good so I'll take it down there for a second opinion.

Thanks guys
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Current: Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird 99 Previous: Honda CBR1000RR 04, Honda CBR1000F 95, Yamaha YZF600R 98, Honda CBR600F 98, Honda CBR600F 94, Kawasaki ER-5 02