Not your normal 1st bike question...

[MeatHelmet]

I know what bike i want. CBR600F

I have seen a couple in local garages, but noticed that the prices of the bikes in garages and the prices of private sellers are way different.

Fair enough, I expect to pay more for a bike from a garage, but some are nearly £500 more for similar spec bikes.

My question is, is the premium price worth it for my first bike? i.e. warranty etc. Or, should i save myself some money and buy private?

[Mark 37]

To be honest £500 difference is nothing. I'd expect to pay £1500 more at a garage for a 600cc and upward bike.

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[MeatHelmet]

[Alpha-9]

You need to answer your question yourself.

A warranty is what it is, up to you whether you want it, personally i'd rather have a cheaper bike and deal with any issues myself.
____________________
Fzr-600 1999

[BigJoe78]

also a bike from a dealers will usually have had a fresh MOT and service, although the quality of them may be questionable

[theburger]

I got mine from a bike shop and glad I did, they did a fresh MOT, service and put a new rear tyre on it, all in the sale price.

[Rogerborg]

I wouldn't wipe my arse on an MOT from a dealer. Judge the bike on its condition, not what it says on a bit of paper in a database.

At that age, they can shrug off most problems that you encounter as reasonable for the age (unless they've specifically warranted otherwise) so you're really only covered for what they feel like sorting.

At that age, I'd go private without a second's hesitation, particularly as you'll get a test ride more easily. £500 buys you quite a bit of fixing (worst case) or fun juice (best case).
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[janner_10]

Very solid bikes, no need to really go to a dealer. Its only faux piece of mind.

I had a buyers guide somewhere - see if I can dig it out. Its usual stuff though, service history, etc

Reg / Rec could be a problem as per Hondas, about £50 to £75 to sort.

CCT can sometimes be noisy, just have a listen at about 5k revs. About £100 to sort.

And gearbox is noisy anyway. Aside that and the obvious, solid machines that will go on forever.
____________________
Yamaha FZS600 (Now gone to heaven) > CBR600F4i (SOLD) > '99 YZF-R1

[J.M.]

[CB77]

Don't pay over the odds for one - I have been unable to shift my 2001 CBR600F for £1600, and it's a nice bike.

I'm not plugging it btw, because it's staying for another year! Have a look on ebay to see completed listings, and you'll see really nice ones failing to sell for decent prices, plus it's coming up to winter which knocks the prices down further.

And I'd never buy an old bike from a dealer, just not worth it. Like people say: everything that goes wrong can be put down to wear and tear on an old bike pretty much, so forget that warranty, it's just a con.

[MeatHelmet]

Thanks for the advice people.

Think I will follow your advice and stop discounting private sale bikes.

Cheers again.

[insomniac]

the one thing about dealers though is that once you say you'll have the bike it yours.
the private seller can muck you about and really P you off.
I was all set to buy a bike yesterday but then the seller turns around and says that he has sold the bike to someone else even though I was the first to call to look at it but he said the earliest I could see it was next Tuesday
____________________
Most people seem to put in when they've past what so here goes.
CBT: 16/09/12; Theory: 20/02/13 MOD1:20/05/13 MOD2:29/05/13
Suzuki Marauder GZ125; Suzuki Intruder VL800

[Alphadog Motorcycles]

i have to agree with Alpha-9 (nice name BTW) MOT from a dealer is alwas questionable it is in their best interested to sell the bike.

The thing thats always got me though is the depreciation soon as you roll it away from the dealers its worth £500 less.
____________________
Sarah and Luke
www.alphadogmotorcycles.co.uk
complete motorcycle care

[map]

[angryjonny]

[Rogerborg]

[P.addy]

Essentially the same as a Yamaha Thundercat, but double the price for the same year. Having ridden both, the Thundercat would get a vote before the CBR600F.

Insurance is about ~£60 cheaper for me on the Cat too..

[J.M.]

[kramdra]

Guessing older carb model, alu frame, with the single headlamp? think it looks best, but couldnt live with carbs.

Steely frames have better crash protection, rather than fairing mounts on alu frame.

One common thing to check that noone mentions, rotting downpipes at collector. £150 for stainless replacement. Seems good chance of an exhaust stud snapping too, not for DIY'ing.

CCTL is often noisy, many people ignore it


buy private, mot/service means FA. but they are expensive bikes to fix if engine does go wrong.

A lot more fun can be had on an older scratched bike than one your scared of dropping.. Should be some around £1000.

[cornish]

I've only ever bought through private sellers BUT i've always taken at least one other person with me who knows what they're doing to look them over.

I used to get UBG (Used Bike Guide - don't know if it still exists now as i never see it around) and had a good stash of them as their articles were a good run-down of what to look for when buying specific bikes used. But i'd still take someone with me, preferably someone who has owned the bike in question and has the ability to drag you away from something you've fallen in love with if it's not right.

TBH i'd do the same if i bought from a garage as they probably have plenty of ways to shaft you. I'd say have a look at some private sales too
____________________
smile and be happy. . . .it gets right on everyone's tits!