biker420
Derestricted Danger
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
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arry
Super Spammer
Joined: 03 Jan 2009
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Alpineandy
World Chat Champion
Joined: 18 Mar 2015
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 Posted: 11:58 - 30 Dec 2016  Post subject: |
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| biker420 wrote: | where do you guys normally buy your bikes from in or around London ?
Is auto trader reliable or should I go for specific showrooms etc? |
You'll really need to find out what going on in your area bike-wise and especially what options you have 'bike maintenance-wise' in your area. Ask any local biker you know or see where they get their bike serviced etc. Dealers are usually quite expensive but there are quite a few very knowledgeable bike mechanics around that are much cheaper. I moved away from London a couple of years back and got lucky in finding a great guy that I can now call 'a mate' and I value his opinion. If I was looking to buy something else then he'd be first call to see if he knows of any on his network.
You mention London but that's a big place (I lived there for near 50 years and it's definately big  ), so if you could narrow it down a bit then you may get some recommendations.
Certainly wander round to any local bike shops / workshops. As with everything else, some you'll trust immediately, some you're immediately wary of and some you won't be sure about. But they may have some customer bikes for sale or be able to point you in the right direction.
Autotrader, Gumtree, local forums & facebook and the Bay of E, are all possibilities for buying. Usual caveats apply, that you should always view a bike first, never arrange to meet in iffy places (especially carrying cash), make sure the paperwork is for that bike and 100% correct etc etc.
But you need to spend time at dealers sitting on their expensive bikes to work out what is and what isn't comfortable for you, before you start trawling the private sellers.
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me. |
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Rogerborg
nimbA
Joined: 26 Oct 2010
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| Posted: 23:23 - 30 Dec 2016 Post subject: |
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| biker420 wrote: | Is auto trader reliable or should I go for specific showrooms etc? |
OK, you're at about an 8 on the Sperg Scale. Maybe dial it down to a 3 or a 4.
Dealers don't have a monopoly on decent bikes. They may even have more than their fare share of traded-in lemons. Plenty of people get ripped off after paying a premium for that mythical "peace of mind".
In any case, you're getting way, way ahead of yourself. First, get your licence. Then, make up a short list of bikes based on what you like and dislike about your training bike.
This is the last time I'm going to write this for your benefit: bikes are not cars. It's not a case of reading some MCN reviews, comparing specs, and finding the best finance package.
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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 |
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